Liverpool Banter Archive March 19 2017

Use our rumours form to send us liverpool transfer rumours.

19 Mar 2017 20:48:58
Hi Eds, is there any interest in .............

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Some including from the EPL - but why are you asking on the Liverpool page?}

19 Mar 2017 19:24:04
Both teams deserved a point can't complain. Think Coutinho needs to be taken out for a game or two his form is really worrying me, maybe he isn't fully recovered from the injury. Think Harry Wilson could come in on the left hand side and show what he's got and give klopp something to think about when looking to buy wingers this summer. Must say I was sceptical about us signing Wijnaldum but he looks a great player can do everything and Can had a great game today although he was competing with Toure who is utterly shocking.

Believable10 Unbelievable4

19 Mar 2017 21:56:20
Ive seen people say the ref favoured us in most ways today i don't agreeas if he doesn't bottle the toure tackle on Can which to me was a straight red all day the game would have broke down differently.

20 Mar 2017 00:04:46
Can has been much better these past couple of games. I thought Winaldum was the stand out though. Early season I thought he was just doing enough to get a start, but he has grown into a certain starter for me. He's strong on the ball, reads an intercept well, has really good vision for a pass (the lifted ball to Firmino was class), and chips in with important goals, a bit like Garcia used to.
If only Firmino converted at the rate he did earlier in the season and we'd have come away with 3 points. Lallana must be feeling awful.

19 Mar 2017 23:07:22
Harry Wilson is simply not ready right now, per Ed and clearly Klopp even tho the kid is talented. Regarding the game, we got a point and overall, City deserved a point as well as both teams played very well and went for the win. It's still a good point for us than it is for them cos their next two games are brutal (Chelsea and Arsenal) . Regarding the ref, if he favored us, Yaya should have been sent off for wiping his studs off Can's chest/ throat and Gini should have had a clear penalty on the same Yaya clearly fouled him . The one we got was correct cos Clichy went thru the back of Firmino to get the ball. Anywhere else on the pitch, it is a foul and so in the box, it's a penalty. The ref called the game tight and sometimes, you have to accept that. The Lallana miss? It gets worse with every time you see it.

20 Mar 2017 00:22:42
Emre can playing much better because he's playing in the number 6 role that's his postion.

For dropping coutinho your mad ya he's not inform because teams see him as a player to be worry so it free up space let him play though this and we will get the rewards.

20 Mar 2017 01:37:54
Honestly i've been Coutinho's biggest critic in the last few weeks but in the second half he was playing some great stuff at times and looking so much more like his old self. I've not seen him drive at players in a long time but there was one run where he left 3 or 4 players for dead yet Firmino fluffed his lines with the cross, so despite still not being the Coutinho of the start of the season I think he'll be there soon enough.

20 Mar 2017 02:43:59
if we had a extra player in the box following up when lallana missed the ball, like city had 1st half when fernadinho missed following up when milner put off sterling they would have had a tap in, it was however a shocking miss, I hope lallana can get over it very quickly.

20 Mar 2017 05:41:02
I'm loving Gini, rekon he's the exact type of midfielder we need. But I would love even more to see him involved more around the box. I think he has that creativity and one-tpuch ability around the box that can cause deep defensive teams problems.

20 Mar 2017 09:53:47
Winnaldum needs to play as a perfect B2B player on the left or right. He is not a sitting man midfielder. He is pretty much like what Pogba was at Juventus.

20 Mar 2017 16:49:11
Gini has really come into his own, i was worried it might never happen or if he could do it. But after a bit of a slow start which is understandable he probably has been my favourite player our last few games. He is defending but also creating chances. All round class!

21 Mar 2017 10:59:27
Pogba played on the left of a midfield diamond at Juve, never in CM as that role was left to Marquisio and/ or Vidal with Pirlo at the base under Allegri. Please, know your football, Insigne.

19 Mar 2017 19:05:39
Important point today, yes a sitter missed but both sides had chances and a thrilling game. hats off.

Have to say well done to Can - playing much better staying a bit deeper. Wijnaldum also a terrier in midfield.

Now we have to make the most of the fact we have no more top 6 matches left. not exactly our strong suit but if Klopp can figure out how to beat the low block we have a decent shot at top 4 now. Very important for us to finish strong.

Believable16 Unbelievable0

19 Mar 2017 19:12:45
Unbeaten against Chelsea, Arsenal, Spuds, City and Man Utd.

Credit where it's due, good effort by the team 👍.

