Liverpool Banter Archive December 19 2014

19 Dec 2014 22:47:32
Brendan, If you're reading can I make a suggestion which may help us defensively. How about playing Emre Can at left back? He has played this role for Leverkusen and played it well. Since Flanno has been out of the team we have lacked discipline from the fullbacks, but Can would give us that extra protection against the pace and quality that Arsenal have up front. Can I also suggest playing a partnership of Toure and Sakho with Lucas protecting them in defensive midfield? Get the defence right and that will give the likes of Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho, Henderson etc the freedom to get forward and do what they do best.

Not trying to tell you how to do your job or anything ;)

Red Rum

How about playing Emre Can FULLSTOP!!!

There's more chance of aguero coming to liverpool than Rodgers playing a more defensive player at left wing back

Markovic scored and lfc won on Wednesday so automatically that same team will beat arsenal

Rodgers won't change no matter what the situation
Defence will always be absolutely shocking
Lovren will not be coached to fill those huge gaps he leaves
Liverpool don't make enough tacklers in bar Lucas
So for liverpool to win games. They have to hope lallana plays amazing every game and that he sets up sterling even though he's not a striker

That's about as simple as it gets

If u think I'm wrong just check the stats

Even with Sanchez or salah. The defence would stil be rubbish

He would be wasted at left back, he is needed in centre midfield alongside Lucas so we don't have a great big hole there.

19 Dec 2014 23:55:21
Already enough posts with people complaining about players being played out of position. And you've just gone and thrown a curve ball by suggesting Can to play left back haha!

I'm not convinced solving our defensive woes would be that simple. I'm also not sold on the whole if the defence is settled the attack will start firing. Could argue that if our attacks start firing it may ease some of the pressure at the back which may slowly lead to confidence coming back!

Personally feel it's in midfield that we lose out, tactically specifically. I can't defend the unforced errors from Lovren, Skrtel etc but, if you keep bypassing midfield and fronting defenders and putting pressure on them, then inevitably mistakes will happen, forced or unforced.

Here's to hoping that Bournemouth result can be the start of something. Not special, just something!

Given the recent epiphony of the last two games where brendan surely to god has realised what the fans have been asking for all season, which is that we can only play wel with high intensity and pace, then surely it makes sense to do it again this weekend against the team it worked best against last season.

Goalie is anybodys guess, what an utter shambles.

Back four of manquillo, toure, sakho and moreno, two most sensible and effective centre backs who have done very little wrong in a red shirt i feel, and the two full backs are simply better than johnson or enrique.

Lucas in holding, as his form demands it. Can will bully arsenals weak and imbalanced midfield with lucas, and is great going forward, very direct and will tear them open. Lallana alongside Can, as he is industrial as well as skillful and has been playing far too well to be dropped. Coutinho at the tip of the diamond, simply as we've been better while he has been in the team the last two games.

Sterling and markovic up front, both have been playing well and will offer direct play and pace which will scare the hell out of arsenals makeshift defence hopefully.

Of course, none of this will happen, and of course the sideways passing of gerrard, henderson and allen will be brought back, lambert will be uselessly up front, lallana wil be on the wing even though it isn't his position, and the same calamtous back four of johnson, skrtel, lovren and enrique will come back, just to ensure we lose.

20 Dec 2014 04:43:58
Ted Rum

If you could read mine. Emere Can played at LB against Valencia Ronaldo. Have a look at that game and he was terrible.

Toure and Sakho that should be last pair ain't it after all of your other combinations are proving to be terrible at the back.

Playing Toure over and over again would make us look a bigger joke in buying Lovern.

{Ed001's Note - no one would look a joke for playing a combination that works, that comment makes no sense.}

20 Dec 2014 04:56:57
Ed01, Of Course it makes As players like Toure and Lambert for bought to cover and play when we suffers injuries.

People wanting Can to play must realize, Only one of Hendo or Can would feature alongside Lucas in a 3-4-3. Someone will have to sit out.

