Liverpool Banter Archive July 19 2015

19 Jul 2015 22:29:27
Who will be our pen taker this season? Darren Bent-eke or Hendo or Milner - don't tell me skittles!

19 Jul 2015 22:37:14
Emre should, simply because he is German.

19 Jul 2015 22:37:55
I doubt it's been finalized yet but I would say it would be up to hendo if he wants to take them and wants to step up he will. If not as you said probably benteke.

19 Jul 2015 22:55:29
Depends on if Mario is on the pitch I'm shre

19 Jul 2015 23:13:45
Hendo,he is captain,as vice captain he was meant to take one last year before Ballotelli's strop

19 Jul 2015 23:18:27
I'd hope Benteke or Milner.

I don't see the need for captain to take unless he's naturally the best at it (a rarity) as just additional unnecessary stress on one player.

19 Jul 2015 23:39:20
Milner

20 Jul 2015 00:18:36
Coutinho scored a nice one for Brazil recently, albeit in a shoot-out they lost to Paraguay.

20 Jul 2015 01:38:16
Coutinho he scored for Brazil

20 Jul 2015 01:53:26
Who's Darren Bent-eke?

20 Jul 2015 06:24:29
Big Ben for me.

20 Jul 2015 10:26:30
Mario Balotelli of course

20 Jul 2015 11:24:53
Benteke.

19 Jul 2015 21:55:04
I haven't watched bogdan play in a long while but while he was in the prem I remember him being a very solid keeper. Not sure if any of you guy remember him that way.
Just wanted put my thoughts out there as I missed the most likely bashing of him when he joined.

19 Jul 2015 23:24:11
The current number 1 is very suspect indeed !!! So he might get a run . Couldn't be any worse ?? If not an upgrade . Simon needs to go work on he's feet . Do strictly on bbc or some ballet

20 Jul 2015 03:20:52
I remember thinking quite highly of him but that was a while ago so maybe somethings happened, but he's better than jones at a bare minimum

20 Jul 2015 09:03:48
Don't mean to take any credit from him being a good keeper but the one thing I remember him for is being lobbed by another keeper. I believe he was in goal when Tim Howard scored from a goal kick haha.

19 Jul 2015 21:20:11
With Benteke's imminent arrival the focus will no doubt shift to sales. For I'm expecting the the most likely to leave would be out of.

Enrique.
Lambert.
Balotelli.
Borini.

I'd say there's an outside chance both Allen and Lucas could leave too.

In regards to loans would be beneficial to see the likes of Teixera, Rossiter and either of Gomez or Wisdom loaned to the lower prem clubs. For example Bournemouth, Watford or Leicester. They would receive far more game time and prem experience at these clubs than dropping a league.

19 Jul 2015 21:45:14
I'd like Gomez to stay he looks quality . I think Lucas is staying by sounds of

19 Jul 2015 21:46:56
Good luck trying to shift Enrique- I imagine we'd have to pay out his contract to get him to leave. I suspect we'll be unable to sell Balotelli so he'll go on a rubbish loan at mostly our expense somewhere.

19 Jul 2015 21:50:53
Enrique is staying as there won't be any suitors.

20 Jul 2015 02:00:13
He might be staying with the club but won't be as a player. He will be conducting the weekly Anfield visits as a tour guide.

19 Jul 2015 19:01:41
With benteke close we seem to have had a decent window. With the press and Internet still awash with rumours of reus, goetze and various other unlikely targets. I was wondering if the eds expect anymore business from lfc or benteke likely to be the last for this summer?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool now need to be selling. The squad is bloated and too large to register - more £100M has already again been committed by the club. They need to start selling.}

19 Jul 2015 20:32:03
You would be pleased to hear that Rodgers thinks LFC could play an entirely different team for the Europa League, Ed002.

{Ed002's Note - If Liverpool has not interest in playing in the competition they can easily back out.}

19 Jul 2015 21:27:53
Nothing wrong with rotation, our squad is big enough!! Squad players and talented under 21s should be enough to get through the Europa group stages ed002.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool embarrassed themselves in Europe last year = they will be trying hard not to do the same this year.}

19 Jul 2015 22:59:27
Depends whether BR learnt anything or not eh Ed

19 Jul 2015 17:26:51
Hi eds. I was wondering if we might make move for Esteban Cambiasso? He is a free agent and surely doesn't have a very big wage? He would bring loads of routine and experience, alongside improving our midfield!

