Liverpool Banter Archive June 20 2016

20 Jun 2016 23:02:41
How good was Martin Skrtel tonight. Absolutely frustrates the life out of me because you know he has that performance in him, usually when it's backs to the wall. I'm the first to say he needs to move on now but credit where it's due, the big man was immense tonight.

20 Jun 2016 23:24:07
Or Hodgson dinosaur tactics made it easy for him?

20 Jun 2016 23:32:36
100% agree. Incredibly frustrating knowing he's capable of performances like that.

20 Jun 2016 23:44:52
He wouldn't have lasted at LFC as long if he wasn't coape of good performances, but, like Mignolet, he is 1 game away from another amateurish total cock-up.

21 Jun 2016 00:16:01
I think we all know Skrtels weakness. If he was up against a big strong attacker tonight he'd have been mauled all over the pitch. But Against Vardy and Studge. He's gone and played a blinder I can't take that away from him.

21 Jun 2016 00:40:36
Whatever you think of him career wise, he did have such performances for us and not one or two. He is a fighter and a fantastic header, without taking anything from his weaknesses I always thought that at least here he got too much of the blame to our defensive faults.

21 Jun 2016 00:45:43
Iv always thought he's looked good against crap teams his whole Liverpool career.

21 Jun 2016 01:01:13
Skrtel is a good defender in a team that sits deep so he can see the play, get tackles, blocks in etc. It's when the team pushes up the pitch and there's space in behind him that he struggles. That's why he looked good when Rafa was in charge as we sat deeper and hit on the break, Rafa didn't leave space in behind.

That performance tonight didn't surprise me one bit, that was just his type of game. Unfortunately he doesn't suit our style now but he will be a great player for someone else in the right system. Good luck to him.

21 Jun 2016 07:46:43
Let's not forget that he shouldn't have even been on the pitch after his assault in the Wales game.

21 Jun 2016 08:19:39
Spot on pips, he looked good for playing in a heavily defensive setup, without the risk of being exposed on a quick break.

{Ed001's Note - it is more to do with the inability to drop deeper than his team mates opening up space either side of him for the opposition to exploit. When his team is sat deep, there is no space for that. That is the main reason he looks better, because he is not messing up everyone else's game.}

20 Jun 2016 21:56:21
Quick one for the edds, not liverpool related sorry. Just wondering what you think of chris Coleman as a manager. I'm a proud welsh man and can't belive how well he's done with the national team.

{Ed091's Note - Personally do not rate him as a manager. Right now he has some good players all in form, and to his credit is riding the wave nicely. However that wave could turn at any point. That said his achievements with wales shouldnt be snubbed.

20 Jun 2016 22:31:34
Don't know how you can say you don't rate him. International managers only work with players that come from that country, they can't go out and buy players like club managers can. And any manager of a small nation like Wales who gets them to top the group must be doing something right.

{Ed091's Note - Ever think theyve under achieved with the players they have?

21 Jun 2016 03:53:52
I think that's a little unfair Ed, they've always had a pretty tough group in the qualifiers with 2 other teams that are expected to qualify ahead of Wales.

21 Jun 2016 08:22:00
I wouldn't say we've under achieved, our squad should prove that. Granted we have a decent first eleven but on paper we are poor bar a few players. I thought Coleman had done really well, especially defensively. No were not going to win anything buy we'll give most teams a good game. Credit to the manager, staff and players I think.

21 Jun 2016 08:28:44
Defo unfair. Good foundations left by speed, carried on by Coleman. man for man much worse squad than England and pipped them to top spot.
First time qualified for a major tournament in 50 years, and topped the group cannot be an 'underachievement'

{Ed001's Note - it was more than foundations that Speedo built. This is still his squad, his system etc. Coleman is a decent guy who had the sense to see that it only needed a tweak.}

20 Jun 2016 20:37:20
Clyne and Henderson have had a great first half. Don't understand the people who knock those two.

20 Jun 2016 20:50:11
I must admit i'm the first to point the finger at Hendo, but yeah. looking pretty damn good. hopefully it continues.

