Liverpool Banter Archive January 20 2018

20 Jan 2018 17:29:27
Rivalries aside, hope James MaCarthy recovers from that horrible horrible injury. Double leg # confirmed on his right leg. It is never nice to see people in obvious distress like that, same to to Solomon Random who was in obvious emotional turmoil after, he has no blame attached, it was an accident and nothing more.

20 Jan 2018 17:57:51
Rondom not Random. Auto correct.

20 Jan 2018 19:15:23
What person here disliked this?

20 Jan 2018 19:27:05
Jesus! It's really disturbing even to watch. Reminded me of Djibril Cisse's injury. Wish him a rapid recovery.

20 Jan 2018 19:52:11
Get well soon bud 👍.

20 Jan 2018 21:32:01
James McCarthy? The guy who had a tag team effort with Wayne Rooney the other week to try and injure one of our players?

I do feel a bit bad for him because nobody deserves that, but maybe that is why some people have disagreed.

20 Jan 2018 21:57:20
Get a hold of yourself MK, tthis lad has just came back from a long term injury and now may never play again. Football rivalries aside he should be wished well.

20 Jan 2018 22:45:48
Nah I'm afraid these people disagreed because they're missing basic common decency.
Nobody deserves injuries of that nature unless you're a vicious criminal.
Good luck to the lad in his recovery, terrible injury.

20 Jan 2018 23:18:36
Just to add, i did agree with the OP. Just explaining why some people might feel the opposite.

If Mason Holgate collided with a advertising board in the next game and shattered his knee cap, would i feel sorry for him after he attempted to injure Firmino? I don't think i can honestly say i would!

20 Jan 2018 23:23:13
I would never wish that on someone, Robbie. I hope he makes a full recovery too. But i can fully understand why some people might not feel sorry for a player who blatantly tries to kick opposition players with excessive force. Between McCarthy, Rooney and Holgate, our boys were extremely lucky to come away without at least 1 serious injury.

In recent seasons they've injured Origi and Mane, both times derailing our season. Not to mention that Barkley nearly broke Henderson's ankle etc. I get that it is a derby, but these haven't been moments of madness, they've been calculated, overly aggressive tactics. Some of Everton's players play too close to the edge at times and whilst McCarthy definitely did not deserve to be injured for it, I'm just trying to explain to you why some people might be struggling on the sympathy front.

{Ed025's Note - dont try and justify what you said in that disgusting previous post MK, you are out of order so be a bloody man and hold your hands up and admit you were wrong..

20 Jan 2018 23:23:11
Keep your rivalries to the football pitch! At the end of the day we are all just human beings.

20 Jan 2018 23:27:19
Very poor post MK.

21 Jan 2018 01:02:46
MK

That hole your digging is getting bigger and bigger, stop before you make it worse for yourself, as that post was disgraceful.

Show some respect and a little bit of cop on.

Best wishes to James and his family during his recovery.

21 Jan 2018 00:46:29
Sorry but exactly what has MK said that everyone is hating on? Nobody wants to see injury’s like that, which is what MK said, and he put across a valid argument as to why some people would not care about his injury, a question that was asked on this thread. Yes those people are disgusting, but nowhere has MK said those re his own thoughts or opinions, in fact he has come out twice and said as much. And then to be called disgusting, and be told to get a grip is a bit ridiculous. FYI, before you get the wrong idea about me and start makin ridiculous accusations and statement so you can feel like a decent person, I don't wish injuries like that on any player of any team, even UTD. I do however wish some on here would get a grip and interpret the posts for what they are, without the imagined negativity.

21 Jan 2018 01:55:56
Come on mk all ifs and nearly' show they hell do you no what other players are thinking in the heat of battle and that second before a tackle? There isn't many players that go and delibrately try and injure another player. Am with ed25 here that post is shocking and your trying to back track. Foolish from a young Man U need to grow up lad. I certainly hope the young lad makes a speedy recovery get well soon James.

{Ed001's Note - talk about holier than thou! He only said why he thought people might have disagreed. People are so desperate to jump on any comment these days.}

21 Jan 2018 01:58:21
Nowhere have i said I'm happy he got hurt.

Nowhere have i said he deserved it.

