Liverpool Banter Archive October 19 2014

19 Oct 2014 20:17:56
Eds reds well redmen where do we go from here? Lots on here, including me, wanted stevieg played further forward, he'd didn't affect the game very much in the first half but ran the show in the second half. That maybe answers the question? Sterling was fantastic today, shoved it up hodgson and the other ---- who had a go! Coutinho was good when he came on and good to see allen back to, roll on studge being back, god we miss him!!, the defence? Where does that come from ? CRAP, !. Johnson and enrique comeing in the same match? The two cbs all over the place. Migs great saves but comeing out??. Its a rollercoaster ride watching us! But its our LIVERPOOL!! Please god we can pull out a performance on wednesday! Come on redmen.

19 Oct 2014 22:40:51
Gerrard didn't effect the game in the first half because he never saw the ball we struggled to bring it beyond the halfway line. I think Can's struggles at DM played a part in that, although he alone wasn't to blame.

"Running the game" would be a significant exaggeration of Gerrard's performance in the second half, but both he and Can did improve a lot when they swapped places at half time.

But we already know that Gerrard at DM is quite prone to not working. And sorry for being a broken record, the solution isn't moving him back there; The solution is Lucas at DM.

Lucas, Suso and Borini are 3 players BR doesn't want in his squad and as such, they are regularly ignored.

19 Oct 2014 19:30:34
Any chance Brendan is playing 'the old limping tiger' trick with Sturridge to have him ready for the CL?

I think I can remember instances when managers have claimed injury to key players only for them to appear on the team sheet. Definitely an easy way to try to disrupt opponents game plans.

Think we'll need all the help we can get for that one.

It is more sophisticated than that. Hi is resting him for next season.

19 Oct 2014 20:40:40
Ah yes, the old 'Lets finish seventh trick'.
Not sure itll work as well this time round.

19 Oct 2014 19:25:43
Don't want to moan too much we had a few passengers today so players I will praise and can say they had a good match imo. mignolet, Johnson, can, Gerrard, Allen, countinho, sterlingmotm, Henderson.Can done well for his first match I think he will play much better good to see Allen back sturridge please get well soon.

Agree with all except Mingolet. He was shambolic when Johnson had to clear off the line, terrible positioning for their first, beaten by a soft header at his near post for their second and must've gifted the opposition possession with every long pass he played. The rest of those you said were good, spot on.

Chaps, with respect - to say they were good is a tad polite !

What game were you 2 watching, they were second best all afternoon.

Agree with all that you said had a good game, have to agree with EMS Migs made some amazing saves but looks weak on crosses, corners .

Look on the bright side 3 points & no new injuries

Credit to Raheem tho - he worked hard and ultimately impacted the result.

Mignolet was good at what he is good at and poor at what he is poor at! We at least know what to expect!
But with that defence in front of him he deserves a medal! Although the term defence may breach the trade description act!
The fact that the personnel was different just highlights that its the team style rather than the individuals that are at fault.
I have no faith in BR ability to organise even the most basic of defensive capabilities that I urge him to get help!
I agree that Can was ok today, Hendo, Sterling the only others though. Gerrard improved us defensively when he dropped deeper as his positioning was a little smarter.
But a poor performance overall is only tempered by a positive and very welcome result.

19 Oct 2014 21:10:34
EMS Imo mignolet done well to stay big in a few of the situations his cbs put him in and a few world class saves to keep us in the match .should Vargas really have got that header towards goal, I know he needs to be more commanding of his area but skrtel and lovren seem a bit soft for me whatever is going on with them they r better players than we seen today for me mignolet had good game imo but I respect your opinion as always.

Tommy,

With respect, you name EIGHT players whom you consider to have had a 'good game'?
If that's the case then we are in a deeper darker hole than i originally thought.
If that god awful, embarrassing performance came with the majority of the team having a 'good game' then all hope is now sadly lost!

I thought Mignolet had a great game, don't think he could have done much about the goals tbh. The second goal was more johnson getting in his way, and there was nothing he could do about the first. I've not been his biggest admirer, but credit where credits due.