20 Jun 2016 20:51:47
I'll agree on Clyne to a point, defensively suspect on a couple of occasions. Henderson has done OK, nothing more; his final ball has been poor.

20 Jun 2016 21:00:48
People forget hendo has been playing thought a foot injured most of the season.

20 Jun 2016 21:08:19
What game are you watching? Clynes done ok and Henderson the same just ok, still lacking a goal and still crab football, i'm sorry but he's just an ok player Henderson that's it, anyone who thinks were going top 4 making him out to be better than he is all the time is deluded, he's just an ok player and a nice lad that's it, facebook etc are full of him and wilshere getting stick its only our fans who think he's great in that first half sorry.

20 Jun 2016 21:18:28
Got to wonder what people watch sometimes. Clyne has been excellent Hendo has been very average. No creativity all.

20 Jun 2016 21:23:22
Henderson is imo a great force when he can do his deep runs in and behind the defence line. He is no playmaker, tho I think he wish to be. A good game tonight bar the freekicks/ corners, its the same old story, to low/ to short.

20 Jun 2016 22:09:50
Richie Tyler I've come to the conclusion that you know jack s**t about football.

{Ed091's Note - Henderson was fantastic the first 45. Anyone who thinks differently really are clueless

20 Jun 2016 22:28:44
People knocking hendo today I don't get. He may have over hit a few crosses, but did anyone else even make those runs. Wrong to take Sturridge off, he split the defence more times than anyone. When you take off the two players actually trying to get in behind (lallana included, no end product but produced as much as anyone) that's the issue. Wilshere was useless, vardy worked hard but didn't create anything. Dier was as good as anyone, but barely had a thing to do.

20 Jun 2016 22:37:34
Leave off ed, Henderson was awful game.

{Ed091's Note - Do you watch football? such a shocking poor statement.

20 Jun 2016 22:42:19
Maybe people have different ideas to what fantastic means then. Maybe people have greater expectations of fantastic.

For me Hendo is an excellent b2b midfielder but he needs a dm behind him and a playmaker next to him. Then he is fantastic but when he is asked to be playmaker in a 2 man midfield he can't.

Just my opinion of course.

20 Jun 2016 22:49:14
Nearly set up 3 goals tonight. Vardy' s chance, alii' s off the line, and Kane' s header. People just love someone to slate.

20 Jun 2016 22:51:37
I watch a lot of football matey, he was utter tripe all game.

I just don't see in him what some do I guess, he is a very limited player imo, sure he's ok but that's his ceiling.

20 Jun 2016 22:53:54
Henderson is getting absolutely slayed on social media.
People here have red tinted sunglasses on. No fan will say he's captain material.

20 Jun 2016 22:57:33
You can say what you like about my comments but how you can say i know nothing about the game is childish and ridiculous, its my opinion and i'm entitled to it, funny how fans of everyone else can see he's average though eh, have you seen the comments online? Its not just my opinion,
Nice lad, good honest pro, plays it sideways too much, can't shoot, runs around a lot, what else do you need to know?
The trouble on here and I've been on here a while is if you don't agree with the sheep you get called silly names, why? Are different opinions not welcome? I applaud the editors for their constant hard work always but you can't be knocking people for viewing things different,
I was around when we really used to win things, and i got paid well to play this game years ago, i know what i'm my mind quantifies a good player and i also appreciate other peoples opinions, keep the insults to yourself we still do all support the same bloody club whether we agree whose good enough or not.

{Ed091's Note - Henderson, tonight, was the best thing about every england attack. Think you should re watch the game.

20 Jun 2016 23:32:18
Hendo had a good game but if he's getting abuse from "ingerland" fans then that's ok from me.
Drop him from the England team and keep him fit for LFC.
Club before country.

20 Jun 2016 23:47:09
The ball to vardy chance was class if a spainish player made that pass everyone would love him . Said it all whan jack the lad gets sub of first.

