Liverpool Banter Archive March 18 2013
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18 Mar 2013 23:42:48
Rodgers is not fit for purpose.
East Coast Red
Define fit for purpose. who would do better, how and why?
19 Mar 2013 09:45:54
carlo anchelotti.
top manager. prooven. respected. excellent knowledge and won almost everything. is available.
knows in depth of football.
will do wonders with Liverpool.
he and us will compliment each other.
And most players would love to work with top managers.
Carlo Anchelotti, could'nt even hold on to a 3-0 half-time lead in a CL final.
18 Mar 2013 23:45:21
I don't suppose we are looking at Geoffrey Kondogbia. I think his release clause is around 7 mil aswell. Absolute bargain if we could get him.
GuvTOB
18 Mar 2013 22:21:51
de vrij sakho alonso erikson and bony anyone
We would be a very formidable force if we added these to our squad!
Wont happen
Yeah, you paying?
Totally plausible I'd say!
HB
18 Mar 2013 21:30:56
To the poster calling sturridge a pussy look at the freekick again suarez broke from the wall seems he was the pussy but suarez can do no wrong. Point being if you're going to lay blame, don't just bash anyone. Sturridge has started well and the service since he's comeback has been rubbish. Calling him lazy and idle is unjust
He has been lacking in the effort department since his return but perhaps still not fully fit? Either way we need all players firing on all cylinders - its no good only turning up against the big teams.
SMc
18 Mar 2013 19:31:18
Eds, this is a fantastic site and full of fascinating info. I have a question for you and the posters. Why do we seem to spend quite reasonable amounts of money on players that are 'broken'?
Andy Carroll - Broken while still in the box, fixed (may as well have stayed broken)
Borini - Broken, fixed, broken again
Sturridge - New toy, played with too often and without proper care - Minor damage
Allen - Manager knows was broken and fixed before, still buys for too much money, gets broken, ( but masks break with crazy glue), now needs to be fixed again properly.
Do LFC doctors/physios etc. get paid piece rate?
Surely this is something that needs looking into?
BELIEVER {Ed001's Note - because they are the players chosen by the manager at the time. It happens a lot these days, people have more faith in the medical staff than they used to. Plus players are not required to play as much football as they used to either, it is more of a squad game.}
When players join a club they don't just switch team mates and shirts. This is something a lot of fans fail to appreciate.
They also change training regimes and tactics. Their bodies have trained day in day out one way and they have been used to playing a certain way.
Then they change and make runs they didn't used to make, get into 50/50's they used to avoid and clubs do actually use different training schedules and different training regimes.
That's why players need time to settle in, and it is also why they are susceptible to injury. Often another problem is they are trying too hard to impress and prove themselves and get injured for that reason.
Search Engine
And we tried to get Marveaux - can be quality but less reliable than a TVR!
19 Mar 2013 10:10:35
When players join a club they don't just switch team mates and shirts. This is something a lot of fans fail to appreciate.
They also change training regimes and tactics. Their bodies have trained day in day out one way and they have been used to playing a certain way.
Then they change and make runs they didn't used to make, get into 50/50's they used to avoid and clubs do actually use different training schedules and different training regimes.
That's why players need time to settle in, and it is also why they are susceptible to injury. Often another problem is they are trying too hard to impress and prove themselves and get injured for that reason.
Luis saurez didn't needed anything as such.
started scoring from day 1.
mata, hazard, rvp,
what are you talking about?
qulaity comes with a price. and you have to justify the price for which you are bought.
Search Engine
That's not strictly true though is it - how long did RVP take to settle at United? or Hazard at Chelsea? Vertonghen and Dembele at Spurs?
Not all players take ages to settle in, particularly if they've played in the same league before. It just seems like Liverpool players trying to buck the trend ;)
HB
19 Mar 2013 18:49:46
Not really fair on Search Engine.
Of course some players really hit the ground running, he's merely offering an opinion as to why some don't!
18 Mar 2013 18:49:21
eds if we signed iturra or biglia as back-up for lucas would you be happy and which one would you prefer and why? {Ed001's Note - no idea, not seen Iturra.}
18 Mar 2013 20:15:18
Sturridge is world class, Sturridge is lazy and selfish. Allen is the Welsh Xavi, Allen is poor and weak. Gerrard is top in assists, Gerrard is past it. Johnson is the best right back in the league, Johnson is rubbish.
It's not the team I'm annoyed with. Within a week we go from the best team in the league to the worst Liverpool squad since 1892. Those are just some of the differences a week makes. From fickle moaners who slit their wrists, to the equally fickle boasters who invite trolls from other pages by invading them, themselves
We have played some blinders in the recent weeks, showed character against Spurs. However, we are still not there yet. Truly we are not good enough to be 4th place yet - we would currently get destroyed by most CL teams. At the start of the season I said 6th-7th and good cup performance would be good. We have played well, scored more goals and looked better. Along the road will be hitches (West Brom, Southampton), but I still believe we are on the way back to the top. Perhaps the cup run never came to fruition, but I'm not annoyed about it.
5th next season, a good cup run, more young, class purchases along with older, maturer solid players to strengthen the squad. We have youngsters coming through that are promising - Kelly, Wisdom, Sterling, Suso, Rossiter, Ward, McLaughlin, Robinson for example. I believe we are standing upon a precipice of change, we could become a truly great side again or could plummet back into the cycle of instability, fired managers, underperforming players, selling on our top players and every year not quite making it.
/Rant over from the tired-of-this page (no offense Eds, not you, but some posters)-and-not-so-jolly
18 Mar 2013 20:59:43
Well said jolly red.
ACHILLES.
Good shout jolly this site has become swamped with knee jerkers, I'm pleased that the are some of us who recognise this and recognise some of the positive aspects of our play this season.
DT
I agree but not about top 4 thing. Man U we out played 2nd half deserved a draw. Man c well. We all know what happened. Tottenham deserved to win at WHL and they may of deserved to win at anfield. Arsenal we was 2-0 up Everton we beat them so disagree
19 Mar 2013 00:18:22
Jolly red you have forgotten that Rodgers is the man to say Allen is next Xavi and Borini is inzaghi, just watch some interviews of Rodgers at Lfc site, that's how he hypes his signings and makes difficult for themm
18 Mar 2013 19:57:18
Rodgers might have sold you on the tiki taka talk, but the table is a reminder of how well we have improved not the goals we are scoring
This year our defense has been extremely poor, when just a year ago agger and skrtel were being talked about as one of the best center backs in the league, but they look like they have both never played before.
He signed six players (sturridge, coutinho, assaidi, borini, allen, sahin and it looks like he only bought sturridge and coutinho. now he says he needs to sign four more players in the summer like our squad is so poor, when he is actually the one making it worse
They keep saying we are in transition, but we spend like top4 clubs why don't we give wigan the kind of money we spend and see where they would end up in two years.
He keeps favouring his players at the detriment of the team. how you can play allen ahead of hendo shelvey against a physical saints side is just strange. its simple put sturridge on the bench and play our 3midfielders during away games, suarez needs quality around him not ahead of him.
Fsg should not waste cash, he deserves to be given nothing more than 15m he isn't prudent enough to handle a large transfer kitty since they hired a manger still learning on the job
No need sacking him its too late for that, but next season if we don't make top4 he can take his fancy footy back to wales
So if you know so much about assembling a team and what players should be playing each week, why are you whingeing anonymously on here and not managing a professional team somewhere?
Take a closer look at stats, performances and results and compare them to last year. we're not perfect but we have improved. We will get better but it takes time - look how long it took man city to win the EPL with all the cash they threw at at.
The defence is poor because of the system we play, sometimes it comes off sometimes it dosen't. Southampton showed how to play against us, any really hard working team will as well
Bobbinred
19 Mar 2013 07:34:24
Its clear now that this job is not for Rodgers. I wish he would get it right but I don't think he would because he already rates himself as up there and his ideals as the best. I don't think it has much to do with our players. Its simply a matter of organization. Playing a hat trick scoring striker as number 10 and deploying a Chelsea cast off who played most his games prodominantly as right winger is madness. Downing is originally a left winger but has been tossed about and dumped on the right in the end
Again, playing 424 away from home is either naivety of the worst order or a display of arrogance that is not backed up by substance.
18 Mar 2013 19:51:36
just my opinion but totally agree with the other posters about sturridge he is lazy, selfish and the big ego man poor signing he will prove to be. Chelsea knew what they were doing selling him to us another waste of money spent by our club. TOMLFC.
18 Mar 2013 21:01:01
Tom mate not only chelsea knew that but even a lot of fans said that including some eds, but he started with bang and everyone started praising him, sturridge problem is if he doesn't score goals then his no use because his not going to offer anything, if we want to get best out of him then we need to build around him, at the sametime he will never play for shirt, just like chelsea or city or bolton, I was shocked looking how many times Suarez and sturridge tumbled together and big problem is Suarez is in hotest form and wants to score goals from every angle instead of passing same with sturridge he wants to score goals from every angle instead of passing this is the problem which Rodgers needs to solve before 2 egos clash on field, the way sturridge shouted on suarez when he tried from tight angle against soton that won't go well with suarez if it continues in games.
He's only played a handful of games and managed to score a handful of goals with a couple of assists thrown in.
"You'll Never Walk Alone" means nothing to fans like you.
It was the title of a song, lfc adopted it in the sixties when gerry and the pacemakers covered it for around the 5th time. so please tell me what does adopting a moniker actually mean?. if your mother had a short list of names to call you, would you be expected to act differently if called henry instead of david. ynwa, its just a moniker you gave yourselves because a scouser group covered it and it got to number one. what does it mean? nothing, is the short answer
18 Mar 2013 19:31:19
I honestly believe we're NOT asking too much of last 8 games, to EXPECT A MINIMUM of 6 Wins and 2 draws. As a matter of fact I expect 7 wins and one draw. Don't see why not with no disrespect to opposition. It SEEMS to be more about our attitude and beating ourselves then opposition fairly often with us. And mentality wise WHY AIN'T we got more guts and fight? NEVER SEEMS to be anyone screaming at each other in our side. With the will can't see the run in in being insurmountable at all. But who is gona stand up and kick apse to provide that will?
18 Mar 2013 19:21:25
Jack dunn looks really good doesn't he?