Nowhere have i said anything unfair, disgraceful, or disgusting. I certainly didn't deserve for someone to suggest I'm less of a man for defending others.

I've just played devils advocate to try and get you internet police officers to lay off people, just for tapping disagree. For all you know, some where completely accidental! I don't even disagree with the sentiments, and i have explained that.

Somebody asked the question "who would dislike this" as if everyone absolutely has to feel overwhelming sympathy for a millionaire who will get full pay for a year on the beach, and who tried to injure our players last week. If you can't get your head around why some people might not have loads of sympathy, and would prefer to assume they are bad people, then whatever. I will guarantee you now, nobody wanted him to get injured and nobody thinks he deserved it. There might be people sat at home eating Value tinned beans, with a terminal illness. And you want to tell them they have gush with sympathy for a millionaire, or else they're bad people?

So if anyone can tell me where or why I've been disgraceful, please do enlighten me?

Sorry i brought it up. This site might as well be a standard social media site if we're all going to act like petulant keyboard warriors whenever somebody doesn't "toe the line" you invented. You don't know who they are, what their circumstances are, or why they disagreed. So just stop acting like you're a better person, and learn to read so you can see that's all I've been saying from the start.

21 Jan 2018 02:17:07
Saw the injury and it looked very bad. Wishing him all the best and hopefully a speedy recovery.

I think rondon should also be mentioned. It took him very hard what he did and it wasn’t even his fault. He even apologized on twitter later. Tbf I haven’t really seen much of him but he seems like a nice guy.

21 Jan 2018 06:41:38
Just seen these posts this morning and can completely understand what MK was saying.

21 Jan 2018 07:18:22
The only thing you get worse stick for on here is if you say you don’t rate Karius.

Best wishes to James McCarthy for a speedy recovery.

21 Jan 2018 07:47:35
what a ridiculous response to MKs original post. MK good post and I wish James McCarthy a full and speedy recovery.

21 Jan 2018 08:37:36
Wow it's like I've come onto a mothers weekly moan or everything offends me site this morning. Put your Manpons back in Gents and let's get back to debating LFC 😂.

21 Jan 2018 09:19:00
MK, it was your comment about Holgate that wasn't cool.

21 Jan 2018 08:31:00
The way he behaved in the derby is no different to how both LFC and EFC players have conducted themselves in these games. Doesn't make it right but when a guys career is at stake you can't condone raising stuff like that.

When he has recovered I will still give him plenty of rubbish at the derby but for now, wish him the very best.

21 Jan 2018 10:22:32
Incidentally everybody, some may know but others may not, James McCarthy could easily have been a Liverpool player. We wanted to sign him as a 16 year old but he didn’t want to leave home so young.

21 Jan 2018 11:23:10
Stop playing devils advocate then, u don't know what people are thinking. U seem to think it's d MK Scouser page, take a break kid.

21 Jan 2018 13:44:25
Honestly the internet is full of such mindless bandwagoning social justice culture these days, let's all have a competition to see who MK offended the most? Give it a rest.

I wouldn't wish an injury like that on anyone he must be in a horrible place right now. But on a totally seperate note as MK has alluded to, the conduct of everton players in the last few derbies has been disgusting in itself. Ross barkley (twice), funes mori and holgate are just some of the disgraceful incidents that come to mind, like MK says everton players are no strangers to going out of their way to cause injury on the pitch, to us at least. And nobody does anything about it. So maybe it will take until one of our players gets his leg broken in a derby for one somebody to realise.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think that is fair, they do not go out to injure our players, they go out to bully them, but not actually hurt them.}

21 Jan 2018 17:39:28
Thank you Westwood, Ed001, Acered and Muller.

Sorry if anyone was offended but i seriously haven't said anything outlandish. Putney, what of my Holgate comment? All i implied is i can't honestly say i would definitely feel sorry for him if he collided with an advertising board and got hurt, after he shoved Firmino into them. I'm pretty sure i would, but I'd be lying to myself if i said a part of me wouldn't see it as karma.

Should someone terminally ill or paralysed feel sorry for a guy with enough money to retire tomorrow and live a life of luxury for 60 years, because he broke his leg?

