Liverpool Banter Archive December 20 2014

 

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20 Dec 2014 20:13:05
If we lose tomorrow we could be 5 points off ninth, if there was ever a time we needed a massive result this is it. Big day tomorrow guys let's hope the boys fight for a massive win and that we can all get behind the team.

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Let's hope Rodgers puts in a big shift cod its all about team selection tomorrow.arsenal are missing there midfield so we can hurt them with the right selection

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What is special about the 9th place? and why is a win today more important then any other game we will have between now and the end of the season?

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Because we are becoming detached from the top half. A loss tomorrow and a bottom half finish looks distinctly possible.

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20 Dec 2014 19:37:34
There is a section of Arsenal fans who don't like Wenger. Yet he is still a canny and knowledgeable manager.

Without doubt he will have analysed every change and selection Rodgers has made, his every tactic.
The produced plan A, B and C to counter whatever move Rodgers makes.

He probably knows the team Rodgers will select before BR chooses it. He probably even analyses every blade of grass. Such is Wenger.

This is still a big match for both teams.

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Well that's more than Rogers knows about his own team.

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Typo - ' Then produced'.

Wenger will be fully aware of Rodgers selecting Allen over Lucas. The passing for passing sake in our own half and the Barcelona style of no striker and trying to score from ball playing mid-fielders. This is all very well if one has Barcelona quality. Because Barcelona win by quality not a 'system'.
Galatasary are a good team, but Arsenal gave them a good seeing to in Turkey !
Arsenal have a few pieces missing from their jigsaw, but the good ones they have, are very good.

I expect 0-0 at half time, then Arsenal hitting us on the break a couple of times in the second half.
They will watch the Rodgers 'system', wait until things break down. Then hit us.
Stevie Gerrard will do his best to get us out of jail.
Stevie deserves more in his twilight years.

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20 Dec 2014 20:26:14
There is defo a group of people here who wants BR out. And all of them are going to be disappointed as the luck which saved him last season has come back after an interval.

We ll beat Arsenal and will beat them well good.

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Yuri, you give Wenger way too much credit. When Arsenal plays, they play the same way and get well beaten on the road almost every time because Wenger has learnt absolutely nothing fro the terrible drubbings he has recieved over the years. They can`t defend, can`t defend set-pieces, their midfield is porous and their defenders don`t like tackling, their keeper and CB`s are suspect and if you even breathe on them and put a little pressure on them like we did last year or Stoke did this year, they will crumble. Sound familiar? Wenger analyzes nothing because he has learnt nothing. The diff b/w us and them is that we can actually affect our own fate and make changes to move the club forward. Arsenal on the other hand, will have to think 1,000 times over b4 letting him go and his relationship w/ the fans is like a bad one b/w a guy and a girl. A girl knows this relationship is getting bad BUT as soon as the guy makes a kind gesture, she will take him back. On that note, they (he and the fans) deserve each other. As for tmrw, the team that can capitalize on the other team`s mistakes the most will prevail. Hopefully, BR will not give them the upper hand by selecting the wrong line up or the wrong tactics which will defo give them the leg up going in.

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Way to much creditfor Arsene there I agree, we play the same way every time and when it works it's great and when it doesn't, well you all know from last season what's happens then, ouch

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You will see tomorrow.

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For all of Wenger's faults, he is still a much better manager than Brendan. I really do not see us getting a result against Arsenal, Sanchez will be the difference between the two teams imo.

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Buzzer, that was/is not the argument as it is clear one has been coaching for about 3 decades with success and experience while the other is an infant who thinks he`s a know it all because he managed to come second (which is 1st place in Loser Land). The prob is neither of them learn from their mistakes because they are too full of themselves, foolishly set in their ways and are too busy trying to prove everybody wrong instead of aking changes and striving to be better coaches and men like Ancelloti who continues to re-invent himself and has had success doing that. Wenger is worse because he`s been successful YET has let that get to his head to the point that he thinks NOBODY should question him which IMO, makes him bigger than the club and he knows they do not have the cojones to let him go.

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21 Dec 2014 10:25:32
Could someone tell me what has Wenger won in last 10 years?

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Harry do you not want BR out?

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21 Dec 2014 12:22:54
McGoveb

Yes I do for various other reasons, certainly not for starting Allen or benching CAN. What if the new manager doesn't pick X over Y? Will all these go on for another strike?

But you do realize sacking him midway would 100% take our club back to square one and another 3 years of transition.