Yeah he has been in the shadow of the likes of ibe and sinclaire etc. but he can make it.
derryred
18 Mar 2013 18:51:17
No disrespect to Carra (Thank God for him) But we should be settling in replacements sooner! If Coates ain't Gona work, get someone who wil! And don't be leaving it till someone retires-settle them in. Same goes for Stevie, if Hendo or Shelvey ain't (partially, as he was THAT Good) replacing him, get his replacement in now. We tend to wait till we're desperate before we start the search
Transfer window is in the summer mate. We can't get anyone in until then.
I imagine replacements will be getting looked at between now and then.
MIKEY
Wisdom should play.
18 Mar 2013 18:21:27
Eds fellow reds, there's a lot of negativity on here after the weekend. But true fans will go where ever there club takes them. And at the moment we are taken 3 steps forward and 1 back but the players will learn from this an come back stronger. This time next season if we are in same position then let's think about BR and problems but I would be amazed if we are not a lot closer to the top 4. And hopefully keep the top players and add a couple more
18 Mar 2013 20:35:32
Haha fantastic true fans will always go where the club takes them.
What has happen to Liverpool fans, I think a lot of fans mindset has drained.
Before fans accepted winning league title was impossible and just shifted the focuss on champions league and cups, then fans accepted cups were not important and finishing top4 was priority, now fans are accepting finishing 7-8th is acceptable or getting beat by teams 3-1 is not a big deal.
Wake up we are Liverpool fc, what happen to our tradition, what happen to our culture, Liverpool is not just a club it represents its city and trillions of fans out there, Liverpool is not just a club for its fans its a religion, if we fans accept mediocrity then what about people like shanks, paisley and trillions fans that worked day and night to make what this Great club stands for.
18 Mar 2013 23:20:58
To 2nd poster spot on mate, the atmosphere is gone, fans have accepted Liverpool is midtable team now, it has lost the respect which once commanded neither have the quality to give its fans confidence. I just hope in my lifetime I can see this great club once again dominate domestic and europe. Most fans have even forgot that this is LIVERPOOL FC.
Well said and it looks like fsg know they can not compete financially and are just trying to not lose too much money, I hope fsg prove me wrong as 21 years of getting no where is starting to hurt me, only thing keeping me going is the fact it took man u 25 years.
19 Mar 2013 08:11:22
Wake up we are Liverpool fc, what happen to our tradition, what happen to our culture, Liverpool is not just a club it represents its city and trillions of fans out there, Liverpool is not just a club for its fans its a religion, if we fans accept mediocrity then what about people like shanks, paisley and trillions fans that worked day and night to make what this Great club stands for.
to the person who worte this.
yes. but Liverpool is also a club which needs money to run.
and whose going to give that?
are you?
or the owners who has to invest without any returns?
why should they pump money to save Liverpool FC.
is that because money is printed in US?
It all ended when Paisley retired -
18 Mar 2013 17:00:31
Ed001 I was wondering for you're opinion on a few things. See, I was born in 91, so don't remember a lot of the in depth stuff through the 90s. So just a few questions.
1. Was nick barmby really the highest paid footballer in the league on 57k a week?
2. Was heggem any good?
3. I had sander westerfeld on my goalie top, and I copied his hair style, was he rated highly?
4. What was it like watching McManaman run at people?
And finally, obviously I know why fowler was named god, did he ever miss a chance? Lol. {Ed001's Note - 1. I don't know if he was highest paid in the league, he was at Liverpool at the time though.
2. Going forward he was sometimes brilliant, but he couldn't defend.
3. He was good at first, then our goalkeeping coaching ruined him. At times he was as accurate with his kicking as anyone I have ever seen. I remember him in a game against Leeds, Titi Camara was upfront on his own, and he pinged the ball to him time after time. It was Xabi Alonso-like, but with a drop ball from his hands.
4. Frustrating towards the end, he would get carried away and run into blind alleys at times. He was marked out of too many games, he just didn't know what to do to lose a man marker. But, if he picked the ball up in space and ran at the defence, breathtaking to watch him just skip past people so easily.
5. I did see him miss a few, but not many, he was deadly to say the least. He was far more than just a goal scorer though, at his best he is the best player I have ever seen live. He could beat players with the ball at his feet, he had great vision and could pick out the right pass. His free kicks on the edge of the box were top class as well. The lad was a truly special talent. Football was never the same for me after he left and I will never forgive Owen for his whining and Houllier and Thompson for choosing the whining moneygrubber over God.}
Thank you ed. interesting insight that. Cheers
Football was never the same for me after he left and I will never forgive Owen for his whining and Houllier and Thompson for choosing the whining moneygrubber over God.
+1
18 Mar 2013 17:38:45
A question for there regulars on here, do you think the standard of referees especially in this country has dropped in the last decade, or is it simply the fact with all the cameras and numerous pundits analyzing the game we now see the poor decisions. This weekend in particular has been a shocker for the ref's, just off the top of my head there was the shocking challenge by the Wigan player, and two handballs that should have resulted in pen's but were free kicks.
Thoughts anyone?
The one thing I will say about the Mcmanaman tackle there are so many cheats and divers around now its like the boy who cried wolf, how are we supposed to know instantly weather the lad really is hurt or play acting.
always a red
The standard of referees have dropped, and until the FA stop being so pompous and arrogant about the matter nothing will change, I think a referee should be interviewed after a game and should explain a decision when its controversial, he should not be allowed the time to think up the perfect wording for his report that excuses him.
I 've only seen the Everton game and I am still baffled how was that a free kick outside and not a penalty, he was more than a yard inside, so its either a penalty, or nothing (not intentional or did n't see it).
And the Norwich keeper should n't been sent off if handball is meant be intentional, it was obvious the ball rebounded under his arm, how on earth could he have meant that.
I agree. The games getting faster, the referees slower/fatter. Lol. You've got to admit though 99% of the Premier league players exaggerate every foul making it difficult for the refs. It's embarrassing in all honesty but its the norm. DBol
I don't think they have got worse. Just technology has got better like you say. In a decade we have got HD, hawkeye, better slow mo cameras etc. It's got a lot easier to criticise refs for there decisions despite the face they have just the one chance to get it right.
You could always try and see how many decisions you get right in a game without the benefit of the technology and see how hard it is for the ref.
You can either just accept the decisions as part of the game. Or call for a video ref like rugby and get every decision right but also lose some of the excitement from the game.
MIKEY
Its hard for the refs. The game is very quick and they are expected to make an instant call. As for the Mcmanaman tackle. A player ran in front of the ref just as the tackle was made. He done the right thing in my opinion. Now the FA can dish out the correct punishment.
The Irsh Rover
18 Mar 2013 19:56:05
Yea, two handballs that shd have been penalties! Not as bad as scoring with your hand though, and u know who I'm talking about.
Bluesea
I personally think there should be video technology introduced throughout all aspects in the game!
We are now at the point where referees and officials decide a games outcome instead of the teams playing.
JOZLFC
18 Mar 2013 21:37:00
Oh and the top pro, the solid Englishman and stalwart and all round good chap, Everton captain an all. Phil Neville wouldn't dream of bringing the game into disripute by indulging in any kind of skulduggery by doing something so crafty and underhanded that only Johnny Foreigner usually considers doing. Oh wait a minute, who's that handsome devil that's just tripped over his own chin?
JohnBoy
Bluesea how about a defo handball a yard inside his own pen area on sat and you know who i'm talking about eh lad.
18 Mar 2013 17:28:18
I wonder if BR put his name in that fake envelope. !
Director of Football needed to advise BR. Roy Evans would be a wise shoulder to lean on.
M
Oh yes, what a great idea. The mistreated llegend that is roy evans would have the lack of respect to come back and take up a position to patronises rodgers in exactly the same fashion as when houllier was broughtt in to 'help' him.
Anonymous woolback
18 Mar 2013 16:49:05
I've been thinking about the way we play and as BR wants us to play a possession based game with the emphasis on pressing the ball when we lose possession, why haven't we got a strong, physical, lightning quick centre back? If we had someone of this quality in our squad then surely it would help us by being able to hold a much higher line (halfway line)? and therefore making it easier to press and regain possession. The obvious outlet for opposing teams would be to 'hoof' the ball like we, sometimes, do. This would be countered by new swift defender and by Reina who is good with his feet and could act as 'sweeper'.
At the moment we are not pressing as a unit as there is too much space for us to cover and you can see the players getting knackered!
Surely, against the 'weaker' teams we could contain them in their own half and with the talent we have up front we can now create more openings?
Long winded I know but surely common sense. I just don't know why that wasn't top of BRs shopping list.
BELIEVER
Exactly the back 4 is only as good as the slowest player if we press high up the field to condense the play.
We always played that way in our heyday, Hansen was world class, Lawrensons speed of recovery was 2nd to none.
It's the exact same reason that Masch plays in the back 4 for Barca, "speed of recovery"
So your post is one of the most sensible on the matter.
Who is the player that you want
We have been susceptible to counter-attacks all season, conceding a lot of goals. Recovery speed or speed in general is an important factor in modern day football, especially the Premier League. A good example are full-backs nowadays (Clichy, Walker) who may not be the best defenders, but have excellent recovery speed, though for full-backs, agility is an important factor too.
Is we could indeed find a CB with good recovery speed (Verthoghen for example), we would indeed do very well. But the question is, who is out there who we could buy based on our current position?
Well it just seems like common sense to me. What's more effective, trying to press passively over 3/4 of a pitch or pressing aggressively over 1/2 a pitch? A higher line also stops us giving stupid free-kicks away too close to our goal. Whoever we get in as CB next summer has to be imo a) lightning quick, especially over the first 10-20 yards, b) strong - be able to treat Benteke, Walters, Cole (insert other big forwards name), like their a puppet, c) good in the air and d) willing to clear a situation with the minimum of fuss. If we're playing it around at the back and under pressure, he takes it, nails it up front and drags everyone out, knowing that if it comes back he has the speed and ability to sort it out.
I don't know who fits the bill and what they would cost, but a 20 year old version of Sami Hyppia would be a god given gift.
Lets stop blaming the defense every time we loose, we have second best defense in the league.
On Saturday we defended badly, but our midfield was none existing (even when Lucas came in) and our forwards were ineffective.
