Liverpool Banter Archive January 20 2015

 

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20 Jan 2015 22:49:40
Although we dominated Chelsea were always in control, they showed a little of their normal play(attack) after we equalized, and we can expect more of the same at Stamford Bridge, I am not saying we still can't beat them, we can, but it will be very difficult, but not impossible!
Jose's plan is half done, shut Liverpool out first leg, finish them at the Bridge.

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Chelsea had a 15 minute spell in control after they scored, they wasn't in control when we were slamming there goal with efforts of Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling and Lallana.

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Parking the bus is what he does best even tho that failed miserably vs Athleti last season. Whatever his plan is/was will mean nothing on the field of play. We will go out there w/ nothing to lose and leave it all out there on the field like they did today. N BTW, we maybe could have Studge back.

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21 Jan 2015 00:08:37
I thought there were some frightened faces in the second half, they knew they were in a match!

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21 Jan 2015 00:01:20
I didn't know you read this site, Jose.

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I still think they let us come at them and defended very deep, that was the plan, i really hope they come out of their own half next leg and we can exploit the spaces they leave, but i still think Jose knew exactly what he was doing, we will see who is right next week, do NOT get me WRONG i want desperately to win! and happy to be wrong. OK?

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He got lucky today because vs Spurs, he did the same thing and got thumped 5-2. The diff was we did not have an out-and-out striker which might have been the diff and they had a very good one in Harry Kane because our approach play was just as good as Spurs`. Of course, Mou bleated on about the penalty that never was just to hide the fact that his "control of proceedingss" failed miserably.

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20 Jan 2015 22:35:51
Brilliant performance today. The high pressure was effective and we proved today that we can be a match for any team with the right tactics and personal.

Lucas was immense today as was Coutinho, Sakho and Markovic. Put Sturridge in this team and we have a very good chance of getting top 4 and winning a trophy.

I think we have turned a corner and today we showed flashes of last season so it's time to cheer up and become optimistic guys.

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The boys left it all out there on the field and THAT is all I can ask for. Credit to BR for getting the boys ready to play and boy, did they.

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20 Jan 2015 22:32:11
Hi Guys,
Just thought I'd share my POV on tonights game.

Overall it was a promising performance with ultimately a bit of naivety causing the penalty decision.

A couple of players that surprised me:
Mignolet didn't really have anything to do but surprisingly he was quick off his line when he needed to be and his distribution was better than usual.

Can was a bit naive with the penalty decision and jumped in a few times, for me his burst forward shows his natural position further forward but he is still really young.

Skrtel had the best game I can remember from him. Commanding, positioning was good and made some very important interceptions.

Coutinho had magic feet again - especially in that second half. I just hope he can work on his shooting a bit more.

This might cause some disagreement, but I thought Gerrard was poor in the first half. His lack of energy was annoying to watch - just trotting around and not chasing any runners. He seemed much better in the second half but so did everyone in red.

My MOTM was Lucas quite easily. He made interceptions, distributed carefully and was so composed throughout.

Sterling, Markovic & Sakho deserve honourable mentions.

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I thought SG was poor as well BUT came alive in the second half a bit. Can is new and doesn`t yet know that Hazard is a "pro" at drawing fouls and penalties if you so much as breathe on him N BTW, the ref got fooled because he was already on his way down b4 Can stuck his foot in because that is sadly, what he does. He will learn. The boys gave their all and that is all we can ask for.

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I thought Gerrard played well.
I think we all have to accept that he can't do what he used to do.
It's that simple.
That's why he is going.

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20 Jan 2015 22:30:17
That's one defeat in fifteen, with the performances getting better all the time. We were so unlucky not to win tonight, absolutely hammered Chelsea.

The new players are starting to look like Liverpool players, despite all the s**te they've had to deal with from certain sections of our fanbase. I love the way that Rodgers is attempting to win games, with pressure, passing and pace, unlike Mourinho's tactics which were, as usual, awful.

We've got a young progressive team, with a young progressive manager, give them both time and support and the sky's the limit. YNWA.

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People forget that our best striker and main goal threat is almost back from injury aswell.

No not Balotelli before the banter starts!

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Walton, this team and system has ALWAYS been there. It never left and the majority players who almost won us the league are the same that have gotten us playing great. The crap we have been is all down to BR and his unbelievable ego trip that got us playing awefully and questioning whether the BR we knew had been replaced by a clueless imposter because I know I was asking myself that very question. Just saying! Now, I give him credit for getting the boys ready to play the best game of their season and the boys gave their all on the field. Bravo to the coach and the boys!

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You can hammer all you want but if you don't score it means very little, history will still read 1-1.

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No sh***t!

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Chelsea defended really well.
Football is not just about attacking.
If we went to Barca in the CL and did what Chelsea did last night then we would all be happy this morning.
I am sure Mourinho is as well.
So is Rodgers in my opinion.
All set up for a humdinger of a second leg.