A new manger would come with new ideas and it would take him an year to understand the club and system.

Some believe frank de-boer would come charging and then straight to academy and would start picking all the under 21.
Absolute rubbish.

He would defo need changes and that means more money.

Look at Spurs and UTD. Both playing horrible but luckily getting results on their way. UTD always have an opposing man sent off in the second half. They just nick some goals after spending close to 120 mill.

Do you seriously wish the club to go back 5 years?

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I don't believe anyone who posts here wants to club to regress any further than it has currently but leaving BR in charge also has implications, what if he gets more money and wastes it, what if he sells players who another manager would love to keep, doing those two things could also put the club back even further.
Tough decisions need to be made as there are potentially huge impacts if he stays as you have stated or if he hoes now as I and other fans have stated.

Everyone on here wants the best for Liverpool FC and all are allowed opinions on how that could be achieved, never fear change.

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21 Dec 2014 13:05:26
Mcgoveb

I am sorry, But BR hasn't sold a genuine world class player for Peanuts. Suso might be one But we bought Lallana instead.
Allen would be off anyway, Lucas would be off and a new manager would love to bring in a top class DM.
Kelly was never going to cut it, As Flanno would be our Future Right back for years.
Skretel, Johnson and Migs would be off irrespective of any manager.

Sakho and Lovern are the only issue here. That's a direct rift between BR and the TC,
The TC should have accepted BR last season in getting Lovern for 7 mill ( If I am right )

The hate towards BR is just because we are sitting at the 11th position. It would be the same for the next man.

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{Ed001's Note - Kelly only wouldn't make it because he would never have been given a chance.}

21 Dec 2014 13:25:38
Ed01, Wasn't Kelly injured for a long time and when back He lost it to another local lad in Flanno.
The Moment Johnson signs a pre-contract I expect him to warm the bench.
Kelly is 24 and at his age he should be a regular player which He is at Palace. I am happy for him.
I expect flanno to be our future Right back for years.

Monquillo makes not much sense, But I understand it was coz, BR loves his Full backs to charge forward. Monquillo is an offensive RB like Moreno. ( Flanno and Kelly doesn't offer much going forward )

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21 Dec 2014 15:00:44
"But you do realize sacking him midway would 100% take our club back to square one and another 3 years of transition."

What is the basis of this assertion?

The only reason he hasn't been sacked already is because who is available to take over midway?

And the reason he is going to be sacked is because we are a mid-table club.

And because he talks garbage most of the time. As in: "We don't have Suarez - that's our problem". Really? Guess what: West Ham don't have Suarez either, and they're fourth.

It's not that complicated.

Endlessly going over every player, and who was injured when, and who bought who when - surely largely a waste of time at this point.

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@passion

Don't hold your breath - Flanno's injury problems are as serious as Kelly's - there are concerns that he may never come back the same player. I like him a lot and hope he does make a full recovery but his knees are in bad shape apparently and he is still a long way from starting a game.

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20 Dec 2014 18:55:12
Hi everyone as you'll see at the top of the page the Eds have chosen a charity to donate to this Christmas, as we all know all the Eds work so hard for us all through out the year for free and as a thank you to them all it would be great if anyone who is In a position to and wants to makes a donation of any amount that's comfortable for them to give as a thank you.
Across the pages maybe we can raise a few hundred or even a few thousand :-) who knows what we can achieve together. Whether your able to give or not Merry Christmas everyone

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{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}

Living two minutes from alder hey children's hospital, I can attest to the great work done here.

Whilst it's not as well known as the illustrious Great Ormond st in london, it is one of the largest children's hospitals in Europe and leads the way in many areas.

It's currently undergoing a major rebuild, so I guess all monies will be appreciated. Please do what you can for your northern neighbours! You never know when you may need them ( though hopefully you never will)

Merry Xmas one and all

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North South East West kids are kids and people are people and together we can make a difference be it large or small.
Alder Hey is a great place to start and who knows next year it could be Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham Norwich who knows where and who really cares as long as we help someone somewhere its got to be worth doing

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20 Dec 2014 18:31:49
Lots of talk on here as usual about team line ups and who should be in and out so if the Eds don't mind I wonder if you could keep this on the banter page and allow people to post their favoured starting 11 from the players available.
I'd especially like to hear the choice of EMS
Thanks

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{Ed002's Note - It is why we have a dedicated Teams and Formations page Chris. If they are posted here they will end up getting deleted. Everyone can post them ion that page.}

I'll reply on the teams page mate. You'll be suprised at the team I jotted down today!