The question I have; If Allen is injured why start with him? get your goal or 2 cushion then experiment.
Roy
I agree with both points however we never struggled last few games with Carra. Not sure whether its because he is more vocal or actually a cares but there was so much wrong last match. One point of me thinks Skrtel was having payback, then I just calm down and hope it was rust. We could keep on forever about what went wrong but my own opinion, and not knee jerk, is the BR messed up. The team did not play well as a whole but I would like the manager to berate and shout on touch line from start. And I'm sorry to mention it again but to play Allen is shocking.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IT
We don't have such a player because agger and skrtle where very much consistent and in form when Brendan took over. Carra was a legend, and Coates was a very promising young up and coming centre back.
It's as the season had progressed we have noticed skrtle is losing it, Coates wants to leave and carra is retiring.
That's why we will look at it in the summer.
No point moaning about it now is there? You have to wait until summer.
You can't blame Brendan for not having the hindsight to know we would be weak in central defence at this stage in the season. None of us fans had any idea last summer so you can't expect Brendan to after only a few weeks in charge.
It's obvious we are going to make defencive changes in the summer, maybe save the moaning for then.
MIKEY
18 Mar 2013 19:53:00
Kidmillion has a good footballing brain.
ACHILLES.
Mikey, who's moaning? It could be seen from a few months ago that the defence was dodgy under pressure, was not comfortable passing the ball around and lacked speed and strength. Ever heard of CONSTRUCTIVE criticism? We have what we have at the moment but what i'm saying is this type of defender is our top priority for the style of football BR wants to play. P. S. Whoever said Vertonghen, good shout!
Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Douglas, Mamadou Sakho. All young and with the potential to be better than what we have.
BELIEVER
The point of tiki taka is to dominate possession with teammates in close proximity to each other and when they lose possession the aim is to win it back straight away where they lost it, because that area will have more of their players which means a higher percentage chance of winningit back
18 Mar 2013 16:35:57
Away from the battle cries and anguish of our recent defeat, Suarez leaving this summer is a distant possibility, although a very dreaded one. But the fact that its a possibility therefore leaves it open for discussion.
So, assuming we get 40m from his sale, we get another 30m from the sale of other fringe players like Carrol, Downing, Skrtel, Assaidi and Reina plus the rumoured 20 million our owners are willing to give to the manager, this would leave us with a whoping £90 million for reuilding.
Then we would need to buy 2 strikers to replace Suarez, one centre half to replace Carrager, a right winger to replace Downing and a cover for the R/L wing; a defending midfielder as cover for Lucas and one attacking midfielder, making it a total of 7 new players that could be signed.
My question is would this money be enough to buy us all our needs and stop the manager complaining of having a thin squad as excuse for not performing? I ask thhis question with one eye at Newcastle who bought 6 playyers - Sissoko, Guffran, Mbiwa and three others with less than 30m and have won 4 of their last 7 games as a result, meaning these are good signings.
Should this money not be enough to sign this 7 new players to cover every position where we are lagging behind?. I think it should but I doubt that Rodgers can do this efficiently.
There arises the need for a Director of Football with a track record of signing quality players at reasonable prices.
Should Rodgers still insist that he will not work under a DOF, should we let him spend this money or let him walk and get someone who will work under a DOF.
Kindly respond.
Reina and Downing fringe players? wtf?
You've got a new CB for Carragher, but you've also sold Skrtel, who replaces him?
IMO we don't need a DoF, but somebody who is a better negotiator than Ian Ayre. Someone like Daniel Levy, (but obviously not him), would do very nicely.
BELIEVER
18 Mar 2013 17:35:47
Selling suarez is not the answer, neither our club is stepping stone for players, we sold our stars and replaced them with cheap and now we find ourselves in this mess, if we continue selling our stars will never move foward, will give very bad impression to players who want to join us or who are already our players that we are not ambitious enough, we need to bring quality players to help Suarez and Liverpool in order to achieve what this Great club and its fans deserve rather then thinking which star player can be sold to generate money for other players, what are owners for?
If we sale suarez (dont think that would happen) but bayern have massive money & pep, plus are doing great in
the ucl year in year out. Juventus are coming back to their golden days as well.
If rodgers still remains stubborn and doesn't agree to work under a dof he should be replaced by a top proven manager. that amount of money cannot be risked with someone who spends 30 million on allens and borinis (apart from coutinho none of his buys are great). not that they are bad but they are not world class at all. give that money to a lvg, ancelotti or rafa and you know for a fact top 4 is much more achievable than under BR.
Grow up, whether you sell Suarez or not will make no difference. The owners will not let you spend anywhere near that money-probably be maximum of £20m.
18 Mar 2013 19:21:54
No we didn't sell our stars and replace them with cheap. Rather, we sold our stars and wasted the money on average players. For instance, Spurs didn't want sell Sturidge but when they were forced to the wall, they sold him and bought Dembele who is also as good but at a cheaper price.
As you said, we need to bring quality players to play around Suarez but its clear we do not have the money to buy these quality players you are talking about.
Suarez leaving is not a definite but a possibility and the question is do we have the scouts to identify cheaper replacements who won't take time to settle.
Our recent transfers have been abysmal, bar a few due to the lack of scouting experience, meaning we need help in that department. But with Rodgers here, our scouts are just glorified errand boys who would only go after what the manager wants.
But a DOF will have a mind of his own and at the same time also cooperate with the manager if he sees the need to do so. For instance, no decent DOF would have sanctioned the signing of Allen for 18m because even most fans kicked against this decision and its the same with Borini.
Should our million dollar investment be at the mercy of an obstinate but inexperienced manager?
Abroad Red
Last time we had a DOF it didn't work out to well
Sturridge was at tottenham?
18 Mar 2013 21:14:22
Abroad red you do understand we can't buy star players even if we have 50M to spend on one player, wages are the reason why a lot of money has been wasted or star players weren't bought with money we had because with new owners our wages have been slashed, any players who were bought, they were bought expensive but cheap in wages and owners were very happy at that time, fans who abuse kenny not buying world class players when he had 100M or Rodgers who had 60-70M is not because they didn't want to buy world class players in fact their hand has been tied by owners.
Somebody tell me how changing 6 or 7 players in a team will benefit us, honestly guys think about it we've made some mistakes with the players we bought some might be good some won't and some will. Compare us to barca and if they didn't have the players that came thru the club most players in the messi era have not really been that good, sure they have a big name but don't play to their potential. We could buy for example subotic to replace carra but because he plays good for Dortmund doesn't mean he'll play the same for us, just replace what is need and that's it not worry about who it is because if they play to their full potential they will be good, point is to get them to that level.
18 Mar 2013 16:20:49
I think it's clear our defence needs to be sorted.
Skrtel was probably our best player last year, but that was in a very defensive minded formation with 2 deep midfielders, full-backs that didn't seem to be allowed to get forward and the whole defence sitting very deep.
Now we are playing a bit higher up the pitch, with only 1 deep midfielder and fullbacks that can go where they want, he has looked shaky at best.
Another player that has been a problem (defensively) has been GJ. I've lost count of the number of chances conceded from our right full-back position when he plays. It's either that, or he is not covering the back post correctly when a ball is played into that area either from the other side of the pitch or through the middle.
The problem is worse when he is paired with DA.
He is one of the most comfortable-on-the-ball players we have, but he is not a commanding CB. He is tall, but get out-jumped and out-muscled.
It's a shame JC is at the end of his career, as he has been awesome this season (amazing when you consider all of the above) when he finally got into the team. With less defensive cover in front and around him and the team playing further up the pitch, his true defensive ability can be seen. He's never had pace, but reads the game better than nearly everyone and always seems to be able to get in the way.
I think we are set attacking-wise, but it is in the defence that we should concentrate next.
I would love to see Alonso back at the club. Especially as he will be on a free transfer (or at least very reduced fee now he has confirmed he won't be signing a new contract.
We also need a new CB in the mould of Kompany.
I don't know why GJ has not been tried out as an attacking midfielder. He has the pace, tricks and eye-for-goal and his defensive duties would be limited. There were rumours about it being in his contract that he has to play there most of the time (something to do with England), but in pure defensive ability he is probably only no. 3 in the country. He could, however, make the right-wind area his own for club and country.
Saying that though, I like the combination of GJ at left-back and Enrique in front of him. It worked really well up until Wisdom got injured and he started playing on the right again. It's almost as if he concentrates more when he plays on the left (as it isn't his natural position), so he is so much better defensively, but also seems to choose the right pass and also the right time to get forward.
I know Carra is a legend but he isn't even a good header of the ball.
All these players Agger, Skyrtel and Carra all looked a millions better alongside big Sammi.
So there's your answer we need a big Sammi type, great in the air and also with a bit of pace if were playing a high line.
Barca do not have slow players it doesn't work in tika taka.
Sami hypia didn't have pace! He was quailty but what made up for his pace was his ability to read the game brilliantly and his technique was. top drawer. Did you see him play? Look him up on youtube, you seem as if you were too young at the time kid
Barca do not have slow players? Pique and puyol are slow and lack pace! The only reason macherano is at back is because puyol is injured and has had problems. Sami hypia was a great player but he never had pace. Lol
18 Mar 2013 19:40:01
You'd never get by as a top class central defender without being good in the air.
Granted he's not Hypia, Terry or Vidic when it comes to aerial duels but he's very good, not the tallest but good leap and timing. And before you go on about goals from corners or any of that Carra stayed back for most because he was the most trusted and organized player we have.
JohnBoy
Wouldn't it be great to have Sami back. One of my favourite ever players.
MIKEY
18 Mar 2013 16:03:31
Wondered how long it would be before some supporters started turning on Sturridge - the lad hasn't even had half a season yet, damn you guys must be bored.
I know it's a disgrace, he still needs time to adjust, to settle, first few games was probably high on adrenalin.
Just hope none of our players come on here and read some of the nonsense.
I'm sure it would make "You'll never walk alone" seem very shallow.
18 Mar 2013 20:25:46
i agree a small injury and a bad game every one calls him lazy. before that everyone is singing his praises claiming he is the answer. fickle fans. he is a good player that can only improve
19 Mar 2013 00:14:17
I totally agree about GJ and have argued for years that he is not a natural defender. He should be tried in the rw role. We have good young defenders coming through and challenging for first team action, and they can challenge for rb, lb and central roles.
