Liverpool Banter Archive March 18 2014

18 Mar 2014 23:37:59
The only thing missing from this season are those tension filled European nights against the big boys of Europe. Was given a spare ticket today to the plastics game (I left the freebie flag on the floor). All I could think whilst watching the game is how Liverpool will be back next year.

I'm going to say it out loud today. I'm no longer looking over our shoulder. We will qualify this season. I have no doubts.

Still dreaming about being top of the table come end of season but I daren't say that out loud yet!

19 Mar 2014 09:17:39
We are going to win the league buddy.

18 Mar 2014 19:54:32
Reds/Eds

Following on from some comments made about that vile woman screaming abuse at Suarez, when will the FA at least 'try' and do something about this disgusting behaviour.
This is tolerated week in/out all over the country so when will it be deemed that enough is enough?
For me, pro-players show remarkable constraint as a rule. When Cantona booted that prat ( Simmons I think his name was), the Sun had him bare chested, pointing at the horrific injury (a tiny red mark).
He then claimed that following a foul by Eric, all he had shouted at him was "it's an early shower for you Mr Cantona" (funny but true). Truth was that he was actually wishing death on his family/children etc.
He was clearly thicker than a corned beef sandwich so could almost be forgiven.
Nothing has changed!

If an official had been permitted to politely remind that foul-mouthed old trout at the weekend that she was on cctv and the world was watching, then she might have shutup.
I don't have kids, but surely they must be top of the list as a good enough reason to do whatever it takes to address this issue.

Difficult to police maybe, specially as those who partake in this abuse have iq's similar to that of a tomato, but there are ways and means and it should no longer be deemed as 'acceptable'.

Sorry. thought I was logged in!

You can't just go charging everyone who shouts at a game though mate, at the end of the day it's sport and the fans will be hyped up. As long as it's not racist/homophobic or actual death threats I can't really see the major issue.
Besides she got to go home with a gob on after the game. :)

Nowt wrong with shouting MIKEY.
I like a good old shout myself ( good for the soul ).
But some of the disgusting, vile & putrid abuse from these low life no-marks does nothing but scar the 'beautiful game'.

I've seen fans of every club behave in the same way, men and women, so a bit unfair to use one incident involving a women at Old Trafford to make a case for curbing abuse. As someone else said as long as it isn't very personal (family stuff) or homophobic or racist it matters not - surprisingly most people at the match are not foul raging lunatics - that's why we tend to notice the ones who are.

Hi I am the person who highlighted that woman at old Trafford . The reason I did highlight it was for two reasons firstly when a LFC fan was abusive towards a man united player there was a full scale hunt for this man he was banned for life I think! and rightly so unacceptable, secondly that woman was abusive offensive and continuously spewed her hatred every time there was a corner it was embarrassing to her and her family and for man united and what were the stewards doing to intervene to stop her? As for all football supporters doing it well buddy that doesn't excuse this vile abuse if I or any person did this sort of thing on the street we would be arrested by the police charged and taken to court and fined this sort of behaviour is unacceptable in public in private or at sports ground. I really hope that this woman is found and charged not because of who she supports but because players from which every club should not have to take to football grounds to be abused the FA are doing something about racial abuse well this is equally as disgusting as racism

If you start charging and banning everyone who screams abuse at the footy then basically every fan who goes to away days is getting banned. There is a thin red line of abuse/banter but for the most part it never gets to such a level that action needs to be taken. Outside of a stadium the response would be different but surely that is the point? Football is emotive and that's what you see, it's what people pay for - that experience. If it goes too far, gets racist/homophobic/insulting a players family etc etc then action should be taken but most fans know where the line is and not to cross it. I agree that the women at Old Trafford did not cover herself in glory however I didn't see anything that makes me think she deserves a ban and I haven't heard anything from you that has made me reconsider this point of view.

18 Mar 2014 19:02:08
Its a nice feeling to think we have a good shot at being champions, not something I should imagine many of us were expecting this season.