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20 Jan 2015 22:13:27
Grate preformance bad result but can't fault the guys personally I feel sterling is waisted up top not strong enough doesn't get the ball enough he is better runnin from deep super goal all the same good experience for him if we keep playing this good I cannot wait for Sturridges return

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20 Jan 2015 22:16:12
Proud to be a Liverpool fan tonight.

What a performance against the best team in England this season and we had no natural striker and a midfielder playing at the back .

Lucas Leiva was my man of the match in a game with so many quality performers.

He must stay!

Superb.

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Sahko, Couts and Lucas were simply EPIC!

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20 Jan 2015 22:13:02
Excellent performance all round. Mebies lacked sturridge at times for that final 3rd. Lucas and coutinho back to there best. Atmosphere top notch. YNWA

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With that perfo at home in the PL w/ Studge back, teams are quaking their boots right now

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20 Jan 2015 22:12:10
Thought we played exceptionally well tonight, just missed having a striker up top. Atmosphere sounded amazing from start to finish, need that more to make Anfield a fortress

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Exactly!

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20 Jan 2015 21:57:28
Tonight was a statement in attacking and possession that we are a team to be respected and we are a good side. Its a long way from the real Madrid capitulations and respect to the whole team tonight really. Chelsea will be thinking hard about next week, probably much harder than a few people would have expected. More confidence for the second half of the season and a settled side with just that front three needing tweaking to be a bit less goal shy. Bring it on and YNWA

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20 Jan 2015 21:55:18
We destroyed Chelsea in every aspect, the only player that absolutely shone for them was courtouis and tbh he hasn't been asked to do much in the league which is why he hasn't seemed as good as he really is, so it's just typical that the goalkeeper saves them when we destroy the team. It's happened so many times. But regardless of that, Liverpool were excellent and the only thing missing is an actual goalscorer. If we get Sturbridge aka glass in time for Chelsea then we have a slim chance of getting through (just being realistic). I think it's good that we have Bolton in between the next match so we can really gain momentum. Everyone played well for us, apart from at times Moreno, think he should have come off. But for some reason, when we need players that can easily beat players (ibe) they are not even on the bench. Ibe would have been what we needed in the final 15 mins. Just like another sterling

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Ibe is cup tied

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Moreno was a bit off atimes BUT I loved his energy and enthusiasm. As for the secong leg, if BR no longer wants to be referred to as the pupil (which I think is just demeaning because the media don`t call Mou LVG`or the late Bobby Robson`s pupil), this is the time to go to SB an qualify for the final. because he`ll never be the man UNTIL the beats the man.

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20 Jan 2015 21:47:45
Great to watch finally! A second goal would be perfect but can't complain about the performance! Eratic by can for the penalty but barely put a foot wrong apart from that! There was one moment where chelsea had 3 on 1 and a ten minute spell where they looked dangerous, but apart from that, not a sniff! I love markovic defending, he suprised me so often, one minute he's running at terry the next he's shrugging off hazard by the corner flag! And sterling fantastic goal, just shows what he can do in that deeper number 10 role!

I don't want to get ahead of myself, it's a draw and we have to go to the bridge, but if we can play 80% of that against 15 teams in the league, we should beat them well. I think we will struggle to get anywhere near that tempo against the lesser teams. Players like skrtel always raise their games vs the big guns but lapses in smaller ones, let's goo this can change!

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20 Jan 2015 22:17:15
Can made a mistake (Hazard went down like he'd been shot mind) but he's 20 and a quick learner. I thought he was superb in the second half. Unlucky boys

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20 Jan 2015 22:37:57
Well played Reds, best performance in a long time. We goo again!

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Can ha not been in the PL long enuf to know that) Hazard will go down immediately you breathe on him (he was already going down as soon as he felt Can coming in on him). He will learn form this. Hats off to BR for getting the boys ready to play.

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20 Jan 2015 21:44:16
Great game only saw second half but looked really promising. Can looks really promising comfortable on the ball and although he struggles a little with Hazards pace (who wouldntnt?) he looks quality. I have no idea where he would be best to play. When he bombed fwd reminds me of Yaya Toure a little. Markovic looks settled now and Sterling great. Be tempted to start Lallana second leg instead of Gerrard. Team made us proud credit to them and the manager.

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Can matched Hazard for pace which is hard to do atimes and he was imperial along w/ Couts, Sahko, Lucas and Skrtel.

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20 Jan 2015 21:42:28
I knew we would struggle to score against a packed defense, but we did OK and we could have won with a bit more luck, Chelsea got away with it again i feel! i think with Sturridge in the side up top with Sterling we may have a chance at the Bridge, we missed Sturridge tonight, but we worked really hard and deserved more. where have i heard that before?

