Liverpool Banter Archive May 21 2017

21 May 2017 22:12:48
Thanks to all Eds for another great season on this site keep up the great work you do and us mere mortals will keep eating the chees before bedtime.

{Ed025's Note - cheers mate..

22 May 2017 10:51:47
Thank, Ed's. You guys rock!

21 May 2017 21:30:11
Great result today fair play to the lads and all involved in the club quick question for the eds do you know if we have a buy back option on Suso.

{Ed002's Note - (a) No, and (b) there would be no way he would return.}

21 May 2017 20:56:00
End of a entertaining season. been a daily reader of this site for years, so much so I'm not sure what I'd do without my daily fix!

Thanks to all the Eds, I like many others really appreciated the time and effort that goes in to this site so thank you.

{Ed025's Note - cheers triangle, the site will keep going mate as its the busiest time for transfers..

21 May 2017 21:11:26
Yeah I think the Eds have done a truly magnificent job this season especially with the match reviews and the sharkopods being added.
Busy summer ahead for all
Thanks Guys.

{Ed025's Note - your welcome reet mate..

21 May 2017 19:13:27
For me, Spurs will be the team to beat next season. Liverpool will have to get it right in the summer window to challenge on all fronts next season.

Saying that, Klopp has shown me enough to suggest that we can go forward with him. I cannot see us winning the title next season but do believe we will be up there come the end of the season.

Onwards!

21 May 2017 19:37:13
Too early to predict but if Spurs keep Poch then they will be challenging.

21 May 2017 19:47:16
If they can get over that hurdle of playing at Wembley then they will be fine. They are a good team.

21 May 2017 19:59:50
I think the prospect of playing at Wembley every home game will stifle them a bit. Unless they buy really well in the summer I can't see them being the team to beat. Possibly the best starting 11 and a top class manager but nothing beyond that. I can see them struggling to get top 4 next season, I will be extremely surprised if they challenge let alone win the league. They have progressed very well though under poch and I have to give them credit, they are doing what we want to do. I just don't see them getting over the line any time soon, and I hope I'm right. I couldn't stand them winning the league.

21 May 2017 20:01:11
Chelsea will be the team beat. Spurs playing at Wembley is potential nightmare for them.

21 May 2017 20:35:33
Spurs struggled badly playing at Wembley in the CL this season. Im hoping for more of the same. I think it will be a whole new ball game next year and if im honest i think we will be up against it. Klopp will need to be at the top of his game in the coming transfer window. United and Aresenal will strengthen and City and Chelsea will do what they always do, spend loads of money.

21 May 2017 21:31:43
Spurs have a great team
Not sure what player would lose their place and who they would buy
If we had their defence lucas would have a guard of honour and terry would have been sat watching sky sports.

21 May 2017 23:49:03
The interesting thing about Spurs is that a lot of their key players can probably improve next season, so it's less about making big signings and more about keeping the team together - that's how I see it anyway - perhaps get an upgrade on Sissoko, maybe another striker and they're good to go. It'll be interesting to see how the move to Wembley affects them.

For me, Chelsea will still be the favourites though. Conte wasn't 100% satisfied with their last transfer window from what I understand. Surely he'll have Abramovich's full backing this time round and if he gets what he wants transfer-wise, they could be frightening next season.

22 May 2017 10:59:50
Spurs did not buy well last summer as Janssen and Sissoko were flops so they need to buy well. City will spend another 200m and Utd will spend another 250m while Chelsea will do what they do. This is why we cannot muck about this summer with the transfers. Upgrades are needed at both FB positions, out wide and squad depth need to be improved.

21 May 2017 19:08:30
So eds, now we have secured champions league football when is the bid for messi, Suarez and neymar going in? I know they'd only be squad players but we need a few extras to play in the league cup etc! ;)

21 May 2017 19:28:29
I see this everywhere "secured champions league". Do we not have a qualifier still with potential match ups like Napoli, sevilla etc.

21 May 2017 20:08:13
No we are seeded so will avoid most of the difficult sides, although there will still be a few potential fixtures we would want to avoid.