21 Jun 2016 00:07:39
RichieTyler - I have to agree with the ed and others. I'm certain you know nowt about football. You pretty much gave the answer to how you formed your opinion on Henderson's performance in your post. You read it from other sheep on Facebook. Seen plenty of them sheep posts tonight myself too.

Henderson could have had a few assists tonight. Had he had luck on his side he might have got a goal too. Highest pass accuracy in the team. Oh, hold on, let me summarise in a way you'll understand.

Baa baa baa baa baa baa baa.

20 Jun 2016 22:28:14
Henderson is no DM / Playmaker which klopp think he is. Play high up the pitch and you see a decent player. Nothing spectacular.

21 Jun 2016 08:23:05
I didn't have to get my answers from twitter or any other clarky i formed them for myself after watching that rammel last night, he amongst others was that great we drew 0-0 against the mighty Slovakia, a Slovakia whose best player was Skrtel who is soon to be sent off to somewhere else, the proof will be in the pudding which is when idiotic loudmouthed keyboard warriors like yourself will be shown to have rose tinted spectacles of the highest calibre, yet another who can't stand a differing opinion and has to resort to bitching on here, jog on the school bell is ringing.

21 Jun 2016 08:31:55
Henderson, Clyne and Sturridge were excellent as was Lllalana except for should have scored. The England team played well and did everything right except take their chances (Vardy, Llalana most notably) but sometime that happens. Slovakia parked the bus second half and we should have taken off Vardy and put on Kane for his aerial ability, leaving Sturridge and Llalana on to provide the movement and touch around him. Wilshere for Rooney was a no-brainer.

{Ed091's Note - agree with everything

21 Jun 2016 11:02:12
Yes I agree with zimbo also I myself enjoyed watching the match thought england played well and have done in all three games it just been frustrating that they haven't been able to take there chances could have easily of taken all nine points I think. If it wasn't for poor finishing from vardy, a goal line clearance and I think clyne may of had a good chance although that could of been off a sturridge pass, hendo could of had two or three assists.

20 Jun 2016 20:22:00
England v Slovakia Live chat page

20 Jun 2016 21:56:06
Another great game by England . when will the English learn that the national team is average at best .

20 Jun 2016 18:54:22
Just got my tickets for hudds town v lfc it will be my 2 yr olds 1st match, i canny wait!

20 Jun 2016 19:02:58
I'll be going myself Tcarlton! I live nearish to Huddersfield so couldn't pass up the chance!

20 Jun 2016 17:43:14
Hi eds,

Is Ibe of interest to west ham? I ask because he was today spotted out and about in a west ham shirt. I just wondered if he was pulling a stunt similar to zielinski when he wore a Liverpool shirt?

All sounds very petty but is it an indication that he wants a move? Or is he expected to still be at anfield next season?

{Ed002's Note - The interest is from another club and I hink it unlikely that Ibe has been wearing a WHU shirt.}

20 Jun 2016 17:53:47
There's pictures doing the rounds on the internet, look genuine but who knows. Wouldn't surprise me if someone was sad enough to photoshop a picture I suppose!

Are you able to tell us the interest club ed? It would be a shame to see Ibe go.

{Ed002's Note - Yes, Watford. Klopp doesn't want Ibe so he will move on.}

20 Jun 2016 18:23:16
Watford ed?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

20 Jun 2016 18:50:37
It will be disappointing if Ibe is sold instead of send out on loan. I think the lad could use with some time off the limelight and a loan would have been my choice.

20 Jun 2016 19:52:43
It's a genuine picture but it was just an innocent kick about with some Arsenal youngsters who are his friends.

Nothing in the fact it was a West Ham shirt.

20 Jun 2016 18:53:41
Ed002, how do you know who Klopp wants and doesn't want? Not trying to be sarcastic. I'd love to see a list of who he wants out if you ever have the time?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool have been tryting to sell - Ibe. It is no difficult to work out - Klopp doesn't want him.}

20 Jun 2016 19:26:03
Thanks ed.

20 Jun 2016 19:48:57
Ed002, sold or a loan for Ibe?

Baz.