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Of course, sorry Ed

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20 Dec 2014 18:12:40
Nigel De Jong or Felipe Melo

Cheap defensive midfielders.
Wages might be an issue.
Definitely good enough.

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De Jong is a good shout.

I'd prefer De Rossi though. Can't really comment on Melo as I think I've only seen him play once or twice.

We definitely need to be targetting this kind of signing though. An experienced holding midfielder who can come in and provide competition and cover for Lucas, won't cost a massive fee and won't stand in the way of the academy players we have who will be looking to break through in 2 or 3 years as regulars (Rossiter and Chirivella being the main two I'm thinking of).

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The wages for any of those players will be daft, especially De Rossi. Prefer us to give youth a chance - would prefer us even more not to offload Lucas (which is looking more and more like a possibility).

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20 Dec 2014 18:07:18
Hi Eds,
any news on who will start on Sunday - Brad or Simon? thanks.

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{Ed002's Note - I haven't decided yet. Sorry.}

BR quoted as saying it will be jones on sky sports. Sorry ed looks like he's made a decision, I guess if it backfires he could use you as his scapegoat afterwards

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Rodgers did say something like "the goalkeeper situation will be the same for Arsenal". It's not a direct quote though and it's hardly conclusive. I assume that Jones will keep his place.

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He`ll prob blame the tea lady before then.

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Jones has looked poor in both games he has played, so the reality is that we will just have to hope we outscore arsenal and that they don't have any shots on target as Jones will either dive over it or go the wrong way. Happy days :/

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Something must have gone on behind the scenes, I never got why BR said and indefinite amount of time. Seemed an odd choice of wording.


Either way, the longer he sticks with Jones in goal, the more of an person he's making himself look. even on his worst day Migs is better than Jones

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BR talks too much hence, most of what he says doesn`t make sense because he doesn`t think before talking.

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Is Ward no longer with us? What's the harm in giving him a game, maybe not Arsenal but the next game? Could he be any worse? It can't hatm his career if we lost heavy cause his career is dying without opportunities anyway

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20 Dec 2014 17:54:26
real madrid raid in january would be nice but never going to happen. Imagine Benzema, isco and varane.

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I would hate to be your missus. I'm imagining your Christmas list right now as:
Bugatti Veyron
The Arc de Triumph
& a rolex watch

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All I'm hoping for in January that we don't met Lucas go on loan or sold for peanuts. Anything after that is a bonus.

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Dejan77, you're surname isn't Lovren by any chance is it? :-)

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Varane is their best defender and Isco, after Ronaldo, has probably been their best player this season he has been immense. benzema is a remote, probably impossible, option.

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20 Dec 2014 15:56:05
hello eds.
hello fellow reds.

i am unfortunate as i don't have the channel broadcasting tomorrow's match.
can u guys help me by suggesting me few free live stream which shows Liverpool's each and every match.

THANKS
YNWA

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Football Streaming Info, it`ll give you a few links for the game.

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VIPBOX

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Eplsite.com

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Onsball.com is the best I've used by far, no pop ups or buffering, isn't always in English though.

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20 Dec 2014 23:48:03
If your on an 'android' phone,, download mobdro. Basically the full sly tv package mate plus every Liverpool match even if it's 3 o'clock kick off. Every channel you can think of really.
But if your on iphone like me,,,, then your screwed ha

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21 Dec 2014 02:18:15
thanks friends for u r suggestions.

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20 Dec 2014 15:00:44
I hope to god that Liverpool are not going to loan out Lucas, that would be the dumbest move we can make. Rather Sell him outright or try a swap deal for Kovacic.

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20 Dec 2014 15:07:47
Kovaic is a good player. I would also look at Bender.

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{Ed002's Note - You want the fantasy football page.}

Well said Haych. What kind of manager loans out his only CDM when the team is struggling big time defensively? At least sell him and get a decent fee to buy a new player. Why loan out one of your best players when the club is already playing catch up in the league? Makes no sense whatsoever unless the player is desperate to leave which i seriously doubt because Lucas is a very loyal player.

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{Ed002's Note - There is interest in Lucas from both Napoli and Inter - and both would like to take him on loan in January. The player has made it clear that he does not wish to move to Naples but would like to move to Milan and his representatives are actively discussing the move with Inter. The interest of Gremio will likely be rejected by the player.}

My question is, would Brendan really be so stupid as to sell the clubs best defensive midfielder? That would be nothing short of insanity on his part, we've seen how weak we are when Gerrard and Allen play CM, we only started looking solid when Lucas came in, to sell him is insanity. If he sold Allen I wouldn't be worried, but Lucas?