21 May 2017 21:56:38
How you know we are seeded?

21 May 2017 23:26:18
we are seeded cos Borussia Dortmund and CSKA Moscow both won, meaning we went thru as a seeded team.

21 May 2017 23:31:05
Apparently not wobsworth, because of other results around Europe today we are now one of the five seeded teams.

22 May 2017 10:40:34
We still have a qualifier to play, whether seeded or not. It may not be a big hurdle but we still have the chance to trip up. So glad there isn't any international footy over the summer so JK and the players can focus on a) a well deserved break and b) getting us into the group stages.

22 May 2017 13:52:35
We have been playing worse against the lower teams, so don't know if the seed are a good or a bad thing tbh.

21 May 2017 18:51:30
Can you clarify if we get knocked out in qualifying stage do we drop to europa league or nothing at all?

{Ed002's Note - EL RazorSharp.}

21 May 2017 22:10:38
Hmmm that's incentive enough to get through. I don't think I can handle Thursday night football any more.

21 May 2017 18:28:14
Hi ed002.

Here's the gist of my book. It's it's called 'Do not weep war is kind' the title is from the Stephend Crane poem of the same name. It's set in London in 1914 just before the outbreak of WWI.

The main characters are Harry Crosby who works in a book publishers and is in love with Elsie. The other main character is William, Harry's best friend. Who works at the docks with his dad and is eagerror to join up and fight!

Elsie, who is William's sister asks Harry to Join up and to make sure her brother comes home safe.

So the story revolves around Harry and William joining up the first battle together and many more that hopefully won't be their last together.

{Ed002's Note - Very interesting Dan. I recall Stephend Crane from my High School English Literature class but all these years later I don't recall the detail. Let us all know how you get along with it please. The very best of luck and it is great to see folks still writing.}

21 May 2017 18:45:53
Best of luck danred. Will definitely give it a read when it's available. 😀.

21 May 2017 20:14:07
My spelling isn't that bad, trust me! I was sitting in the garden enjoying a glass of wine after our victory, when I pushed my chair back to far and slipped of the decking and fell into the pond with my phone!

Phone is now all over the place. Just hope it isn't f@! @d!

Anyways thanks for the reply ed002 and Kate Bush. Hopefully at the end of the day there's a decent story to read?!

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

21 May 2017 23:45:52
Good luck Danred, I did my coursework on Stephen Crane for my A-levels, excellent writer.

21 May 2017 18:14:34
Eds, curious what you think of Josh King. haven't watched too much of Bournemouth but every time I've seen him I've been impressed. Do you think he has it in him to make it at a side like Liverpool?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has no interest in him.}

21 May 2017 22:19:09
He's certainly stepped it up this year Zimbo, his form is no coincidence and I think he'd be an asset for most of the top teams.

{Ed025's Note - i like him as well HX..

22 May 2017 11:06:50
Not a bad player and can still improve.

21 May 2017 17:54:53
Thinking ahead . Correct me if I'm wrong EDs, but Liverpool will be seeded for the final qualifying round of the Champions League. This means we will avoid the likes of Sevilla and Napoli (thank god) . I have a funny feeling we'll draw Celtic (if they get that far) and face Brenda for the playoff!
Lots of ifs and buts, but it could happen . I think!

21 May 2017 18:33:31
We will be seeded yes.

21 May 2017 17:31:45
Highlight from today - we won! Couthino class!

Concern - Lovren, shocking defending, most of their chances and penalty shout came from his mistake.

21 May 2017 18:06:48
Lovren will be replaced no doubt about it, was awful today.

21 May 2017 18:43:50
Agreed. The difference in quality between him and matip was huge and it shows. Uncoachablr it would seem.

21 May 2017 20:41:31
Hm was Matip really much better?

Looked very very nervous to me and his passing which is usually his best asset was poor. Maybe just the occasion got to him.

We have for centteback for next year if we assume Sakho goes but really none have been overly impressive. We need some stability next season and a decision needs to made of Klavan or Gomez are good enough, if not replace one with someone who is.

{Ed025's Note - klavan is certainly not good enough puzzled, the jury is still out on gomez..

21 May 2017 17:28:40
Thank you eds for the knowledge this season, and good luck for silly season!

{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}

21 May 2017 17:56:38
Hi Eds and Reds

A nervous start was always a possibility given the prize of champions league football.

