Liverpool Banter Archive December 22 2014

 

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22 Dec 2014 22:21:45
Evening Ed

I'll probably get a harsh responce but i will ask anyway. Do you think on your own mind and with who/what you no. Will we try and sign both a striker and a keeper in jan?

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22 Dec 2014 20:56:39
Like him or loathe him but Rafa has just led his team to another trophy win.
Valencia, Liverpool, Inter, Chelsea & Napoli have all won silverware under Rafa

Can you elaborate on why Rafa has not got much support at Board Level?
Board that decided to replace him with Hodgson & new board who did not consider him before Rodgers.
Seems strange to me, decent owners & Rafa = success? Surely?

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He is a very good manager and has had lots of success. I don't think winning Italy's equivalent of the Community Shield is a justification of what he has spent at Napoli, he needs Champions League Qualification. I watched the game and Napoli got really conservative after going level. I would rather see us play some good high intensity attacking football, even in our 2009 season we played lots of dire matches. Benitez then ruined a title challenging squad that he created by falling out with half of them and sticking his nose where he shouldn't have, the "rant" being the example that falls to mind. He even got into rows with Heighway over academy players not getting a look in (if I remember correctly). In fact most of our criticism of Rodgers could also be levelled at Benitez for his time here, at least Rodgers has given us a season of amazing and eye pleasing football. My pet hate is people turning to Benitez like he is some sort of Godsend every time we go through a bad spell. I don't think he is willing to work under a DOF as he always wanted full control of things, the club is moving in a different direction.

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Raf is NOT he answer and NEVER will be for reasons that are well-documented on these paes by many inclusing the Ed01 himself. He ain`t coming and I suggest you let it go because you`ll b disappointed for no reason

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Probably because he tried his best to keep up a very high level of animosity with his own teams' board.

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{Ed001's Note - shame because Rafa is such a lovely man, yet he can't stop himself getting involved with things he should leave alone.}

Absolutely, brilliant guy, as is Kenny, but not the right man for the LFC managers' job IMO.

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23 Dec 2014 07:00:25
Higuain, Hamsik, calejion, inler, mertens, insinghe, de-guzman There are some real good players

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EXACTLY!

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22 Dec 2014 20:41:11
Rafa just won Napoli's second Supercoppa, after beating Juventus on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Say what you like, the man's a winner!

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It's the italian charity shield

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22 Dec 2014 22:33:27
No, that's not going to fly Bob.

Silverware, trophies are what football is all about.

He won the Coppa Italia last season too, or is that one rubbish too?

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Naples are a strong team with good players, a few trophies are to be expected.
People don't want rafa back, not because of his trophy success but because of the problems he brings to a club.

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Fair play to him but let's not let it lead to the tide of posts calling for Benitez like he is some sort of Messiah.

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22 Dec 2014 23:45:04
He openly stood up to the yanks by May 2007 straight after the cl final he knew we had a couple of cowboys taking over the club, and working with possibly the worst owners in the history of football he very nearly won the league in 2009 and would have delivered a championship giving the right support, maybe these owners like what brendans doing who r we to know but if rafa came back I would be ok with that.

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I guess the Rafa apologists don`t seem to get it that trophies are not everything especially if you have a terrible history with being a trouble maker almost everywhere you`ve been. Got fired by Inter for mouthing off at Moratti, He jumped ship at Valencia because of the finances and blamed them for it. Then we all know all the trouble he caused along w/ the worthless owners because to me, he was a huge part of the prob instead of the solution. He used the love of the fans to his advantage and like the politician that he is, turned many on the owners so as to hide his own horrendous failings. He was trouble and I wouldn`t want him here again.

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23 Dec 2014 03:42:18
And that game was played in Doha. I wonder how long before we see the charity shield played abroad . Ed002 can you see this is happening in the next couple of seasons?

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{Ed002's Note - I think it unlikely.}

I guess David Moyes has won more silverware than Brendan Rodgers then. Moyes 1-0 Rodgers

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" trophy's are not everything ", good God that has to be the most ludicrous statement I've read on here EVER! Well done redohio that will never be topped.

Rafa was to blame for Valencia's finances was he? again clueless and baseless in fact.

Rafa exposed the persons to the fans and was the catalyst for the fans getting rid of them and saving the club.

Before you slag off a club legend redohio check the facts first, It will stop you looking like a prize winning NUGGET in the future.

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23 Dec 2014 12:27:46
I heard that collymore person saying liverpool fans wanting rafa back is the same as dalglish coming back now rafa has been a coach since he left us so he is still in touch with the game unlike Kenny who was out of the game too long imo.

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You guys should know better than trying to be objective or posting an opinion about the legend that is Rafa on here. Some posters glare angrily at the Rafa poster on their wall as they read them.