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They got lucky because had Courtois not had the game of the season, Mou would have wound up w/ egg on his face for parking 2 buses at Anfield and still getting beat down.

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20 Jan 2015 21:37:28
I can't believe we didn't win that! BR timed hus sub all wrong. We looked like opening them up. He should have held off a little longer

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20 Jan 2015 22:18:59
In thought Stevie was tiring. Lallana nearly pulled off a blinder too. Couteois is very difficult to beat isn't he?

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21 Jan 2015 08:14:52
Stevie was also on a yellow and starting to lunge into a few challenges

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{Ed001's Note - Gerrard was carrying an injury.}

20 Jan 2015 21:37:16
Very proud of the lads tonight, great effort and that will certainly boost our confidence,

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Was a good performance all said and done. Unlucky for the penalty as it was a bit of a dive, but these things happen. Skrtl and Sakho were nails hard and handled Costa well. Lucas was superb alongside Henderson. Coutinho, Sterling and Markovic all played well and a special mention to Mignolet who was solid and did everything well.

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Hazard`s a diver always goes down stickking a leg out in order to draw the foul as soon as you even breathe on him as Can hadn`t even been anywhere near him but was already on his way down. This is why Mou was bitching in the media about not getting penalties (even tho, some of the instances he was referring to were just pathetic). It was to get into the heads of refs for future games which is what happened today. Atkinson got conned by a serial diver, IMO.

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20 Jan 2015 21:40:55
Great performance from the lads, unlucky can couldn't keep his cool when he took hazard down there, we can beat them next week. Come on boys YNWA

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It was a very good performance and we played very attractive football. The 2nd half performance probably our best this season given the opposition. We do have to admit that until Raheem's great goal, for all our attractive passing, we didn't create much in the box and after the goal we were wasteful again.

But if you compare how we played today to how we played in the early stages of the season, the team is unrecognisable, and against most PL teams (and I think agaist most Europa League teams as well) we would have finished this game 3-4 up). And even BR's greatest critiques and I used to be one of them, have to give him the credit for this change (and he will not be going anywhere in the summer). He may be responsible for our terrible start and that is still extremely painful and costly, but he found his best 11, wasn't scared to play players not in their original roles and the team looks very good. Defensively we are miles away from where we were, great pressing game, a lot of confidence - I mean our passing - we liteallry couldn't connect two passes early season, today was pleasure to watch.

Chelsea are still way ahead of us defensively and have an amazing finisher but other than that, we don't look like from two different divisions as in last time we met.

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I am still a critic because he was the one who got us playing aweful at the start of the season due to an ego trip that NOBODY till this day can still understand. There were times these same players playing lights out now, looked like compleate strangers during that time.This team and system and players have always been there. Only now, has he gone back to this system because we were going nowhere fast and his job was on the line. Had he just stuck to what worked last year, we would have been higher up the table and still in the CL because our group was weak enuf for us to go thru. That cannot all be swept under the rug at the snap of a finger. NOW, I will say that he gets credit for getting the boys ready to play the best game this season and giving Chelsea the game nobody (bar Spurs) has ever given them. As for him being here next summer, I wouldn`t be too sure about that based on what the Eds have been saying about FSG`s revamp of EVERYTHING at the club including BR`s position.

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You can't buy that many players and expect everything to remain the same.
That is not to excuse the players and Rodgers but they are obviously a lot more comfortable with what Rodgers is asking them to do.
I said at the start of the season I was willing to give the team 3 months before judging them due to the upheaval in the summer. I was a month out. because the Man Utd game was when the green shoots of recovery started to be seen.
We have kept that improvement going although the start we made means we are behind where we need to be.
After watching that why can't we finish top 3?

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{Ed001's Note - then why did he choose to buy so many players? We only needed to tweak, yet he overhauled the whole team.}

I am with you on that Ed001.
I did not see the need for so many. but if I am playing devils advocate I would say that the money received from Suarez meant we tried to do what we would normally do in 2 or 3 windows in 1.
I am not saying that is the right way but we obviously thought it was at the time.
And let's be fair these new players are starting to play well (except Lovren who is playing tiddlywinks on the bench)
Lambert, Lallana, Moreno, Markovic and Can are showing that we may not have wasted that money!
As you know, I am with you in that we should have promoted a few and just bought a couple of really good signings.

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{Ed001's Note - these are the kind of mistakes a manager should have made and learnt from before they get a job like managing us.}

Agreed.
But should we just jettison a young manager who in my opinion shows glimpses of greatness? (glimpses ed!)
He is not the finished article granted but I can see enough in him to keep the faith a little while longer.
Its all about a top 4 finish for me, if we get it then I want him to stay. If we don't get it then in my opinion his position is under threat.