19 Mar 2017 23:14:37
Spot on, Ron and Zimbo. 20 of our points have come against teams that before the season started, were supposed to be better than us. Their managers are said to be better than Klopp yet NONE of them can beat him. He's beaten Pep and Mou more than another manager and Poch will be lucky to get a point against him. Wenger? He's the past and our games vs Arsenal with Klopp, have shown that.

Now, we can fully focus on the next 9 games vs lesser teams who park the bus. We may have the better players BUT we have to be hardworking, up for the challenge and show the same will to win like we show vs the top 6 rivals. Arsenal got creamed by WB cos they simply quit as soon as they went behind without putting in a fight. Those two corners from which they conceded, were incredible based on the complete apathy in their box. We cannot allow that in these games, period.

20 Mar 2017 03:05:05
lets not forget of the sides we lost to, we have also beat, Leicester 4-1, hull city 5-1, Swansea 2-1, burnley 2-1, we play Bournemouth after the derby, we just have to go into those games with the right attitude, like we have when playing our top rivals, I would gladly take some ugly wins when we play the likes of west brom, stoke and crystal palace.

21 Mar 2017 11:00:29
That's the thing, KK. That will to win that we show vs our top 6 rivals must be there all the time. It is not a switch you can turn on and off as you please which is why, we keep getting the disastrous results we get against some of them even tho as you say, we have won our own share of games vs the lesser teams that include Stoke 4-1, Sunderland 2-0 and Boro 3-0.

19 Mar 2017 18:49:44
Really entertaining game, end to end, loads of talking points and, on balance of play, a fair result. This is how I saw it:

Mignolet - 6/ 10 - blameless for the goal, distribution was OK, didn't make too many saves as it was city misses, rather than saves, that were the issue.

Clyne - 5/ 10 - played some decent, forward passes today which is the first time I have seen him do that for ages. Still didn't give us much up front though and was continuously tortured defensively by City.

Milner - 6/ 10 - stepped up to take the penalty and delivered once more. Full of energy and tried to support the attack but lacked the quality to do so. Defensively decent but was targeted to an extent by city and the cross that lead to their goal came from his side.

Klavan - 5/ 10 - my heart was in my mouth every time I saw him playing a pass. Distribution wise he is very dodgy. Also got sucked out a few times marking Sterling amongst others and looked fragile at many points. Did OK but, as has been mentioned, looks frightened by pace.

Matip - 6/ 10 - probably our best defender on the day won a number of headers, broke up there attacks and made life as difficult as possible for them. Still looked vulnerable though (as did the team) - was this down to bad defending or good attacking from City? Probably a bit of both.

Emre Can - 8/ 10 - been a big critic of his but he stepped up in this game big time. He got off to a typical start - give away passes, couldn't stamp his authority onto the game - but he grew into the game superbly. This is the first time I really saw him use his physicality and athleticism to its maximum effect - he broke up play, played some good passes and made some very good bursts forward (particularly 2nd half) . I was impressed by his contribution and play, he was everywhere and, for me, our man of the match.

Wijinaldum - 8/ 10 - another player who was everywhere from breaking up play to creating chances. His passing is neater than Can's and his reverse pass to Firmino (for the Lallana chance) was superb. Thought he had a really good game in defence and attack - wish he would get forward a bit more as he clearly has the tools to cause damage to the opposition.

Lallana - 7/ 10 - demure start but grew into the game and was a big asset with his pressing and movement. Didn't always do great and that miss was scandalous but he played well and was at the heart of all of our good moves - he will be having nightmares about that miss tonight though!

Coutinho - 6/ 10 - drifted in and out of the game which is a recurrent theme since his injury. Thought he actually started coming into the game more and linking with Firmino well before he was substituted and would not have minded him staying on longer. Hope he can find his form soon.

Mane - 7/ 10 - full of running, an absolute menace to defences, won a penalty and was involved in most of our best attacking pieces of play. He did very well and made city's defence very edgy.

Firmino - 7/ 10 - mixed game for the Brazilian. Good pressing as we simply expect from him now - some good link up play and good touches around the box - but some less than impressive finishing and decision-making at crucial moments (1-on-1 with Caballero; shot instead of cross to Lallana) though his touch for Lallana's golden chance was sublime.

Subs:

Origi - 5/ 10 - thought he was pretty disappointing to be honest he came in with a good amount of time to make an impact but never really got himsefl into the game. Didn't really link up well with team mates or threaten cities defence with any direct running or displays of power. Overall was very tame and actually offered less than Coutinho did.