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Yes he would. Be so stupid that is.

I wouldn't trust him to go down the sweet shop and by a bag of mints.

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BR is THAT dumb to do that and would prob blame the move on Lucas and his agents for this indless act if it comes through. We are leakng goals for fun YET he wants to flog off the only DM we have in favor of his "loyal" lieutenants (Allen, Gerrard) who CANNOT play that position but BR wants to convince us that they can when we`ve seen w/ our own eyes that it doesn`t work. If Lucas does go, I will be gutted.

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Yep, redohio, that's exactly how I feel.

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20 Dec 2014 14:52:34
Anyone who have been following our loaned out players? I would like to know how they have fared, and if they have a future at LFC (Wisdom, Origi, Ibe, Teixeira, Alberto, Aspas and Ilori).

Also if we don´t qualify for CL, do you think a lot of players will leave? We have a massive squad, and a lot of players won´t get much playing time.

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If we are in the Europa league next season, then we will need a big squad. Winning Europa next season could be our best chance of playing champions league football in the near future as the current big4 will strengthen immensely with the increased European and TV revenue, so top4 will be a big ask next season.
Wisdom certainly deserves a chance at RB and should take Johnson's place who will leave on a free in the summer. Origi and be will be squad players, while Ilori hopefully replaces Skrtel who will be in the last year of his contract. Aspas and Alberto have no future at LFC.

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20 Dec 2014 13:06:57
Have to say getting a keeper in for jan is biggest priority. Cech is my preference. World class that may cost 10 mil but the least risk money we will ever spend! He was world class before that kick in the head- not quite as good now but still better than most. Unbelievable. Keep Lucas in the team and we'll leak a adman site less goals.

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20 Dec 2014 13:20:06
Czech is the best but I am afraid not happening mate.
He won't need a special GK coach for sure. Such vast experience. He would fix quiet a lot problems at the back.
If I were the owners. I would spend 10 mill for him and sell Migs next summer to recoup some money.

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I have a small belief it could. Second choice at chelsea and would cost a lot to have him but he may just be up for the challenge and we throw wages away for rubbish players. This is where we don't compromise. Be it him or anyo other keeper.

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I wouldn`t mind Cech at all. As you said, we are good at wasting money on dud signings. Might as well, go get someone who fits the bill. If we can get 3-4yrs out of him. I`ll b fine w/ that.

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Cech is going to have a lot of clubs in a better position after him. Doubt we will see any GK movement until summer

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20 Dec 2014 11:48:58
I'd like to ask thoughts on Emre Can. Firstly, I like the player I've chosen him for my name on here, so this is purely to discuss him as a positive.

I liked what I read about Can before his signing. I believe he will be a great asset. But what is his best position?

I thought he was a box to box midfield enforcer, but he looks like a big unit like Yaya Toure and can't see him doing that for a whole game, looks a bit lumbering.
Like Yaya, he looks knackered after 10minutes or is that just appearance?

He is no left back, don't see him as quick? His record at LB wasn't great according to one ED this summer plus Moreno would be my choice.

DM. But Rodgers doesn't want one or could Can play there the way BR wants? Creative player?

I hope he gets a run in the side in place of Allen. At the moment I think that would be his best place.

My choice would be Henderson and Can deep central midfield with three creative in front, Coutinho, Lallana and Sterling and one up front, Sturridge when fit. 4-2-3-1

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He doesn't appear to charge around as much as others because his positioning and game intelligence are superior.

He is also deceptively quick.

Can can play left back just as well as Moreno, but it's a waste of his ability. He could play a holding midfield role but again, it's like using a Ferrari to fetch your newspaper once a week. He could play as an atracking midfielder but then we're not taking advantage of the physical presence he could bring to the heart of our midfield. Therefore I would be inclined to put him next to a holding midfielder and tell him to use his pace, power and energy to break forward and carry the ball out from the back just like Yaya does for City. Can also has a great passing range which is still developing and a lot of composure on the ball.

If we coach him right he could be awesome. You don't get into the German u21 team unless they plan on eventually carrying you through to the senior team. Bayern don't put buy back clauses on average players either. He was a real coup. Having said that so was Nuri Sahin and Rodgers completely failed to utilise him effectively. Let's hope he has learnt his lesson.