I would also argue Enrique should be used in a lw attacking role.
With Kelly and Wisdom we have two good talents who in the next season can really challenge for regular central and rb places, and most importantly, they are out and out defenders unlike GJ, so I do not think the problems at the back are as bad as some people believe.
I think our problems really stem from central players that that are not top class:
1/ Downing tries hard but is not effective
2/ Allen is not in form, but has the talent to distribute the ball very well.
3/ Shelvey tries hard but is just not good enough
4/ Suso is lightweight at the moment and needs to get more game time, so should be loaned out.
5/ Sterling - same as Suso
6/ Henderson tries his best, and has improved, but is not yet near the finished article that Liverpool need now.
With only Gerrard and Lucas as players that are top quality, we have really suffered this year. Hopefully Coutinho will make good his obvious potential, and we can make some additions or bring some more talent through the ranks. With GJ and Enrique pushing for more central roles, that would also help.
18 Mar 2013 16:02:44
From what I've read and my own assumptions I can see a few changes during the summer. I think there will be at least 4 or 5 players either being sold or leaving permenantly. I think Coates, Skrtel, Assiadi, Downing, Carrol will leave and maybe Shelvey and Borini Going out on loan.
As for the players comming in, I think De Vrij is a big possibility and I wouldn't be suprised if Rogers banked on someone like Scott Sinclair on loan for cover on the RW. The club haven't given too much away with regards to targets but i'm sure we'll get at least 4 maybe 5 players in.
Tosh
Borini is of interest to florentina. He is a good player and has had abit of bad luck but I would probably let him go if an acceptable offer came in
We can't afford for players like Borini and Shelvey to go on loan. Our squad isn't big enough, but they might well be sold and replaced with new players.
The Irish Rover
Irish Rover my only concern is that we can not keep signing too many players because you constantly keep in transition season after season. But the players we do sign after be first team quality. Especially in defence.
Mighty Reds
I don't believe in transition. Its an excuse to give a player or manager time. Players are signed all the time at every club. They don't all need time to bed in. Look at Mischu for instance.
The Irish Rover
18 Mar 2013 21:43:48
Mighty reds transition is just an excuse for managers or players. Every club changes managers and players every year and still progres, just look at spurs or west brom or swansea etc, I can give you trillion examples, when a club changes manager or bring players its because of improving rather then going backwards or starting from scratch, only Liverpool fans think that transition exist in modern footy where clubs are spending big money, Liverpool have spent enough of cash this year or last year to achieve top4.
Transition does not exist in modern footy owners invest big just to run a club like Liverpool let alone transfer fees, they expect their money to return, champions league is so important to owners that it opens new commercial deals and different opportunity to bring more money to club, no owner in world football will let this all opportinity go wasted just to give his manager time, if Rodgers doesn't achieve top4 next season then he will be sacked rather then owners losing all money and waiting for Rodgers to get champions league, that's the same reason why a lot of managers get sack in modern footy compare to 20-30 years ago.
Yeah I agree about Michu but that's just one player we can't keep signing 5 or 6 players every summer. Most best team just sign 3 or 4 and keep the same group working together.
18 Mar 2013 16:01:27
Here is a question to all. Would yous buy Michu as another attacker IF an option. Tall, strong, has performed. against the. top teams and could play in our system. He is a very good player IMO.
18 Mar 2013 18:09:19
again judging a player on 1 season. we do not want to repeat the mistakes we did by signing allen, henderson, carroll, borini, adam
LIVERBIRD
18 Mar 2013 16:00:17
after seeing our recent loss I believe consistency is our problem. Anyways this season we don't deserve to be in top 4. However, IMO we are moving in the right direction and I still love my team.
Succinct and honest post mate, I agree yaar DT
18 Mar 2013 15:49:43
Fowlergod
Why don't you change your name mate, its near the same as fowler is god and is causing confusion. Some good posts mate but i'm getting mixed up between you pain. Up to you'
Ignore the pain word
18 Mar 2013 15:38:16
Rodgers is a modern footballing manager. The game has moved on from the way stoke plays. David moyes can get all the plaundits he and everton fans cry for but he is no better than the next Tom, dick and harry. However. the one thing he has consistantly instilled in his team is character and grit. That is why Everton are a decent side as they can win the ugly matches and that's why IMO he's been linked to the big clubs.
The one thing I would like in Rodgers that I don't know if he has is when the lads are poor and put it no effort is to give them the hairdryer treatment because winning teams need a kicking up the arse when they are poor. Look at united and Ferguson' some players in our changing room get moleecuddled. I don't care if you are gerrard or allen, sometimes a few truths gets the team kick started again and what club you are playing for. Liverpool'
On the subject of Moyes a well placed journalist told me last week he believes Moyes has already made up his mind to leave Everton at the end of the season.
The Doctor46
18 Mar 2013 15:36:36
The league doesn't lie. We are sitting 7th a point better than West Brom. This isn't a dig at BR. But the players that are at this club are some of the poorest been here in the last 20 years. The reality of it is there's 7/8 players in the squad who IMO are being carried by the rest. Skrtel, Coates, Allen, Borini, Downing, Lucas, Shelvey and probably Reina. I only add Reina because I feel he's lost the love for Liverpool and his form of recent years had been poor as we know
Before anyone says I'm just slagging the team off I'm not. I think we're playing great football at times and BR is working with what he's got and doing ok. But these players won't win us the league. I don't think there bad players but IMO not good enough for Liverpool. DBol
Mate our squad now is far better than 2 seasons ago, that was the worst we've had in teh last 20 years.
derryred
Now that's a proper opinion, unlike the BR bashing by some fans. There are for sure some players who are somewhat average at the moment and some of the younger players whose game will take to mature in order for them to become top class Premier League players. I maintain there will be 10 out permanently or on loan and 4/5 'quality' or perhaps I should say ready made players to come in. Getting our business done early and a full preseason will give Brendan to have a real crack at top4 next season IMO.
DT
Mate I agree with most of what you say. I can't agree with you on Lucas though. He is a world class player in his possition and just needs to get back to full fitness due to him having 2 bad injuries in a row.
I find it really hard to put up an arguement about the rest of the players listed as sadly for our great club I think you are right.
If others disagree with the remaining players, just ask yourselves would they be wanted at any other club as big as ours. I include Reina aswell because his form over the past 18 months has been patchy at best.
18 Mar 2013 16:49:10
reading finished 8th once and were relegated the following year. so I think it is not right to compare them with us our players are young and need support watch us thrive when the likes of suso, sterling, kelly, coutinho etc peak and yes remember the strides we are making financially
LIVERBIRD
Thanks for recognising my honesty DT. It pains me to admit it because I truly love the club. Like other true fans it kills me seeing the lack of quality in the team and I cringe at some of the names we are linked with in the transfer windows. We need better players at the club it's simple as that unless we are all settling for 7th.
DBol
I know our situation is painful for all of us, but I'm not prepared to give up on a manager who has had to promote younger players and trim the wage bill whilst finding players who are prepared to sign on reasonable terms just yet. Our style of play is still evolving BR has put his faith in some players that have not done him, the club or themselves justice at times this season and I am confident he will address the CB, DM, RW positions in the summer. If we can all get behind him, the owners and the players from now through till next season I'm sure we can launch a serious assualt on the top4 next season, keep the hope in your heart DBol and let's hope we bring in some experience to compliment our youth in the post season.
18 Mar 2013 15:13:50
any chance of Liverpool ending their stewart downing nightmare? he's consistently been our worst player week in and week out. he loses the ball more than any other player. he has no creativity going forward and most of the time opts for a back pass. he has no defending ability. please tell me we're actively looking for a buyer
I don't know, but I'm confident that we are. SD is a good pro, tracks back really well, but doesn't fit our system under BR. His position is not the right side of a three, he is an old fashioned touchline hugging left winger who would be ideal playing in a team using a target man in the box. He's been unlucky, our strikers didn't do him too many favours last season and were guilty of missing numerous gilt-edged chances when played in by SD and BR has even used him at left back this season. He has a good work ethic and could be an asset in another team but his £4 million annual wages and lack of fit in our current system make him a prime candidate to leave to help fund the restructuring IMO. I think BR thinks he's a good player who helps us defend from the front, but feels he doesn't offer enough value at the minute - £8-£9million and I think he'll be off.
DT
18 Mar 2013 17:15:40
Were you locked in a box three months ago and only let out today?
No, I post a fair bit but haven't been signing off, ironically I have an exam tomorrow and should be revising! DT
Downing has played his part as much as anyone, get off his back and support the team
Tel 1949
18 Mar 2013 14:49:10
Reds, your problem is Rogers when your losing he goes into a state of shock on the side line, last week against Spurs you got lucky by a silly mistake from there keeper and yes of course another penalty at Anfield. Honestly do you really think this man is the one to take you forward he was given the job by FSG because they knew he would not give any grief to them when it came to transfers he is a puppet on a string, another thing Gerrard needs to start tracking back when he loses the ball instead of waiting for someone else to do it for him, your players are becoming lazy under Rogers now ithink the dressing room is starting to realise the man is not up for it, and Suarez looked tired on sat aswell just saying what I think the best bit of advice I can give you is to get rid of Rogers and quick looking forward to the derby see you then reds. Forever blue
No imo Rogers is not our problem but people like u are problem for sure.
Great points raised and most of them true.
Yes the sad thing is that foreverblue sounds like a lot of reds on this site.
derryred
Was just thinking, who will be the first manager to leave, Moyes or Rodgers, giving that its early days for Brendan, but moyes is in his 12th year now, with no silverware to show for it, despite showing that he is a very good manager, what do you think,
redforever
To be honest I think this is Moyes last year with us blues, but we will have to move on no choice there, it will be a sad day for us when he is gone. I am not having a go at your club mate I just don't rate Rogers as a good manager you have ambitions to get back into the champions league mate, but a manager who pays 15 mill for midfielder who is afraid of a 50 50 tackle and 12 mill for a striker in the name of Borini who looks very average, Rogers can't motivate the big players cause they don't respect him he will not last long with you guys but that will not be a bad thing for you. Forever blue
18 Mar 2013 14:39:33
You guys are persons! We had way more problems before Sturridge so stop blaming him, he has been great in most games it's just the last 2 games and its only because he hasn't scored which is why you all call him bad
18 Mar 2013 15:23:34
yes.
coz he inbalances the curretn formation. which BR is not ready to accept.
he is casuing the position of suarez who has scored 26 goals from it.
