Liverpool Banter Archive September 18 2013

18 Sep 2013 22:11:54
Anyone know how Willian performed for Chelsea tonight?

Good skills on the ball in places but no overall effect on the game. 'A debut to forget' say ssn.

18 Sep 2013 21:47:31
Hi Ed's. I know Suarez played in a friendly a few weeks back. Has he played in any recently? I was wondering about his match fitness. {Ed002's Note - No, just the one.}

He has also played for uruguay and 11 a side in training. Plus there is a behind closed doors game tomorrow.

Ynwa

He played in a friendly today actually againts a burnley 11. Apparently he was quite an uninterested. We lost. He's been playing for Uruguay an training he'll be ready!

19 Sep 2013 09:01:22
I wish you so call fans gave the new player's a chance to bed in four games and a cup match and the slaging begin . BR has the team in good spirits and playing for each other yes we have dropped off in the second half but at lease we are unbeatten and top wait till the end of the season my fellow fans.

18 Sep 2013 19:07:26
Just realised Suarez only has one game ban left. We're an interesting position for when he returns!

Suarez will add that much needed experience in the attack, hopefully we will be able to close out matches by taking more chances and easing the pressure a bit more.

Love him or loath him, Suarez is an outstanding footballer, when he plays politics/media stunts it kinda always seems to back fire on him/us. So hopefully he just concentrates on his football and us and we all benefit from his ridiculous ability. Just my thoughts

Completely agree with Ollieston. hopefully we can benefit from his hunger to be back playing football. He is the best player at the club and we need to make full use of him. Hopefully that can be th catalyst to the Champions League.

18 Sep 2013 17:48:43
Even though coutinho is injured it should not be the end of the world. If we want to be top 4 this season then we have to have the ability to cope with injuries and let another quality player slot right into position. This is what Rodgers meant by brining quality signings Into the squad. We have to have quality above quantity in order to play well as a team. I'm sure we will continue on our positive run as we prove that we are not a one man team.

I just can't help but think that Suso would have been able to slot in as Coutinho's understudy in case of injuries. Suso has a similar quality when on the ball to Coutinho but has been denied a lot of playing time as a sub or as a starter, I think many players where left in a state of limbo with the managerial merry go round we have been through. But this is all spilt milk.

I think Rodgers might give Luis Alberto the chance in an advanced position in Coutinho's absence. Especially after the lad scored a hat trick in the reserves game. But with Suarez primed and ready to edge back into the fold for Liverpool, maybe Henderson will be given the role?

I think Alberto is a special player in the making, he's got an eye for goal, he can score inside and outside the box, his passing is very good and only going to get better. Finding his best position is going to be interesting.

19 Sep 2013 08:55:35
Suso had a chance last year mate.
I'm not saying he blew it by any means, simply that he needs more experience before he's ready.
Suarez Studge Moses
Hendo. Gerrard Lucas

We should be fine!

18 Sep 2013 16:43:48
There seems to be a lot of panic due to the recent injury of Coutinho. In my opinion although Coutinho can be an amazing player he still hasn't impressed me as yet this season. His performances have probably dipped due to the defensive approach we have taken, but we have enough cover to cope without him until he is fit again. Obviously when Suarez comes into contention he will slot straight in but for the next game we have sufficient options available.

For the next game I would play a back line consisting of Kelly, Toure, Agger and Enrique. Skrtel has been extremely impressive however the Agger and Toure partnership looks to be the most effective from what I have seen so far. Kelly had a good game for the U21's yesterday and would be my preferred choice at right back in the absence of Johnson.

After Alberto's performance for the U21's yesterday, for me he has earned his opportunity to start in place of the injured Coutinho with Gerrard and Lucas operating behind him in central midfield.

Henderson has played well on the right in recent games so I would stick with him there. I would However give Sterling an opportunity at some stage of the game as he too was impressive yesterday.

Moses had a decent game against Swansea causing many problems for the opposition so he will no doubt remain on the left and Sturridge up front.