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A player as good as Can Can not (get it) be rotting on the bench for the likes of Allen. He is too good and a good manager will always find a way put his his best players on the field. Can, Couts, Lallana, Hendo, Sterling, Studge are IMO, our best attacking players and should be on the field regularly. It`s up to the manager to make it happen BUT I`m afraid he has other (stupid) ideas.

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I don't know what goes on in his mind, but it doesn't join up the dots.

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Personally, as I have said before, I believe Can's best position is left midfield. Just like I feel Henderson is best on the right. Not as a winger but as box to box type midfielder. The diamond would suit him perfectly.

The reason I have suggested playing Can at left back is that he is disciplined, physically strong and has a great burst of pace. He would give us that extra security down the left side that Moreno/Enrique don't provide.

Those that are saying he would be wasted in this position, do you not think he is more wasted on the bench? I even think he would do a decent job in centre back as he has done for Germany U21's. The good thing about him is he's a versatile player, able to provide cover for numerous positions. Who knows he could end up doing well as a defender and making a position his own.

Red Rum

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20 Dec 2014 10:01:34
Here we go again, linked to every striker on the planet with massive price tags attached, no doubt the twitter rumour mill will string us all along again until we sign Dion Dublin on a week to week contract :=o
Silly season is upon us Eds, get ready lol
I don't know how you cope!

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{Ed001's Note - funny Dion was only telling me last week he was thinking about coming out of retirement to sign for Liverpool, I thought he was joking.....}

I thought he was making enough loyalties from Subway for the foot long 😉

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He was in the Shrewsbury arms on the Wirral a couple of weeks back. Maybe that's where the Liverpool transfer committee do their business 😉

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5 min walk for the shew for me.

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20 Dec 2014 06:40:20
Hi. Lucas to go on loan rumour. Is Rodgers mad.look at the last six games. He started 5 and we didn't lose one of them

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20 Dec 2014 09:22:30
IMO when it comes to loaning out players, our club is pretty clueless at the whole idea

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Another nail in the coffin. Get rid of a great DM. Why?
Just so his 'partner' Joe Allen can play. Come out that closet and admit it Brenden, why else does he get game time?

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I think Lucas wants to leave after being brendaned for so long.

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20 Dec 2014 11:52:22
Emery can

Wrong, Allen plays alongside Lucas not at his place. Lucas was benched whole last season when the page and BR played Gerrard at the anchor role.

None had a problem back then.

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Passion Pride. But now Lucas has to play and Henderson and Gerrard should make up the midfield 3 with Can covering Gerrards less and less playing time. There is no place for Allen. He offers nothing to the team whatsoever.

Did you know Allen is there to win the ball, keep possession and create opportunities going forward. He does none of these, muscled of the ball, no pace, stray passing can't pass over 5yrds and has not made one assist not one assist. He is a waste of a squad number.

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20 Dec 2014 15:46:19
Emere Can

Lucas and Gerrard in the same team?
No further comments on this.

I very well know what Allen offers and what's his position. So your pick is Gerrard or Henderson over Allen?

God save us.

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I think we all know what Allen offers to, the square root of sod all, has shown nothing in three years that makes me think he deserves to be a first choice player. Look at the game against Man united, constantly caught in possession, made no tackles, offered nothing going forward, personally I think the midfield should be Lucas as anchor with Henderson and Can, Gerrard should be on the bench and Allen on the transfer list.

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Allen is a guy who comes in to keep possession when a game needs to be seen out. We can`t win games now and we need all our high energy players on the field to put pressure on the opposition. Hence, Allen is NOT who is needed right now and him playing in place of Lucas is just BR trying to prove to us that Allen is a better player in that position which is like trying to prove that pigs can fly.

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20 Dec 2014 03:30:08
Seeing a few reports including l'Equipe, that Origi could be coming back in Jan for 6mln Euro, do you think there's any likelihood in this Ed?

I think Origi + Sterling (Sturridge in for Sterling on his return) would be a dangerous looking forward line even if inexperienced probably miss a few as a result. Balo and Lambert operating as no.3 and 4, and I'd assume this would also mean Borini is on his way out.

If we also bring in romero or neto as GK, that's 2 out of 3 fixes in my opinion. Just need a strong DM and I'd replace Allen and Lucas with Alex Song or someone similar if we could get them.

I'm also worried if Lucas goes in Jan, who's our DM in that case Ed? Will they sign another? Can looks good but quite young and don't see Gerard or Allen performing in the role. Hendo perhaps?