Some people may just love Liverpool so much and feel so protective of our players, that they think it is karma?

Some people may have accidentally pressed the button!

However, I guarantee you everybody wishes him a speedy recovery, and nobody went into the weekend thinking "i hope McCarthy gets hurt".

All i did, was answer a pointed question that was insinuating people who had pushed disagree were bad people. Don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer.

Anyway, sorry if anyone has misinterpreted my point and got upset, angry or distressed. I'm leaving this debate now! There is nothing left to explain. Thanks again to the people who didn't just take any opportunity to verbally attack me.

21 Jan 2018 17:41:41
I understand what you're saying MK, but I'm going to have to disagree. Quite a lot.

Someone hitting the disagree button on the OP implies they don't wish McCarthy to recover from the injury - ie. they want his career to end. That's a bit more than 'not feeling sorry for him' isn't it? (And if that's not what they mean, then maybe they should read the post properly before spamming thumbs down. )

It takes a particularly nasty footballer, of which very few exist, to be remotely deserving of that. And McCarthy isn't one just because he put in a hard tackle or two the last time we played Everton. Gerrard's made worse tackles than McCarthy in derbies.

20 Jan 2018 16:05:43
In relation to the alleged incident between Bobby and Holgate, it's been two weeks now. Is there any time limit to how long the FA take to look into it? It seems a longtime to leave a player in limbo.

{Ed002's Note - No, there is no time limit and no one is in limbo.}

20 Jan 2018 17:12:53
He looked in limbo against “citeh” didn’t he 🤔.

20 Jan 2018 22:07:58
Holgate looks like he’s in limbo every week!

20 Jan 2018 14:44:53
So if no-one else comes in during this transfer window, who do people want to see come in during the summer window. My thoughts below:

Goalkeeper: an absolute must. Allison or Obiak
Centre Back: someone quality to partner Van Dijk
Defensive Midfield: if Can leaves then someone who can anchor the midfield
Striker: A good back up if Sturridge leaves
Coutinho replacement: Lemar has to be the priority for me.


I don't honestly think we need much else aside from the potential of Salah going to Real Madrid and needing to maybe replace him.

20 Jan 2018 15:12:18
Think Matip playing alongside VVD will do wonders for him, don't think we need another center back, instead I would go for a new RB.

RB- Peirera (Porto) 30 m
DM- Savic (Lazio) 60m
ST- Werner (Lepizig) 40m
AM- Lemar 70m.

20 Jan 2018 15:14:29
For me, GK: let’s see horn Karius does in the second half of the season. If we still feel we need an upgrade then I’m inclined to trust ed001’s judgement and say Alisson.

CB: again I’d quite like to see if someone steps up and can raise their game. Also if we do buy another CB we block Gomez’s path to playing in his preferred position. If Klopp decides he wants to partner Gomez and Van Dijk then perhaps we need a new right back in the summer? I don’t think Clyne has many, if any games left for us and I don’t think it’s fair to go into a season with TAA as our first choice.

CM: If Can stays and becomes more consistent then I don’t think we need another CM. Henderson, Can, Keita, AOC, Lallana and Wijnaldum should be enough first team players for 3 central midfield positions. (and that’s without Milner) . However if Can were to leave I’d go for a player like Ndidi who has a bit more focus on protecting the defence.

Forwards: this is where I think people will disagree with me. I don’t think we need another out and out striker if Sturridge and Ings leave. We have Firmino and Solanke. Mane is also very comfortable playing centrally and our front three are so fluid anyway it’s not like we need someone who knows how to stand in the classic 9 position and hold the ball up. If Mane played centrally we already have lallana and AOC that can play out wide and cover those positions.

I’d at argue we might, and I meant might, need a better quality of player to cover the wide positions. This is where I think Lemar becomes an attractive proposition as he can play LW or on the left of a central midfield three giving us more depth and quality in both positions.

So, to conclude: we may need a GK/ CB/ RB but before we all start demanding signings in those positions let’s see how we do in the next 5 months. I feel as though a central midfielder should be sought if Can decides to leave/ stays and doesn’t perform how we know he can consistently. And then some more quality like Lemar out wide would probably really help.