{Ed002's Note - The club are looking to get him out and sold.}

20 Jun 2016 21:24:49
Cheers Ed. Was hoping ibe would make the grade with us, but he really didn't take up the opportunity when Sterling left.

Baz.

20 Jun 2016 21:20:38
Is this the issue that he doesn't have the attitude to make it, because he seems to have the ability, or does he just not fit the game plan?

{Ed002's Note - Since the previous troubles with Sterling I am not aware of any attitude problems - but the club are keen to move him on.}

20 Jun 2016 15:01:45
Eds am I right in assuming the Euros being on has slowed down any movement in the transfer market?

{Ed001's Note - yes you are correct.}

20 Jun 2016 16:04:23
Few. Thank christ for that mate. I had to be right eventually 😆.

{Ed001's Note - hahaha yes, eventually is right too ;-)

20 Jun 2016 14:13:26
Hey Eds and Posters . Just want genuine opinion on Karius . Is he highly rated in Germany? Is he good enough to be Number 1 for us?

20 Jun 2016 14:20:41
He was voted by his fellow players as being in the top 3 keepers in the Bundesliga.

20 Jun 2016 14:43:48
Very much so. A friend of mine, Sandra who knows a thing or two about German Football wishes her team Dortmund signed him. Said he will go on to do brilliant things for LFC.

20 Jun 2016 15:05:22
He is highly-rated as the best GK in the Bundesliga behind Neuer (who to me has regressed a bit, IMO) . That`s good enuff for me.

20 Jun 2016 16:05:51
Could be the steal of the summer. Amazingly low price for such a highly thought of GK.

20 Jun 2016 18:20:41
By using the guidelines for buying players set by many on here I predict he will be awful because he didn't cost upwards of 20m. Seriously though if the rest of the team can stop the stupid mistakes and give the lad some protection so his confidence can grow I think he could be superb for us.

20 Jun 2016 13:40:21
There's a lot of people mentioning "we're the 8th best team or we have the 8th best squad" etc etc.

I get it. The league doesn't lie and we had the 8th best season last season. But in my opinion there are mitigating circumstances which I would like to list:
1 We had a striker injury crisis - at one point we had Firmino, Sturridge, Ings and Benteke out.
2 we had an injury crisis - hamstrings kept going.
3 our captain was out for most of the season
4 it was our first season for a long time without Gerrard and like him or loath him he was a massive presence in the club.
5 we changed coaching staff twice
6 we changed manager mid season changing training and tactics
7 we had a fixture pile up by going to 2 finals which further exacerbated our injury crisis.

Since Klopp came in the team has looked fitter - evidenced by lots of late goals. They have looked mentally stronger also evidenced by late winners.
Certain players have upped their game - Lovren, Sakho, Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Origi.
We concede fewer goals from set pieces.
We have smashed some big teams eg Dortmund, City, Chelsea, Man Utd.
Ings is back. Gomez will be back soon. Markovic may be coming back. Matip, Grujic and Karius are already signed. Next season we are not in Europe so fixtures shouldn't be an issue.

I really think there is so much to be positive about and if the 2nd half of the Sevilla game had been different we'd all still be on a high and not craving huge signings.
We are improving steadily, have a bit of faith in these players, they beat the big sides I mentioned above and on their day they can beat anyone.

20 Jun 2016 14:12:07
Ever team gets injured players that's why you have 23 players to choice from . Chelsea and Everton will be better next season . The teams ahead will get new players in to make there team better . We could finish anywhere from 1st to 9th .

20 Jun 2016 14:19:59
Well said Ron, YNWA.

20 Jun 2016 14:20:05
Jurgan Klopp will improve the squad. It's not upto his standards Ron, I can't wait for next season I reckon we'll be a different beast.
we'll add to what we've got in already definitely.