There is no need for panic. The team that BR has assembled is quite capable of coping with the current situation. It could have been worse, it could have been Sturridge with the injury.

Red Rum

Good post Red rum.

I think some time in the sidelines would do Coutinho good. Just a minor dip in form and he'll come back better. But the exciting thing is now we've got some decent cover compared to last season and we don't need to panic as much!

18 Sep 2013 16:15:56
Obviously gutted for Coutinho to be out but that's why we have the squad is to cover players when they are out. We have plenty of options. Sterling, Ibe, Alberto and Suarez to come back so Its not the end or the world.

18 Sep 2013 16:00:10
Hi eds.

Gutted about Coutinho. Proper gutted!
I personally think that Suarez will fill that void until he is back fit. I know he's a forward but the fact that our attack is very versatile I think he will play that attacking midfield role for now.

It also means BR doesn't need to make the hard decision of where to play Suarez. yet

Cheers

As we have shown a lot of times this season, we're a 11 man team not just one. Coutinho is excellent, okay, but we've got decent enough players to fill the void until he returns. We haven't seen Hendo playing in the middle this season and i'm sure he'll surprise us, more than he has already, and with Sterling for next game on the right followed by Suarez we should be fine.

18 Sep 2013 15:11:37
Just seen a lot of people mentioning the posdibility of putting Gerrard behind Sturridge. Yes he is still world class and yes he could play that role very well but let's look at two points:
1. His pace never was sublime and he wouldn't out pace many centre halves or Defensive Midfielders in the league now, no does he turn on a sixpence and step over to baffle his opponent. How often does he hit 25-35 yard wonder goals compared to 5 years ago?
2. If Gerrard did play there then who would be our supply man? Lucas and Allen are restricted by their range of passing. Henderson would be wasted sitting in due to his burst of pace and link up play. Alberto is as yet untested there in the Premier League.

Despite the cons of putting Gerrard there, I still think it would be a decent option if we had another quarter back based player. To me the gain of putting him up is outweighed by losing him along side Lucas. Henderson or Alberto should be used there. I also think Ibe would be superb in the role due to his trickery and pace.
Lets be honest Aspas isn't going to start there because then we have no forwards to replace Strurridge should he need to come off.
I think once Suarez is fit Sturridge will be given a week off to get his thigh well and truly sorted then he will stick at top with Suarez and Moses rotating wings and then Coutinho in centre, once he's fit.

Lost all credibility when you used the phrase "quarter back player"

18 Sep 2013 14:46:08
If we could combine the first half from senior team vs. Swansea and second half from U21 vs. Sunderland U21, we really got something.

18 Sep 2013 14:23:45
do you think Alberto will be given a chance in the "no.10" role behind the striker after his performance or will it be Henderson/Allen?

18 Sep 2013 13:43:13
WIth Coutinho out for a while we could put Henderson in alongside Lucas as holding midfielders and move Stevie G up into forward central midfield and be the playmaker. Job done.

Funny Chris, I was expecting to see the name Arda Turan in your post

If only (2).

As much as I would like this to happen, I don't think it will. Stevie prefers sitting deep and distributing the ball from the back. He is getting old and cannot make those bursting runs towards opponents half anymore. Even his shots are not the same. His power in the legs are not the same as it used to be hence always looking for placement than power these days. I am a biggest Stevie G fan and I was in denial for a long time thinking he was still the player when he was 25/26.

If I had one wish, I would want a young Steven Gerrard.

18 Sep 2013 13:08:05
So Coutinho out for around six weeks, massive blow! He is the only real link we have from midfield to attack - who would you have come in to replace him?

Obviously Suarez is back game after next but I think this could be the time to also give Luis Alberto a chance in the first team too. Has that Spanish ability of finding space between the lines of opposition defence and midfield, looks for killer passes and is capable of scoring a few. Paid a fair bit of money for him so why not. I seen brief highlights from last nights U21 game and he can't have done much more to convince the gaffer to give him a go.

Thoughts please fellow reds.