20 Oct 2014 00:26:17
With respect sivy 4 passengers is a lot at premiership level some players had decent games not enough to be blamed imo for a poor showing so the players not named need to stand up and perform better r they won't be liverpool players for too long they r letting themselves and there teammates down we got 3points today with the spine of the team damaged with players not performing cbs brutal centre forward brutal so to wonder how I can praise the other 8 players they were carrying 4 passengers throughout this match the players I think need to get a grip skrtel, lovren maybeI'm Being too hard on him Enrique, ballotelli

19 Oct 2014 18:38:26
I think Balotelli needs to be given a box of matches and a box of fireworks in a pet shop. He only seems to be any good when he's up to mischief.

19 Oct 2014 18:29:18
Mario just needs a goal and he was in position for both the own goals, and would have (hopefully) just tapped them in of it fell to him. He said he needs to get in the box more, and has done so, contributing to the two own goals, i bet bother teams would have preferred him to tap them in too!

I agree with you and a goal will do him the world of good, we got the 3 points and are fifth despite only playing well v spurs in one game when we paired dan with balotelli up front, we must improve for midweek or else we will take a beating.the defence and the goalie need to defend set pieces better but hey we play well sometimes and end up with no points so just move on, support the team and balotelli

19 Oct 2014 18:23:50
Looking at everything with a sensible head, we are 3 points away from 3rd place (which is prob the best we can hope for this season).

Chelsea and City for me will occupy the top two positions so realistically, the table doesn't look too bad.

Yes the performances need to drastically improve; yes the defence need to learn to defend; yes the strikers need to score goals but look on the bright side, we've only played well in 1 game out of 8 and we sit 5th (joint 4th).

Food for thought.

I know it's hard at the moment but let's try and hang in their.

Cheers

Posts like this are why i come on here!

You just don't find many people that talk sense on facebook and twitter.

I couldn't agree more. For us doing so bad, we're actually doing pretty good!

We really have got a good squad that can pass and is fast and i believe a few good goals from the likes of ballo and lambert and we'll be off. Ballo would off had 2 today if it weren't for the OG's although he infuriates me when he shoots when there is better options!

19 Oct 2014 17:35:45
{Ed002's Note - There was no interest shown in him by Liverpool but a deal could have been done for Pedro and Huntelaar for around €15M less than was paid for Lambert, Balotelli and Markovic.}


I wish you was on our transfer commitee Ed002.

As for the result today, great to get the win in the end, however. last season feels like it was a dream to me now
;(

I wonder where we will be by the time I get to Anfield in December to watch the Arsenal game? I hope the situation isn't critical! I say this as I'm worried! Very worried!

I would be happy with a Europa league spot this season, considering how poor we have been this season. The fact that we could have realistically got Pedro who is a winner, and Huntelaar who is a prolific goalscorer but instead ended up with Lambert and Balo shows how inept the club management is. Where is Mr Henry? He needs to sort out this mess ASAP.

This one is on the manager and our transfer committee perhaps but not on JWH.

20 Oct 2014 05:38:33
Agree 100% Buzzer! The majority of our transfers have been woeful under BR! Throw in the fact we seem to overpay for players when there are as capable if not more capable players available at the times we do transfers!

Just like the 2 players mentioned in Ed002's reply in my post - why not Kono? Why not Remy? I would love some answers? Will we get any? I doubt it!

19 Oct 2014 16:53:34
Playing crap and still got the three points, its becoming a habit for us now. Anyway, the introduction of Coutinho and Allen has been very beneficial to us today and we should defo start with the two against Real but BR should benched Balotelli as from now and start with Lambert or Borini instead. The guy is clearly hindering the motivation of the group and should not start next match for me.

19 Oct 2014 16:03:10
Lucky pants strike again!!

2 wins on the bounce, happy days.

I bet they need a wash after that ending
pal

You never wash the lucky pants. never. until we lose a game.