{Ed001's Note - you are deluded. No one laughs at a winning team. You play the in form side, no matter how much they cost or what price you have paid for the alternative, it is when you don't do that people laugh.}

20 Dec 2014 05:22:11
Agreed ED01, but then then OP makes no sense.
Playing Can at LB? Just because he has a monster of a physique and looks good with a clean shave, other than I don't see any reason to play a midfielder at LB. He has no natural instinct of a full back.
Some here are throwing random names to play wherever left.

TBH Ed01, Our TC s*** As we overrated a lot of players and overpaid, now trying desperate to show outside world, we were right in bringing those.Else Lovern and Allen would never cement a place.

{Ed001's Note - Allen was nothing to do with the committee so your point is nonsense and simply a lie. Rodgers is not trying to prove any committee right at all, you simply do not have a clue what you are talking about, he has been very vocal in his criticisms of the system, so why would you think he would try and prove it right?}

20 Dec 2014 06:09:25
The committee before and after included either BR all alone or under a group of players.
He is trying to save quiet a lot his own decisions.

{Ed001's Note - irrelevant to Allen and irrelevant when Rodgers is clearly trying to put the blame on others in the committee for the signings made. He chooses the players he trusts, not the ones the committee signed.}

Big E, I agree that the weakest area is our midfield and if you read my recent posts you will see that I been going on about this, but there's nothing we can do until January. For me Can has the discipline and physicality to play LB. He has done it numerous times before and I feel he could do a good job for us. God knows what Harry's going on about, "looks good with a clean shave"?

Red Rum

20 Dec 2014 09:25:58
Redrum

Could you tell me y do you need a player a LB, isn't Moreno available?

Ed001

I guess then there's only one outcome if BR hates the committee system and the owners want it.

{Ed001's Note - yep.}

Harry, Moreno reminds me of a young Johnson. Decent going forward but has a lot to learn defensively. If Flanno was fit I'd play him there.

Red Rum

That's not to say I don't rate Moreno. I just think that in these big games we could do with more security at the back.

Red Rum

20 Dec 2014 10:12:48
Red rum.

I agree that he doesn't track back enough. However he is not decent going forward but excellent who has been asked to stop advancing.

So how do you rate Marcelo, Alves, Coentrao, korolov, baines etc.

They All are poor in tracking back in fact Maecelo doesn't even bother to come back.

The difference is all those plays for a team who has one brilliant DM and their CO are equally good.

If you are asking for a Cole type player then there aren't many.

20 Dec 2014 11:15:43
I don't disagree Can could play there mate, I just think whilst Moreno is fit he should be a shoe in at wingback.
I see Can as more of a Yaya type powerhouse box to box player, however until I see more of him that is just somewhat of an ill informed opinion!

And I'm glad I'm not alone with the midfield opinion. It's fixable but not without Rodgers not being stubborn!

19 Dec 2014 19:17:31
Hi eds.

You reckon Sheyi Ojo will get his chance in the 1st team soon? The lad looks the business imo. Lightning quick!

Cheers eds

{Ed001's Note - he should do but I don't expect it to happen for a while, maybe the 3rd round of the FA Cup is a possibility, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope for him this season.}

If the was going to play it would have been against Bournemouth but maybe he will play the last game of the season like Ibe was only given his debut at the end of 12/13 season.

The Bournmouth game was so important for Rogers saving his own skin, never mind the team needing a win, that there was never going to be a chance of any experimentation with the younger players. Kind of just how it is at the moment, we've not looked comfortable in any game I can remember this season, bar Spurs.

19 Dec 2014 17:59:54
I don't understand this site sometimes. After a long time Ed's 002 comes up with a name that Liverpool may look to complete in January and nobody bats an eyelid. But still people persist with Lacazette, Chech etc etc. These guys ain't coming people we have no money to spend. We have to shop in River Island for a season or two not Harrods please get used to it. Tolgay Arslan is the player ed's 002 mentioned and a very good one at that in a position we need to strengthen in. I hope we get him because from what I've seen of him he's a poor mans Mascherano but does an effective job much like Lee Cattermole. Tolgay, Hendo and Can in the middle would be an dynamic combo.

19 Dec 2014 18:43:58
A poster asked the Ed his opinion on a certain position. Ed002 offered one potential player that he thinks would be a good buy.