Lucas - n/ a - came on to shore up the back and didn't really have enough touches to make any sort of assessment of his quality.

Klopp - thought the tactics for the most part were right. City pushed hard early and then tired considerably and we looked to press hard when that happened. Were a number of very dodgy moments defensively but an equal (if not greater) amount fo positive moments in attack. I thought our attitude to the game the most puzzling though - after we scored we were in a clear ascendancy with City on the ropes, what did we do? Decided to take it easy, allow our levels to slip and invite pressure - city took the invitation and scored. Again later in the game I thought we had a real opportunity to get at City and perhaps snatch a winner - we instead decided to play safe and eek out a draw. It felt like points dropped in some ways (clear cut chances missed, overall strong play) but City also had a lot of good chances as well as us getting some luck with decisions (Milner's foul on Sterling in the 6 yard box as he was about to finish - if ref see's it surely penalty and red card) . Overall I loved the game because of the entertainment and would have loved it more had we managed to snatch a winner. Areas to improve on, as always, but a good performance and a decent point earned away to City.

Believable2 Unbelievable11

19 Mar 2017 19:17:47
Good post Seano, but 5 is about 3 too much for Clyne.

19 Mar 2017 19:35:06
Harsh in clyne! Thought he had a good game, didn't attack because we would get torn apart on the counter.

19 Mar 2017 19:53:14
Firmino won the penalty not mane.

19 Mar 2017 20:44:19
So you give our back 5 (inc keeper) 5 or 6 out of 10. Im sorry. I don't agree. Very harsh.

19 Mar 2017 21:02:06
Could not agree more RedFuzz.

19 Mar 2017 21:50:40
Sorry Fuzz Clyne was horrible, every time they attacked he's side was a goal waiting to happen.

19 Mar 2017 22:03:01
Seano good post but the penalty that sterling should have got wouldn't have been a red card it would only have been a yellow because of the new laws mate and when firminio was through on cabalero i think he didn't pass to lallana because 1. stones readjusted to get closer to lallana and 2 the tap in lallana had just missed was fresh in hie head. But as i said good post.

19 Mar 2017 23:02:36
to be honest i just cannot see what you're saying about clyne at all. I thought he was very very good today defensively and marked sane almost out of the game, the vast majority of citys good stuff came from sterling and de bruyne on the right. Definitely thought he was the best defender after matip and made some crucial interceptions- granted he did not do much at all from an attacking perspective but when you are marking a guy as sharp and fast as Sane then you cannot leave yourself open and im finding it quite hard to see how u can give milner a 6 defensively and clyne a 5 to be honest.

19 Mar 2017 23:21:20
Good post overall, Seano. But I think Clyne was very good defensively and kept Sane pretty quiet judging by the form he's currently in. He got forward when necessary BUT was maybe told to hold his position due to Sane's pace and not getting caught out. Also, Firmino was very good to judging by the fact that he only trained two days leading to the game so not enuff sharpness there.

20 Mar 2017 05:02:58
Clyne got done a few times by Sane and a number of their most dangerous pieces of play in the first half eminated from his side. He did OK defensively, and I did give him a 5 because it was an improvement on recent performances, but he hardly set the world alight either nor did he do anything of note getting forward - he was not as amazing as some are saying in my opinion.

As for the defence getting 5's and 6's? We got torn apart multiple times and City had a number of very, very presentable chances which they failed to take. We had a good number of chances too. As I alluded to in the original post City attacked well and we didn't defend as well as we could - most of their best chances were squandered, not because of great defending, but because they fluffed there lines. Sorry but the defence just wasn't good, it was our attack that shone.

20 Mar 2017 05:03:59
p. s. I also think Firmino did very well - if he could of added a goal he would of been man of the match - he still played well though and made cities life difficult.

20 Mar 2017 05:06:16
@ bruffalo - I was thinking the exact same thing about why Firmino didn't pass - maybe the miss Lallana had moments earlier made him think he was better off having a pop himself. Completely understandable but the wrong decision I think.

20 Mar 2017 05:44:27
Thought clyne was fine. He won loads of balls and covered sane and then sterling very well most of the game. Got beat a couple times, but that happens. Not saying he is some kind of world class RB, but I think some of the criticism lately has been unfair.

20 Mar 2017 08:59:24
Average of 6.3 per player. What do you expect playing one of the best and most expensive teams in Europe away from home? Seems a bit harsh.

20 Mar 2017 09:55:31
Lol Sane made Clyne look worse than average and the 94th minute free shot from Aguero was all due Clyne being out of position. He was left free inside the 6 yard box.