19 Oct 2014 15:55:36
Sterling was great at times again, Coutinho seems to have come back from the dead, Johnson was much better than pre-injury and Henderson at least showed fight, but almost all positives being overshadowed by our defence. Jose Enrique should never play for the club again, if you feel like disagreeing on that one watch how Vargas was marked on their first equaliser, and our centre back partnership seems more like two men who have never laid eyes on eachother before stepping out to play

19 Oct 2014 15:52:05
I'm just amazed both Lambert and balotelli have both said they're not really able to play as a lone striker and yet they haven't started together once?.

Have to say two wins on the trot now and suddenly if big if we beat hull we're 3 for 3 and probably in the top 4 playing awfully.

Once we come good and we will the only way is up and if we stay around the top four till then I think we're sorted.

A lot of positives there we just need to improve and link up better.

19 Oct 2014 15:40:08
That result will save Rodgers blushes until the Madrid game. So many problems which Rodgers could address but choses not to

19 Oct 2014 15:36:34
In my opinion Balotelli Borini and Lambert don't cut it at LFC. I would sell in the summer or January and replace with one quality forward who is mobile and runs in behind. Sanchez Or Remy would have been perfect!

Onto Wednesdays game I believe Liverpool should play a 433 with a three in the middle of Gerrard sitting with Allen and Hend in front. There isn't a forward good enough so I would try a front three of Sterling Lallana and Coutinho. Let them rotate! Lallana and sterling both run in behind too and all three like to play across the front. Curious to hear people's opinion?

What do you think?

19 Oct 2014 15:52:35
And Lucas has to play on Wednesday, imo.

19 Oct 2014 15:56:23
To be fair Sterling up front on his own couldn't do any worse

19 Oct 2014 16:30:37
I THINK we can all safely agree that the only reason we won today was ken and his pants! End of, RM are probably running scared now!
All jokes aside i'm sure we'll give em a good game on Wednesday

I listened to Neil Mellor commentating on the game today, I know he has been retired for three years or so, but, if the paperwork can be sorted, I would pick him now ahead of Balotelli .

19 Oct 2014 15:33:44
Difficult to know what to say after that match. I don't know how were any where near the top 4 this season but we have been using up some amount of luck if its finite. I wonder who would take 10 million for Balo in January if we had an offer? It feels like rogers keeps getting chances to change things and he is too pig headed to do anything about it. If he gets the sack he genuinely can't complain about it.

His style of play is brilliant. Problem is he and the transfer comittee don't know how to identify player profiles that match the philisophy.

Up front we need pace, technique, clinical finishing and selflessness. Neither Balotelli, Borini or Lambert have all those attributes. Liverpool need to buy the finished article so other players have someone to learn from. Transfer comittee need to start buying top drawer players alongside cultivating young talent. This is 2014. Big teams buy big players. Liverpool don't.

As for the defence, I really am at loss for words. Throw a big check at Tony Pulis or something. Defensive coaches need to be independently reviewed and kissed goodbye.

19 Oct 2014 16:52:57
Really, your really talking about sackings after a win(granted lucky and ugly) and fifth in the league now after finishing 2nd last season having to sell our highest goal scorer then losing our second highest goal scorer Upto now through injury dude get a grip

Win or no win our defense is shocking and so far 5 out of 8 transfers (not counting origi) have done the opposite of impressing anyone.

Achterberg needs to be reviewed and so does however is in charge of organising the defense and so does the people in charge of teansfer targets. In most other work environments consistently underperforming will cost you your job.

19 Oct 2014 15:29:20
How on earth do we ever win that game! QPR deserved a win. Fair play to coutinho though he's had his critics and in my opinion was rightfully benched but he completely changed that game for us. But still like I said QPR deserved more out of that game then us, dreading Madrid now, please please please play 2 upfront or it will be like showing up at a Vegas casino with empty pockets

Well said mate and even if we are glad to get the 3 points, we should never have won them with such aweful performance. BR should bench Enrique and Balotelli and start with Moreno and Lambert or else we will get screwed by Madrid.

19 Oct 2014 15:27:47
I think we've taken over whiskey noses 95 minute last minute winner syndrome

19 Oct 2014 15:23:46
Toure was our best player today

19 Oct 2014 15:58:32
He was solid

You forget to say on the touch line but anyway I think Toure would have played better than Lovren.