That's it. He was asked his opinion and he gave it. Everyone has their own opinions on this site of who they think would be a good buy. They are equally entitled to theirs mate.

I think you'll find puzzled red that Ed's 02's reply was more than an opinion of who would be a good buy for us. What I deciphered was that if the finances were right and we could make space for the German kid then we could do a deal. Maybe I've put 2 and 2 together and made 5 and I stand corrected if I have Puzzled Red. Ed's 002 maybe we could get some clarification here please?

I asked the question, ed only said that he would be a good if she was buying. She also stated that he may end up at another prem side. I think you got the wrong end of the stick mate. DM is incredibly hard to fill with quality within our budget. We need to sell player but we're not very good at that apart from superstrars. Don't see us raising to much in way of funds for purchases. Getting rid of a few will save a few quid on wages though which has got to be good for the future. If they don't play or offer anything more than the youth can offer no point them sticking around.

Why don't we just start giving Can game time at DM?

20 Dec 2014 00:02:44
DM could be easily fixed within budget. It just depends on what DM you want, or what you want in a DM.
Someone like Alonso, Kroos etc who are the playmakers whilst also protecting the defence. A flashy controlling DM.
Someone a bit more old school. A makele or Hamann? Tactically fantastic. Strong tackler, distributes the ball simply.
Or finally a 'destroyer' I've seen it called. Someone that will put in real strong challenges, takes no prisoners type. A real old time DM, I see this as.

A makele or Hamann type is what we crave, we have plenty of playmakers further up the pitch. I can't suggest names off the top of my head but there is plenty out there!

20 Dec 2014 04:02:28
Brendans Advocate, I think perhaps you just misunderstood Ed002's reply but I do agree with your earlier comments regarding use of the loan system though.

It may be the best way to bring in a GK and perhaps a DM too considering funds will be very limited.

Although it's worth noting that some loan signings can prove quite expensive. I seem to remember Sahin costing us a fair bit!

20 Dec 2014 05:01:04
Big E

None of that playmakers drop deep and then turn the ball in a whisker. instead we pass around ourself and to the back 4.

19 Dec 2014 17:28:26
Just a note that Rodgers was annoyed with false stuff being written about what's happening the dressing room maybe that's why he was like he was in the press conference. Give the bloke a break.

Wrong! He made a comment that there are issues in the dressing room that he would not talk about in public after the Utd loss. HE made that comment and the press seized on it. The upteenth case of trying to have it both ways. He opens his big mouth and then is pissed that the media ran with it. Personally, I`m over his God aweful mouth because he is hopeless in that area.

So everything in media is always right now redohio? Good luck with that one.

Wrong again, Genius! BR made that comment and the media ran with it. HE made that comment and not the media and like the politician that he is, is now trying to undo his screw up by blaming said media (shocking as he has no fault in anything). Next time, pay attention, do your research or better yet don`t get into conversations you clearly have no idea of.

19 Dec 2014 15:00:47
Do John Ruddy and Guillermo Ochoa seem viable targets for January, it's seems almost certain we'll go for a keeper and given cechs age and wage demands he'd seem an odd choice, plus Stoke would demand silly money for begovic, espespecially against a rival PL team they know are struggling. Who do the eds rate as better?

{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine please.}

I don't think either are better than what we have even, Ruddy is a terrible keeper, begs the question as to what the scouts are actually up to if this is the best they could come up with. And if it is, should the club be investing in white sticks.

I`m not sold on either of them especially Ruddy.

19 Dec 2014 13:53:33
I've worked out Brendan Rodger's press conference template win or lose. It reads: I thought young (insert player name) was outstanding today, followed by something about being technically superb, then appetite and hunger for the game, and finally something about a lot of changes over the summer to the squad.

Nailed it?

19 Dec 2014 12:23:12
All the best to King Kenny in today's Hillsborough inquest. I'm sure his profound contribution to the families will never be forgotten. Can't be easy for him to re-live those days so just wanted to air some support.