The goal just before half time killed Boro's gutsy resistance and settled us down.

A home win was never in doubt after that.

It was nice to see John W Henry made it over for the game.

Am I correct in thinking that this was his first time over this season?

I hope he has brought the American express card with him as there are hopefully exciting times ahead.

21 May 2017 18:30:11
Wasn't here there for the West Ham game?

21 May 2017 17:23:48
Could be me but anybody else notice at the end klopp hugging all the players then him an Clyne had a quick handshake an pat on back. Anything in this eds as heard rumours before they don't see eye to eye. Good player would like nothing too be in this. Other than that excellent display under pressure after arsenal took the lead. Here's to a good season an hopefully a even better next season.

21 May 2017 17:51:03
I did notice that actually. It's probably more a case of Klopp getting distracted tho. It would be pretty crap for him to do that on a day like today.

21 May 2017 19:13:07
clyne a good player ability wise he is the weak link in the team mid table at best and i am not having a dig i am just being honest.

21 May 2017 17:09:01
Back in Champions League baby! How sweet it is! Woooo! (Ric Flair voice)

21 May 2017 17:00:48
Well gentlemen, the overwhelming emotion is relief. We did just enough over the season.

Yeah, with our sensible hats on we'd have probably accepted 4th place at the start of the season as progress, but with the way the season panned out, it's really disappointing we didn't do better.

Outside of Chelsea the league was absolute toilet this season, we were right up with Chelsea at the new year, had the best record against the top 6 (suggesting we're the best side when we actually turn up) and had we played to our best in just handful more games we'd have been right up there with them. That should be the target next season. Not 4th. Not "progress". Title challenge.

{Ed001's Note - not sure how you figure out it was toilet, Spurs put a fantastic set of results together and Arsenal have the highest point total that has failed to finish in the top 4.}

21 May 2017 17:09:30
Great result and a superb achievement to finish only 2 pts
behind Man City with their huge budget and squad.
Jurgen Klopp has done a fantastic job considering all the injuries to key players and a much weaker squad.
Well done Jurgen
Well done lads.

YNWA.

21 May 2017 17:18:20
I just don't think the quality of football that was there a few years ago is here now. Arsenal missing out with a high points total just means it was close at the top. It doesn't mean it was good. Maybe I'm being a bit unfair on Spurs, I'll give you that. But City never impressed me over the season and were 3rd, we struggled to break down teams for half a season and yet Arsenal and Man U were too poor to catch us.

English sides have been poor in Europe (except Man U, who have only had to face one decent team in Celta Vigo) this season too.

{Ed001's Note - far from absolute toilet, especially in comparison to last season, which was the worst level I have ever seen. There were a lot of dross sides, but the top 7 all stepped up a level from the last few years.

As for Europe I really do not care to be honest, English sides were going to struggle this season as the best team never qualified. So it was also rans in there. As for Celta Vigo, they are not a decent side, they are a midtable team in a league with just 3 good teams. They are decent technically on the ball, but they are hopeless defensively and have no money to invest to bring in better players. Though that is no excuse for their complete lack of organisation defensively.}

21 May 2017 17:22:18
Some ladies here too!

{Ed001's Note - where???}

21 May 2017 17:24:43
A post of 2 halves. Agree with 1st half of the post but sadly the 2nd half of the post is 'toilet'. ed001 spot on. This has been a strong league. In some years the number of points Spurs have amassed would have been enough to win the league.

21 May 2017 17:51:59
Ed001, you cheeky mare!

{Ed001's Note - why thank you KB, that is the nicest thing I have been called in months. Years actually.}

21 May 2017 18:07:04
Chelsea has been extraordinarily consistent, so have Spurs - those two deserved their position. City and Liverpool deserved third and fourth as both played decent football at times but City more for the depth of talent and Liverpool due to some great team play. Arsenal and Utd have been very hit and miss. particularly Utd who have not been playing as a team.