{Ed002's Note - No, that is not going to happen.}

19 Jul 2015 18:21:11
I thought Milner already provided that.

19 Jul 2015 15:30:08
I know we have a lot of midfielders but for a dm I would like us to sign Alex Song,I think Lucas was a great player but for me not good enough now has not been the same player since his injuries and many many times he gets caught in possession and also give away far too many free kicks especially aroung our penalty area.

Think Song would be a great addition,great tackler,good reader of the game and also a great passer of the ball.

19 Jul 2015 15:57:53
Song is no better than Lucas. Think we missed the trick in not tying up a deal for a top class DM.
We ll regret it in future.

19 Jul 2015 16:00:08
Song - Il-disciplined and vastly over-rated.

Why would we pay moñey to get someone so much worse than Lucas?'

19 Jul 2015 16:12:47
IMO Song is a far better player than Lucas, Song has much more all round ability,far better technically and more agile

19 Jul 2015 16:38:49
Average player. Would be a wasteful signing when we already have lucas who IMO is better

19 Jul 2015 17:34:37
Not in a million years, Alan. First off, Song is not a DM but only plays there and when he does asiwatched him many times last year, he was poor and not in Lucas'class at all. If you want an upgrade on him, sign Medel or Matic or Bender, not Song who is rash in the challenge, often caught in possession and out of position.

19 Jul 2015 17:47:20
Redohio

Agreed, but there are quite a lot players better than Lucas. Two of them have been keeping him out from Brazilian team from years. Luis Gustavo and Fernandinho.

19 Jul 2015 18:20:07
@ European Glory - If you think Fernandinho is a better DM than Lucas then you are insane. Same applies for Luis Gustavo. Lucas is a top, top DM and I think, had he not had that bad injury, be considered one of the very best. He doesn't have the physical, bullying quality of other midfielders but his reading of the game, his intelligence and his tactical awareness is second to none and exactly how it needs to be for a top class DM. You are so harsh on the guy it is ridiculous.

As for posters trumpeting Alex Song? Give me strength.

19 Jul 2015 18:23:35
That is not the point of my post, EG. Of course there are better players than him and I mentioned three in my post already. The discussion was about Song being better and he will never be better than Lucas.

19 Jul 2015 18:35:53
Seano

I am not sure y the Brazilian coach doesn't think the way you think.
Luiz Gustavo is a fine fine player and so does Fernandinho.
You are biased. End off.

19 Jul 2015 18:37:24
Redohio

I have said the above Song is no better than Lucas. But there are many out side. Y is Lucas price fm given he moves out very low if he is top top DM?

19 Jul 2015 19:32:52
I don't see why so many people rate Lucas on this site, he's decent but he's not a top player. Every game i watch he either makes a technical error which is taken advantage of or his positioning/ decision making allows for teams to create easy opportunities against our defence when there should never have been the opportunity in the first place. Sometimes I feel I am watching a completely different player to the Lucas you describe.

19 Jul 2015 19:36:49
An international manager choosing x player over y player is not an automatic ratification that x player is better than y - that is an incredibly simplistic argument to make.

As a DM I think Lucas is superior to the two players you mentioned. If you were talking about the CM position my opinion would be different.

19 Jul 2015 19:49:28
All I said there are plenty of player out there better than Lucas and I truly believe both Gustavo and Fernandinho are better than the lad.
Bender is another player who is wonderful. There are plenty. Matuidi at PSG is another one.

{Ed001's Note - you think Fernandinho is better? You really do not have a clue, you just like those that run around, rather than those who can play the role properly. How many times have you even watched those others play?}

19 Jul 2015 19:51:32
Hwb

One main reason for it being ed01 his massive fan ( 😄😄😄) but I like medal myself who is actually a better DM than quite a lot. You ask him to stop a play and he would do it clean and well.