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20 Jan 2015 21:40:42
Take a bow Lucas Leiva! Fantastic performance from a fantastic player

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We would be mad to contemplate letting him leave

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WHich is why BR should be sacked for trying to give him the boot to begin with.

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20 Jan 2015 21:29:12
THE best performance this season, regardless of result.

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20 Jan 2015 20:19:44
If sterling plays through the middle we need players to fill the box! Coutinho and gerrard come in centrally to pick up the ball, and the Wing backs are getting joy but have no one to aim for! Sterling is coming out wide to pick up the ball which is fair enough in that false 9 position, but we need to compensate for that!

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I'm still scratching my head as to why Gerrard's in the starting 11. He's been one paced, given the ball away, his dead ball drop delivery has been poor and generally contributed nothing.

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Because in the past he has won us games on his own and has scored a lot of late goals with long shots that no other player in our team posses's i bet you was not asking this question when he was winnig games for us, get a grip lad and support him for what he has done for us the fans and the club in the past, his shot was not that bad though in tonights game, or did you miss that,

the problem is we have strikers on the bench that should be pitch, its BRs fault playing a winger as a striker

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20 Jan 2015 21:27:15
Mr Dennis , Haters will be haters
You need to either change your glasses or get ones

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So Gerrard starts because of what he was doing circa 2006-09? You're the one that needs to get a grip m brock.

Gerrard contributed nothing in the 1st half, was lethargic, and gave the ball away 7 times in the first 20 minutes by my count.

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I think you boys thinking Gerrard should be an automatic starter are living in a time warp, this is a 34 year old Gerrard not a 24 year old. He had the mobility of the QE2 this evening.

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Mr Dennis, your posts are regularly amongst some of the most embarassing on here, I don't agree with anything you ever say, ever.

Gerrard's our captain, with great presence and stature, which in a team full of kids, in a semi-final against Chelsea, counts for a lot. Plus, he's had a good game tonight, gave his all as usual. You spout nonsense.

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I thought Gerrard had one of his better games tonight. Shame we couldn't get a winner tonight but looking forward to the second leg. Should be a great game

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It's not glasses he needs he needs to think about what he is saying, Gerrard was excellent tonight in fact there was a dip in our momentum when he went off! he is still capable of doing teams damage even if he is only on the pitch for 60 minutes, so Mr Dennis find a new scapegoat or follow Everton.

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20 Jan 2015 22:21:00
Gerrard was excellent in the forward position; some of his touches were class and could have scored a couple. His presence drives the rest of the team on

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20 Jan 2015 22:23:28
Mr Dennis I am not saying Gerrard should be an automatic starter, but I think he deserved to start just like the other 10, to me there are around 12/13 outfield players who I would n't mind if they start and play most of the game, Gerrard is one of them (As long as he is not playing DM), today he done ok, good long and short passes and he was unlucky his curla did n't creep in. And he was n't the most wasteful, Sterling , and Coutinho lost the ball few times and kept on running into no mans land, but they deserved their start and over all played well. let's congratulate the whole team today for a change, yes we did n't get the result but all played well.

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I thought SG was off the pace in the first half BUT came alive in the second. His deliveries from corners and free kicks were mediocre and lacked a bit of energy. But was in position to score a sencond goal and was unlucky to strike the post. All in all, an OK perf, IMO.

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If he was carrying an injury as Ed001 has said then I really don't understand why he started!!
I also thought Henderson played even better when the captain went off.
I think he will benefit by Gerrard's leaving more than any other player.

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20 Jan 2015 19:29:51
YNWA, come on you REDS. .
Hopefully we will give some youngsters a chance as we have some good players in our youth system since our activity in the market is very poor IMO.

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Y2K3, again with the transfers?! You were on here slagging Markovic off after two games, shameful.

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Still not convinced by Markovic and i still think they wasted money on his purchase.

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What has Markovic done (or not done) to make you dislike him? He works hard, has shown willing to adapt to a new position, tracks back well, looks good going forward and still has loads of time to get better. That he was perhaps not a necessary purchase is irrelevant (and not really his fault) - he is working hard and improving week on week. So enlighten us as to what he would have to do to convince you.

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Works hard yes, improving maybe but i see nothing special nor does he give the team something no one else does the money spent on him was a waste as a player like Ibe or someone else from the youth system could be doing what he is doing which is nothing special i say again. I don't blame him since he didn't buy himself but this 20mil could have been spent on Bony or Lacazette which we definately need more.

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20 Jan 2015 19:16:16
No Ibe on the bench is a big disappointment if yoy ask me he done well for Derby against Chelsea why not start him tonight or give him a run out

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Also hope he isn't playing Gerrard in the middle with lucas as he is a liability nowadays.

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Cos he will probably be the next one to be Brendened!

What is the point in bringing the lad back! Rodgers thinking is crazy.

Good riddance at the end of the year as far as I am concerned.

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Ibe is cup tied for the carling & fa cup!
Relax guys.