20 Mar 2017 11:31:21
Aguero and sane will make most defenders look less than average. Get some perspective.

20 Mar 2017 23:35:17
clyne has 2 guys to mark there. he loses either way.

19 Mar 2017 18:36:16
Mr men have created a new character mr sitter played by mr adam lallana! Will take the point a decent away performance against a top team. Gini and emre were fantastic today. Still waiting for firmino couts nd mane to start gelling again like start of season. Well done redmen YNWA.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

19 Mar 2017 23:25:07
Emre was a complete monster in midfield last night. Wij is showing why Klopp paid what he paid to get him. He has improved us massively. He like Mane and Matip, are the types of players we need as in, the RIGHT players that fit the way Klopp plays with the ability to improve us as a team and squad. By contrast, City have spent 200m on CB's alone over the past 2 years and they are all woeful. There lies the difference.

19 Mar 2017 23:43:59
Can for me was the standout player today . Hopefully his calf problem is over and we get to see more of the marauding physical displays like today.

I know that a lot won't agree with me but I thought Mane was poor in the second half He looked sluggish in body and speed of mind. There were at least 3 instances where he dithered for a second, taking a second touch instead of processing the ball to a team mate.
Apparently he was noticed at Southampton for going missing in some games. But I reckon the high pace game and the African cup of nations is taking its toll.

After all the slating Milner has taken on these pages this past few weeks, I would like to ask his critics have they ever seen a better penalty converted under hostile pressure from the fans of his ex club.
I don't think I can name another player who I would have preferred to take the spot kick.

If we can get a top centre half at summer then we would not be far away.

20 Mar 2017 01:50:36
Yeah got to agree Dermot, Mane was really poor in the second half at anything that required precision and quick thinking. The touch he had at the end when he intercepted the loose pass was absolutely shocking and if he had the ball under better control would have left the defence for dead and been clean through on goal.

Can was a beast too, this is the player we were seeing with regularity towards the end of last season, I see no reason why he can't press on now but with Hendo to return it seems like such an unfortunate time for him to come into form.

21 Mar 2017 10:56:37
They've both been playing through injuries.
I hope when we finish 2nd or 3rd this year and get champions league football our squad will have to increase so there will be plenty football for both.

19 Mar 2017 18:34:53
What a game. More like a cup semi final than a league match. Hats off to both sets of players for making it such a great spectacle.

Lallana. sleep well don't have nightmares.

Believable10 Unbelievable1

19 Mar 2017 23:26:23
Sorry, Redmist. That miss looks worse with every time you see it. He's going to be a shrink.

19 Mar 2017 18:27:54
I'll take the point, should have won it considering the opportunities we had in the 2nd half. How Lallana has missed that I will never know. Both Emre can and wijnaldum were brilliant, controlled the midfield and dominated. I can remember some clown on here saying stewart should come in.

Believable10 Unbelievable4

19 Mar 2017 18:40:31
I will happily admit that Can has been brilliant in the last few games in a holding role.

He seems to have learned a little bit of control mentally and improved his concentration over the last month, even if he is still lacking when it comes to reading the game.

However your 'clown' comment isn't warranted mate. I still stand by my comments that as a pure holding midfielder Stewart is the better player. Football is about opinions and there is no need to chastise each other for them when we differ.

I am very happy Can has proved a lot of people wrong with his displays. Because whilst I wanted Stewart to play the holding role, I have also been in the small minority not wanting Emre Can to be sold because I think he has a lot to offer for us. I am still skeptical over whether he should play as a lone holding midfielder yet though and anyone who thinks otherwise is arguably being slightly biased/ blinkered. He should've been booked again today following his lucky escape from a red card against Arsenal.

19 Mar 2017 19:53:28
Just please stop, Stewart is a championship player at best. He's not even making our already depleted bench and you still believe he's better than Emre. At least klopp knows stewart is nowhere near good enough, imagine comparing a full international to a 24 year old who still plays under 23 premier league. He'll be gone in the Summer, we need to stop overrating dross, like Brad smith and Ibe.

19 Mar 2017 21:50:47
Stewart is the better holding midfield player. The same as lucas was better than mash.

Apart from the fact that people displaying love for one player can't see that in acrual terms of being the best in their role the other player is better.

Stewart might not be better in terms of passing, atletism, scoring etc but in reading the game of football and timing his tackles and nipping attacks in the bud he is better than can as a dm.

How good that makes him i don't know as its the same as comparing matip to mane. Can isn't a holding midfielder and stewart is.