19 Jul 2015 21:34:46
EG, it seems you are all over the shop mentioning players randomly. How do I know? You mentioned Matuidi as a DM. Clearly you've never seen him play because at PSG. He is not a DM because Verrati is the DM there. Matuidi plays on the left of a 4-3-3 diamond. Also, the fact that an international coach picks one player over another means nothing. Example, when Scolari was in charge before the WC, Lucas was an ever present in the Selecao over Fernandinho up till he got hurt in the Villa game and was out. When he came back, BR had stupidly placed SG there and did not get his place back. At the same time, Fernandinho took his place back and got the nod over Lucas for the WC because BR benched him for SG. Moral of the story? because a player is preferred over another by a manager does not mean said player is poor or inferior. It just means that said manager trusts one over the other and that could be for diverse reasons. Look, BR trust Allen at the DM position over Lucas. See what I mean?

19 Jul 2015 21:55:26
Redohio

The reason any player doesn't get picked are there are better players available.

If it wasn't Gerrard at the base we wouldn't have scored that many goals.

20 Jul 2015 02:12:45
EG, so based on your reasoning, Allen is better than Lucas at DM because BR was stupidly picking him ahead of Lucas? So o Skrtel is the best CB we have because he gets picked all the time whereas many of us know that Sahko is the best, right?didnt BR think Allen was better than Hendo until Hendo proved him wrong? I can go on and on because I have countless examples to debunk your point. Safe to say that clearly you did not read my post and your idea that players don't get picked because there are better players available was just debunked by the point I just made above in the Lucas vs Allen situation and shows how much you know about the inner workings of football management Andreas sports in general.

20 Jul 2015 06:04:28
Redohio

Lucas is not a playmaker and out attack starts from the base. So he preferred Gerrard and on his absence he prefers Allen who is better in keeping the ball and is a decent passer ( yet failed ).

Lovren was BR fav player that he decided to pay double to buy him from Southampton. Y would be dump his own player without an reason?

You need to understand, Lovren was terrible last season that every attacker was bypassing him with ease. Toure is as old as my granny and that left him with only SKRTEL who is the better in the bad bunch.

If BR was naive he wouldn't have picked Sakho.

We would see a lot more of Gomez and Sakho partnership this season.

Skrtel is a poor player but who is better to him?

W are overrun with CB but how many are good enough?

Apart from Sakho none.

19 Jul 2015 15:01:29
I don't need to convince anyone whether Benteke would be a good or bad player for us. However, its just some of the arguments which people use against him which annoy me, as they aren't really based off stats - which can be skewed to fit any argument. However, stats need context too.

1. His passing is crap. Not its not. Stats will tell you that he had the third worst passing at Villa. What they won't tell you is that his team insisted on lumping it up towards him. Do you know how much harder it is to make successful passes with your head than with your feet? Especially when under pressure from a defender? His ground passes are very good.

2. 30% of his goals for Villa are headers. Like that's a bad thing. 29% of Girouds goals are headers in the same 3 years. However, most people don't compare Giroud to Carroll, but somehow insist on doing so with Benteke.

3. He is a fridge upfront. Again, he is deceptively fast. I have seen him run at defences before when he'd had the chance and they haven't caught him as he has the power to shield the ball as well. However, its pretty hard to get chances to run in behind if your team doesn't play that way.

Anyways, I think we're all too quick to place a label on him. He offers a lot more and I for one am looking forward to him joining.

19 Jul 2015 15:06:35
Bang on Jimmy lad :)

19 Jul 2015 15:13:45
Yep. We've got plenty of creative players and, for the fist time in a long time, they will have the option of playing it to feet or sticking in a cross when the opportunity presents itself.

19 Jul 2015 15:14:19
Last Season

* Goals scored: 15 (Headed goals: 4 [36%] | Non-headed goals: 11 [74%])

Villa Total

* Goals scored: 49 (Headed goals: 13 [26%] | Non-headed goals: 36 [74%]

Theres the stats for you

19 Jul 2015 15:34:44
Love that it adds up to 110% lol

19 Jul 2015 15:59:46
I am pretty sure like the spectators he would just stand still watching countinho / Firmino creativity and link up behind him. He in all honesty will have no clue what's going on behind him.