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{Ed001's Note - it doesn't seem to be happening mate, which is good because there would be far too much pressure on him if he did come in now. Should have just paid the extra in the summer rather than spending the money on another player.

It would be likely that there is no direct replacement for Lucas, Rodgers is not a fan of playing with a true DM, he likes a creator there.}

20 Dec 2014 04:34:02
Agreed with BR on this as he would want someone more than just a DM. Players like Lucas, Nigel De-Jong, Barry are all traditional DM but not passer.
BR wants someone to break up and pick a beautiful pass.
That will make us a bigger joke in not going for Alonoso. He is the best player on this.
Morgan Schniderline is one player we should go in.

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I agree probably too much pressure to start him right away given not Origi's not on a high at Lille. If he did come back though, could probably ease him in with Balo/Sterling starting and then 20-30min cameo's until he settles or looks to be gaining confidence?

If there's no true DM, I think we need to play a bustling box to box midfield that can tackle back and track the runner. Can, Hendo and Llalana seems the best at this, but Gerard and Allen look vulnerable to me. do you think this means Can gets more starts? That I could handle.

I don't quite agree with Rogers on this point but then again I'm an armchair manager. I do think Gerard excelled in picking out long passes through to SAS last year, but this year we lack the cutting edge and clever runs in the forwards. On the other hand we have more creativity in our AM's with Llalana, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic etc. I think we can afford a proper DM and let the attacking midfield have a run at the opposition without needing the spectacular long balls from the back. Seems a better option to me than leaking goals through a slowing Gerard or pushover Allen.

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20 Dec 2014 06:05:44
Zimbo

Excellent view mate and makes sense on the DM corundum.
But with fans carving for a diamond formation and 2 upfront BR will be forced to revert back a passer in the Anchor role to pick up Sturridge and another striker.

Gerrard lacks discipline but a fine passer
Allen lacks tackling abilities and is not good at long pass
Henderson is just a B2B player
Lucas does break up plays and a decent passer but lacks pace and cannot dictate a game not would thrive against a fast flowing attack running at him.

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Why has Can not been tried there?
He seems to be more than just a DM.

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20 Dec 2014 09:56:44
Why this obsession with origi? I have been following lille closely and he is nowhere near our first team he has like five goals in 20+ matches this season let him stay there for the whole season bringing him now would not only put enormous pressure on him to perform but also hampet his development

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Who you best suit our defensive midfield role seems as Rogers wants a creator there
Alonso would have been perfect! But whose left only Cabaye for me

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I've been saying the same as 001 since last January but he used to disagree with me

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{Ed001's Note - no, I disagreed that Lucas would be gone, which he isn't. I also disagreed that he should go, which he shouldn't. So what exactly is your point other than trying to pretend you were right about something you were completely and utterly wrong about? You kept saying he would go, has he? No, so please don't try and be smug about something you have no place being smug about. No one likes a smart arse at the best of times.}

Johnny, they tried Can there in one of his first games, but with Gerard and he kep just passing to Gerard to run the plays. I agree he can plsy the role but without the passing skills of a Gerard he needs mobile and creative players alongside him like hendo or Llalana I believe.

I think he'll grow into the role but still thin Song, Schneiderlin or Alonso would have been perfect for right now and allow him to ease into the PL.

On Origi, agree it's wrong to obsess or assume he'll solve everything, but seems unlikely we'll buy someone like Lacazette, so next best think is to bring him back to replace Borini, at least he might get played! We need a mobile from line to suit our game and sorry but Balo or RL are anything but, if Studge gets injured again, we're truly stuffed and Sterling will probably collapse.

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20 Dec 2014 11:55:14
TBH Ed01, we all love a monster over there and If your wish Medal joined us Lucas would have been gone last summer.
I am gutted we never went for Alonso.

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{Ed001's Note - signing Medel and losing Lucas would still leave us short.}

I may have conveniently miss remembered some of it ;) but the bones of it was that Lucas wasn't wanted or required because he wasn't the right type of player which seems about right to me! People expected him to leave in the summer and even a loan is rumourd for January so yes I was wrong with the timescale of his leaving but his replacement was bought I think. Just let me have this one its not often I'm mostly right ;)

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20 Dec 2014 12:50:10
Not one of Harry's


The point is or never was about Lucas, People are done with BR and desperate to get him out, throwing random names, play X over Y, Z over A etc.
None would have a problem if we kept picking up points scoring goals.
The team and BR have been poor from say 2 years, it was just our goals that kept us ticking.