19 Mar 2017 20:52:06
Stewart is not a player we will look to sell in the summer unless we get a ridiculous offer like what happened with Ibe. Just because he is still developing at an older age than others doesn't mean he is a Championship level player. For a start there were Premier League clubs trying to sign him in January, but we refused to sell. It looks to me as though Stewart is being groomed to replace Lucas next season. Why would Klopp put 2 defensive midfielders on the bench? He only gets 7 subs. That would be ridiculous. Stewart plays a role where players do not peak until around 27-30 years old and he is still only 23. You are literally just abusing one of our own for no reason. You are making sweeping statements without even explaining or attempting to justify your vitriol.

I am not saying he is a better player than Can. I am saying he is a better defensive midfielder. Can has far more ability on the ball and is a better all around player. Stewart has more tactical awareness though and is a far superior tackler.

By the way, Brad Smith is also a full international (First choice LB for the Oz) seeing as that seems to mean something of relevance to you, and Jordan Ibe is only 21 years old. We should not have sold Ibe in my opinion either. In 2 or 3 years time he will probably be scoring goals in a top flight league (like Suso) and we will all be saying we gave up on him too soon.

I take your opinion mate, and accept you have a different view. However i think it's a shame you worship a layabout like Sakho and post abuse about a good young pro who is quietly working his way into the first team plans and willing to work hard to succeed at a top club; all without ever moaning or getting ahead of himself in terms of wanting more money or unrealistic game time.

19 Mar 2017 21:27:14
I thought Can had a game of two halves. First half he was nonexistent but the second half he and Wijnaldum played much closer together and it made a huge difference. MK scouser I'm with you I think Stewart is the better holding midfielder and has played very well when given the opportunity, for the most part anyway. Whether he's good enough to be the holding mid our first team iz crying out for I'm not sure though, he's capable but is he top 4 quality? I don't even think time will tell because Klopp doesn't seem to want to try him despite what he says. I do think Stewart is at a stage in his career when he may need to make some big choices, he's at an age now where he needs first team football to take his own career forward.

19 Mar 2017 22:29:22
look mk scouser, its fairly obvious he's surplus to requirements, he's simply not good enough. End of, when has he impressed this season? he was only awful vs plymouth at home, for the sake of his own career he needs to leave. He has shown no tactical awareness, watch emre today and his tackles were brilliant. I genuinely cannot believe I'm having to justify why emre is better as it is blatantly obvious. I've watched several of the under 23 games and he doesn't stand out. Grujic who has been out for several months utterly carried him against Chelsea on Monday night.

Going along with your theory that defensive midfielders peak at around 27, most decent dm's are playing regularly at 24. I can guarantee he'll be gone in the Summer. Don't mean to come across as obnoxious or abusive just find it insane how you rate Stewart.

As far the two I mentioned, Smith has rarely featured for the 3rd worst defence in the league and any competent player would start for Australia, as for Ibe he hasn't developed even Eddie howe has said he's been a disappointment.

All of us want to begin challenging for trophies and getting into the champions league regularly, yet some fans continue to think extremely average championship players deserve game time.

19 Mar 2017 23:38:40
Love ya, MK BUT currently, Stewart is not in Can's league and that is a fact. He may be a good player BUT if he can't get on the bench nor get a minute on the pitch in the first team, how can you say he's better than a player who is currently performing in the first team? Remember, Klopp does not play with a true DM (one with very little technical ability on the ball) . He likes his DM's being able to not just break up play, but to also serve a launch pad for attacks, something a say, Masche could never do. Hendo and Can perform that job more than Stewart can, hence why he isn't playing and why he's not better than Can right now.

19 mar 2017 23:54:27
thank god we sold sterling.
he hasn't really kicked on at all.
looks great running with the ball but his final pass is still woeful. thank god.
i wish we could sign de brune. his ball across the box for agueros goal was superb. what a player.

21 Mar 2017 10:46:02
If Sterling had Klopp as his manager, he would be a beast right now. I don't see anything that he does as special cos any player with pace can do that. Sane on the other hand, has some skill and guile to his game, something Sterling is seriously lacking.

22 Mar 2017 23:40:17
No end product.

19 Mar 2017 18:25:58
Silly lapse in concentration AGAIN let City back in it, considering how we played in the last 20 minutes i will take a point. What miss by Lallana as well.