21 May 2017 18:38:17
Is Ed001 flirting? I'm going to blow chunks.

{Ed001's Note - with who? Anyone using the name Kate Bush is obviously old enough for Ed025, not me!}

21 May 2017 18:53:47
Arsenal got more points this season than last season when they were runners up.

21 May 2017 18:50:35
Reckon I'm younger than you ed! Not much tho.

{Ed001's Note - I am only 21....}

21 May 2017 19:16:15
I'm 14.

{Ed001's Note - yeah right, no one 14 has even heard of Kate Bush, unless their grandparents like her. Me dad used to love her for some reason. Never understood why, her voice is like nails being dragged down a blackboard.}

21 May 2017 16:59:06
Really good first full season for klopp. Absolutely buzzing to get champions league football back at anfield. Looking forward to us significantly strengthening the first 11. God the majority of the Everton fans are pathetic, they were happy to lose today to help Arsenal. Small and weak mentality, enjoy losing lukaku and Barkley.

21 May 2017 16:50:10
Man United to lose in the final and it will have been a good season.

21 May 2017 17:24:14
Never mind them. Our focus is getting through qualifying.

21 May 2017 16:52:34
the ref was probably sick of watching arsenal getting battered in the champions league so didn't wanna award a pen.

21 May 2017 16:35:54
Hay ed001, still confident Can will sign a new deal. He has finished the season strong, would hate to loose him.

21 May 2017 14:42:57
I hope Moreno gets some time on the pitch today, especially if Boro pack the box and we need some width down the left, the lad deserves a send off.

21 May 2017 16:00:15
That is if he is leaving. Nothing confirmed yet.

21 May 2017 13:58:47
Anyone else really nervous? I haven't felt like this since Dortmund at home.

21 May 2017 14:24:19
Only one more job to do. Strong team too! Come on Redmen! YNWA.

21 May 2017 15:33:44
Confident with the line up, only Mane would be the player that really would walk in otherwise.

21 May 2017 12:46:09
Hey eds . just wondered what your thoughts are on the youth at liverpool at the moment, i know we've seen glimpses of a few but do you reckon any will break into the first team and gain a regular spot next season? Particularly as we may need more of a rotation if we play champions league.

{Ed001's Note - highly unlikely they would become a regular in one season. There is no one that close to ready, except TAA.}

21 May 2017 12:37:49
Klopp must rate Gruijic very highly as the club have rejected a loan offer from real Betis. Maybe he will actually be given games next season. Watched him for the under 23s and he has really impressed me. Can't see us signing another midfielder like Kieta now though if he's staying.

{Ed002's Note - If he goes on loan he will lose his Work Permit - that is why they rejected - and of course the commitment given by the club that they would not send him on loan.}

21 May 2017 12:54:31
I reckon we will see a lot more of Grujic next season. We all know Henderson has long term feet problems and doubt he will be featuring game in and out next season which could open the door for Grujic.

21 May 2017 13:45:16
I've seen a few comments over the months about our guarantees gruic would be a first team player to get his work permit, but hasn't he suffered some injuries and been available for long periods of the season?

{Ed002's Note - Yes, injuries have kept him out some of the time - but perhaps not as long as you think.}

21 May 2017 13:57:51
Really really like grujic in preseason he was strong and comfortable on the ball shake he hasn't had much game time.

21 May 2017 12:17:15
With Edd 2 confirming Gaston Ramirez will be singing after today's match will the club try and do their business fast or will it be a case of transfer throughout the whole of transfer market.
I would prefer to get it all done ASAP so bidding wars don't start.

{Ed002's Note - Much will likely happen during the half time break today.}

21 May 2017 12:26:46
He's going to play first half for boro and score 3 own goals then he will come on for us in the 2nd half and score 3 goals.

21 May 2017 13:30:24
He's rubbish? I hope this is a wind up.

21 May 2017 14:12:52
Sorry edd 2 why the half time break the club should be consentrating on the match. Could the club not make an announcement that after the match we have signed him.

{Ed002's Note - There is a lot of paperwork to be done and he has to be measured for his Stevie G PJs that the club give to all of the players.}

21 May 2017 16:55:25
Hey edd can you confirm the transfer went through. I personally don't think he is needed but will welcome him to the team.