Suarez hasn't exactly stopped scoring since sturridge has come in has he?!
18 Mar 2013 14:35:38
Given so many people on here have their doubts about BR. I'm inclined to think maybe Andy Carroll is the type of player who would have come in handy Saturday against the saints. Rodgers has not convinced me we can do without Carroll. We need a plan B and someone like Carroll would give us that. maybe Rodgers was to hasty to of load Carroll?
I really don't understand the love for Carroll as a 'plan B'. Perhaps if people would maybe support Sturridge as much as they are supporting a player who has done nothing for us but eat up a ton of expenses and whose primary use is being an inch taller or so than Daniel we would be better off?
18 Mar 2013 15:24:31
he was awful.
southampton played with feet.
andy caroll doesn't have a clue to play with feet.
{Ed002's Note - As an aside, it was a certain Mavis Wavertree who invented feet originally.}
I agree Carroll gives us another option, we have to realize that
1. West Ham will not be keeping Carroll as they don't want him.
2. We payed £35M for him and will get around half of that fee back at best.
3. Nobody has shown any interest in him so far so we have 3 options available that I can see.
1. We keep him and use him as a Plan B, he is 23 and can adapt to our style of Football and could be a very good player as we seen towards the end of last season under Kenny when played with Suarez just behind him he actually looked a decent player.
2. We sell him to the highest bidder at a massive lost.
3. We Loan him out again hoping he has a good season so his Value will go up and then sell him.
I know the chances of him returning to Liverpool are very slim as for some reason Rodgers don't want him and didn't give him a chance he just loaned him out at the 1st chance, as I said above we will be lucky to get £15M for him now so to me the vest option is to keep him at the club and see what he can do next season as it will give us a different option which we need.
Option 3 - I'd rather loan him out another season to try recouping initial transfer fee. That being said, he might be sold (for considerably lower) and we can use those funds for another player. It's a tough call personally. Is he worth more now or do we wait?
"Plan B" promoters, though I appreciate their optimism for players, perhaps have forgotten how poor he's been when he plays for LFC. He's suited more for other playing styles and I don't see him somehow gaining foot skills to fit ours. Age aside. We don't need a 35 mil "project" IMO.
19 Mar 2013 05:41:50
Actually I am sure you will find we got more wins/points while Carroll was on the pitch. Plus he disttoyed Chelsea in the FA Cup final when he came on, and again a few days later in the league. Dalglish created this myth about Carroll by not playing him enough after he was the one who signed him. It's a bit like Frankenstein rejecting his creation.
I listen a lot to ex pros on the radio and they are convinced Carroll played really well against Chelsea again Sunday. He won all his headers and found team mates with knock ons. This would suit sturridge with his pace. More of a heskey Owen combo, granted but with Suarez in the mix and countinho buzzing around we would have all options covered.
18 Mar 2013 14:20:48
Why is it that when posters are critical of players they all become haters- the purpose of this site is for people to discuss their views (whether good or bad) about the team, manager and players. If some people have a view having watched certain players perform or fail to perform they should be allowed to do so. Others should stop trying to bully critics into a corner - what do they want- that this site becomes one just for supporters who sing the praises of BR, his decisions and the players. I'm afraid that is not how it works my friends.
18 Mar 2013 15:19:09
Excellent post mate. Every man must be free to have his say as long as the Eds approve of those comments. But some people want us all to beleive all is well when clearly it isn't. Others apparently want to be seen as jolly good fellows and "true fans" and they applaud even the despicable to the chagrin of other knowledgeable people. But me I will not be bullied, as long as I'm able to see the matches of the club I love so much enough to form an opinion. I could be swayed by a superior argument to shift my stance and drop an ill informed point of view. But I'll always still have an opinion of mine.
The tone of most opinions is evident in the first few lines. You don't like it, don't read. Pretty simple. It's what I do at least, especially after poor team performances when most opinions tend to be negative. Everyone should be entitled to their opinion, it's your choice whether you read or react.
18 Mar 2013 14:01:05
Christ people, we had 1 bad game lay off sturridge, he is doing fine!
If you must have somthing in your lives to moan at, fair enough but some people on here are making up utter crap about players just to have somthing to say.
Put that one behind us and move on
Noshbag
People are entitled to their opinions and after the first few games Sturridge made a very good impression but since then the real Sturridge is coming out - lazy, not interested, no passion.
Absolute rubbish, and yes people are entitled to their opinion buy that doesn't mean their opinion isn't wrong.
The real truth here is that this forum contains some of the most fake supporters ever!
Should be embarrased
Noshbag
18 Mar 2013 13:58:34
I'm willing to bet that non of the teams above us have ever ever played in the prem with 3 teenagers in the starting 11 let alone for 3 or 4 months of the season. So for me those months are a write off, after then we've played 3 bad league games, some people need to look with a tiny bit of perspective & sometimes see that you can have a bad day at the office, one thing we've done all season is bounced back well villa beware.
Swampmonster
You sure?
I'm willing to bet Manchester United and Arsenal have.
I think you are wrong in what you said, you should check your facts.
Your "write off" theory also only explains this season, what about the last 25 seaons? :)
HB
You can't win anything with kids.
18 Mar 2013 15:37:52
Yeah, but we had Assaidi, Borini, Henderson, Sahin and Carrager who should have played instead of Sterling, Shelvey, Suso and Wisdom.
The fact is the manager likes to work with kids and wanted to do so at LFC until scales fell off his eyes.
18 Mar 2013 15:38:21
Yeah, but we had Assaidi, Borini, Henderson, Sahin and Carrager who should have played instead of Sterling, Shelvey, Suso and Wisdom.
The fact is the manager likes to work with kids and wanted to do so at LFC until scales fell off his eyes.
Work out Saints average age. Stop making excuses.
18 Mar 2013 13:50:08
Chelsea got a good deal in sturridge.
sturridge is an england international 23. striker was warming the bench with chelsea.
his international career was almost over with welback rooney and even caroll getting a chance ahead of him.
he needed a change. so came Liverpool
sturridge joined Liverpool to save his career.
he has won possibly everything with chelsea and he know very wel. if he hit 20 goals a season.
barca, bayern real. and teams will come after him.
once blue can't be a read no matter how much dialysis you do.
if torres is a traitor so does sturridge.
I never rate him. never ever will.
Eventually he will prove to all the fans.
He wanted to be the star of the team. but currenlty its suarez who is the star.
So what is your point?
Because 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games just aren't good enough!
Quit with the sturridge bashing, ok he didn't play well on saturday but he makes a big difference to our side. Quality player
You actually are absolutely clueless. its fans like you who are worse than Everton fans.
Reevesy
18 Mar 2013 18:04:16
Mr anonymous poster does your dad know your playing on the internet talking to big Boys about football? Do your self a favour and go back on your ps3.
ACHILLES.
18 Mar 2013 13:48:10
The most disappointing defeats this season – at home to Aston Villa and West Brom, and away to Oldham in the FA Cup and Southampton this weekend – have all arrived after the team have had a full week to prepare for the game.
Interesting stat, but the manner of the defeat to Stoke was pretty difficult to swallow as well
18 Mar 2013 13:46:18
The two players that I would retain in the backline would be kelly and agger. Kelly needs to return from injury and to form and agger needs a solid CB partner to allow him to be the top class CB we know he is. Kelly and agger are top top class IMO who both love playing. for Liverpool ane have the right attitude. I hope BR buys the right players at the back to allow us to kick on
Both players are prone to injuries, I would like to see a settled partnership. I think Kelly needs to show he can play a full season without treatment. I think he 's a player I just think he's fragile
Agger hasn't sustained an injury that has kept him out for more than a few matches. in a long time mate. Kelly uffered a bad injury and beforehand was on playing a great seasob
I would add Enrique and Wisdom to that Big Al. It would be suicidal to bring in virtually an entire roster of defenders and possibly a new keeper if Pepe wants to move on. Johnson is going through a difficult patch defensively but remains excellent going forward, my concern with him is that he is a high wage earner and his market value is unlikely to increase thereby making him a candidate to leave in order to help fund the restructuring. Although it would be brave to sell him and rely on Kelly and Wisdom in his absence. If he went I would replace him with Santon who can also play at left back, I think versatility is important, Danny Simpson is also on a free but I am not entirely convinced he has the X factor (pun intended).
DT
Dt, yes there's no doubht i'd keep wisdom and enrique but as squad players. I said that IMO kelly and agger should be first team
It's a fair point Al, I found your posts interesting of late, but if we had to replace 2/3 out of 5 including our keeper they may take time to bed in and if some results early next season went against us due to defensive errors the clamour for BRs head would be even bigger than it is now - it would represent a pretty big gamble on the part of BR IMO but I would like to see us add Hangelaand and Sakho some steel and experience with the latter able to fill in at left back as well. I think you'd have change after moving Skrtel and Coates on plus a saving in wages when you factor in Carra's retirement. All the best DT
18 Mar 2013 13:44:59
All the haters on here would drive you mad. when we get beat they jump on the bandwagon and want people getting the chop. this is no the way to go. you all call yourself supporters. then support the team. yes we all have opinions and its good to see other scousers perspectives but asking for peoples heads is not the answer. Yes I was gutted and frustrated when we lost on Saturday but we have to keep our chins up. I know its hard but the good times are not far away we can all sense it.
We were crying out last season that we did not score enough goals. Now this season when we score. we hit teams for 3 and 4 which is brilliant. Last season we had one of the best defences in the league but this season not so good.
From watching many teams develop over the years. its a lot harder to create and score goals then make your defence solid. Yes we all now what type of players we need and I believe Rodgers can see exactly what we need.
Looking back i'm gutted jamie is hanging up his boots. what a true leader he is and such a good football brain to boot. I like anyone read the papers and take all stories with pinch of salt. i'm glad Rodgers started giving Jamie games again due to his retirement and cement 2nd all time behind Mr Ian Callaghan. Skrtel has to understand this and fight for his place. he looks a man who has lost all belief and I am sickened as I believe he was our best centre half last season under the King.