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20 Jan 2015 20:47:29
Ibe cannot play neither FA nor Carling cup, because he played for Derby County

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He is cup tied sorry lads

He is also cup tied in the f.a cup the weekend

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20 Jan 2015 18:55:05
Nice 1 Benny

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20 Jan 2015 18:30:03
Suso received a contract offer.

End of.

He was wanted yet wanted out.

Good luck to him but let's move on.

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If your where offered a contract at liverpool saying we will keep you but you won't play for first team what would you do .especilly when your on a par with some of the crap we've got

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I never denied that.

Many on here stated that Liverpool let him go.

My point is, is that regardless of type of offer, Liverpool Football Club still wanted him.

I don't blame him, but I'm not prepared to slag the club off as many manager have had opportunities to play him also.

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We pretty much let him go for free BUT offered him a contract we knew he wouldn`t sign because he wasn`t going to get a chance. BR didn`t want him and only offered the contract to save face in the media afterwards. Come on Davey, I know you`re smarter than that. Clubs and players do this all the time.

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He was getting no game time here and has effectively had his career stalled because of us - we might of offered him a contract but the way we managed him, as a player and a person, left a lot to be desired and, considering that, it is no surprise what-so-ever that he left. If you were Suso would you have signed a new contract ? I wouldn't.

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20 Jan 2015 18:24:06
Can an Ed tell me why liverpool are not after a serious suarez replacement, shaktar donetsks luiz Adriano looks like a monster got the goals to game ratio we should be looking at, good injury record and I hear he's on a bosman free if not give them 20 mil or more . Or get jackson Martinez, marco reus, higuian all have stats that prove them to be top class

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{Ed002's Note - You'll be after the fantasy football page.}

We splurged all our money in the summer and took a massive gamble on Balotelli being his "replacement". We now have no money for a replacement and a disruptive, lazy, expensive player in our team. Our business decisions are, to provide a brief summary, woeful.

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20 Jan 2015 17:54:36
So guys with the long awaited appearance from injury of Sturridge what are your thoughts on his constant injury woes?
What are your thoughts or knowledge on the following.
Should he be sold with the money being spent on a less delicate striker.
What is happening behind the scenes to help reduce his obvious susceptibility to injury?
Is there consent in the club due to the amount of times he has been injured or is it being glossed over?
Will BR play two up front when he is back or will he be a lone striker like Balotelli?

Thanks for any replies

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1. Great to have him back, how long will it last?
2. We shouldn´t go backwards, if he is sold, then go for someone alike him.
3. That is a question for BR
4. See 3.
5. See 4. - I would guess that BR is getting tired of Balotellis BS. Sturridge and Balotelli looked like an okay combination against Tottenham, but it can´t be concluded that it will work out, just because it did once.

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20 Jan 2015 18:29:12
Would keep him as think this season has been more a mis-management of his fitness and don't think we would get that much considering how good he is! Also think we pinned far too much on studge, was never going to be fit for a whole season. Think he is underrated as a player (englands best striker by far) and could be key to us!

Hope rodgers doesn't chagne the system, just move Studge to the central role (sterlings done ok but clearly not his best position) then rotate (lallana, marko, sterling, couts, ibe etc) either side and should see us improve vastly going forward.

Want mario to get his chance but not at sacrificing a good formula, more from rotation to try preserve Studge.

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It worries me Mcgoveb, it really does, hopefully he can be managed correctly and it can be controlled, but I wouldn't like to see him sold. I love the guy, what can I say?

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Remember it was Woy who caused his injury by sitting on him.

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I was neutral about hodgson until his irresponsible handling of sturridge led to the thigh injury, which has been a significant factor in us losing so many points this season.

On the plus side the loss of sturridge did eventually force rodgers to find a better formation, but its all too little too late, barring a miracle.

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1. Should Sturridge be sold? No, he is our best forward by a mile. Even if we sold him who would we buy? He is young enough to bounce back - the focus should be on keeping him injury free, not getting shot. More significantly I don't think we would be able to adequately replace him (at least not if our recent transfer business is anything to go by).

2. Who knows? Maybe not trying to rush him back out of desperation this time? I know he was originally injured on England duty but there was a sense that he was perhaps being pushed back to full fitness before he was ready due to our, at the time, awful form.

3. don't really understand your question, "is there consent?" - do you mean dissent?

4. No I don't think so. BR is talking a lot about the wonders of this new formation, identity being restored, blah blah blah. With our lack of goalscoring due to Suarez leaving and Sturridge's injuries BR seems to have settled on a formation were we concede less by simply having more bodies in the box. I'm not convinced at all and I think, personally, that it is the personnel he selects that is the issue (Skrtel, Gerrard as DM). But no cannot see the formation being changed whilst results remain acceptable and while BR keeps talking his tactical nous up.