There are 810 minutes and 135 people (inc. Managers, 11 players and 3 subs) over the next 9 games that will potentially stop us short of acheiving this.

Lets hope we snowball our way to victory!

And based on goal average per game so far, hopefully another 23 more goals to enjoy!

We're there on merit, got 9 more games to go, enjoying the season so far! Win the league or not, I have not enjoyed watching Liverpool play like this for 20+ years. So, that will do me for a start!

18 Mar 2014 17:59:00
Eds, today the Dnipro president has come out to state he is in serious negotiations with Levy for Konoplyanka. He stated the deal with us failed for "technical reasons". Without stirring up the Spurs theft of targets issue (honestly I hope they sign Kono so they can field a team of 11 incohesive, lazy, but talented wingers), my question is with the club and owners often expressing their interest to reduce agent fees and non-essential, accessory, intermediary or kickback payments related to transfers, have you heard details you can share about the "reasons" the Dnipro president is referring to? If so, will this continue to be an issue for the club in acquiring targets? Am I just putting 2 + 2 = 5? Please enlighten us.

{Ed002's Note - Just move on, Liverpool will probably have learned a lesson from that Salah embarrassment rather than the Konoplyanka deal.}

If he wants to go there then so be it

19 Mar 2014 09:22:17
Let him go there at 15 mill, we would try Errikson.

18 Mar 2014 10:13:22
Eds related to the question on the front page, if we finish top 4 is it this season the winners revenues are expected to top £100M from the premier leagues new TV deal or next season? With this and the potential champions league money will the spending this summer exceed anything we've seen in previous seasons at Liverpool (not just at Liverpool but in the premier league as a whole)? I appreciate all the great work you guys do must be dreading the summer transfer window!

{Ed002's Note - Next season and a little less than £100M. Last summer was the highest spending in EPL history and this summer will run it close again. I would not expect Liverpool to go wild, but money will be spent.}

18 Mar 2014 16:04:44
seeing Sterling playing through the middle had me scratching my head a little bit as I think his searing pace causes problems for any fullback down the wings, but I feel he had a brilliant game down the middle. his retention of the ball, pressing game and the way he interchanged with the strikers was a masterstroke. Manchester didn't have a clue how to deal with it.

18 Mar 2014 16:51:53
he seems very strong on the ball definately going to save us shelling out on a player we thought we needed 6 months ago but he is here already, the more players we have at this level the better imo.

Aye! I said similar in my first ever post to this site (and the web in general come to think of it) about a year ago while watching Swansea play Spurs. My point was that none of our (apparent) summer targets at spuds would get into our starting 11, citing Sterling as the future.

I was called 'deluded'. (I think it was by a Spurs fan.)

Since then we beat them 0-5.

Athankyou :)

18 Mar 2014 15:06:18
Funny at the start of last season I got ridiculed on here for saying that Liverpool should look at moving Stevie g to a deeper role with his passing tackling heading strengths among others. Honestly think BR seen my post and thought hmm there's an idea! haha. All jokes aside, revelation this year all round. Keep up the good work lads, would love to have the gold badges on the sleeves of the shirts next season. make us dream!

I think I was one of the ones who critisized you for it as well. Feel free to be smug you have been spot on. Lol
I'm made up Gerrard has found a way to be more influential again and hope it continues. It does make me wonder where Lucas is going to slot in again though, maybe a bit of rotation in midfield seeing as though we will be playing a lot more games next year.

Not going to be smug Mickey lad. Just glad to see things going well as i'm sure we are all on the same boat. Plenty of football to be played yet so let's hope things keep going the way they are going.

18 Mar 2014 13:39:27
I have to hold my hands up and say I was really worried about Stevies switch to a deeper role. I never posted on it, but after watching his first game in that role I had serious doubts. He looked uncomfortable, was off the pace and gave the ball away. However he has grown into this role in every game since.
I am of the generation that if you pick a best ever LFC player you automatically say 'king kenny' or best midfielder you say 'souness'. Hoever I have been lucky enough to see SG from youth level through to 'that' night in Istanbul and all the way to the last match. The man is imho a legend. I am scarily close to elevating him to my all time best ever LFC player and I never thought anyone could eclipse the king in my eyes.