You can see why Rodgers is looking at Williams. pace, power and leader like Carra is at the back. I think he would give our defence that steal again. Yes I know some supporters will say we should be looking for someone more respected in Europe as centre half like i. e. hummels but people have to remember we need to be realistic with targets. I like any supporter would welcome the best, but trust in the manager and the staff at the club that we get this right.
The more I watch the team, there is still kinks of sloppiness but there are moments of brilliance also.
Watching LFC TV. a player like Didi Hamann is I think what we need. not somebody like Diame that people are crying out for. he is technically very good with pace and power. but he wants to drive forward. We have person in the icon that is Stevie at the minute.!. We need a balance and someone that can sit there like Lucas does and Hamann did before. he was top drawer.
Allen I feel can only play in 3 man midfield i'm afraid. touch wood he will come back stronger and better player next year a long with Borini.
Henderson also has not got the rub of the green and feels he still has big part to play in Liverpool shirt. I believe ha can be our new Stevie if given the support and confidence when Stevie does hang up his boots.
The talk of Xabi Alonso back is massive. I know Eds say we should lookfor the new Alonso and there right. But with Carra going we need experience and if it were to happen it would be amazing. I still think at 31 he is up in the 3 midfielders in the World. Top Top Drawer! I think even young Suso down the line could be amayzing in that position spraying balls and putting a boot in as he played their for u21s at times
Coutinho a revelation. missing this kind of player for years. Sturridge good buy. but for me has to show more fight up front like Suarez does chase down and will get his rewards.
Finally as I said before last 8 games are vital to me they are key in us holding onto Luis!. We need to show him we will be the force for him to stay next season and I think Rodgers has to get Top 4 for him to stay on if he does next season. He makes me smile everytime he plays. all action. world class forward!. I know no 1 footballer is bigger than any club but he would leave a gaping hole if he left.
Anyway reds sorry for the rant. Keep the heads up and let's let our voices be heard for the last 8 games. one final push. YOULLNEVERWALKALONE
Mikey LFC
18 Mar 2013 13:52:03
how easily people forget, one jamie carraggher mistake caused us out of europa league.
but legends can do mistake.
sorry.
18 Mar 2013 13:26:27
You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Or at least you can't teach players a new style of play in 1 season.
I do believe in what BR is trying to do, but there needs to be a plan B. We are one of the worst teams in the premier league without the ball. We cannot track runners from midfield and high pressing without the ball simply does not happen.
I also think that our defence is so pre occupied with "playing" out of defence we have forgotten how to defend, we don't get close enough to players in the area and get punished. we are tactically quite naive and don't work hard enough without the ball,
With the ball we are a big threat.
Barca to a man work hard to close down and press but have had years practice.
We need to show a little more patience but also identify players that cannot play in this system.
18 Mar 2013 13:40:24
Fowler is God
Glen johnson has been outstanding all season? Yes going forward' but defensively always' looks capable of making a mistake, not marking or asleep at the back. And we have to remember his job is first and foremost a defender' this guy though a quailty footballer is on over 100k a week. My point would be that kelly is a better all round defender. Is extemely solid at back and can be outstanding going forward. When he's on form he is IMO the best RB in the PL.
He has always been consistent and has the right attitude. I have never seen the lad have an awful game whereas GL tends to have a couple of games where he is woeful both going forward and defensivly. i'd like to see kelly as our future RB
Kelly's injured glens on a lot of money but I don't think he's on over 100k. Besides Kelly will eventually take over we have many issues in the squad and as RB isn't a priority I don't think well see a new RB this summer
btw Zabaleta best rb in the prem
Johnson is in my view not brilliant but just a good player.
He has his flaws but I wouldn't say he was the weak link in our team or that he needs to be replaced etc.
He has been playing very well this season in our new system but has still been prone to mistakes.
I am a fan of Kelly as well AL. I think he has a bright future in the game (hopefully for us) but I can't see him taking johnsons place any time soon. This injury has probably set back his career a great deal and it's going to take a while for him to get back to the level he was at.
But I hope it really works out for him.
MIKEY
In response to the first point, I don't think Johnson has had a good game going forward since the first 1/3 of the season. Whether this is a tactical switch or not I don't know.
Can anybody name a game?
B101
Big Al, think we have wires crossed here. I love Martin Kelly, think he is absolutely superb. My previous comments where about Coady mate.
For the record Kelly should be our centre half
The comment was by FowlerGod mate, not me. Just read it. Confusing as hell I know
Ahh I see, wouldn't have spotted that.
Did I just read that Kelly is the best RB in the league?
Wow, Pool fans' delusion reaches new heights on a daily basis!
I take it you've not watched Zabaleta for City (for instance) then?
HB
I do back my claim, I rate glen as one of the best RB's in PL. Going forward there probably no one better but I know he has looked out of position when defending but the guy has pace and he is a strong individual. He contributed to a fair few goals by he making himself available going forward and that's what Brendan wants and sometimes that can be a downfall going up forward can leave us a bit light at the back if we get counted. I've always liked Kelly he is defiantly a top quality player who can easily play on the right or CB. Since he got loaned out to Huddersfield a couple of years back he has come leaps and bounds.
but yea Glen is still a top quality RB and will have some competition when Kelly is back fit.
FowlerGod.
HB like manyothers you need to read the posts carefully before you post. I stated and others agreed Martin Kelly can be the best RB in the PL
Big Al
I did read it, I was replying to this bit specifically:
"When he's on form he is IMO the best RB in the PL"
That is a very strong statement and I honestly don't think anyone without a certain level of bias would believe that honestly. Like I said, Zabaleta (as one example) has been performing very well for the last 18 months and no Kelly has not played to anywhere near his level IMO, he has probably been City's best performer this season and one of the best RB's in Europe.
To add to that, Rafael has been excellent for most of this season at United and I've yet to see Kelly reach that level by quite a stretch.
HB
Nice, 4 dislikes, nobody quoting a game.
When I say Johnson hasn't had a good game since the first 1/3 of the season, I mean he hasn't stood out. We haven't seen him beat players recently or be in a position to have a shot. Like I said, this could be a tactical switch.
Yes, he is a good player. But he is vastly over-hyped on this website. No way is he the best RB in the league as many on here say.
I really do think that half the fans here don't even watch the games.
B101
18 Mar 2013 13:26:59
. Most of the fans here are pretty happy to see that our league form has been good compared to last season.
no one is actually botherd that we should be in CL.
people here have already happy with 8th, 9th, sturridge, allen, downing. liverbird. chest.
rubbish.
we are Liverpool fc. not sunderland or new castle.
No one can answer why are we not in Top 4 this seaosn.
we have a fan base, ours is a global club, we have good pwners, we have history, we had money.
How can people be relaxed?
we have won 3 in a row. so one defete is acceptable.
lets have beer next time.
Most teams support is global!
18 Mar 2013 16:27:02
what this team needs is encouragement and confidence and u only reap what u sow. br is on a right track and needs our suppport. u want istant success join chelsea or mancs.
LIVERBIRD
18 Mar 2013 13:21:03
Watched the Spurs v Fulham game yesterday and Fulham got there tactical approach to game spot on, they stifled Spurs with one upfront (Berbatov) and 5 across the middle of the park, Dembele was eventually subbed totally ineffective, Bale wasn't much better.
Nearly every corner and high ball played into the Fulham box was cleared by Hangeland. Fulhams fullbacks can't head a ball (how many can) but they don't need to Hangeland wins everyting. (we need a really strong presence in the air, would stop our fullbacks getting abuse)
I always advocate stifling the midfield away from home and erring on the side of caution.
We would get less of the Cavalier results like Wigan away but on the upside we would be more consistent. We have a squad of players that can be utilised better.
Brendan, Villa, away stifle that midfield so we can grasp the upper hand.
And if Carra is not fit put Wisdom alongside Agger he'll either sink or swim? My guess is he'll swim.
Not true, avb got his tactics wrong! It had nothing to do with fulhams tactics what so ever!
Speaking of Hangeland, he's on a free this summer is he not? Any ideas where he might end up, Eds or others? Not sure if he's right for us necessarily, but I do think he's a pretty decent CB. {Ed002's Note - I think he will agree an extension at Fulham.}
And the fact they played 120 mins at the San Siro on the Thursday
Stifle Villa's midfield, I wasn't aware they had one!
HB
HB: That's the sort of thinking that just got us battered by Southampton.
18 Mar 2013 13:13:49
I wonder How many players will be ready to sit on the bench to the teams cause?.
suarez will.
sturridge will never ever.
How the hell do you know this? Since arriving at Liverpool when has Suarez ever been 'on the bench '? Wind you neck in and support the team.
BELIEVER
18 Mar 2013 13:10:40
Man Utd. with one of the worst defensive records going to win the Title.
we with the similar defensive records in 8th pos.
so whose the culprit?
When they concede a few goals they often manage to score more than the opposition. We manage some big scorelines but when we concede 1 or 2 we rarely overcome it.
You are the culprit and SAF is a genius!
HB
18 Mar 2013 12:13:07
Manchester United has been most successful club for past 25 years for a reason. Fergie never let's emotion come in his way of team selection & shipping out players. Eg: Berbatov, Nani, Rooney even Chicharito.
We let our emotions get the best of us. Lucas has improved a lot but is he really a top DM. How much he helps in building attacks? How much cover does he provides for the CBs? Don't get me wrong, but he is no Mascherano. We haven't replaced Alonso and Mascherano. Ok Gerrard is somewhat doing Alonso's job but we haven't got a proper DM
Musicnation.
18 Mar 2013 13:12:43
good post.
what about sturridge?
what about allen?
lucas is not top dm.
but he is one of the best in EPL right now.
Good point. we haven't replaced alonso and mascherano.
then what on earth are we doing from past 3 years with 100 mill?
are we experimenting?
He's gradually still returning from a bad injury spell. So a bit unfair.
18 Mar 2013 11:59:57
Really would be happy with a summer window of :
Any 2 of toby alderweireld, De vrij, Dejan Lovren and Carlos zambrano. Really don't want Ashley Williams.
A quality CDM is a must. Either Capoue or Medel.
A class RW. Ben Arfa (only if available below 15 million), Mertens, Markovic (although I haven't seen the kid play but almost all respectable Journos have said about our interest in him).