19 Jul 2015 16:34:49
We should rename you Mystic Harry because you seem to know how each player will perform and how well the team will perform in the future.

19 Jul 2015 17:26:58
Basic maths . 110% ? Lol think it's time to "make up" some new stats

19 Jul 2015 17:35:52
At the end of the day he's better than Balo, Borini and Lambert. Think of him next to Sturridge and there's definately goals there

19 Jul 2015 18:19:07
Really like that giroud point actually that does give some solid argument as I too have been cringing at the Carroll/donkey comparisons

19 Jul 2015 18:40:36
And Carroll and Giroud.

19 Jul 2015 14:01:53
Afternoon guys just wondered if you could shed any light I the Moreno rumours/reports I know that Rogers would like to get rid of Enrique(sadly no takers that I know of) but if Moreno does go do you have any knowledge of a replacement? Also any news on possibility of balatelli leaving.
As always appreciate all your work

{Ed002's Note - Read the posts.}

19 Jul 2015 13:51:48
Benteke and sturridge fit and on form will be an absolute nightmare for defences!
Sturridge will benefit a great deal from benteke dragging players with him for the 15 games a season, in the meantime i'm looking forward to ings/origi playing that role i'd be happy with no more incomings just outgoings.

As for the dm people crave so much i think lucas and can can do the job there fine just need the season to start now I've started interacting with the wife enoughs enough!!!

{Ed002's Note - I suspect you will see more of Ings next season than you will of Sturridge.}

19 Jul 2015 14:32:37
I agree with u ed i'm looking forward 2 ings playing for us its nice seeing someone who wants to play for the red shirt.

Hope to god he gets a goal quick mind as the new breed will be on him.

{Ed002's Note - I think he will prove to be a shrewd buy.}

19 Jul 2015 14:53:15
I hope you are right ed, the interesting point will be if Ings does do well what will BR do when Sturridge regains fitness I can't see him leaving him out even if it is to the benefit of the team.

{Ed002's Note - If he can keep fit the latter half of the season I would be far from surprised to see him sold on.}

19 Jul 2015 15:08:01
Well that's a shocker

19 Jul 2015 15:09:49
Be interesting to see Benteke and ings up front

19 Jul 2015 15:15:21
Really? Based purely on pitch related matters or is there something rumbling behind the scenes?

19 Jul 2015 16:23:35
If we can get him fit second half of the season, then sell we should.

We will get a goodies fee and get rid of the most injury probe player since Owen. Maybe Newcastle.

Problem is though if he doesn't want to leave as we just locked him to a new 5 year 150k pw deal last October.

19 Jul 2015 17:30:34
He'd have to remain fit and score goals for any major clubs to be interested I would imagine his stock as a player is still fairly high it will be the injury issues that devalue him.

{Ed002's Note - His value will be far from "fairly high".}

19 Jul 2015 18:46:51
Studge is of no use to us because he can't be trusted to be fit. If you aren't fit to get on the pitch, you are useless regardless of how good you are. Any coach will tell you that. IMO, one thing that killed us last season wasn't the fact that Studge was injured because we all know that part of his history. It was the lack of fire power left to compensate because he was injured as well in 2014 but Suarez was there to score so no issues there. Hence, I support the club getting other strikers in to help score goals and if Studge still has recurrent fitness issues, I say let him go because he's useless to us if he can't play.

19 Jul 2015 23:09:05
Calling our player "useless". Great support Redohio for a guy who almost shot us to the title and is one of our most talented and also genuine players. A good guy and a top professional.

So easy to have a go and wish him to be sold on just because ed002 said he wouldn't be surprised if he was. Just disrespectful. This kind of sh*t really gets on my tits.

20 Jul 2015 02:24:34
Puzzled, you are missing the point completely. I never said he was a useless player because that is not even close to the truth. What I said is the that FACT that he is always injured for long spells makes him unreliable and hence, useless to us because he can't contribute if he's always injured. any coach will tell you the exact same thing and there will come a time where the club will have to ask itself if it is worth placing their hopes on a player albeit great, who simply can't get on the pitch. If Suarez was always injured, he would be useless to us as well in spite of his undoubted ability. The Ed doesn't have to mention that in order for it to be mulled over. Anyone with a brain cell or two can make that conclusion and raise that concern. Read the whole post first and then reply in order to not attempt drawing pointless conclusions that have no basis in the logic behind my comments.