20 Jun 2016 14:20:39
No point Ron the people you're trying to put this to just don't get it and they'll be the same people that guarantee Chelsea and City will be top next season even though Chelsea finished below us even and City didn't win the league last year but the league that never lies obviously lied with these two but not us.
Don't get me started on Leicester either the league is apparently able to lie for them because they went from 17th to first with little to no changes but that's a once off, can never happen again, exception that proves the rule blah blah blah they have an answer for it all!

20 Jun 2016 15:14:00
Spot on Ron. All people do is moan about being 8th without looking at all the mess Klopp had to clean up (and still is) and the way he got us playing nto our potential especially in Europe where he has made us relevant again. I know we were not consistent and need to improve the squad BUT to moan about our team as if the games we played were we completely steam-rolled teams w/ o breaking a sweat never happened. We will be better and we will get players in to fit what Klopp is trying to accomplish. BTW, it took him three years before he won the leaugue in Getrmany so if you want quick success and big money signings, I suggest people look elsewhere because he`s not going to be doing any of that.

20 Jun 2016 15:41:29
Well said Ron, look at our results post Leicester in Feb and any losses or draws were very very close (Man City cup final) and/ or often the result of rotation (eg Skrtel vs Southampton, youth in midfield vs Swansea) .

We started to play a very consistent style and team selection for the last 3-4 months. With a preseason, limited fixture list and hopefully the likes of Sturridge, Hendo, Origi, Ings, Can fit and firing, Karius in goal, Matip in Defence and a new LB hopefully, we will be a force to be reckoned with.

20 Jun 2016 15:44:52
Of course Leicester was a one off. Ranieri even said it himself. I'm not a negative person and I do see the positives that Ron sees but I'm also honest and try to keep my emotions out of my assessment. We have too many inconsistent players, yes we can beat anyone on the day but I honestly don't see enough improvements to see top four as being realistic. LB is still a huge issue and I don't see Chilwell coming in and being an instant answer and like him or loathe him Moreno is at a higher level than the lad currently. Midfield still is prone to disappearing especially when we're under the kosh. Milner, Can and Hendo despite being good players are just so imbalanced and too similar. There are too many games like Norwich, Southampton and second half of EL final where they are just non existent. Our best striker is constantly injured and Ings and Origi just aren't 20 goals a season. We need injections of quality in key areas before we're ready for a serious challenge. One thing I haven't mentioned is the fact that the window hasn't even opened yet so I will reserve my proper judgement until August when we will have a better look at how our squad is shaping. I'm hoping hugely that Marko decides to stay and work under Klopp because I think he and Ojo could provide the answer to the width problem. We don't need massive amounts of spending just 2-3 players that will improve our strongest 11 in key areas.

20 Jun 2016 17:05:38
Well said Ron Ynwa
Here's to a great Season!

20 Jun 2016 19:00:04
Dbol, is your user i'd shared by two diametricallŷ opposite people?

20 Jun 2016 12:08:23
I'm not deluded and understand without UCL we won't be able to compete for te best players around. However, why can United and Chelsea, when they, too, don't have Champions League football?
This is the one problem I have with FSG. Tey have thrown money at the club, saved us from bankruptcy and so on, but we just aren't an attractive option to the best players, when we should be based on our size and manager.

20 Jun 2016 12:18:19
Toddy, I think the issue with us compared to Man U and Chelsea is that we have been pretty much absent from the CL for the past 7-8 seasons. Whereas Man U and Chelsea have had very, very rare aberrations in the last season or two. 5-6 years ago we would've been in the same boat as we were then, very recently, regularly in the CL.

Unfortunately, right now we are not.

20 Jun 2016 12:23:35
Because FSG won't pay the big wages, big fees yes big wages no, pay the money and they will come. Unfortunately money rules all in today's football.

20 Jun 2016 12:25:49
Because United are still in the Europa league, still winning trophies, and have only failed to qualify for 2 of the last 3 seasons. Prior to that they were mainstays in the CL for 2 decades.

Chelsea have recently won the title, the CL, the EL and have only failed to qualify once in about a decade.

In contrast we have only qualified once in the last 6 years and that one time we did, we pitifully failed to get past FC Basel and Ludogorets.