Believable1 Unbelievable5

19 Mar 2017 18:25:07
Klopp: Hey James. Have you got any Euros in your pocket?
Milner: Sorry boss. Just Sterling.

Believable8 Unbelievable9

19 Mar 2017 18:49:12
Haha nice one.

19 Mar 2017 15:59:59
Firmino back. Whoop whoop!

Believable4 Unbelievable2

19 Mar 2017
The real time live chat page is open for today's Liverpool match at the below link for you to talk to each other during the match
Liverpool Live Chat page

Believable1 Unbelievable0

19 Mar 2017 13:28:02
Ed how much do you know about Curtis Jones?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - not a lot mate, Gerrard has talked him up a bit since getting involved, but that's it.}

19 Mar 2017 14:16:08
Okay cheers seen him play a few times looks quality hopefully good things to come.

{Ed001's Note - he is certainly one that is expected to step up next season. Probably be a regular in the U23s, if all goes well.}

19 Mar 2017 14:20:19
Isn't that a dangerous thing to do though ed. The kid is young and he has a lot more years left to develop football wise. The last thing you would want now is the young kid to start believing the hype instead of just concentrating on his football.

{Ed001's Note - better finding out now he has the wrong attitude then later. Plus you have to push them or they don't improve.}

19 Mar 2017 15:24:21
On a related note, do you know how Gerrard is getting along, Ed001? Any potential to make it as a senior coach or too early to tell?

{Ed001's Note - so far he is doing well, but it is very early in his career and just being Gerrard is enough at this stage to inspire the kids.}

19 Mar 2017 10:20:47
Ed01 If you are about I would just like to hear your view on Jamie Vardy? Is he any good in your view and what does he add other than pace.

Would he be a good fit for a top four/ six team? Do you think he would provide us with anything better if we signed him?

Thanks in advance

Jon.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - he is, when he bothers trying, good, he adds fight, pace and deadly finishing but he does need to be in a team that sits back and plays on the counter. He is also a complete knob who should be nowhere near our team and would not fit our system anyway, even if you were to forget about what a person he is.}

19 Mar 2017 13:13:38
Agree on that one ed? Even his face annoys me.

{Ed001's Note - he does have one of those faces that needs a good slap to be fair.}

19 Mar 2017 13:53:49
I fully agree with both of you, you couldn't get sick of slapping that ratty little face!

19 Mar 2017 13:57:09
Vardy struts around a lot nowadays. He has that air of arrogance to him after last season. The guy thinks he has done it all and his poor performances this season reflect that. On the other hand, we have people like Kante that have gone about their job quietly and efficiently while Vardy carries a huge chip on his shoulder.

19 Mar 2017 14:01:53
Vardy looks a bit like Sarah Jessica parker.

{Ed025's Note - sex in the leicester city.. :)

19 Mar 2017 14:06:03
Looks like Steptoe's dad.

19 Mar 2017 14:57:18
is this called banter?

19 Mar 2017 15:27:42
Thanks Ed01! I do agree he is someone that grates on me but just interested in your view point.

Thanks for the response.

{Ed001's Note - if we were a counter attacking side, using balls over the top from deep all the time, rather than just sometimes, then he would be fine. He is like Loic Remy, in that he needs a ball to run onto or he offers little.}

19 Mar 2017 09:29:58
What is the situation (if here is one) with regard to Marko Grujic? Again was supposed to have had massive potential and was a key player for Belgrade. I know has struggled with injuries but is he now not good enough to compete with Can etc? Cheers.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

19 Mar 2017 09:54:43
Grujic has had many injury issues this season. Maybe not fully match fit for the first team. Has to regain full fitness playing for the U23's. Same case with Gomez.

If Grujic does not get sent on loan in the summer then he will definitely have to play regularly for the first team next season due to his work permit requirements.

19 Mar 2017 12:41:55
Really likee the look of Grujic during preseason. But he has hardly played this year.

Hope he does good next season.

Cheers.

19 Mar 2017 13:59:09
I really hope he has his breakthrough season in 2017/ 18. Would be genuine competition for Lallana and Gini and no doubt has world class potential to run our midfield for the forceeable future. The question is if he can stay fit for long periods to fulfill his potential.

{Ed025's Note - your being a bit premature there buzzer, the guy has done nothing yet to suggest he can replace anyone mate..

19 Mar 2017 17:23:22
He was brilliant in pre season and according to Ed002 is rated as one of Europe's finest talents by some well respected scouts so that is good enough for me.

{Ed025's Note - i suppose time will tell buzzer but potential means nothing mate..

19 Mar 2017 21:04:37
He is starting to play well in the U23 as he recovers from his injury issues and gains confidence. Has some nice touches and controls the midfield well. Needs more time though.