And to fellow kopites, we know everyone was disappointed with the result but some posts are really over the top. Still 8 games to go and 6th position is very much attainable & achieving it would be a good season (albeit not a great).
I would have written toby Alderweireld off thinking he was off to spurs? But I'm told ajax will not sell both alderweireld and eriksen to spurs and it's believed a deal is in place for eriksen! So alderweireld my be a very good shout? Plays centre half or right back!
18 Mar 2013 11:14:17
can any of the eds explain me how scouting system works?
LIVERBIRD {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 by clubs in 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 manager will take a look. Some clubs have advisors which include, taking one EPL side as an example, ex-managers.}
18 Mar 2013 11:11:16
Read a post saying that we have spent loads of money but are still 8th and I think we have realised our mistake. apart from suarez we spent money on players that performed for one or one and a half season
e. g : carroll, allen, borini, henderson, adam and possibly downing
we rectified it and are aiming to spend money on players that are on fringes of other teams but have performed well when called upon like sturridge and coutinho hence these players have a will to succeed and cost much less.
we took a big risk with br (also just one good season with swans)
I hope he does well and does not try to change things too quickly as souness did and brings proper replacement for players he sells. he is desperately trying to prove allen as a success but as other supporters I feel henderson is not getting enough chances.
its games like soton due to which I fear us loosing suarez.
LIVERBIRD
But we are 7th
18 Mar 2013 16:00:15
Roy:
we're 7th, teams above us: both mancs, chelsea, arsenal, spurs, everton.
they r above us for a reason that is grinding out result, and simply we can't do it. have any of them played football as good as us after jan? the answer is no BR's team is getting along well and grinding results comes from team spirit, confidence & consistency. the game that we won playing not that good is spurs and team became complacent towards soton and we know what happened. would u like your team to grind results one season and then totally fall apart next? it'd be better if we try to play good football and results will follow and nobody can take that away from us
LIVERBIRD
My comment was simply stating we are 7th not 8th (and one person did disagree with this simple fact -- amazing).
I do agree with most of what you posted, but I am sure you will agree with me grinding out results is more important, particularly in the PL, unlike the Spanish or German leagues where some results are very predictable, in the PL on the day any team can beat United, City or Chelsea, and although I hate to say it but united supremacy over the years was down to them grinding results, they never accept defeat and when loosing they'll dig deep until the 90th minute and most of the time they'll get an equalizer or a winner. Wigan over the last 2 seasons were classic example, in early April everybody thinks of them as relegated, but they dig deeper and grind results to survive.
We all want good football, I enjoyed watching our games for the past 2 seasons (yes we played some fantastic football under Kenny), but we need to start developing the winning mentality and hard work, as Fergie once said every game should be as if its a cup final.
18 Mar 2013 11:10:51
What is slightly concerning to me is that in recent weeks I have noticed any time the team scores, sturridges reaction is lastluscure. Passion is needed in every player and. the team come always comes first before an individual. Maybe its because he hasn't been hitting them in recently? I hope he does not go back into his old ways because he is a very good player.
I noticed this to al. when the the team scores I would expect every1 to be around the player and buzzin of it.
max
Sturridge is cunning: he started out great and gave a good impression. Now he is back to his normal way, lazy and not interested and shows no passion. That is why his former teams got rid of him. He is the bad apple in a bunch.
18 Mar 2013 10:59:31
wheres the international page eds? can't find a link {Ed001's Note - main site mate.}
Cheers isn't this the main site ;)
18 Mar 2013 10:39:31
Just to point out that Roberto Martinez is a hypocrite of the highest order. When we tanned them at Anfield he never shut up about Suarez catching Jones I think it was to the media, well and truly jumping on the bandwagon.
Now after arguably the worst challenge of the season in yesterday's game he's done a 180 of the highest order.
'It is a contact sport and these things happen but there was never any intent'
I'm sure most will agree it was an outrageous tackle which has injured the lad who's got suspected ligament damage. Couldn't wait to give both barrels to Suarez though the twerp.
JohnBoy
Yes I think all managers try defend there players, but that was not good he don't have to have a go in media about his player but a bit ov respect for the player who got hurt and at least say he will look at it with his player again later behind closed doors, don't do to sum one that you don't don't want doing to your self! Not one rule for one and another for sum one else, YNWA lfc linc
18 Mar 2013 13:12:09
That tackle was indefensible in my opinion sometimes you've just got to hold your handsup. It was at a time when the media were a lot harsher with Suarez then they currently are though that could change in a heartbeat. he was just jumping on the bandwagon at the time to take deflect how turd they were in the second half.
JohnBoy
18 Mar 2013 09:59:59
Its very easy like all jobs if you don't perform. You are shown the door. Lucas was really bad, johnson was really bad, Skirtal is over rated. Jones couldn't even save his desert till last. Manager has got the talk but carn't do the walk. I understand the frustration from the real players given it 100%. We carn't even look forward to next season. LFC pull your finger out.
I've been saying for a long time that we need to sort our defence out, we need to get rid of glen Johnson, Skrtel and with carragher retiring too, a big overhaul of the defence is needed in the summer
What do you mean jones the free kick was deflected from the left to the right due to sturridge being a pussy and not taking a hit. the third he was left wide open the defense was just ran through. no keeper could have saved the free unless he was bale to cover the entire gole
IRISHRED1995
What are you guys crazy!? Glen has be quality this season for us, he has a couple of off games but hasn't everyone!? Keep Glen he's had an outstanding season.
FowlerGod.
I agree. but the worst of the two is by far johnson. in all the matches i've see him playing this season he has tryed to beat players but failed everytime. all ways gives the ball away. by far lfc worst player this season. hope kelly comes back soon. 100 times better than glen. lads past it
18 Mar 2013 13:17:45
glen johnson from the day 1. is an outstanding RB attacking wise. fabio, coentrao there are plenty ex.
he is not good defending.
But I don't mind. if he defends shockingly. unless he can strive forward and scream some good balls to the forwards.
atleast he should be good in one attribute.
To the poster who thinks Kelly is '100 times better' than Johnson. At least Johnson doesn't break like glass after a few runs down the wing. Kelly, hopefully, will turn into a good player but NEVER at RB imo. CB is his position, nothing else.
18 Mar 2013 10:34:19
One step forward, two steps back - Brendan you must improve. Two centre backs and right back very poor. Lucas, Allen, Coutinho too weak and Sturridge has been found out, too lazy.
Mate how is it one step forward 2 steps back, do you think that we are playing worse than at the start of the season? we lost a game after winning four on the bounce. A few people have to hold their hands up, including rodgers, but it was the first bad performance that we have seen in the last month or so don't get carried away.
derryred
More like three steps forward and one step back, which is still progress.
18 Mar 2013 13:19:39
to the second poster.
Mate you are comparing us with the previous season.
yes improvment. but end of the day what does that improvemtn helps the club LIverpool FC.
our goal on day 1 was CL spot.
Dont worry wether our chance created, or possession is better than last year.
we are way behind.
and some of our displays have been shcoking, awful.
18 Mar 2013 10:25:58
Ok heres the deal lpool win there last 8 games, spurs lose 3, aresnal lose 3 and Everton lose 3 will take 4 th by goal difference unrealistic yes possible u never know ynwa
You must still be on the drink from the weekend - 4th spot, you are having a laugh.
We won't win 8 no way.
Never say never.
18 Mar 2013 10:24:04
". If we do reach 5th. that means either we have beaten spurs or arsenal and obviously everton. which is excellent after seeing us playing against southampton.
But I am afraid. 6th is more realstic.
gooners will clinch 4th. spurs is almost 8 points above us. so 5th goes to them.
everton is 3 points above us and have a game in hand.
Disaster.
18 Mar 2013 09:35:56
The Spine.
A lot gets said about the spine of a team, or the 'nucleaus'.
A look back over the last few years shows us that we have been blessed with a quality spine.
Reina has been a second to none 'keeper' for us over the last few years, shattering records and such.
Carragher, where do you start? How many teams have ever had a player, with so much passion, loyalty and drive?
Gerrard, Is simply Gerrard. I won't waste time writing about him, absolutlley no need.
Do people think our spine is as strong as it was?
Reina, hasn't been the same for ages, excellent in Wigan game, but below par season.
Carragher, Couldn't go on forever, am glad he got some games before the end of the season, as he's still putting in quality performances and we've needed him.
Gerrard, Unable to influence a game quite like he did. Still a quality player, but not really an attacking midfielder or a defensive one. Works best with Lucas and another midfielder alongside.
The point of this post is, with other departures such as Alonso and Mascherano, we no longer have the solid spine to the side we once had.
As much as I hate to use Whiskey Nose in my post, but he's probably the only manager i've seen who can dismantle the spine of a team without surrendering his place at the top.
We're seeing the effects of this at Chelsea, and to an extent, Arsenal. Both have lost key players (Drogba, Henry, Essien, RVP). Although both have stronger squads than we ever did, which is why the effect is less pronounced in London.
The Chelsea manager coming in will know that he can't rely on Terry, Lampard like they have done.
We used to look at the squad, and we needed one or two players in key positions, but that's no longer the case.
I think the job B. R is faced with in terms of being able to find suitbale replacements for these players is an arduous task, and which he may be unable to do, I hate to say.
Anyway, I guess my point is this summer is a big one. Not only do we need to find another Keeper to replace Reina/add competition, but we're looking for at least one Centre back, if not two. We need backup for Lucas, and B. R will know this.
He has to do all this whilst holding on to Luis Suarez for obvious reasons.
The likes of Rafa and Woy, always knew they could rely on this group of players to come through, Rodgers doesn't have that luxury.
Big times ahead, Suarez won't stick around forever, we must enter the top 4 next year, which means the summer signings need to be spot on.
Good luck Brendan.
Gerrard is still providing the assists and when combined with Lucas provides a pretty top class spine in midfield.
RobInRed
Wrong mate.
A 'spine' of a team still consists of Gerrard, Lucas, Suarez, Agger, Reina, Skirtel.
I don't even want to mention the other established international players who branch off the 'spine'.
Regardless of form, they are still excellent players.
I'll also include Allen in that who will be an excellent player for many years to come.
The only problem with this team is that the players are still getting to know each other.