{Ed002's Note - This and many others have been nailed on today.}

21 May 2017 19:22:58
Thanks edd 2 appreciate all the work.

21 May 2017 12:01:14
One final push lads whoever at the game take a pack of strepsils with you your going to need it, I don't think I can handle the summer if we don't make it!

21 May 2017 12:25:36
Two final pushes if we end up in fourth. We will still have a playoff to get into the CL.

21 May 2017 12:44:14
One game at a time lefty one game at a time!

21 May 2017 11:54:15
Ed just wondering if Liverpool had looked at ...................

{Ed002's Note - It is unreasonable to ask us about Liverpool interest in random players. You would do better to go to the appropriate page.}

21 May 2017 10:59:06
Hi ed's

I have had an ilk over young players for years now. obviously i don't have experience in it but in my whole life i have never understood players ala Sessegnon, he is 16 he is in the first team for a champion ship club who will be competing for promotion again next year.

surely it makes complete sense to stay there till another year or 2 and progress there, he has come from their academy so all his friends are there as well as getting the great exposure.

I feel a lot of kids these days see the $$ signs from the big clubs when they get offered to come into the academy and then just get lost in the system.

can you think of any really good examples where a player has stuck by his lower league team and it has gone really well!

{Ed002's Note - All of the "good enough" is "old enough" quotes are nonsense as the fans don't understand the difference between being professional and not - they don't understand the rules surrounding children and they certainly don't understand the responsibilities the club has. Under 18 they have to attend school and they are limited by hours how much they can train each week. And there are a bunch of other rules that need to be adhered to as well. Signing on a schoolboy who can only train part time to play as a first team player in the premier league is stupidity itself. You are right that doing anything else could be detrimental to his career.

There are plenty of examples of youngsters who have made high profile moves only to disappear fairly quickly - John Bostock and Jonathan Blondel are good examples. Then there are those like Sonny Pike who were over-hyped and put under pressure.

There are a number of the Senrab boys who stuck at it with their first pro club - Ray Wilkings is an example - and there were a lot of Mainland players who worked through the system - Patrick Kluivert and many others at Ajax.}

21 May 2017 09:55:15
If Danny Ings gets fit it will be a major boost and almost a new signing. He struggled to get in the team after returning from his previous injury and may do so again. In theory he should be hitting his physical prime I just hope the knees are strong and don't hold him back. The type of player he is with his work ethic will certainly put his recovery to the test. Purely speculation but have there been many players with similar injuries to both knees who have gone on to make it at the top level?

21 May 2017 10:17:41
Fernando Torres damaged both knees and then went on to have a pretty good career at Chelsea and Athletico Madrid. Not sure his were full ACL injuries though.

21 May 2017 11:27:03
Have to say that I was not positive about Ings signing for us but like you say Higgins, he will be like a new signing. The injury he has suffered is one of those which has seen many a players career go down the pan.

Mabey he will get a chance to revive his career at Anfield. There was interest from other clubs for Ings last summer so it is not out of the question that he could still be moved on.

21 May 2017 13:15:19
When did Torres have a good career at Chelsea?

21 May 2017 09:29:48
Ed001, I keep seeing stuff about Demarai Gray being a target. I just want your opinion really.

My question is who exactly does this kind of scouting? You can watch Leicester once and know who their best winger is. I am not on about Riyad "I try when i want" Mahrez, i refer to Marc Albrighton.

A completely under appreciated cog in the title charge, reinstated as a regular over the last 11 games and has responded with 2 goals and 5 assists. I won't put their upturn in form 100% down to Albrighton as there were many factors in play. He was certainly a big part of it though. I would argue to the end that right now, nobody in the league can cross a ball better than him on either foot. His set piece delivery is also fantastic. His work rate is phenomenal. He pops up with the odd goal when it seems nobody else can find a way through. I think he is class.

How has this guy gone completely under the radar whilst one season wonders with poor attitudes like Schmeichal, Vardy and Mahrez continue to receive plaudits they quite simply don't deserve? How can our scouts go to a Leicester game and think Gray is the better left winger? (assuming the rumour is true)

Is it just me who rates Albrighton? His non-selection for England is a farce in my eyes.