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Reetred if origi has scored five goals in twenty games he would be one of our top scorer mate so get him here .
As for Can he is a large cart horse who would probably be better as a centre half never in a million years would he fill stevie G boots I really can't understand why we bought him but we could say that about a few players bought this season maybe the committee bought Can and most of the others.

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Albey, Can is a beast of a player and Bayern don`t put a buy-back clause in your contract if they don`t think they could need you or if you suck as they did for Kroos, Alaba, Lahm, Hummels (who refused to go back) and others. A good manager would know where to play a player of his physical and technical qualities. BR is not that manager. He is SO set in his ways which is why many (like me) are fed up w/ his BS. For him, Allen, Skrtl and GJ has to play every game even tho every man and his dog knows they are either aweful or are not what we need right now and the players around them don`t suit them BUT BR plays them regardless regardless of these telling observations. You might have a point when dealing w/ another coach but regarding BR, you are wrong on that front

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20 Dec 2014 14:38:19
Redohio

Could you once tell me what's wrong with Skretel.
As I read it here. Skretel is a poor defender and Lovern is equally poor but need good coaching.

If the allegations on Skretel is about pulling and dragging, then quiet a lot of defenders would loose their job.
Ryan schrawcose, Ivanovic, William carvallo. All those have been successfully doing it from years.

Skretel drops deep, because our midfield drop deep, Genius lovern maintain high line, Get beaten by a pacy striker and then track back all way to tackle him.

If you could explain something better, I would love to hear from you.

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I thought we bought Can because of his mobility.
One of the main issues we have had this season is playing to many defensive mids.
Song would have been good because, in my opinion he can play as a DM with no real help due to his mobility.
I think Can can do a similar job for us.
And Henderson can as well.
Lucas on his own, Allen on his own and Gerrard on his own have not worked as DM.
Playing any midfield combination of Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas does not work either.
It has been tried repeatedly and does not work and completely stunts the fast football which has returned recently.
If we stay away from the above selection NO NO's then we can have a good 2nd half of the season.

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20 Dec 2014 15:13:20
Jonny

Agreed. Alonso and Medal were two realistic and attainable players we missed and that's hurting us very big time.

I am dead sure frank de boer would first want a world class DM.

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Passion, I will explain. Skrtl is a defender who IMO, is a headless chicken and is always caught out of position because he always follows the direction of the ball and never stays in his zone. He makes a lot of tackles all over the place which to the normal guy, makes him look good BUT to those who actually watch w/ they eyes of a coach (many of us on here including yourself), that is the lot of a poor defender who has no idea what he is doing. Reason? If his positioning, awareness and anticipation was better, he would not need to make that many last-ditch tackles. His communication is poor and seems impervious to coaching because he`s been doing the same things for years. Skrtl only looks good sometimes depending on who his partner is (mostly Agger who would make any defender look good) or the system which allows no penetration towards him (like Rafa did by playing two DMs a lot). Also, he invites pressure by dropping deep and playing everyone on-side which is why he is terrible in a defence that plays a high line (what BR actually wants). Look at defenders like Kompany, Hummels, Thiago Silva, Varane, Boateng or even Toure. They have good positional sense, awareness and anticipation which is why they r almost never caught out of position. I chose Toure because we have been much better with him this season. Finally, the most scathing indictment on your boy Skrtl is when he was benched for the final 3 months of the 12/13 season for a 35 yr old, semi-retired Jaime Carragher who actually made our defence look more solid over that stretch. I will end there BUT don`t kid yourself, there`s a lot more where that came from.

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20 Dec 2014 21:13:15
Redohio

Fair drafted reply and I ll take a closer look on both him and Lovern tomorrow. I ll try to bring in what I get from tomorrow game.

Nevertheless nice arguments.

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I`ll be happy to hear your opinions afterwards.

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19 Dec 2014 22:52:56
Hi Eds, just wondering have you heard the latest quotes from Rodgers tonight? He talks about the 3-4-3 formation saying"if it was a foreign coach that came up with it they would be calling him a tactical genius" I'm finally coming around to the thinking the man has lost the plot and it's about time he shuts his mouth because it's embarrassing for the club and especially with the position we are in, sounding like a poor mans Mourhino!