19 Jul 2015 13:27:48
When do we know the results of the.tribunal to find out Ings's transfer fee?
Would I be right.in thinking we have made about 280 million pound in transfers in the last few seasons? It's astounding when you think about that in a real world sense. Blows my mind anyway.
Not to mention the fact that we haven't really had any world class players for this amount

{Ed002's Note - The clubs will continue to try and settle without a tribunal. It is certainly not in Liverpool's favour to go down that route and may not suit Burnley.}

19 Jul 2015 11:38:37
Morning Ed's and fellow fans.

I haven't posted for a while but as a consistent backer of Rodgers I'd like to also put my name down now as someone who thinks Benteke will be a great signing.

On the rumour note, I posted a few weeks back about a friend of mine stating that he had heard rumours from within Swansea City that Neil Taylor was off to Anfield. I got ridiculed for this but I was just wondering if there are some truths in the Moreno to Roma rumours, then would interest in Taylor perhaps be true?

I'm not saying I want this by the way, just passing on what I had previously heard.

Cheers Ed's.

{Ed002's Note - Not that I am aware and he signed a new deal at the end of the season.}

19 Jul 2015 09:37:41
Hi Eds & Reds

So 3 weeks away from the start of the season & I'd just thought i'd share a few thoughts of what a difference a year makes.

Last year I had a feeling after Suarez went I knew we wouldn't challenge & it would all hit the fan, I just didn't realise to what extent, I did realise it by about 5 weeks into the season. Transfer window was shut, after a season of excitement & brilliance & a transfer window that held promise with the lure & funds of Champions League football & the huge windfall from the Suarez Deal we had a chance for the first time in years to go & make a statement of intent. We needed quality full backs, a commanding centre back & a proven goal scorer. Instead we gave £50 million to a middle of the table team for a 32 year old Who had played 90% of his career in lower leagues, a centre back who had one good season in a mid table team & creative midfielder who although skilful was a luxury we didn't need, which his injury record this season proved. But not content with that we then went on to get Atletico Madrids reject 2nd choice right back then sending our own up & coming defenders on loan. We then thought why not spend £20million on another luxury player we don't need & won't play in Markovic, but not happy with that we really topped ourselves by buying another Striker for £10million but loaning him out whilst spending a further £16million on Balotelli, who we then must of also sent back on loan because he didn't play for Liverpool. With the rapid decline to Gerrard & Johnson, Sturridges Injuries, the Sterling saga & Rodgers joining the David Moyes School of football genius whilst at the same time behaving so embarrassingly & talking so much rubbish you'd think he was a drunk uncle at a wedding. To summarise it was worst possible case scenario for a season, but there was a few bright parts, and not just Brendan's new teeth, but the emergence of Emre Can, Jordan Ibe & the potential of Alberto Moreno, the return to form of Simon Mignolet, the expansion of the stadium & the fact that 100's of dogs in Freshfields now have a new home thanks to mad Mario. So what about this season.

So what about this time round? Well I'm looking at this season with more promise than last. Firstly the signings, James Milner is one that could be as influential as Gary Mcallister proved to be many years ago, his experience along with his tidy & energetic play will no doubt add something we lacked last season, a very underrated player in my opinion due to his lack of tricks & show boating but he's a solid performer who works tirelessly & is a minimum of a 7 out of 10 every week. Nathanial Clyne is just as exciting, not since Marcus Babbel have we had a right back who is good at defending & lightening quick to support the attack, he will add balance to defence & he & Moreno will add much needed impotence to the attack, especially the wings. Robert Firminio, well if things are to be believed this guy is as good if not better than our own little No10 & got a better eye for goal, the thought of 2 little magicians pulling those strings up the top end of the field is one of the most exciting things I'm looking forward to this season. Now Benteke, as it seems close, I think he will fit in well, he's big, strong, & good in the air as we know, but he's also fast, can take players on, scored spectacular goals, good with his feet & hopefully can hit the ground running & stop the which hunt from people who have only seen a montage of a few headed goals on YouTube. Ings & Origi I think with no real pressure on them will become great signings & score goals & break into the team & get a decent run at times during the season, young Gomes could be one to watch if his early pre-season displays are to go on & an hounarable mention to Bogdan, simply a better Brad Jones. Hopefully now Sterling has gone to replace Jack Rodwell at City,Johnson, Gerrard, Aspas & Jones have left, we can add a few more to the exit door, Mario, Borini & Lambert look likely & we could do with releasing our social media ambassador Jose Enrique. With the squad looking so much better, I feel strong competition will bring out the best in Lallana & Markovic, Ibe & Can's stock will continue to rise. Illori & Wisdom will get there chance in defence & hopefully Lovren will have come back the player we seen at Southampton the previous season.