What is there that you don't understand? Our reputation is tainted by the last 6 years under Hodgson, Dalglish and Rodgers. We were a joke. Dalglish was the only one of the 3 to take us to a couple of finals, winning one. But his league record and transfer history were abysmal (let's not even mention the whole Suarez thing as I think Dalglish was a scapegoat there) . Rodgers and Hodgson did nothing but bring embarrassment to the club though.

Then you have the issue that clubs don't want to deal with us due to our shocking behaviour. Low balling, tapping up, refusing to delay a payment to save an ex players season etc.

Our club has behaved despicably in the last half a decade, and won just a League Cup in the process. Suarez alone brought a raft of shame on us with his biting, racism and poor behaviour off the field (running his mouth to the media etc) .

If you take off the red tinted glasses, it's actually very easy to see why Man U and Chelsea have a bigger pulling factor than we do. Klopp and the new guy who eventually replaces Ayre have a massive job to do not just on the field, but in restructuring our international image and reputation.

20 Jun 2016 12:48:26
"fsg won't pay the big wages "
Yet we have milner on 175k a week.

20 Jun 2016 12:52:19
If Kenny was given the same length of time Rodgers was things would have been a whole lot different.
That team in the league was very unlucky hitting posts, crossbars etc.
Klopp achieved less in his first year and is still a great manager.
Kennys team would have Iimproved greatly the following year.
For me he is still Number 1.

20 Jun 2016 13:18:28
Spot on Zeddicus.

20 Jun 2016 13:30:50
Its a combination not having Europe and the Liverpool Chelsea have London man u as it pains me to say it have a better recent history and pay stupid money and wages we cannot afford.

20 Jun 2016 13:37:03
That's some privileged information you have big Al, or are you a wages clerk at Anfield? Let's just say you have inside knowledge of players actual factual wage payments ( which you haven't IMHO) £175k a week encompasses I would imagine his signing on fee and the fact we didn't pay a fee to man city.

Big fees big wages get you big time players, it's that simple. Me myself I prefer to not speculate on players or worry who we buy because I'm so confident in klopp that it doesn't matter what players I like or I'd prefer it's what players he likes or prefers I'm more interested in.

20 Jun 2016 13:40:26
We have the 5th highest bill of EPL teams (very consistently 5th over the last 5 years) :
Chelsea £215.6m
Manchester United £203 m
Manchester City £193.8m
Arsenal £192m
Liverpool £152m

For the last 5 years we work out to also be 4th (I think) for transfer spending over the last 5 years.

We are under achieving in terms of players coming in and actual achievements. The conclusion has to be that either we are no longer a draw for the very big names in football (quite possible given a lack of trophies and UCL over the last decade) or our transfer committee in combination with the manager is not doing a good job. Our recent dubious hardball tactics in the market makes me think the latter plays a bigger role than the former BUT given that Spurs' wage bill is £42m less than ours and our wage bill being more than two times larger than West Ham AND more than 3 times larger than LCFC the players should also take a look at themselves and their achievement over the period.

20 Jun 2016 13:45:26
Although Milner came in on a free. He did get a huge signing on fee from us.

20 Jun 2016 13:53:33
As much as i like the guy i'm going to reserve judgement on Klopp until after this transfer window. Hopefully, Grujic and Matip and Karius will prove to be shrewd signings of the calibre he bought while at Dortmund. At the moment the only proverbial proof in the pudding has been Steven Caulker.

20 Jun 2016 14:11:29
Reynard, I agree with what you are saying, we have really underachieved in the last couple of seasons and this is mainly down to the players and/ or coach, definitely not the owners as Waro asserts.

However, I would be intrigued to find out what the relative squad sizes are against the wage bills above. I know we have had a massive squad, and that could itself have bloated our total wage bill compared to other clubs.

The fact that Chelsea had the largest wage bill yet finished below us does in itself speak volumes.