This role, in this type of system is new for SG. There will be some positional problems to tweak. This is a man who has dragged previous teams forward by their short and curlies and led literally from the front. He has to settle in to a role that will allow him to shine and prolong his (incredible) career. For me he has shown that he is settling by the game and this was perfectly demonstrated at the mancs place. Another poster mentioned this is almost an entirely new role and will form part of new coaching manuals. TBH I think you are almost right. There have been players (Pirlo) who have operated in this way before, but they were few and far between. I am trying to reign in my hopes and dreams, but I sincerely hope we win the league this year so our Captain can complete his medal haul, because he really deserves it.
(Well done BR for spotting the switch and having the balls to do it)

18 Mar 2014 14:38:30
Gerrard is playing at his best football from years. He has adapted to his new role really well, I have been critical with him in the past. But he has come up really well.

18 Mar 2014 16:06:26
I put basically an identical post on yesterday. It'll be interesting to see if you get the same amount of abuse. Good post though mate. 100% agreed. Still room for improvement but its going well so far!

Totally agree. I doubted he would cope with the tactical needs, and I still think he is often too far forward of the ball when the opposition are coming at us. However, his ability to start attacks from there makes him very dangerous.

I was priveleged to see Kenny and Souey in their pomp, and have never thought SG quite in that category of player. BUT, if he makes this position his own for a couple of years, and it works within a successful team, he MUST be considered as one of the very greatest.

SG take a bow, you may be about to prove me wrong. My missus has never managed that.

Right back, right midfield, CAM, defensive midfielder. He's played in all these positions in his LFC career and not only never let us down, but also looked like the best player on the pitch in each role.
Sheer class

18 Mar 2014 13:27:28
IF it looks like we may win the league, would we be able to get Carragher named as a sub for the last game so he gets a winners medal ed?

He deserves one for all he achieved in the run up to this season.

{Ed001's Note - he would need more than one appearance mate.}

Would be nice even he registered, or even was part of the staff and then went up and celebrated with Stevie. Think i'd break down in tears if that happened.

Could we bring him on against Crystal Palace and Newcastle then?!

{Ed001's Note - you could but it wouldn't get him a medal. It takes 10 appearances and we only have 9 games left.}

Its 10 appearance I think

18 Mar 2014 15:59:18
Is that 10 apps, 10 starts or 900 minutes of football?

{Ed001's Note - 10 appearances.}

18 Mar 2014 16:33:55
Currently (only including players who've played) these are the players who would miss out and how many apps they have so far:
Enrique 8
Alberto 9
Kelly 5
Wisdom 2
Teixeira 1
Smith 1
Ibe 1

Everyone else to make an appearance has passed 10 already. Even Moses and Aspas!

The first 3 would be gutted to not get a medal. Particularly Kelly!

Maybe he can do a john terry and run on the pitch in his kit.

Ahhh. Oh well. That's that then.
Good knowledge though you lot!

Maybe Stevie will carry him on to the pitch along with his other kids on the last day :)

Not related to carragher, but the likes of Enrique Etc, does being involved in the squad count, mould seem harsh if he missed out

Its apparently been changed this season to 5 appearances!

18 Mar 2014 13:10:45
Hi eds and reds. just wondering if brendan Rogers will be offered a new contract. if so do you reckon it will be sooner rather than later.

18 Mar 2014 14:39:52
110%, He would offerd a new contract, FSG objective was to reach Top4.

18 Mar 2014 12:34:24
Driving to work today feeling quite happy with how things are going for LFC I had a sudden horrible thought, what if we finish 4th and qualify for CL and by some fluke Manchester united win the CL this year, spoilt my day just thinking about it

I assume you saw/went to the game on Sunday grayman, Manchester United will not win the CL this season mate so stop worrying.