{Ed002's Note - The whole thing is fraught with issues - none of which relate to his fitness.}

19 Mar 2017 21:04:37
He is starting to play well in the U23 as he recovers from his injury issues and gains confidence. Has some nice touches and controls the midfield well. Needs more time though.

{Ed002's Note - The whole matter is fraught with major issues - none of which relate to his fitness. A series of lessons to be leared.}

19 Mar 2017 08:11:58
How do. I've read the banter for a good 5 years on and off, religiously and causally. I ain't pretend in the biggest or most dedicated fan. I go to Anfield once or twice a season, so a decent enough effort given circumstances.

Today's result, I'm backing a win for us and a good showing. bog standard against the big boys. But, I'm not here to talk about today.

I had a quick scan through the to posts this morning and nothing about the city game was being discussed. All about centre backs. one of the constant moans we all share. My personal opinion is we have 2 that would hold their own in any of the top 6 (we all know the rest of the league doesn't matter, just get in the way during the season), matip and lovren.

I'm sure at simmer point today goal keepers will be discussed and Joe harts name thrown into the mix. Mignolet, a fine keeper on his day, just look at the clean sheet record, could have succeeded at anfield had it not been for his kicking which is (these days) unacceptable. I'm not blaming him entirely for this, I was at the Chelsea game in January and as more often and not there was that buzz in the ground. I'm sure that passes on to the players. What I think also gets transferred to the players is the anxiousness every time ball goes near him. He can feel it l and unfortunately hasn't the mental strength/ ) l confidence to ignore it. As I say though, on his day a fine keeper and will move on (for his sake abroad) at the end of the season (has to ) and have a good career elsewhere. Probably pushing courtios for Belgium.

Moans about the rest of the team come and go and rightly so. It is our duty after all. Like all top 6 regulars most of the squad are top players. Form, systems, tactics and confidence make the difference. But, now here comes my real point and I'm sure it will provoke a few opinions, do we have anyone who is deserving of being Liverpool's best player? We have some decent lads, couts, firmino, Henderson, lallana. But no Gerrard, Suarez, Torres etc etc. This is the painful bit. Zlatan, hazard/ Costa, ozil/ sanchez, aguero/ de breuyne. Not the players but the fact that were on par with totting ham (finish 3rd in a 2 horse race) hotspurts! )! I'm not blaming the players, owners, managers, media or the fans. It's just the way it is. We need that one player who can up the game of everyone. United would be battling relegation if it wasn't for grandad up front elbowing his way to champions league. Imagine if he was up top for us. Or Costa, his attitude to games and the opposition does for Chelsea fans what Luis did for us. Aguero is one of the biggest let downs as a player for me, only because he should be up there with Messi and Ronaldo but look how he can win games with his head down and not playing with anyone else. Could little Phil do that for us more often if he had a super star to take away the pressure and lime light?

So yeah like most of you I think we need to strengthen a couple of positions goal keeper being number 1imo. But it just needs one player to either step up and be our talisman and be the envy of other teams or we need to buy a statement. I haven't a clue who unless it was Ibrahim bakayoko on champ manager back in the day, but then again look what that did for Everton.

Hope we all enjoy this afternoon and the rest of our Sundays.

P. S. (Insert newbie suck up line to try and ensure my post gets a bit of air time)

Believable3 Unbelievable5

19 Mar 2017 08:23:38
That was painful to read.

19 Mar 2017 08:44:20
I think you forgot about Mane. He is our Suarez type impact player. Been our best player this season. He is the one that can turn matches on it's head.

Do not agree regarding Lovren. He has improved since Klopp arrived but cannot say he is the long term solution at left CB. If the right offers had to come in for Lovren then I doubt Klopp will say no to moving him on. Matip has done really well, it is as if he has played in the EPL for many years. Settled immediately which is a very rare thing for new CB's which join the EPL.

We may just see Gomez getting a run alongside Matip next season. Unfortunately injuries have set back his progress but seems like Klopp has Gomez in his plans going forward. Klopp needs to address our lack of quality at left and right back. Clyne simply does not have the drive to improve, he will never be good enough to be first choce and Milner who has done exceptionally well on the left, is not the long term solution at LB. Klopp will bring in a new LB and it depends what his plan is with TAA otherwise he probably will sign another RB too, that is if Clyne can be found a new home. Fullbacks are an integral part in Klopp's setup so here is hoping he finds solutions in the summer.