20 Jun 2016 14:16:11
Tbf we are probably 5th or 6th choice in terms of attracting players in England, so will have to try look elsewhere and this is why I was over the moon with us letting Klopp because that's what he did at Dortmund.

As for getting players in, fair enough there are players we all probably know well that if we could afford and attract I'd love us to sign (higuain for example) . However, as far as the signings we've made (besides matip) I haven't seen much of them play and would be amazed if many people on this site have, but have to put faith in Klopp to get it right.

Mahrez, modric, bale and Kante were unknowns, same with lewandowski or gundogan. Sturridge and coutinho couldn't get games at their clubs, give Klopp faith before writing off players I'm sure 90% have barely seen play.

20 Jun 2016 15:18:04
LFC won`t pay big money, Waro? Have you been under a rock when we bought Carroll, Downing, Benteke, Lallana, Firmino and the lot? Did they not invest then? Stupid comment really. they may have not spent wisely and there`s a lot of blame to go around but to say they don`t wanna pay big money is a flat out lie. Today`s PL no longer requires that you have big money signings as LC and WH have shown. You have to have the right team with the right player and mentality to succeed. I suggest you get on board with this new notion Waro, or you`ll be left behind whining about things we all know won`t happen.

20 Jun 2016 15:58:47
redohio i believe waro said fsg are willing to pay big money for transfers bt not wages. 2 different areas. just clearing that up.

20 Jun 2016 16:18:41
Thank you kaizer, finally someone who can read! Let's Celebrate 🎉 yaaaayyy! Seems like your cornering the market in stupid comments redohio old chap. Toodle pip.

20 Jun 2016 16:26:46
You are right Zeddicus in that our under 21s Contract and Scholars Players List is bloated (it was about 59 players in 2014/ 15) so as Eds 001 and 002 have regularly pointed out we need to prune the squad and utilize a more sensible development strategy. The model employed by FSG has been a little haphazard and seems to have had more to do with young players as investment opportunities rather than player and squad development. I personally don't think there's anything wrong with that if you have a 'joined-up' development policy but we seem to be very disjointed. Klopp clearly has an eye on this and will impact heavily on how we move forward over the next two seasons. We can only sit back and watch as we always do. Let's hope we get it more right than wrong in the coming season.

20 Jun 2016 16:30:03
Oh yes redohio, read (if you can that is, you failed miserably on my first post) the last paragraph in my reply to big Al. That may ease your furrowed brow.

20 Jun 2016 16:59:13
Waro and Ohio sitting in a tree etc.

20 Jun 2016 12:16:35
Chelsea has been out only once in last decade and they fight for the title every year. UTD have a new manager who has a habit of winning trophies wherever he has been. UTD has immense wealth under their pocket and would never have a problem with FFP. City has the best manager in the world plus CL.
Liverpool past record would put off 70% of players, Moreover we sell one of our star players every summer. That's a fact, just accept it and let's move on.

20 Jun 2016 11:31:44
Good morning Reds and Eds. Not really a LFC related question but I'm wondering if anyone can help.

Well its 2 questions actually.

#1. My 6 year old nephew is a keen footballer and even I've noticed that he is talented. However, I fear for him going into an academy as many youngsters get to teenage years but don't make it and some just disappear into the abyss. He lives near Reading so if anything he would be likely starting there.

Is there another avenue or path that I can encourage his mother (my sister) to take with him in regards to getting in the sport that can be recommended?

#2- I've always been interested in getting into coaching myself, but have no idea where to start.

Does anyone have any opinions or knowhow on either or both my questions please?

Thanks guys, KBJr.

{Ed001's Note - 1. just take him to play, he doesn't need to get into an academy if you don't want him to. At that age it is just about them enjoying it.

2. Get yourself on a coaching course, they are done all over the country, the FA has details.}

20 Jun 2016 12:26:45
Thanks Ed001, that's a great help.

I shall heed your advice. He's so keen, it just makes me smile seeing him play. But just as you say, its all about him enjoying it.

I think its more pressure from his mummy to be a pro. I tell her off all the time about it (big brother entitlement lol) .