18 Mar 2014 13:08:13
History is on our side, I don't think any club has overturned a 2-0 lead after the first leg.

As MTOT said, United are awful so don't worry, plus we're going to come 1st!

I don't want to make your day worse lad, BUT, an under achieving premier league side facing an uphill task against Olympiakos and being written off by everyone, who signed a high profile Spanish International in the January window who was ineligible to play in the competition. sound familiar?

Please GOD NO!!

It's irrelevant anyway, because were going to win the league.

18 Mar 2014 14:41:41
We are 80% of winning the league, 100% in top 3.

I don't think it a likely scenario at all that United will win the CL, but I would be much happier if tomorrow they got smashed again at Old Trafford and it was then not a possibility at all.

Big difference though Waro is we had the mighty Rafa in charge and they have the inept Moyes.
Plus who was the in eligible Spanish player we signed in January?

I have a feeling it's going to be 2nd for us therefore irrelevant anyway.

^^ Fernando Morientes

Extra bacon, the Spanish player was Morientes. Mancs won't win CL so chill fellas, worrying is as effective as trying to solve a maths equasion by chewing bubble gum!

18 Mar 2014 17:05:23
Are the saying then, southern red, that the real worries are to be things that never crossed your worried mind? The kind that blindsides you at 4pm (what time was your post? Spooky) on some idle Tuesday? ;)

Haha exactly Dave! (didn't even realise the time)! Hopefully we'll be dancing the funky chicken come the end of may, well maybe just me. :/

19 Mar 2014 08:28:16
I'm not a big fan of the funky chicken, then again, your choices are half chance :)

18 Mar 2014 10:17:11
Fabio Borini.
Press today reporting that Gus Poyet would like to keep him.
Borini has done pretty well at Sunderland.
Other than tearing it up and netting 20 x goals, probably as well as could be expected.
Question - is that good enough for him to return to Anfield?
For myself, he was put in the shop window and will be sold.
He'll never oust SaS, and isn't really quick enough to play the wider roles.
£6 - 7m would be a decent recoup.

18 Mar 2014 10:58:37
I always like to keep the discussion balanced and give the counter arguments.

Whilst Borini isn't lightening fast or a deadly crosser/creator of goals, his pressing and energy really suits our style. His movement is also outstanding and he is always looking to run off the shoulder of the last man. I think he should be kept as Sturridges back up. Like you say, he's not going to oust them or whack 20 goals a season just yet, but he is a great option for cup games, off the bench, and to deputise when the inevitable 'Sturridge injury' occurs.

He has done enough to be given a chance for me although nobody can say how well he will perform when the chance at Liverpool comes. 16 games on the right wing last season is not enough to judge him on and its harsh to judge a poacher on his ability to score goals in a team lacking creativity (Sunderland).

He has definitely done enough to be brought back as a 3rd striker, or even to start in particular away games if Brendan wants to rest Sterling or Coutinho.

I think he will add more value to a squad in the champions league and chasing top 4 than the 7 million we will get for him.

I can't fault his attitude or effort at Sunderland but time moves on.
Adam, if Sturridge does get injured, we go Suarez up top on his own.

The purchase of a pacey wide man in the Summer will seal Borini's fate, I feel. Possibly even Ibe's return if he's deemed ready.
Don't forget Aspas too. We can't afford both him and Borini. One or t'other.

I'd definitely keep him as the 3rd striker to play when there are injuries and for carling cup

18 Mar 2014 12:45:12
I think Borini would just offer a versatile forward who won't moan about being 2nd choice. I see your point regarding Aspas. With our 4-3-3 system there Is no need for more than 3 senior strikers and personally I'd like to see Aspas go on loan to a premier league team next season and then we take his future from there. The same goes for Alberto. He needs a good loan to a prem team to adjust to the physicality and pace of English football.

I think it would be unwise to rely purely on Suarez and Sturridge as our senior strikers though. We will be playing 3 games a week next season and if Suarez got banned or Sturridge got injured, the other would be massively over worked.