20 Jan 2018 15:18:58
I really do not know why people seem to thumb suck transfer fees for players?

20 Jan 2018 15:30:27
I honestly don't believe that many if any people on here have actually watched Lemar play. He is massively overrated and not what we need. For 30 mil I would take him but 70 + is ridiculous when there are world class midfielders out there we could get.

20 Jan 2018 15:30:36
A goalkeeper and a holding midfielder are a must. A backup striker would be great too.

20 Jan 2018 15:32:41
I’d love to see Oblak, if not then horn. I’d then sign a RB Vrsaljko from AM. Maybe a CB depending on how Matip and Lovren do in the second half of the season. A CDM (ndidi) it can leaves, if not then I’m happy with can and hendo for the deeper role. Then I’d like to see Lemar come in and another young striker to replace Sturridge + maybe Ings. Then go into season with Firmino Solanke and another type of Solanke as our strikers. Then Rhian as 4th choice if he’s ever needed.

20 Jan 2018 15:44:10
We definitely need reinforcements in central midfield. We are just so flimsy here and I think it's our biggest problem area. I get Klopp doesn't play with a pure defensive midfielder afraid to stray more than 10 yards from the back 4, and that's fine, but a team still needs its midfielders to be able to defend, in the sense that they can spot gaps opening up, track runners and make tackles. None of ours really can do that. Henderson and Can sometimes make a decent enough fist of it, but not consistently. Plus we have no one who's really authoritative with the ball and can be depended on to control a game. Again Henderson, Can and Gini do it in fits and starts but not consistently. Plus Can is 50/ 50 to leave, I don't see what future Milner has here beyond that of a bit part player, and I'd seriously consider selling Gini if he doesn't start putting in good performances as a better rate than 1 in every 5 games. Keita's arriving and will help, but we still need at least one new recruit as well as him. Possibly two.

We need a center back to replace the frustratingly lazy Matip with someone who has the mentality to put their talent to use. Watch the second Man City goal again. He gets beaten at the edge of the area at the start of the move and then just stands there watching the play until they score. Not good enough.

Might want an attacking midfielder or winger. If we're without the services of Salah or Mane due to injury or rotation, we're looking at Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lallana as backup. They're both good players and that'd be fine, except they may also be needed in central midfield and I'd be more comfortable with another quality option to pick from. Finding a player who's both good enough, and will be able to tolerate some rotation mightn't be the easiest thing though. Woodburn could potentially ease this need, but it's big ask on such a young man.

Karius will either demonstrate himself capable of being #1 or not in the next few months. If it's the latter case, we'll need a new goalkeeper.

I don't think the need for a striker is all that pressing. I'm unconcerned about replacing Sturridge since we've barely used him this season, so what are we replacing? We need cover for Firmino. Solanke has the work-rate and looks to drop off to link up the play and with the right training and a bit of luck could be more than good enough for that role (and to become first choice when Barcelona buy Firmino off us in 2020). I'm as happy to give him a chance as to go out and buy another player to cover for Firmino. We also have Ings, and potentially Origi coming back if we want the option of a more 'traditional' striker.

20 Jan 2018 16:00:11
Goalkeeper
Keita

That would do for me.

20 Jan 2018 17:31:39
Benny they are pipe dreams mate. Like Pereira maybe and he is a good shout though suspect would cost more. Milinkovic-Savic would cost way more and we would be in competition with pretty much everyone in Europe. Werner isn't going to come here to be back up and he is certainly going to cost more than 40mil. And it seems like we already know the price for Lemar is going to be significantly higher than 70mil (unless Monaco's valuation changes? ) . I got no problem with the players but cannot see it from either a financial or footballing perspective.

20 Jan 2018 17:53:04
I honestly don’t know what people see in Lallana that they call him a center midfielder. He is 30, doesn’t possess anything to play as a CM, DM or a B2B player.
We definitely need one regalrdles of what happens with Can.

20 Jan 2018 17:53:47
Is right Ron, no need to go OTT. A world class keeper wins you the league, cups etc. With a worldie keeper, a Coutinho replacement then we will challenge. Definitely top 3 this season and maybe CL semis possibly the final.