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20 Jan 2015 17:50:39
Tonight will show how well we are progressing.

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I posted something similar a couple of days ago Lenin.
This will be a good marker, and if a solid Chelsea team take to the pitch it will indeed be a good test as to how far we have come since Madrid at home.

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20 Jan 2015 16:20:09
I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
Anybody who thinks Sturridges return is going to mean Balotelli suddenly becomes a superstar is foolish.
And before anybody says it, we've pretty much played a single striker up top all season, i'd say in 75% of our games, we've played one up top,
Why would this honestly change now we are winning games?

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20 Jan 2015 16:17:06
Well lads, Just want to give my thoughts on the Lucas debate. For me, the stats don't lie, we concede less when he is in the team. Iv always thought Lucas tried his best to connect with the fans and has always given his all. Would love to see him stay and perhaps finally get some appreciation from the fans. Nonzy.

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Vice Captain for me if he stays, such an under-appreciated player

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20 Jan 2015 14:22:44
hi eds,

im glad to hear that we are not going to get Divok Origi, we got a good price for him when we bought him and I've read that if we would have brought him to anfield in this window we would have had to pay even more money, if we did it would have shown how incompetent the men with the spending money really are, why spend more money on a player we have already bought it was a stupid idea imo, thak god we did not go through with it,

i think the money we would have spent on him could have been used to go towards a player when we next sign one, i think it would have been about 4 mill

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Agreed, mbrock99.

Good to see common sense prevail.

As far as I'm concerned - Lambert, Balotelli and Borini have until May to impress - and with Sturridge hopefully coming back soon, it didn't make much sense bringing in Origi ahead of schedule - certainly not for a fee!

If none of the 3 aforementioned contenders have futures at LFC - I at least hope they'll be making an effort to put themselves in the shop window for next summer.

Alongside Sturridge (obviously) Borini is the only one of the other 3 who I would keep - as I rate him highly when played as a central striker and reckon he could be a valuable squad player to have. He is an excellent pro and can make a valuable contribution.

With Origi arriving in the summer I'd look to add another top striker for next year.

With Bony moving to Man City - I'd wonder what the future holds for Edin Dzeko there - he's not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but I reckon he could do a fine job for us.

Sturridge/Dzeko/Borini/Origi would be a nice setup imo.

(Just a suggestion btw - I know he'd be expensive/high wages/maybe not interested - it could well be pie-in-the-sky.)

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20 Jan 2015 18:27:59
I think Lambert landed at our club in a tricky situation.

No-one could foresee the inconsistent form of this season, and I suspect that the recent situation has restricted/hindered his chances.

I reckon Lambert playing in a confident side will score his fair share of goals. He's shown enough in what little opportunities he has had in my opinion, and he's done much more in a few minutes than what the lazy Italian has done in a number of starts and games.

Keep him and play him.

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"Borini is the only one of the other 3 who I would keep - as I rate him highly when played as a central striker and reckon he could be a valuable squad player to have. He is an excellent pro and can make a valuable contribution."

Excellent point. I reckon he'll turn in to a top player. It's all there.

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I've always wanted Borini to get a chance because he has that all elusive forward intelligence. Don't mock, he makes very intelligent runs and if he starts finishing consistently he will be a quality forward.

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20 Jan 2015 11:33:39
Just reading the following story on Sky.

"Lucas Leiva is pivotal to Liverpool's recent upturn in form and must not be sold, says Jamie Carragher"

Really glad to see this. If only so the types that get all their opinions from pundits might finally see the obvious.

If only Gerrard had expressed such thoughts to the press regarding Lucas, perhaps then, he (Lucas) wouldn't have been marginalised by BR to the point that he is/was on the verge of quitting.

But then, Stevie had his place in the team - so he clearly had a conflict in interest - and he made it clear that he would not be a bit-part player. He'd seemingly rather we endured him at DM against Palace and Utd (with obvious results), rather than question the mistreatment of Lucas.

Fair play to Carra. He always has displayed more knowledge about the coaching and tactical side of the game than Gerrard.

Now maybe even BR will get the message regarding Lucas.

Maybe Rodgers can apologise to him, and start trying to convince him to stay.

Lucas has been our player of the season imo - he has turned the season round, and held our shambles of a setup together well enough to help scrape us some badly-needed points, following a disastrous tactical calamity of a start.

- yet despite all this - our manager doesn't even seem sure that he should be in our squad!

You couldn't make this stuff up.