19 Dec 2014 09:43:27
I for one wanted to see more of Markovic and felt he was being unfairly cast aside, but I have to say that I don't think he should start the next match. He's getting to grips with the speed and stamina required to play in England and having a much better impact than he was early on, but considering our for and that he's just had 90 minutes midweek, starting him vs Arsenal would be a mistake for me. I'd much rather see him as a reasonably early (55-60 minute) sub coming in with the remit to target Mertesaker and just leave him in the dust. If we somehow manage to reach the last third of the match in contention, the pace of a fresh Markovic and potentially Coutinho as well could panic and break them.

I think Markovic did enough to deserve a start, he worked hard, attacked with intent and scored a sublime goal, I'd put him in instead of the rather pointless Joe Allen.

Allen is NOT who we need right now BUT in my opinion, BR seems obssessed with possession hence, playing him when in reality, we need the high press and high energy players in the team especially vs the gunners who crumble when somone breathes on them. Allen should sit on the bench until we need to hold a result or regain control of midfield in a game. Can, arko, Sterling, Lallana, Couts are the players who should b playing right now.

19 Dec 2014 08:04:40
The performance against Bournemouth was good.
Why can't some people just say that?
It was a 1000% improvement on recent games.
I was looking for anything positive.
Well we got something positive and people are still moaning.
It's not about Rodgers in or out
It was about Liverpool getting a much needed win.

The upturn in form has been to the fact Markovic Sterling Coutinho and Lallana have played in the same team they add that bit of explosiveness that you have lacked players that are prepared to run at and in behind the defense and if Rodgers has the b. . to drops Gerrard and Skrtel and play Can and and Lucas just behind that front four and Sakho in defence then you will score goals and concede less

Bournemouth rested 4 players, they are also in the division below.

19 Dec 2014 07:37:37
hi fellow fans

would you guys consider winning the carling cup and Europa league a successful season for us considering where we are right now?
funny, how we were aiming to win the title last season and have gone back to fans forced to just being satisfied with some cup triumph!

19 Dec 2014 08:16:27
Would I take that along with a 6th place finish?
Yeah, probably.

19 Dec 2014 08:54:18
Absolutely, it's all about winning trophies with added bonus of the CL next season

19 Dec 2014 09:35:30
Successful? No, but it would certainly be an improvement over expectations at the moment and maintain our CL status for next season, which would be nice as well. So not a disaster by any stretch, but not a success

It would be an ok achievement. I don't see it happening though.

19 Dec 2014 09:50:21
Yeah I'd call it a success because I have only seen liverpool lift ine trophy inymy years as a liverpool supporter

I said at the start of the season that winning the league was out of the question.

I said top 4 finish and getting out of the champions league group would be a success.

Our main goal has got to be making sure we qualify for the champions league again.

This season is already a right-off since we did not even make it out of a relatively easy group in the UCL. The league cup is just a poor consolation for a club of Liverpool's stature when the aim was clearly to challenge for the UCL and premier league where Brendan has failed spectacularly. Right now finishing in the top4 or winning the Europa league so that the club is back in the UCL next season is vital and maybe winning the league cup as a consolation prize will do. But Brendan should not be in charge next season regardless of what happens over the next 6 months.

If that happened, I hope we don't get arrogant and refuse to look at the problems.

19 Dec 2014 11:51:46
Don't see how it wouldn't be? Fair enough is a slim chance of both happening but even if we only won the Europa league it would be successful.

Trophy = check
CL next season = check

Saying that even with winning those would say BR would need to start taking him help/advice or go

Even if we win the CC and not be top4, BR will still be let go. That can never make up for how poor he has been on many other fronts.

Winning five games in a row would be a success, beating Arsenal would be a success at the moment LOL!

I`ll take that, Jacko!

19 Dec 2014 01:01:31
A bit early maybe but I expect LFC to start winning consistently in the new year.

Hopefully Sturridge will remain fit and with Sterling and a fit balotelli this could be enough for a late push to top four.

LFC need pace upfront, we rely upon it. Pushing defences back and getting one on one. Sturbridge is sorely missed.

Wishful thinking, yes definitely, but hopeful. Lallana, Markovic and Balotelli to come good.