20 Jan 2018 18:13:16
Gk. Think klopp made the right choice finally taking mignolet out. 195 games he has played for us and is still making basic errors. I don't rate karius either but give him to the end of the season see how he gets on. If he takes his chance he saves us 40+ million on a keeper. If not Alison is my choice


Cb. This is where I'll disagree with people. We need a new cb to play alongside vvd. For me matip (too lazy) lovern (too unpredictable) are not options going forward especially if we have aspirations challenging for trophies. Gomez for me is the future captain of this club and is getting fantastic experience playing rb. For me Toby alderwerield would be a world class signing whether he would come to us or not but if spurs do not make top 4 and we do I would be making them an offer in the summer. At 28 is coming into his prime, is a leader, knows the league so wouldn't need time settling in. He would also give 3/ 4 great years and then Gomez would take centre stage.

Cm. Lemar seems like klopps first choice which is fine by me. I think klopp has by now earned our trust by signing who he feels right. We may not agree or like all his choices but he has bought well in my opinion. Lemar would add creativity, quality from set pieces which we will miss with coutinho now gone. He hasn't had the best of seasons mainly because Monaco gutted there whole team leaving very few that won that league title last season. Also keita is on the way which will bulk the cm area

Fwd. To be honest I think we ok in this position. Firmino is first choice obviously and I can't see a top striker coming to play second fiddle. Solanke is just missing a goal to give him the confidence to go on a good run. He has done well in my opinion and also salah and mane could play up top if ever needed through injuries.

20 Jan 2018 19:45:48
Why is it that people think we need to buy a holding midfielder, if you’ve watched any of KLOPP’S teams they don’t play that way, his midfielders were all upwardly mobile, the nearest he had to one was LARS BENDER, but you wouldn’t say he was a defensive midfielder.

20 Jan 2018 20:04:38
The only real signing we need is a class goalkeeper and a CM if can goes if he stays we’re fine there too, we don’t NEED lemar, would I like him? Sure but do we need him? No. We DO NOT need a striker, you guys playing fantasy football Instead?

20 Jan 2018 22:05:59
Agree with Ron Keage. Goalkeeper And Naby. Use any surplus cash to increase the capacity of Anfield.

20 Jan 2018 23:22:26
Wembley

He had Nuri Sahin, A fine fine holding mid. We play Can and Hendo in that role who are not even close to be called as a holding mid!

21 Jan 2018 02:17:30
1. Top class keeper for obvious reasons.
2. Rb to allow gomez to play in the middle with vvd or allow gomez to cover middle and fb positions.
3. Strong central mid to replace can that is defensively minded but not necessarily a dm.
4. If sturridge and ings go would be happy for origi to come back into the fold.
5. Lemar, brandt or pulisic to replace the creativity hole vacated by coutinho. All of them however bring sonething slightly different to the party but all would improve the team.

21 Jan 2018 09:23:07
StevieJesus

I watched lemar play once only and that was last week against nice.

Was not very impressive in the slightest. Actually poor.

However, I will watch him again to see if there is any substance behind the fuss.

20 Jan 2018 13:01:49
hey eds I was wondering if the club looks to bring in certain players to make others happy like before Suarez left we were going to bring in an Uruguayan if I'm not mistaken to keep him happy, for example now that couts is gone and bobby the only Brazilian left was just wondering do clubs tend to look at this situation also?

{Ed001's Note - it has been known to happen, yes. Jack Charlton was doing it way back in the 80s, Spurs did so when they brought in Ardiles and Villa. It is something that does often happen.}

20 Jan 2018 13:26:48
cheers eds, have a nice weekend.

{Ed001's Note - you too mate.}

20 Jan 2018 17:09:02
So it’s not enough we pay our players ridiculous wages we also need to buy them some mates? Lol.

20 Jan 2018 17:12:43
Naby and Mane.

20 Jan 2018 17:34:31
It ain't about buying them mates though I mean if a player feels isolated, lonely, etc etc it would surely affect his form, his happiness, his quality of life. Sure you have ridiculous amounts of money but they are human beings at the end of the day and sometimes having a close friend is perhaps what can keep a player feeling more at home in a foreign land, with a totally different culture, language and way of life. It makes sense to me.