So my prediction for 2015/16? 3rd place, I think team unity will return & if we hit the ground running then greater thing can be achieved, I just think with the start we have that night be too much.

1st Arsenal
2nd Chelsea
3rd Liverpool
4th Man Utd
5th Man City

19 Jul 2015 11:41:14
I agree with a lot of what you have said John, although I'm still not convinced Arsenal have the bottle or the current depth in certain areas to finish top. I think Chelsea will retain the crown.

I think Arsenal 2nd and Utd 3rd (as much as it pains me to say it) with us or city going for 4th is where my money would be.

I hope you're right though.

19 Jul 2015 11:52:18
I'm backing lallana to improve this year, and I do agree about milner, but you can't back all the signings to shine and all of last years bar can and moreno to flop. Markovic could hit a run of form and firmino not get going. You just don't know, I'm sure last year many people were as optimistic as you about the signings

19 Jul 2015 12:57:11
Great post Johnthered.

However i,m just hoping that defensivley we can improve and the team that plays in the league can score the goals to win games regulary.
Hopfully by xmas we are in a position to be challenging top 4 and a fully fit squad and sturridge fully fit we can kick on and achieve the 3rd spot or better.
But as we all said last season defending is our key area but regular goalscorer and managers tactics are also essential to get us there.

Here's hoping ynwa

19 Jul 2015 14:58:45
Regarding the League positions for coming seasons.

1. Arsenal are not there yet, they still need at least two signing to have a real go and We know Wenger and his stubbornness.

2. It's simple Chelsea title to loose and I fully evict them to sign at least 2 players this summer.

3. Liverpool are almost done with the Incomings ( I expect another one to come in personally )

4. UTD are not done yet and expect two more to come I and one would be a world class striker.

5. City in all honest will struggle as they are struggling to tie up deals and moreover they have a lot of positions to cover.

So it's going to be Arsenal and Chelsea to fight for the title, UTD ll secure the third spot while Liverpool and city ll battle for the 4th.

19 Jul 2015 08:31:11
I've been reading with interest the posts about benteke on here the last few days. The impression I'm getting is that your all talking yourselves into the transfer rather than actually saying what you really think about the deal! Bringing up posts from villa fans or what ex players have said or his stats or just flat out saying you've changed your minds on him or your now starting to warm to the idea of signing him, these aren't the comments of people who think it's a good signing but are the comments of people just defending his signing to either ward off comments from rival fans or to just defend the club.

It's OK to say he's not a player you want, don't let the #LFCSNO1FAN crowd or pelicans like word or daveyblue or some of the mancs who come on here bully you out of your opinions.

19 Jul 2015 08:57:14
lends a hammer while I nail my thoughts to a mast. I don't think he is right for us ( another sturridge ) only good thing from my view is I think he could well be the signing that proves BR out of his depth and gets him the bullet. so for that reason £32.5 million quid well spent imo

19 Jul 2015 08:59:11
2 months ago we had BR shirts burned to ashes on this page. look at now? 😂😂😂😂 people have short memories.
Nine would utter a word if Benteke bangs in 20 goals next season. If he doesn't BR will be ripped of to pieces.

19 Jul 2015 09:00:25
Or some fans have actually warmed to the idea of benteke! I don't think the majority of fans don't want benteke, just worried that if he does come in, can Rodgers tactically fit him in our team that will somehow work to his strengths? That's what worries me anyhow, I think benteke is a beast when played correctly, can liverpool do that for him and get the best out of him, hopefully they can and who knows, it could turn out to be a masterstroke signing! Either way I'm excited for the new season and see how it all unfolds!