Lastly, Henderson is our talisman. The work this guy puts in on the pitch simply goes unnoticed. He is becoming a true Liverpool captain. Unfortunately he has a condition with his feet that will probably hinder him for the rest of his life.

19 Mar 2017 10:31:53
Personally think it's Phil on his day. before his injury he was the best player in the league and had Neymar and xavi wanting him at barca. granted since he has come back he's been a shadow of the player but on his day (which we need to see more of) the lad can win games on his own. those people on this site that think we should sell him are idiots.

19 Mar 2017 21:07:34
We are lacking a Souness style player who is willing and able to grab teammates by their nuts and squeeze if they are dropping their standards.

{Ed025's Note - i agree phil, you are also missing a keeper like clemence, 2 centre halves like hansen and thompson and a slotter like fowler...pity we cant turn that bloody clock back mate..

19 Mar 2017 07:20:18
Not suggesting he will come back but Sakho is showing once again that he is a very accomplished CB. Only if things did not turn out the way they did. Matip and Sakho could very well have been one of the best CB pairs in the League.

In the summer, Liverpool may just get the £20m or so, maybe more with the performances he is putting in at Palace as there will be quite a lot of interest in Sakho come the summer.

What a pity but we cannot cry over spilt milk.

Today is a very important fixture. Beat City and we open quite a decent gap on Arsenal and UTD and we will move into 3rd ahead of City. Spurs are minus Kane for many weeks so that is another plus for us. They play Soton today which is not going to be an easy match either. We could even find ourselves 2nd by the end of today.

The players need to pull together now as top four finish is more than achievable and along with that, there is no more room for error.

Come on Liverpool!

Believable8 Unbelievable0

19 Mar 2017 08:42:40
I think managers need to assess players, all of their strengths and weaknesses, and decide where they sit in the squad. Sakho has issues off the field related to maturity and professionalism but, on the pitch, he is excellent. In my opinion, given how poor our defence is, I think Klopp should have given him a warning (or a fine or whatever it is clubs do to punish players acting up) but kept him and played him. He is excellent on his day and, when he played last year, we looked good at the back. He is still young as well and capable of significant improvement. Given our defensive frailities I can't help but think Klopp was too hasty in giving him the boot.

I was trying to think of a related player/ story and remember hearing about Manchester United in the early days and Fergusons gripes with Lee Sharpe and Ryan Giggs. They both used to go on the piss and Ferguson felt they were throwing away there careers. At the time Lee Sharpe was considered a better prospect though a player with more significant issues off the field - Ferguson ended up getting shot of Lee Sharpe but kept the erring Giggs - a player who went on to do very well. It's an obscure example I know but I just think our team could have really used a leader like Sakho at the back. klopp is the manager so what he says goes - with the Sakho issue though I think he made the wrong decision.

{Ed001's Note - he kept hold of Giggs because Giggs did as he was told and got rid of Sharpe because he was an arse who continued being an arse. Sakho does not listen and has been given multiple chances. I really wish people would shut up about him now.}

19 Mar 2017 09:10:11
Irrespective of the details Ferguson would make decisions about players based on their personality as well as the needs of the team - he kept Roy Keane and Eric Cantona despite there numerous infractions because it was good for the team at the time. My opinion, and you are well within your rights to disagree, is that the team would have benefitted from having Sakho in the team this season - the defence has been poor, has lacked leadership and has leaked a lot of goals - Sakho could have have a big impact on this. Klopp, from a disciplinary standpoint, may have made the right decision - but for what's best for the club on the pitch? I'm not so sure.

{Ed001's Note - you also have no idea what Sakho was doing, so why are you continuing this boring argument? By the way, one thing that Keane and Cantona never did was lack effort in training. They may have been problem kids, and complete a-holes in Keane's case, but they put in 100% in everything they did. Sakho burnt the bridges, it is irrelevant how well he plays elsewhere, he had to go for the sake of the team as a whole.

I really hope he has learnt a lesson and will grow up and behave for Palace or wherever he ends up. However, he deserves no more chances at Liverpool, he has had plenty.}

19 Mar 2017 09:30:21
Yup, Sakho out on loan is better than Sakho at LFC playing for the U23's. Getting a healthy sum of money for him is in Liverpool's best interest at this point. If Sakho had swallowed his pride and gone on loan in the summer when he was told he no longer had a future at the club then maybe Liverpool would have been able to move him on permanently in the January window.

He will definitely be gone in the summer irrespective of whether he plays out of his skin at Palace. He will be very well aware that he has many teams watching him. He has to prove to interested clubs that he is worth the wages he is earning at LFC.