20 Jan 2018 18:29:38
Do we have interest in any Brazilians eds? (I mean players before anyone gets to wise cracking) . I see Alisson's Brazilian. Oops, I mean Alisson is Brazilian, but are we interested in any others that spring to mind?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

21 Jan 2018 12:50:48
If Allan ever gets a work permit that would probably do the job for the time being.

20 Jan 2018 10:22:06
Hi Ed’s any Interest from Liverpool for Lucas Moura? Do you think he would be a good fit at Liverpool? Seems to a very talented player but just can’t understand why he has not succeeded at PSG.

{Ed025's Note - PSG are prepared to let him go ricky but there is no interest from the reds at this time mate..

20 Jan 2018 11:26:28
Brazilian Theo Walcott Ricky. I'd stay well clear. full of pace but no football brain to anything with it. was hoping United were going to sign him but looks like they got Sanchez instead. they dodged a bullet there.

19 Jan 2018 18:06:59
Good evening ed001

Wanted your thoughts please mate as to were you think we are as a club compared to Chelsea, Spuds and Arsenal. In terms of squad, team you thoughts on who might finish the season were. Appreciate its a long question mate. No worries of you to busy.

{Ed001's Note - sorry mate, had to leave it until this morning to answer as I was so busy yesterday. Friday tends to be extremely busy with the match previews for Saturday to do, on top of editing etc.

Overall I think Arsenal, as things stand, are miles behind us, Chelsea and Spurs. Their team and squad are the weakest I can remember them having.

Chelsea have a good team, but they lack cover within the squad, though they have an excellent youth system, they have not fed enough of them into the first team before this season. It means they lack the experience they should have had outside of the first choice players.

Spurs are also very weak in terms of back up players. If they do not have their first choice XI on the pitch, then they are very much weaker, which has shown in their inconsistent results this season.

However, we are in a similar position, added to the fact that we lack in the centre of midfield, but we have an attack that is much better than those other 3 which balances it out. The uncertainty over the defence, including keeper, has hindered us badly. Overall us, Chelsea and Spurs are fairly equal. Spurs have the better defence, Chelsea the strongest central midfield and us the best attack.

As for where everyone will finish, I don't do predictions mate, far too superstitious!}

20 Jan 2018 07:54:55
Great reply Ed
The most interesting out of those clubs is Arsenal for me. The whole reason given to the fans for moving stadium, increasing ticket prices and having more hospitality was to compete with the big boys.
Since they’ve done this they appear to have gone backwards instead of reaching the next level.
Got 2 Arsenal mates in work and they are steaming over the situation.

{Ed001's Note - it is poor management that is the issue there, Wenger has failed to recruit enough players because he tries too hard to show faith in players already at the club.}

20 Jan 2018 08:32:43
I agree with all the above Ed, but I think it’s also noteworthy we are the most settled and seem to have positive momentum right now which is impacting team morale and our performances IMO.

Arsenal is a mess with the question marks around Wenger and some of their best players leaving, while Conte isn’t exactly settled and happy, Spurs is under threat of their best players being poached if they don’t start winning something soon (and without the wage structure to attract like for like replacements), while Liverpool seems to be in a pretty happy place at the moment with Klopp and, despite Coutinho leaving, some good talent arriving on a fairly regular basis.

20 Jan 2018 09:37:31
Many thanks for the reply ed mate, appreciate your input. I agree totally with what youve said. I just hope us having a weeker cenral midfield area doesn't cost us. Next season we should be fine with the addition of Keita and another.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}

20 Jan 2018 10:49:34
I think I asked a similar question last season as I felt our bench was a lot weaker than the likes of Chelsea arsenal spurs and at the time it was. I think around the time we had a bench full of youngsters and klopp looked reluctant to bring any of them in until very late in the game. I think now our bench and squad in general is a lot better looking, partly down to less injuries than at the time I felt this, but a lot is down to signings we’ve made making an immediate impact. Kudos to klopp. When you’ve got Ings and Adam Lallana on the bench you can make changes and not lose the quality and press. We look in a better place than spurs Chelsea and Arsenal at present and momentum seems to be with us.

20 Jan 2018 03:57:12
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Premier League Preview Saturday 20th January 2018