19 Jul 2015 09:07:45
I have a sceptical frown about benteke . But I think we need a guy who will push defenders about . But a sceptical frown all the same

19 Jul 2015 09:16:14
Whilst I agree with you on this Waro, I do think your overusing the 'No1 fan thing'
Different people see things differently, so I don't think it's fair to have a pop at them based on that,

But I do agree the perception of Benteke has changed,but it's people who are just desperate for new signings,

19 Jul 2015 09:32:27
Well the rumors at the moment is that he wants to go to United at the last minute - which if happens (wouldn't rule it out, United need a new striker and there aren't too many options around) will bring back to here a lot of voices saying we didn't need him anyway. It is a very sour grapes (and the positive opposite equivalent expression, whatever it is) fan base. I personally think that despite all the known limitations (more in terms of suitability to our style) he is a serious upgrade on Inges and Origi, I do hope the team will make more effort to work for him then they did with Baloteli, and I will be pissed off if he will be going to United unless the club will then be forced to make a move for Lacazette though i doubt he will come to us without CL even if we are willing to pay the fee.

{Ed002's Note - Quite frankly if someone were to show any prospective player what the Liverpool "fans" on these pages think they would never sign anyone.

Where would Liverpool get the fee for Lacazette from - the club has already been ridiculed by the owner of Lyon.}

19 Jul 2015 09:43:08
Benteke really has grown on me though, and not sue to the fact we have shown interest, its due to me actually taking an interest in watching him, i just hope he puts in a good shift and doesn't prove to be a lazy lump like everyone thinks he will be

The thing i'm sick of is everybody making out he's good for nothing except recieving goal kicks and nodding in crosses

19 Jul 2015 09:45:40
Agree with hardyboyz really,
No-one here has ever argued that Benteke's a bad player, I don't believe, just questioned the price tag and whether or not he'll fit in our system, as I have indeed done.
3 things have warmed me to the idea, though, although I guess it's partly been through accepting he's coming and trying to be an optimist!

1. Lukaku and Bony both went for £28m in this last year, I would argue Benteke is a better player than both, hence the price is not ridiculous.
2. There is no way anyone would be stupid enough to nearly match our transfer record and then play tactics that obviously won't bring the best out of that same player. It would not surprise me if we see a whole new style of play, featuring more balls in from wide, with Benteke.
3. Have you seen the Villa Fans singing "He's our striker, our Belgian striker, he's Christian Benteke" to 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'? I want to be singing that on the Kop meself! With Suarez gone we really relied on Coutinho-o-o and songs about Stevie last year, unlike the Rafa Benitez years where half the side had a song of their own!

19 Jul 2015 10:06:41
I like the idea of a sceptical frown 5ive. I have just tried practising in the mirror, but mine just comes out like I've got toothache.

19 Jul 2015 10:39:51
my opinion is he is a lazy big lump.my prediction is, around 10 seconds after he signs he will become known as Lionel benteke the worlds greatest striker,

19 Jul 2015 10:54:19
I think it's healthy for the site for people to have different points of view.
I'm not a fan of Benteke, he goes missing too often. LFC need consistency and you don't get that with Benteke or players of his ilk.
Still think we'll have a good season.

19 Jul 2015 10:55:53
The lack of songs is a disappointment.

Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyppia, Alonso, Gerrard, Crouch, Torres, Kuyt, Kewell all had a song of their own, the best midfield in the world, Rafa Benitez et al. Kept the kop singing for the full ninety.

This year we'll have fields of anfield road and YNWA and that's about it

19 Jul 2015 11:38:00
Always been a fan of benteke, just wasn't sure he was the right fit for the club.
Hoping I'm wrong obviously, he was a bit pricey as well, especially combined with the other players we have brought in. More asset stripping Waro? Lol

19 Jul 2015 11:55:41
The villa song about benteke is good, to the tune of in the jungle. If that's it actual name

{Ed002's Note - I rather think the song you are thinking of is Wimoweh which is from Mbube. It was made popular by the Weavers. The Weavers, and the song, were made even more popular when the House Committee on Un-American Activities decided they were "reds under the bed" and banned them.