I'd bring Borini in and loan out Aspas. Then I'd send Moses back to Chelsea and sign a wide man (this would be my 'marquee' signing so to speak). Between Sterling, Ibe, Dunn, Peterson and Suso I'm sure Suarez and (new signing) would have plenty of back up/ccompetition.

18 Mar 2014 12:49:40
I'd almost put my house on it that Aspas has less chance of another season here than Borini.
He will have the serious needle at not playing.
Don't you only get a winners medel if you play 10 games? I doubt Aspas+Alberto even have that.
Imagine spending a season on the bench for a title winning side and not getting a medel? You would be seriously pissed.

Obviously 'title winning' is hypothetical, but it could play out to be an entire waste of a season for these lads,
For there own sakes, they really should find regular footy next season.

Personally I would sell Aspas, Alberto, Borini, Wisdom, Coady and Agger for starters. I would hope that Suso will want to stay. If we want to compete on 4 competitions next year we will need better quality players. I would also hope that Ilori would stay to cover for Agger's departure.

18 Mar 2014 13:34:45
Not knocking you Irish Rover as I've considered it myself, but why would you sell Agger? Injuries? Age? Or another reason?

Personally I just think its too hard to please 3 senior centre backs in Sakho, Skrtel and Agger. Toure knew he was coming as a squad player but those 3 clearly are better than sitting on the bench. Agger or Skrtel will probably get the bullet, and with Sakho being left sided and the best centre back on our books, I think the writing is on the wall for Agger. I would hate to see him go though.

Just wondering what your thought process in selling him is.

Just as you say really. Sahko won't be sold and Skertle has been first choice all season. There is no value in selling Toure. So Agger it is. We need to generate some cash so its time to be a bit ruthless in the hope we can buy better players.

Obviously Reina will be sold too.

It wouldn't surprise me if Agger wasn't happy to stick around and play the occasional game as a starter and act as a backup to Sakho otherwise. He's not getting any younger and he's under contract for 2 more years and I could see him staying here until that's up and perhaps even a bit past that. He's never shown any indication of wanting to leave in the past and turned down opportunities that most wouldn't have.

Really like Fabio, hope we send him out on loan again next season. Don't know if I'd send him back to sunderland though?! I think Borini will be one of those strikers who blooms late in terms of consistency! We can all see he has the technique and desire, I just think he needs to slow his game half a pace as his ability is that of a tricky forward but IMO he always tries to quicken his manoeuvres, once he gets over his pace he'll be more than fine!

18 Mar 2014 09:53:29
Hi Eds,

How many more wins do you think are needed for Liverpool to guarantee a CL place?

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - bit difficult to say, especially when we don't even know for sure if we need top 3 or top 4.}

Realistically unless Man United win the champions league (hahah) the early 70's in points (72-73) would get us top 4 historically.

I'd rather not laugh at Man U until they have been knocked out of the CL. Anyway finish as high as possible and we have nothing to worry about

Eds I take it when you say that it is all dependent on one thing and that's if Utd do happen to win the CL?

{Ed001's Note - pretty much yes. But also, it depends on whether you take it as Champions League proper or count the qualifiers, which most people don't.}

18 Mar 2014 08:02:47
Can't believe what I'm reading. The Star reporting this morning that Dnipro owner is locked in talks with Spurs over Konoplyanka. He's quoted as saying "I would choose London over Liverpool". Will be interesting to see who the player himself chooses. Will say a lot about his character if he chooses Europa League over Champions League.

Maybe we're not in for him as we feel we can get sharqi?

Maybe the Dnipro owner is getting twitchy feet because he has not heard back from LFC and is trying to start a bidding war between PSG Spurs and ourselves to get the maximum amount of cash he can for the player.
If he wants to go play for Spurs and another season in the Europa Cup then good luck to him.
We have shown that we can miss out on these so called good transfer targets (Salah doing well in his new position as bench warmer) and still perform. Plenty of other players out there for us to go after.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

18 Mar 2014 12:06:36
this agent sounds like a total plank, if he thinks it would be better for a player to move to spurs simply because London is a better place to live than Liverpool, and even worse if konoplyanka is listening to this and going to spurs under this pretence then its better we don't get him. i'm sure players are watching Liverpool and would love to be part of what's happening here we are on the way to being a real force here I have said on here before but the players that must be regretting turning brendan down must be growing sitting on benches with managers unable to get the best out of them r unwilling to give them a run in the team.