19 Oct 2014 15:23:25
Three points - but what an absolute joke of a game!

It was like watching my grandsons matches his team are all seven yrs old and they can defend better than LFC

19 Oct 2014 15:21:26
Really hard to swallow. Let's not forget we are talking about QPR here. Looking like a long season for LFC fans

19 Oct 2014 15:59:39
I won't start panicking until we concede 5 against Leicester .

19 Oct 2014 15:11:31
Dont know about the other supporters but i for 1 am worried for the madrid game

19 Oct 2014 14:49:15
30 mins to go! I think we will win this 2-0! Even after Mario's howler.

Aye! You disagree now when the game is over? How easy is that? :-)

19 Oct 2014 14:30:24
Its alright saying get behind the team but that defensebar lovren who has no confidence atm is very ordinary. Johnson, Enrique, skittles and mignolet are very poor defenders. Its Rodgers choice to put out these players noone elses. If.Flanagan isn't fit why isn't a youngster given a chance likewise on the left side if moreno isn't fit? Sktrl? Well edd002 explained that. We could get completely humiliated by Madrid. We are givinh away 4, 5 good chances a game against lower league sides and have shown no improvement in that area. i'm constantly hearing whinging about the forwards but the defense is shocking and deflect flack. Our defense needs grilled to get a.performance or improve.

19 Oct 2014 14:08:01
Benzema ronaldo bale James

Are going to have a field day if lovren an skrtel don't start hitting the gym
Overpowered all day long

Not sure what's happening with this team since the end of last season

Do u guys think two new centre backs are needed ?

19 Oct 2014 14:44:37
Cant rule out. As BR loves buying CB every 6 months. lols

19 Oct 2014 13:53:08
So far, not so good. I don't think Stturidge could change to much in this team. I don't know why the pressing game has been abandoned. The reds just haven't looked fluid in there passing game all season. We need to get it back soon.

19 Oct 2014 13:12:10
Hey lfc fans

I predict a 1-1 for today or any score draw it will be a tough game

As for Wednesday . Under Benitez i would stack a lot for a Liverpool win even with Madrids squad of today

But this Liverpool team without the potency upfront. I'm going for a Madrid win 2.1 I just think their attack will be too much for our defence

We haven't corrected our attacks yet so today's game will show if balotelli will stay in the box or not

Id take 1-1 mate the way were playing . were playing with 8 men can never a center of midfield player far to slow more of a center half lovern is just crap and he let agger go for him and that Italian clown up front he would not get a game in a sunday league team add to that lot skirtel and Enrique . and to rub salt in to the wound Johnson playing just leave the two Spanish lads in the team and get a settled left and right back I've backed rogers and the team todate but this first half is awful he better kick arse now for second half or the pressure will be on his shoulders

19 Oct 2014 14:26:46
thats looking a bit generous at the moment

19 Oct 2014 12:55:03
Does Brendan not understand the consept of a 'settled' defense? Why isn't Moreno playing? Johnsons clause has clearly kicked in. He's been saying for the last 2 months how important Joe Allen is to how we play but he's back fit & on the bench, why I ask? He doesn't have the stones to drop Gerrard even with the easy excuse of 'im resting him for the Madrid game'. For me the only position coutinho can play for us is left wing (where he played during his exceptional first 6 months) & he's never been half as good since. And for me lallana isn't a winger he's a 10 or Jordan Henderson

Trust the manager

We have trusted the manager with millions of pounds and look what's on the pitch mate are his buys any better than King Kennys ?

19 Oct 2014 12:35:04
Can, Balotelli and Sterling start.

Wasn't expecting to see Can, hopefully he's our DM today and Gerrard's further forward.

19 Oct 2014 14:27:08
And I should be careful about what I wish for.

19 Oct 2014 11:36:51
Just wondering what fellow reds fans (not the trolls who claim to be!) would "accept" as a successful season come May?During the summer it was expected we would challenge for the title and after spending £120m I thought that we should be, however as we all know results, ref decisions and injuries have gone against us as per the norm, so my question is .