HUAC are a little bit of our history we could have done well without.}

19 Jul 2015 12:09:15
I pity people like yourself Mikey, you take your eye off what's really going on because the people who don't want you to see what there up to distract you with things they think you want to see, I liken people like you to an 18 year old buying his first car, you go in to the dealership and just see " ooo shiny cars, I want one I want one ", the salesman listens to you and rubs his hands with glee, then sells you a pup, style over substance, and I'd like to think people like you will wake up one day, but sadly your gullible and will always be that way.

19 Jul 2015 12:10:29
what I can't stand is that up until BR came along we have always had a striker that every team in Europe pined for. How low have we become that we crave the arrival of a 3rd choice 2nd rate national teams striker? we now crave injury prone players hoping the air down here will make them better. you mention 1 or 2 class players to sign and even the eds piss on that idea like we're a joke! its got nothing to do with champs league the attraction ( that's just a myth made up by gormless fans and sh*te managers ). who would want to play for BR? and you European glory if he scores 20 times next season? ffs if he plays 20 times next season I *will* burn all of my shirts.

19 Jul 2015 13:12:06
Jeez John. You had a bad morning? I'm not convinced Benteke is anything like what we need, but your arguments got more holes than a colander. 3rd choice? Based on him missing the World Cup through injury? 2nd rate nation? I love high standards but if the 3rd ranked team in world football is '2nd rate', then God help the rest of us. 'Injury prone', presumably because he missed the World Cup?
Criticise all you want, but try and come up with something that has substance.

19 Jul 2015 13:21:11
Hats off to Ed2 on the music call. I'd have said the Benteke song was the Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens. Turns out that' was just a cover.

{Ed002's Note - If you grew up when and where I did you would know about the Weavers.}

19 Jul 2015 13:46:18
Its got a lot to do with Champions League, even if you don't want to believe it. That and money in my opinion are the main attractions for the majority of players.

19 Jul 2015 19:00:59
Scouse John, you may not like Benteke and your op on him is duely noted. However, your childish and pathetic remarks about him based on your invented facts about him and his personality have no place in a public debate.

18 Jul 2015 18:29:05
hey eds could you please explain what the difference is between Pep Lijnders and Gary their Jobs ? I know pep is First-team development coach and Gary "THE" first team coach but what exactly is the difference

{Ed001's Note - Lijnders is responsible for developing them technically from what I understand and McAllister has an overall responsibility for general training.}

19 Jul 2015 11:41:47
So Gary watches them run in straight lines and pep watches them run round cones? Lol

19 Jul 2015 19:01:26
Pretty much, Mikey!

18 Jul 2015 23:34:54
Rumours now growing that Benteke is refusing to agree terms with Liverpool, is this why we haven't heard anything eds or do you believe he will still sign for Liverpool? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Let me guess. Twitter? Don't bring that stuff here.}

19 Jul 2015 01:01:17
No not twitter, just a few articles in the Sunday rags! Saying he is holding out for a champions league club to come in for him or can't agree terms with liverpool! In your honest opinion do you think he will sign ed002? Thanks again!

{Ed002's Note - If he is not interested in signing Liverpool will have already been informed. He certainly would bot be waiting to take a medical nor to finalise terms. As I have already said, it is expected to be completed later this coming week.}

19 Jul 2015 09:02:36
Ok thanks ed002! Keep up the good work@

19 Jul 2015 09:10:59
Ed002,any truth in the rumour that lfc have only bid 25m plus add-ons to activate the clause,if true why when we were dealing with city we wanted all the money up front but when we're a buying club we go in with a low offer hence messing clubs around,if BENTEKE has been our no.1 target all summer go and get the player and pay the fee,the world and his wife knows how much you've just received.

{Ed002's Note - See previous answer please.}

19 Jul 2015 11:45:18
Relax, all is in hand.

Even the BBC are now reporting that the club doctor is flying back from Australia early to do the medical late tomorrow or early Tuesday.

It looks like it's a done deal but there's plenty a slip between cup and lip.

I (still) think the guy's a monster and will be great for us.