:)

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{Ed002's Note - Carragher has no influence over transfers or anything else going on at Liverpool. There has been interest in Lucas from both Napoli and Inter - and both would have liked 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 Inter Milan and his representatives negotiated a deal for a permanent move to Inter. There was however a complication in that Inter were in negotiations with another player (but the deal would require the approval of FIFA). However, Inter dropped their interes in the other player and made an offer to Liverpool. That was rejected and although it looked like a second offer would be made, Inter feel that they are being messed around by Liverpool in this matter and have turned their attention to Atletico's Mario Suarez. Napoli may press again but with Benitez leaving at the end of the season they may not provide a longer-term solution the player is looking for. The interest of Gremio will likely be rejected by the player but his representatives are looking to approach Atletico and Arsenal if they cannot get interest from Inter rekindled.}

Thanks for the info ed.

If he signed for Arsenal that would sting a bit! I hope we can recover the situation - but alas, it may be too late.
:)

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{Ed002's Note - I think a move to Arsenal unlikely - they are looking in another direction.}

Would be awfully bad management yet again behind scenes if we were to keep Lucas.
What I mean by that is players have timelines and values, we missed the boat with Agger Skrtel Reina in terms of negotiating a 20m 10m and at least 15m fee's only for them to stagnate, lose form or run down their contracts, don't forget it's now 50% business management 50% sporting interest running a football club.
Back to Lucas, fantastic professional and has often divided opinion since his arrival but everytime he's risen above it and just got on with playing.
I'm in agreement his inclusion has allowed us to play a little more freely but let's not forget he always show's up in a positive playing in a struggling team, also let's look at why he's playing so well? I would say with confidence the wing back scenario suits him down to the ground, he's not as exposed to speed and now doesn't have to worry about numbers running at him which often lead to him giving away stupid fouls in dangerous areas!
So all in all, he's still an average player at best just doing a job anyone can do when the system them to just sit and sweep up, all you need is eyes and a will power to keep your position.
Fact remains he's staying and I would hope his value remains and this "form" keeps interested clubs keen to do business in the summer because if not we have yet again acted inept imo in a business sense. I pray he doesn't lose form or his place which could lead to us struggling to offload a player who clearly wanted to leave in Jan.
Prendergel

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I have to agree with you on your point of view to lucas, I've been saying the same thing,

you can't ignore tha fact he does make mistakes and gives fouls away in stupid areas, but as you have said he has given the other players the freedom to do their own thing, he has helped the team because they know he is playing to his full potential and playing well so don't have to worry about covering him,

i agree the way he is playing heshould be sold now because we won't get the same money if his form dips or the team start losing, then his value will go down, i am saying this for a couple of reasons i think the club want to sell him, he is not going to get any better and we can get a better Def-Mid or my option would be is to use Emre Can there abd let him have a good run of games and for him to grow into the role which will only make EC play better because of the game time and the experience, because i think any player with potential only needs to be playing every game to get better with game time and experience of playing in games big and small, look and sterling and ibe and couthinio, because they have been playing every game they have been getting better and better look at sterling he would never had got as good as he is at the moment if he had not played all the games he has played since last season, let's hope jordan ibe gets the same game time or it was a mistake to bring him back just to sit on the bench and not get the game time he was getting at the club he was on loan

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So do you want gerrard to come out and say he is not good enough to play for the first team and lucas should be played instead of him? I fail to see what the fuss is all about suso and lucas that majority of the posters are drooling over in recent months. They are both average at best.

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{Ed001's Note - no they are not. I guess Lucas will never win over people like you, I don't blame the lad for wanting to leave. The defence has suddenly stopped conceding ludicrous amounts of goals due to him getting back in the team yet still you call him average at best. You will never make a scout with that lack of insight.}

Personally think the 'fouls in stupid areas' Lucas gives away is what is helping us to a degree at the moment.
When Gerrard was the DMF a lot of the goals we were conceding (from open play anyway) were coming from midfield runners running off him, he had no awareness of them and just saw the ball and ended up running from player to player chasing it like a headless chicken. Lucas has much better awareness of midfield runners, spots them and either tackles them or ends up giving away a foul. Although fouling them is allowing them a shot on goal or to cross it into our box, it is from a distance of 20+ yards with a wall in the way and the keeper has a chance to set and position himself correctly.
I would rather see a player taking a free-kick against us from 25-30 yards than running through one on one against our GK.

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As far as I am concerned he has put in a good shift and if he feels like a new challenge I will wish him all the best. Considering how Brendan has treated him prior to his run in the team this year who could blame him. With respect to his value to the team it is unquestionable and only the blind would attest to anything different. I hope he gets the move he wants as he would deserve it and Liverpool can either replace him with a decent player or as I suspect waste it

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It's rather hypocritical ZinedineKilbane that you denigrate those who take their opinion from pundits and in the same breath use another pundit as justification for your own.

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Spank the monkfish.

There is no hypocrisy. People such as myself know the difference between reasoned opinion and drivel, unlike the plebeians.

My views do not need justification either.

I am unsurprised that you do not know the difference.
:)

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Ed01 regarding Lucas`detractors, there is literally NO hope for many of them. As you may have already heard, "You can force a horse to the bank of a river BUT you cannot force it to drink".