18 Sep 2013 13:50:33
I get the feeling that Aspas will play in that role behind Sturridge and then Suarez. For me I would play Henderson there with Moses on left and Ibe on right. Some of Hendersons through balls and deft touches have been superb and I feel his great stamina would help in the position. I would then hope to bring Alberto in to the role and get him settled there. He could even start there against Southampton, the lad has trained with the likes of Iniesta, Messi, Xavi, Pedro and more so with Tello and Delofeuo (Cant say it or spell it) so his ability between the lines should be decent.
This is where we are short, when all fit I think our starting XI is a superb team but we lack the depth to be so confident when a Coutinho, Gerrard, Johnson, Suarez or Sturridge is injured or unavailable. {Ed002's Note - Alberto was in the B team at BArcelona so would not have been training with Messi et al. They have their separate facilities and stadium.}

18 Sep 2013 15:14:33
Cheers ed, odd that the Barcelona sides train seperately due to their continuity in terms of philosophy and dynamic. Makes it even more impressive that they manage to gel young guns in so well. {Ed002's Note - They are completely different teams one in La Liga and one in the second division. Each has their own staff.}

18 Sep 2013 12:59:53
coutinhio out untill end of october, gutted!

18 Sep 2013 12:44:35
Couthino needs surgery so he will be out until late October maybe even more.

18 Sep 2013 10:03:28
I personally hope that when Suarez returns he is played out wide with him and Moses/Ibe/Sterling rotating on the wings and Coutinho and Sturridge remaining central. This will increase our central options with Henderson not having to be our wide utility man. This will give us Hendo, Lucas, Gerrard, Allen and Alberto as CM, I would hope 5 would be enough.
Just hope Sturridge doesn't get pushed wide, he has shown his best position is as out and out striker now.

Definitely agree with you, I think a line up with Sturridge as the point of the spear and Suarez and Coutinho playing wide and drifting in would be deadly. I think suarez is the worlds best at playing along the goal line.

18 Sep 2013 09:33:46
Not to sound weird or anything, with Bale having done so well
in his new role as a forward.
Do you think we cld try push LLori there as LW/LF.
Pace good control and used to be a striker, hear he jumps well. and is tall, aerial threat wld be an excellent switch.

But am just sayn I haven't even seen him play yet.

Let him settle in first mate,
Bale was slowly enrolled into that position.
We haven't seen anything of him in defence yet (1st team)

If he was a good striker don't think they'd put him center half dude ha

18 Sep 2013 04:31:42
quick question eds, any injury updates on allen, cissokho, johnson, coutinho, agger? its depressing that we have so many good players injured at the moment. hopefully the team will step up and come together in their absence. Also, do you believe Martin Kelly will play this weekend against Southampton instead of Wisdom? Do you think in the next game Rodgers will change his tactics from pressuring hard in the first half and defending in the second to half to a more attacking play during the entire course of the game? {Ed002's Note - There will probably be an update on Friday. I have no idea who will play at the weekend.}

18 Sep 2013 00:17:20
I'm watching the u21 match and what worries me is Sterling. I know he played some part last night but every time he gets the ball or makes a run he's like a headless chicken. At the min he looks nowhere near good enough to play for our u21 never mind England. Iloris looks like a quality signing, very cool on the ball. He'll learn a lot playing alongside agger and toure in training.
Sakhomonster

I've said it before and I know I'll get pelters but stirling won't develop any further, he has no real pace with the ball at his feet, he never takes a man on, he doesn't make runs off the ball, if we sold him next summer I have no worries that we might regret it, I'm sorry but my monies on Ibe, this kid's got it all and with the right handling he could make a difference in games and be an asset for years to come.
StevieH

You guys couldn't even wait for the game to end. bloody keyboard warriors

18 Sep 2013 09:13:00
I partly agree with Sterling. I will get slated for this but he would do well to go on loan. He needs to learn that he can't simply run straight at a defender. He is also a liability on the back foot.
A loan to a more physical league where he would play every week is what he needs to learn the tricks and step overs he needs.
In the meantime Ibe is already that kind of player. Do we really need two potential world beaters on the bench? Now Moses is here and Suarez is due back we only need one of Ibe and Sterling on the bench and I would prefer Ibe. He has pace, skill and good vision, Sterling currently only has raw pace, his decision making is terrible.