One thing that does concern me is that teams can beat us by pushing up a high line with the defence and smothering and crowding the midfield whilst not allowing the defence to play from the back.
I'm still behind the manager in a big-way yet I will admit he's a little naive at times. but that will change. given time.
DaveyBootle
18 Mar 2013 11:40:30
Hold on, your telling me that Reina and Skrtel, both of whom are likely to be sold this summer due to under-performing, are still to be considered our Spine?
God help us.
DaveyBootle said 'spine' of a team still consists of Gerrard, Lucas, Suarez, Agger, Reina, Skirtel are all excellent players? Which is spot on in my opinion.
I still think we need to replace Reina and Skyrtel to improve that group of players.
I'm sure that Reina and Skyrtel will do well at their next clubs but we need to freshen up the squad and reinvigorate it with new enthusiasm.
18 Mar 2013 09:34:50
I am going to get slated here but I honestly do not think Sturridge is the answer. He is very, very lazy and I personally think he restricts Suarez who is best up front by himself.
18 Mar 2013 10:17:38
excellent post.
i don't say he is lazy or whatever.
but I wouldn't start him front up. with suarez in such a devastating form all alone.
simple. or else.
play 3 up front. countinho suarez and sturridge
and drop downing.
but. you will also have to face the consequencies.
Sturridge has become a fan favourite.
If Br thinks goals would come only if you increase the no of strikers.
then currently its rubbish.
suaerz needs support. behind him. not above him.
he is master player. will score from anywhere.
he just needs that 1-2 from countinho or downing or henderson or gerrard.
harry scousser
ynwa
Suarez was pulled over to the left on Saturday mate, to swap with Coutinho, who was getting bullied a bit by his fullback.
Nothing to do with Sturridge!
A very wet Liverpool fan
18 Mar 2013 10:40:05
As I said, countinho is a mata like player.
you can't expect him to be physical.
we were playing 4-4-1-1. which is almost 4-4-2.
which is not working from the spurs game.
y don't we revert to 4-3-3?
Look sturridge even when he was scoring showed massive flaws in his play, but if he continues to cover them up with goals then I am happy. He should play because t means that he will be on the last man leaving Suarez with space in front of the back 4 to roam in.
derryred
It's a team game.
18 Mar 2013 09:32:41
I thought our defence was shocking on Saturday, especially first half when Southampton could have been 4-0 up easily.
18 Mar 2013 10:20:43
y don't people understand
its not the defence that let to goals in open play.
its the midfield. that allows their front players to run through and pick the pass.
spurs game showed us. so as southampton.
If we play with 3 man in midfield with a pressing game.
Not even an ant will pass through us.
Dead ball sitaution, set pieces, and corners. Yes I do agree. aprt from that.
Lucas gerrard and another midfield player. is wnough to hold any front line.
simple.
harry scousser
ynwa
Teams know that they should crowd the midfield and put the defence on the back-foot.
The defence flap too much as they're not the best playing football on the ground.
Simple opposition tactics.
Teams that show Liverpool too much respect sit-back and allow us to play.
DaveyBootle
18 Mar 2013 10:54:12
That's fair enough, they could have done with more help but it still doesn't excuse Johnson having all day to adjust his body position at least to put the guy off a bit and Skirtl sure could have 1, read were he was about to head it back to and have got a more telling challenge on the guy for the goal, don't care if it was a midfielder, still got to challenge those who are so close to our goal whoever it is. 2, stopped wrestling with Lambert and conceded a cheap free kick from which they scored, he did the same in his last game when a bit of movement towards the ball then in behind totally foxed him so much he brought Welbeck down and they scored from that free kick. I didn't think he was at the races at all, the rest I'm a lot more willing to forgive because there positives have been outweighing the negatives but to my mind Martin will be looking for a new club come the summer.
JohnBoy
18 Mar 2013 09:31:32
The way Rodriguez waltzed through our defence for the third goal was very poor indeed. Even when the keeper saved the initial shot there was no one there to clear the rebound. Very poor indeed.
The defence cannot defend on their own, they need cover from midfield. Defence starts in midfield, the least a midfielder should do is either slow the attacker down or force him off his line of attack, allowind the defender time to do his job
18 Mar 2013 09:24:10
The thing that annoys me most with BR is that he talks about a 3 or 4 year project and how he knows all the different stages of our development, yet he has never had a project before even with a lower club let alone a club the size of Liverpool. He was sacked from reading and watford and then walked into swansea that had already been built up by martinez etc. What makes him know more about rebuilding a top club like Liverpool than the average fan at anfield? He also talks about transitional season and the fans by it. When I have never seen the owners or the players say that this was a transitional season, I don't think suarez thinks this is great because we are in transition for the next two years, he wants results and trophies.
Funny how rodgers wasn't getting badmouthed when we wo 4 on the trot then one poor performance and he isn't the answer.
derryred
18 Mar 2013 11:17:33
luis suarez won the 4 games in row.
noting to do with the tactics of BR
Did you say the same thing after we beat Spurs?
Absolutely correct Derry Red, just shows how fickle some of our supporters have become - get behind the team and the manager, do half of you remember our league form this time last season - ridiculous!
Yes I did say the same thing actually. hate it when fans tell you what you thought when you don't know. I thought BR an awful appointment at the time and I still feel the same now
18 Mar 2013 12:49:54
oh common.
every kid in the the whole world knew we were muscled in midfield with 2 against 3.
this isn't a big tactics. or game changer.
and neither allen scored the winner.
if not allen. any good midfielder would have don't the business.
harry scousser
18 Mar 2013 09:17:41
I think Arsenal have a better chance of top 4 than Spurs.
Spurs have lost serious momentum and are still plugging away in the Europa.
Arsenal only have 9 games left.
If we focus on catching Arsenal I think we will overhaul Spurs.
8 wins will be enough IMO.
Get behind them!
18 Mar 2013 08:21:27
these kind of performance is not sufficient enough to keep your star players in your club.
we are travelling away to aston villa. who are in similar position like southampton.
we must beat them any cause.
18 Mar 2013 06:12:06
the only problem I have with rodgers is that he does not learns from his mistakes. we might be scoring more goals this season but we are also conceding more goals than what we have done previously. if we don't get european football next season than season would be a failure for me. I think rodgers might get sack if some better alternative is available. and now I know lot of you guys will say about consistency but guys look at juventus in the past they changed around 4 managers thay also made some expensive mistakes like melo, diego etc but finally they got it right. so its good to support a team and manager but some of the people are supporting rodgers blindly. we are LFC we have to set some standards and rodgers need to learn last game was his fault. and its his job to get the player motivated.
18 Mar 2013 08:19:48
uif we would have attacked from the word go. no one will dare to score goals against us.
we lost the battle in midfield. with 2 men against 3.
they got more possession and more chances.
countinho is a skillful player like mata.
dont expoect him to track back and defend or tackle. he is the player who is required to provide assist.
sturridge shouldn't have included.
coz currently its inbalance the whole team.
gerrard lucas and allen/hendo. I don't mind. but 3 man in midfield away is must.
which helps us to get better possession and can settle in the game pretty easy. which also helps us to break up their open play.
suarez is in his form of his life. and will score even the ghalf chance. we don't need an extra striker to do that.
we need players to support suarez.
harry scousser
ynwa
I pesonally think the team is moving in the right direction with Rodgers and he will still be here next season the problems seem to be 1. No leader in the back 4 when carra isn't there, pesonally think Srktel has given up. 2. We have a soft centre we need a CM who can put his foot and and break up play. 3. Constantly playing Joe Allen when he's clearly not up too it. Gets his surgery and let's hope he's a better player next season. I have faith we'll finish top6 and may even pinch 5th
18 Mar 2013 05:37:18
Southampton game and the beginning of the season showed why we need back up for Lucas. Allen isn't respected as an enforcer by other players and he isn't one. he is an attacking player or pace keeper not a general like a DM should be.
Nothing against Allen just think he isn't and shouldn't been linked with being a DM at all.
tactics were the only thing missing, when we needed consistency, but BR got cocky and put out a weak team (yes all it takes is two changes to make the team weak, we lack depth its no secret).
skrtel which he couldn't be faulted for carra was injured, but taking Lucas off the starting 11 was silly. you can't say Lucas needed rest because the fixtures we had allowed Lucas PLENTY recuperation time.
not hating on Allen or BR I am just seeing the cause of our inconsistency. It's BR getting too confident against weaker teams and not showing them respect by making uncalled for changes which sorely weakens the team.
just saying if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
18 Mar 2013 02:06:41
Good to see slaters back after 1loss. Also suarez to sell. Fans or puppets. I think that on banter pages like barca and madrid thir fans also would say the same sell messi or ronaldo after loss. I don't care get dislikes. I just support my team. win or loss
18 Mar 2013 08:26:16
thats your problem. you support your team and defend the stuppidity.
dont be sentimental.
we need CL sopt. money, revenue. to keep running your so called beloved team.
and if we continue to drop points and keep commiting mistake your so caled club will ony have some good history to look for.
Its not the matter of 1 loss, its the matter of being lost away,
if this loss would have come to an point where we lost the 4th place, would you be still holding your flag.
dude. we are a big club, very big club, failures not acceptable.
and suerly not this way.
harry scousser
ynwa
Nobody said sell Suarez. What people said is that the club is bigger than anyone player and whatever happens as long as we become a better team one way or another. I look forward to an apology.
18 Mar 2013 10:28:47
we struggled replacing our star players.
alonso, masherano, torres.
cant go back to the same position
selling suarez will only give us money.
but what aboutn the magical touch.
those finishes.
those genuis gaols.
and what about the dedication and commitment.
the love to play for our shirt.
how can we buy a player with all these?
he is simple irreplaceble at the moment.
and that's y. big clubs do want him.
luis suarez can single handeldy turn a game on his on. he can score from anywhere out of nothing.
You don't sell you star players.
harry scousser
ynwa
Mighty red u r gettng assclowns for apology. hairy scousser got so many issues go support plastic clubs enjot.
17 Mar 2013 20:39:38
Eds if suarez was to leave who would ye like to see replace him
Thanks {Ed001's Note - not a clue mate sorry.}
I don't think anyone can replace him mate. Maybe coutinho in about 4 years?
derryred