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Lucas will never get a fair shake from fans. He is humble, gives time to fans, plays well consistently, has been one of the main factors in our recent upturn of form yet people still call him "average" and crave Gerrard to be reinstated into the starting line-up. It's an absolute joke. Oh and all those fouls Lucas gives away? That's what a DM is supposed to do, read the game, read the danger and, if there isn't cover or the team is exposed, commit the foul in order to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity perhaps 10 seconds later. Anyone who doesn't that rewatch games with Gerrard as DM and marvel at the amount of time and space teams have to carve us open.

I will only be If/when Lucas leaves that fans will be able to grasp his importance to the side - that is very sad.

p.s. I use the term "fans" in a general sense as I know there are good numbers who do appreciate Lucas.

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Seano, the same fans slating him now are the same ones who will be calling for his return if/when he leaves.

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19 Jan 2015 23:49:46
Without stating the obvious like "stop Costa" how do we go about beating Chelsea guys? Same team as villa game? I would defo start Borini again even though he was wasteful at villa. I've got a feeling because it's two legs Chelsea will play for a draw or counter attack then aim to take us at the bridge, thoughts

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I'd be happy if we had enough possession that they were left with counter attacks, but I think that will only happen if they field a "weakened" team. That said, their bench is so strong they can rest a couple if they want. Costa is obviously a threat, but you win the middle of the park and you can control the game by and large. Their midfield men have been pretty relentless though, so we'll need to press and hassle the entire game.

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I expect them to be compact just like our past meetings imo. it is up to us to break them down. 1 goal from either side could change the game.

if we score it is likely to see the game to be more open.

if they score then they will continue to stay compact.

the last time we met we had a lot of the ball but the only way we tried to attack was from the middle, which wasnt working at all. attacking from the flanks could be an option.

cant wait for the game. we have been going against so called easier opponents so far, time to step up for a big game boys.

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20 Jan 2015 07:01:43
Like any big game against any big team.

Go at them!

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20 Jan 2015 08:03:03
I just would like to take a lead to Stamford Bridge.
Any type of lead and we are in business.
A draw or defeat tonight makes it difficult.
Come on Red Men.
My prediction 3-1. to the red gods!
That was for Ed002:)

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I doubt costa will play 90 mins. why would mourinho risk him against a side with a rubbish defence in the capital one cup?

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Chelsea are the real deal. We need to be defensively at our strongest to start with but the Spurs game showed that Chelsea can be got at with pace and skill and they can be vulnerable, at times.

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20 Jan 2015 08:56:47
In a perfect world would like us to go be defensive, control the game and try get a 1-0 win to keep a clean sheet to take to the bridge. but we can't defend or keep a clean sheet.

So go at them, from the line up ( assume benny has it right again ) press them when they have the ball and hit them with pace and movement. Would love another stevie rocket into the top corner to silence the chelsea fans!

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I am pretty sure mourinho will start loic remy at anfield match, if you see his after match interview against swansea he clearly stated he wanted remy to have game time on the pitch. i also expect chelsea to be defensively astute as ever. i am not saying they will be parking the bus but they would be looking to keep a clean sheet and i don't see us changing that.
our only chance lies if chelsea attack us and i don't think that will be happening. i think BR should prepare the team for a defensively solid opponent, play some direct football and not tiki taka thing. for this reason solely i feel ricky lambert should start against chelsea . however i would like BR to start with balotelli if he is fit. i am pretty confused as to whether we need gerrard in this match or not because for me lucas and hendo form a good midfield duo, but gerrard just brings that experience, don't know abt the midfield, but i think BR would pick gerrard hendo lucas coutinho and moreno with sterling and balotelli up front. i am just worried about back three . since kolo isn't there BR might be tempted to play lovren instead of can . and its about time for lovren to have a good match performance for us.

as for costa i think sakho can do a number on him.

we need a 2-0 atleast to put chelsea under pressure bigtime and cement our places in the final.

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Straight for the throat. Press high and just try and get a couple of goals in the first half. Spurs showed what happens when you're fearless. If we sit back, they will come at us and they have too much quality in the final 3rd for us to last the 90 minutes.

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20 Jan 2015 12:22:47
Well Arsenal stopped Spurs with food poisoning once, I suggest we try that

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Hjikle, have you seen some of Chelsea's players?

Matic, Ivanovic, Drogba and Costa probably use poison as a mixer on Saturday night!

Cech took a knee to the skull that should've killed him and then carried on playing football competitively!

Terry died on the pitch once when he swallowed his tongue and got brought back to life!

I don't think food poisoning will stop a Mourinho team. This isn't a bunch of ponces like Defoe, Lennon, Bentley, Jenas etc! These are people who eat nails for breakfast and wash it down with liquid nitrogen!

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