{Ed001's Note - his age is why scouts will look past him, no idea why he is not an England regular though as he deserves the place on merit. I really do not rate Gray at all. He lacks a football brain.}

21 May 2017 09:48:32
Thanks for the quick reply Ed, I'm glad it wasn't just me. Gray would be a terrible signing in my opinion. Might as well re-sign Tom Ince if we want a player who flatters to deceive and thinks he is better than he is!

{Ed001's Note - I would not touch him at all. Never saw the fuss when he was at Brum and he has shown no signs of improvement since joining Leicester. He wastes so much possession it drives me mad.}

21 May 2017 10:12:51
I like albrighton. Works hard and does the basic very well. He's also ver consistent. I remember being very surprised when he was dropped by a terrible villa team and sold not long after.

21 May 2017 11:15:38
I have Marc albrightons signature. I was in the same school as Marc albrighton as a kid as we both grew up in Tamworth. I was mainly Friends with his older sister Lisa. I remember playing for the school team and he was brought in even though he was a few years younger than the rest of us and he ran rings around us all (I was also in Youth teams for a local non-League side at the time so I wasn't a bad player but I got torn apart in training. He was so quick. So good even at that age and looking back opened my eyes to just how much skill and ability even standard PL have. More than anything how they can look slow on tele but they are actually far far quicker than you think. I don't live in Tamworth anymore but when I'm back I occasionally run into him. Last saw him just after they won the league and he is such a humble down to earth lad, just relaxing in the normal local pub with his family. Not looking for attention but happy to sign and have photos when asked. Great bloke.

21 May 2017 13:33:57
I've seen D Grey out quite a lot the night before games in bars in Birmingham, no commitment.

21 May 2017 12:59:55
Albrighton is a very average footballer. He's an Everton level player, not the sort we need to compete at the top. As for the Demerai Gray rumours, that's standard of us, begin the week being linked with Mbappe end the week going for Demerai Gray. I've a bad feeling that for all the talk of us going for top class signings, we'll end up with the likes of Oxlade, Keane and Gray, so next season will be more of the same.

21 May 2017 09:11:46
Reports in media that Spurs are also in for Ryan Sessegnon for £12 mil, also names us and Man City having interest.
It will be interesting to see the outcome, he is moving this summer - but many teams in the hat for this.

21 May 2017 09:48:45
I think he'll go to Spurs, given that we have burnt bridges with Fulham before and for him it means not having to uproot.

21 May 2017 10:41:54
He'll go where"HE"wants by the looks of it, think dats why no contract has been signed. He seems to hold all the aces.

21 May 2017 14:49:26
Mr Dennis, I thought the same as you - but Spurs have ample cover for that area and with talk of Shaw (Man U) going to them as part of a deal for Walker it would not offer game time potentially.
We are a better option for first team starts as would be first choice I think. We can only hope as looks a good player for a problem area.

21 May 2017 06:20:38
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Premier League Final Day Fixtures Preview

21 May 2017 08:20:48
"Tom Cleverley. An essential cog in the sideways and backwards passing machine Mazzarri has built. It is his main skill, that ability to create a sideways pass out of every opportunity to get it forward. "

This had me in stitches ed lol and the headless chicken allen quote lol. You should do this for a living. 😉.

{Ed001's Note - good idea mate, I might just look into doing that.}

21 May 2017 13:29:39
Great read Ed, sets the tone for a great day of football.

21 May 2017 00:05:49
Hi to all the eds as always ed001 ed002 but all of you deserve a massive shout out and also a massive thank you for everything you do. I

haven't posted in ages due to writing the 2nd draft of my book, but I always find time to have a look on this amazing site to keep up to date with everything that is LFC. Come to think of it I would have finished my book if it weren't for this site!

Anyways let's hope that tomorrow brings us what our football for most of this season deserves and Arsenals certainly does not, apart from from the last few games, which is champions league football.

The club deserve it! The fans deserve it! And Klopp deserves it!

Love to all the Eds and all our fans YNWA 96.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks Dan - tell us more about your book please.}

21 May 2017 09:18:29
I think Dan works for Ladbrooks right?

21 May 2017 08:47:34
I will ed002. Do you want me to post it on here?

{Ed002's Note - Sure, please do.}