You seem stressed out pinkman maybe you better call Saul.

Also agree that Sterling would benefit from a loan.
Maybe a loan to blackpool when we sign Ince.

Sterling is over rated for his age . just like many english players are. the kid needs a lot of gametime to develop into world class player, which he won't be getting at anfield. he reminds me of a certain fella going by the name jermaine pennant. I wish him luck not to end up like him.

also ibe falls in the same league though he might be physically more strong . he needs more playtime which he won't get as long as there is sterling on the bench.
either way they both need a full season loan under them to flourish.

Though sterling had an amazing reserve game in the 2nd half. just proves how much he needs a loan move and full season under him

17 Sep 2013 23:35:36
I felt one part where we truly were hindered vs Swansea was the swith of Wisdom or Toure. Wisdom needed to be careful and I understand the switch, but a lot of Swanseas attacks came down our right hand side, and toure moved in ar too centrally most times, neglecting runners and Hendo at times was marking 2 men down that wing, I felt sorry for the lad he put in a tremendous effort. For such an experienced defender I was shocked Toure did this and that Stevie or Brendan didn't have a word.

Tactically I thought Brendan got that very wrong. Kelly would have been a much better choice to send on.

I noticed Henderson was all over the place, covering and tracking back most of second half. He was immense.

Henderson left wisdom with to people for most the match and how long ago was toure last right full appearance its easy to get sucked in sometimes Rogers made us sit back to protect the win sakho was a bit crazy but negative tactics were something I didn't expect from Rogers

Henderson doesn't get the credit he deserves

18 Sep 2013 15:22:14
Fully agree LTP. Henderson is fantastic almost every week. Considering he plays of position a hell of a lot I think he really has a great work rate and attitude. He runs hinself into the ground to get forward or cover back. Those saying he left Wisdom with two to defend need to look at the fact Swansea were playing counter football and purposefully only getting at us when they saw such opportunities as that.
There was a clip of Henderson on the floor bent double holding his stomach trying to catch his breath, how often sue you see a modern day footballer push themselves to that extent to support or cover for their team?

I'm not saying that he puts so much in just on the ball I am not convinced he has improved so much is a very good player to have but doesn't have the quality to take over from Steven Gerrard our best option would try make him the running man like Flaminai used to be for arsenal just my opinion

17 Sep 2013 23:28:13
Vote gerrard
http://www.theguardian.com/football/poll/2013/sep/17/who-was-best-scholes-gerrard-lampard

Cant believe scholes is in the lead at the moment. The player who would always do a crunching dirty tackle on the oppositions best player in the first 2 minutes of the match. I think the refs let him get away with it because he is built like a teddy bear ;)

Just Voted Gerrard
cant believe people genuinely think Scholes is better

The argument is one we could have all day. I like to look at it this way "if gerrard had played for the mancs and scholes for us, how many trophies less or more would each club have?"

Ourkid I've noticed the poll, obviously voted for scholes, but your telling me Gerrard has never put in dirty challenges, and added to that never got away with it? Rose tinted specs me thinks. I seem to remember seeing quite a few 2 footed dangerous tackle from Gerrard. I admit scholes could be dirty at times and the fact he couldn't tackle was a myth, he knew exactly what he was doing. I suppose you'd never wished Souness had ever been near your club player wise?

Don't remember Zidane or Xavi or Iniesta talking about Gerrard being the best Midfielder in the world. Takes a deluded CB from you lot to even bring this up on national television and the papers jumping on it. What a joke.

Next thing is you guys are going to argue he is better than Zidane, xavi and iniesta :)

Actually Zidane did indeed call Gerrard the best in the world 2 or 3 seasons ago.

Surprised you missed it as you guys are typically obsessed with LFC.