What is the minimum you expected from the team in the summer and has that now changed given our start to the season and if things don't go well for us what do you think the boards minimum requirement from Rodgers is before they lose patience? (Bearing in mind kenny was sacked at the end of a season where he got to 2 cup finals and won one, but they sacked him anyway) Thoughts?

TDH

4th place finish at least, champions league round of 8 and a decent FA cup run.

TDH, after finishing 2nd last season and investing 120m in the summer you have to be expecting to challenge for the title and a trophy at least, if 4th is your only target then your admitting that last season was a flash in the pan, and I don't think the owner's will be happy with that.

I for one did not expect a title challenge without suarez and you have to realise the net sum spent is much lower as suarez alone was sold for 75.

My expectations for this season are in the following order of achievement:
1. Finish fourth (consolidation is very important anything higher is a bonus)
2. Get into knock out stages of the c/l
3. Win a cup

@wembley78 - couldn't agree more mate! was just wondering if I was the only one! lol

If we had spent £120 million on say 3 players then i would be hoping for a title push. However, we didn't so i would be happy with top 4 and the hope that another season will improve the players purchased. Top 4 is still some effort tho in this league!

19 Oct 2014 12:42:38
I don't think it matters what monies we recieved for players. We still spent £120 million+ on new players. On that I would want to be challenging for the title (top 2), quarter finals in Europe (minimum) and a final in at least one of the 2 cups. Anything less is not good enough.

We didn't spend 120m. We sold our best player for 70m. We replaced him with 16m balotelli. So we are minus 54m in attack. We improved 3 other positions lb, cb & lallana. So out of our 11 we improved 3 & decreased 1. Did we improve our lb cb & lallana enough so that the lack of Suarez isn't seen? No. Did Chelsea sell hazzard so sign their improvements to midfield & attack? No so shock were behind them. Did man u sell Rooney, rvp to buy downgrades? No. Did man city? No. Did arsenal? No. Did we? Yes. That's why we will end up about 6th this season

After watching games against Boro, Basel, and now QPR top ten mate

Top 4, Competing for all the cups. We did buy for the future and to help with playing the extra games and competing on all fronts. Last season was all about the league position and we over achieved. Let's just support the team and see where it takes us.

NOT ONE OF HARRY'S, you sound like rafapologists from a few years ago, no matter what way you dress it up RODGER'S has spent 120m in the summer and we look worse for it, were throwing money hand over fist on the defence and were still conceding goals for fun. . get real RODGER'S hasn't got a clue defensively, he is out of his depth in that department. .something has to give sooner or later. .

19 Oct 2014 11:15:19
On the official LFC site they are doing some profiles / questions to the Academy players.

This week was Harry Wilson - Ultimate dream in football; answer:

To win the Ballon d'Or

Fair play and he's hoping he achieves this (with Liverpool)!

A good young player Wilson, already capped by wales.

19 Oct 2014 05:52:58
Ed002, how do you think Rodgers has dealt with the Sterling 'saga' recently?

{Ed002's Note - I think both he and RH should have stopped talking in public ages ago. The interview with the Independent was a disaster as he refused to answer critical questions (we are not going there) and the fear is that Sterling's England career could be impacted. Liverpool need to act to stop this now.}

Hodgson should have never mentioned anything in the first place.

How does Hodgson think the other LFC players who are part of the England squad are going to react towards him from now on? All Hodgson has done is created disharmony and is out of his depth.

He is supposed to be protecting a young player like Sterling, not making him look like a fool.

But what kind about hodgson? i'm sure he not the first ever player to tell a coach he's feeling a bit tired. Jeez he's 19 he made a mistake, he needs to be protected not paraded in the media. Hodgson should not be acting like a child and telling the media what he told him

For any of the EDD'S who are around, is anyone from upstairs watching RODGER'S press conferences or is anybody advising him were he's going wrong, or is the man just too stubborn for his own good.

{Ed001's Note - there is always someone checking things like that. They just don't seem to be doing anything about it. Mind FSG themselves are quite prone to saying the wrong thing, so they might not even see the issues the way we do.}

Thanks eds appreciate the insights.