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{Ed001's Note - that is an embarrassing quote, though I would like to see the whole conversation first to see if it is taken out of context.}

20 Dec 2014 04:37:28
Y do you think he has lost it there. Weren't we quoting the same here. If Jordan Hendeson was from Brazil and his name is Hendersenhio, none would have uttered a word against him.

But then playing Henderson at RWB doesn't make him a genius either.

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Yeah he's right though, if he was Spanish and was called rodgerexi he would be a tactical genius but he enforces and prefers the same style as Guadiola but is just a stupid Irish fella with some philosophy, all plays exacty like xavi, tiago and that an if he was in Spain with the space he would have and that front line he would we right up there with assists and pass percentage! Our league is harder for him and he is well not Spanish!

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Brendan isn't English so maybe you could say he's a foreign coach and a footballing genius after all haha.

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20 Dec 2014 11:58:02
Rj91,

There is no problem with the system he wants us to play. Arsenal have been playing from decades. But they buy players who fit in that system.
BR and the TC bought players which is completely against.

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By that quote, BR has shown his naivete for the upteenth time. We have just won a game everyone expets us to win YET he`s beating his chest like he is a genius that just re-invented the wheel. Pathetic! This is why I can`t stand him when he talks. Seems he has forgotten the fundamentals of coaching which is: If you win, it`s the players. If you lose, it`s YOU, the manager. Obviously, BR has learnt nothing in his coaching career nor his coaching classes. That quote sounds like someone who is clamouring for praise yet everyone knows he is on the brink. Humility and respect do not exist in this man`s vocabulary, clearly. He always wants to take all the credit when we win YET takes no blame for the other crap that has gone on under his watch. We`ve only won one game and we have been poor this year YET he is beating his chest like he just won his 4th game in a row. Stupidity at it`s finest!

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The more complete version:

He [Rodgers] explained: “When you have got the players to play in the way we want to work you can see the issues and the problems we can cause opponents. We had that ability to break forward with speed and on the counterattack for probably the first time [this season]. That was clear. That tactical element is critical to how we work.

The other night it was a British coach playing 3-4-3 so he has probably thrown the team together. ‘He has played seven midfielders?’ If it was a foreign coach it would probably have been seen as a wonderful tactical idea of playing the game. ‘Sterling playing through the middle – what is he doing? [Lazar] Markovic out wide?’ But that is the key for us – trying to get the players in position who can make us effective.”

Still pretty embarrassing really. And why has he started referring to himself in the 3rd person lately?

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{Ed002's Note - You want to start worrying when you first hear him say "... and The Nose said to me ...")

First signs of an arrogant, pompous LG and complete shopping bag of a person is when that person refers to himself in the 3rd person.

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19 Dec 2014 23:35:19
Why are so many saying winning the CC is a failure?

There are only three main competitions in England, league title, FA cup and CC. probably in that order.

Easily 6/7 top sides in our league capable and expected to win these, only a maximum of three obviously can.

Even with how well we played last season, Chelsea have been great and I'd still expect them to be top and win it even if we did take it to the last day we'd still finish second

FA cup not even started yet

So why would winning the CC be so disappointing to some? It's a trophy, a place in Europe and a great win

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It's all about the prize £££ these days, not the trophy sadly enough mate

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20 Dec 2014 04:39:38
Only winning a CC for someone who has 5th highest wage bill in the league doesn't serve anything big.
It's just a trophy where most teams field their reserves until the Semi finals.

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Old School I know but give me a trophy every time.

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Because we spent 100 odd million, increased the wages, and put ourselves in a bigger financial hole, courted controversey with FFP if we actually get european football, and for what, an insignificant cup, most managers don't care about unless their b teams get them to the final. The money won from that won't even begin to cover the extra wages and money spent this summer. I'd rather a club in a better financial position for the future, than a cup and on the brink of european bans/squad reductions.

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KK got sacked for winning the CC almost won the FA Cup and. wasting 100m and being poor in the PL (not even counting the Suarez debacle). I expect BR to suffer the same fate if he does achieve or come close to what KK did.

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{Ed002's Note - None of that is true.}

Well, do enlighten me because if my memory serves me well, our poor league form (being 37 points behind the Champs City) was the reason IA gave to the media. That might have been the political response BUT please, enlighten me because suddenly, I don`t know.

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{Ed002's Note - The events of December 21, 2011. His time was effectively up that day as - I explained at the time.}

REDOHIO, Suarez t-shirts at Wigan, ring any bells. . .

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21 Dec 2014 07:56:58
Then I bow to your knowledge, Ed002!

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