And thanks Ed, I shall get on to it asap. I'm excited just thinking about it. it something I've wanted to do for a while but now I'm going to be pro active.

Other than that, how are you Ed001? I was away at the time you had your situation, I hope things are getting better!

Is your daughter okay?

{Ed001's Note - I have been trying to put together an article on academies over recent months, one thing all the better coaches will tell you is that the important thing is to make it fun. Kids just need to enjoy it, they will work harder if they are having fun and won't even realise.

I am good thanks mate, just shattered, it is difficult to step away at this time of year as there is so much to do. Things are much better now thank you. My daughter is good, she is just looking forward to the summer holidays.}

20 Jun 2016 12:54:19
Go on your local league website and look on the notice board. A club maybe looking for a new coach. They will put you through the relevant courses. I'm a coach in the flintshire league. Started off with my Drb check, then welfare course, first aid then my leaders award (basic coaching) then done my C licence.

20 Jun 2016 13:50:22
I coached my sons team for three seasons.
Just keep it simple at that age.
Teach them to control the ball and look up and pass. Get the kids doing lots of running into space as kids will chase the ball (it's instinct for them) if two of your team are at the ball at one time, that's one kid not running into space to be fed a pass.

I'd be more than happy to put a email together and ping it over with some basics mate.

20 Jun 2016 08:57:31
Ed001

Ive seen your post down the page and i think you are spot on. I need to ask were you see Grujic fitting into the team? Is he more of a sitting player maybe alongside Can or further up the field? Its almost like we will be overloaded in the centre of the field yet fans still crave more players like Dahoud. I guess also the Zielinski possibility it a strange one going by the numbers we already have in there.

Just wanted your thoughts on how you think we could set up?

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea, I have never seen him play.}

20 Jun 2016 09:57:02
Ok mate cheers. Anyone else have any ideas?

20 Jun 2016 09:33:56
As much I have seen the player in clips, He looks like a B2B player with a decent eye on goal. No one has seen him play. He could play the holding midfielder role. I am not sure if the kid is disciplined enough to play that role.
We are over loaded in the center with similar type of players and not different players.

20 Jun 2016 07:45:18
So there's a lot of negativity further down the page, about the new managers coming into the league, and them having a bigger budget to spend.
Let's say we are the 8th best team. If we beat the teams below us, that's 9-20. That's 11 teams. That's 66 points. We know we normally take points from Man city, Arsenal and Spurs. That's a further 9 out 18 if we win 1 lose 1 against them. We tend to get a draw from man united, chelsea in 1 game. So that's a further 2. That's 77 points so far.
That's top 4 there.
Now I'm sure many will say that won't happen. We not guaranteed to beat those below us. And we can't look at the points we gained in the past as a guarantee that we will get them this season.
I agree. But then I also feel that new big name managers + money for new players does not guarantee those other clubs top 4.
If we play to our potential. We could compete with anyone, without even adding more to the squad right now.

20 Jun 2016 08:37:28
I agree with your sentiment that we may well have a good year irrespective of other comings and goings. However, I find the logic flow very weak in your argument.

If we take historical evidence for teams above, then let's do the same for teams below. If we assume we win everything against teams below, then let's do the same for teams above.

Similarly, same logic should apply to the other teams as well.

20 Jun 2016 09:54:10
But that's my point exactly w0rdsmith, we can't take previous years as a guide when it comes to results. We have to look at present manager, present squad, present form. And still, that's not an accurate way to predict. So my point is, no matter who the other teams get in, its basically up to us on how we play and what results we get.
Yes, there will be teams that are better than us, or just better on the day. But we can still go out and give it our all, and get the desired results most of the time.
We good enough to compete (and I mean current squad, with the confirmed additions) .

20 Jun 2016 10:28:10
We looked our best in the league when we didn't have midweek cup games. Yes it was fringe players later in th le season but even in the earlier part we looked a bit less

I think Leicester proved that with a weeks training and less distractions you can have a good go at the league.