Lets be honest, IF we get CL AND we go back in for him AND he chooses his destination for football reason it should be an easy choice. Lots of ifs and buts.

18 Mar 2014 06:01:12
Good morning Eds

Ive heard that Dnipro gaffa saying that Konop could be close to joining spuds and that Levy has been in touch. Do you see this as a way to get us and other clubs fighting for him or are Spuds making great strides for him now? Imo that if we do finish in top4 we can get better than him anyhow. Also do u think Flanno could make left back his own or are we still likely to bring one in. Ie Betrand.

{Ed002's Note - Spurs and PSG are both actively trying to do a deal for Konoplyanka - any statements are nothing to do with Liverpool. A left back may well arrive.}

If he seriously wants Thursday night on channel five for the next few years and playing for the plank Tim Sherwood(or whoever is next on the spurs merry go round)then that's his dumb choice. Look how that move worked out for Lamela,

Seriously mark, that's one of the worst reply's I've ever seen posted

Does this mean our interest lie elsewhere?

No mark that's a great reply, absolutely spot on. Lack of ambition screams out, it's because he knows he wouldn't get in our side, enjoy the itv4 spotlight lad

18 Mar 2014 11:30:02
Dnipro President sounds super pissed with LFC. I hope we didn't mess around like we did with Salah. But, like Ed02 says, we seemed to have dropped our interest.

Last season we were saying european football shouldn't matter! Now all of a sudden were close to cl and it does matter? Get a grip lads… starting to sound fickle! as for lamela he has been injured for most of the season…. So to theoretically call him a flop is again stupid! but any way three points against spurs thank you

Lamela has done little when fit anyway! And I think people meant they would rather no Europe that europa, champions league is always a positive, no Liverpool fan would turn it down, don't really get your point chiswick

18 Mar 2014 03:04:26
Liverpool Trivia Question Time.

The match was Liverpool vs Juventus Champions League Quarter Final fixture, Anfield leg 2005 2-1 to Liverpool.

Who chipped the ball into Luis Garcia for him to hit that stunning long shot passed Buffon?

Just for fun and fond memories folks.

{Ed007's Note - Stevie Nicol?

Great match that! Good memories! Pretty sure it was Anthony Letallec (spelling)?!

Southern Red you are indeed correct.Anthony Le Tallec was the player albeit took a deflection before falling nicely into the path of Garcia just outside the box.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

18 Mar 2014 00:20:54
Hi eds thank you for all the hard work you Putin to keep us all in the know, was just wondering about two young lads, if Jordan Ibe comes back from loan much improved could he be the player to fill in the winger position instead of spending money and save it for a LB for example? Also if we play 4-3-3 again any time soon could Rodgers maybe give young Jack Dunn a try as a left or right forward or is he simply not good enough and be moved on soon?

Many thanks

Henlow red

{Ed002's Note - I see a mix. One thing I hope Brendo has learned this year is don't use £6, 7 or 8M to pad the squad with players who will get a handful of games - they will get pissed and move on. Use the money where it is needed, use a few of the youngster to fill the holes and look to cherry-pick some kids for the future. Brendo is not stupid (but far from the brightest) and he will (I hope) know this now.}

Live and learn, Ed.

{Ed002's Note - Sounds like a quote from my favourite poet - Langston Hughes.}

18 Mar 2014 11:29:44
To be fair to BR though Ed02, Aspas was initially signed as a replacement for Suarez wasn't he? However, Suarez ended up staying and poor Aspas has found game time difficult to come by.

{Ed002's Note - Not at all, Aspas was nothing to do with Suarez.}