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23 Dec 2014 21:13:48
Ha ha of course trophies are everything redohio lad as every fan wants to see their club win the league or cup season in season out. Rafa is a winner and will continue to win trophies throughout his career I would have him back in a heartbeat
LMC

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Trophies are important BUT is it worth the migranes that Rafa would bring? Obviously NOT because we will be looking at a new coach this summer and for the 3rd time and the owners (who agree w/ me and many others on here including the Ed`s) will NOT be looking his way to the chagrin of those who are bent on seeing him back even tho the owners don`t want him and failed in the TW just as BR has and (Still did not win the PL just like BR, due to his negative tactics and arrogance). If you like him so much, you can hire him when you own your team or support whatever team he coaches. As for the rest of us, we are moving forward while others remain stuck in the past.

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Waro, stop your condescending attitude because clearly you lack the talent to pull off being smart. You may disagree w/ me on the issues but your smug reactions will not be tolerated. Now as for Rafa, he is no God send as someone said on here and was just as bad as BR is if not worse in the TW (over 70 players bought and prob 10 of them panned out), failed to win the PL by being negative and doing his arrogant rant which in the end, made him and the club look stupid. At least BR gave us soe good footie to watch regardless of his many flaws. He won trophies yes, so did Houllier and Souness. You want them back too? Didn`t think so, genius. If he was that good, why have the owners not brought him in when looking for a coach the last 2 times for prob the 3rd time this summer looking for a coach? because unlike you, they know better and will not allow some arrogant control freak who like BR, takes responsibility for nothing and unlike you, have learnt that those who don`t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I will always be proven right on this issue because as long as the owners own the club, RAFA IS NEVER COMING BACK and you can book it!

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22 Dec 2014 18:11:05
hi eds merry xmas,

just a quick question or 2, did BR wany Emre can or was it the trasfer committe who bought him because i can't understand BR's reluctence in playing him, before he came to us he was [;aying in the 1st team, when he was spoken to he must have been told he would get a chance at playing in a few games, why else would he leave a club where he was getting games

my only fear is that BR will get rid of a few players before he gets the boot, we all know there is players in the lower divisions who will get a lot better in a good team, i'm glad he has changed formation and tactics and that we are playing a high tempo gamebecause the team looks a lot better and for any player we want it will be easier for us to get them if we are playing well and winning

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{Ed001's Note - I was told BR wanted him, but it was as a long term option, not with this season only in mind.}

Ed001, if we stick with this 3-4-3 formation, who do you think are the best players to play in it assumming Flanagan is fit?

I've been a massive critic of Rodgers for being stubborn. He still needs to make a few more changes for me. But fair play to him for changing the system and style of play. Should've done it sooner but better late than never.

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{Ed001's Note - it really depends on how it is used. High press, pushed up, you are better having midfielders wide.}

22 Dec 2014 20:18:31
Merry Christmas everyone.
In January we should be looking to sign an experienced GK that doesn't flap at crosses and has good distribution along with a solid DM that has excellent tackling and passing. Another area that needs urgently addressing is the right side of defence as starting Martin Skrtel & Glen Johnson leaves too much space between them for the opposition to exploit. I feel that Tiago Ilori & Andre Wisdom could have offered enough tactical awareness at such a young age to resolve the situation if they were not out on loan. Hopefully January will bring the right signings to save our season and help us get back into the top four.

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22 Dec 2014 19:50:00
I might have to change my name to marmite!

Just to clarify, I don't care about people disagreeing with my opinions. I don't care if people disagree because they hate me. I just want an actual reflection of general opinion on my and others posts.

My head is not up my own arse remotely. Quite the opposite actually. I'm sorry if I didn't make this clear. By all means argue with me. It's just the personal insults that annoy me.

Everybody here posts there opinions. It's what the page is for. It doesn't make me a 'know it all' or 'arrogant' just because I offer my opinion.

Thanks for all the replies anyway. If my opinions sometimes seem to come across a but strong, I apologise. It's not how I intend them.

I just want good, civil debates about football.

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22 Dec 2014 20:49:49
Your knowledge of Liverpool FC is good.

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EMS
I'm with you on most things mate, your opinions, observations and arguments are always well thought out and intelligently put.
I would still play Gerrard personally but never as a DM and more sparingly than he's being used at the moment and I'm not a fan of Lucas unlike almost everyone else it seems.
So, as you can see, I don't always agree with you but I would never deny you your opinion or attack you personally for it.

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Thanks Jabato.

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22 Dec 2014 20:53:20
You're a passionate poster EMS, contribute a lot to discussion on the banter page, and aren't one to dish out abuse.

If we all had the same opinion we'd live in a very boring world! We don't, and this site is a reflection of that.

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To be fair to the Eds, i don't think they let too many personal insults go through. I haven't seen too many myself. Not that it bothers me! Your skin gets thicker as you get older.

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Adam I always enjoy your posts and used to like your player profiles.

I think you take it to heart. There are always going to be keyboard warriors whos only kicks in life involve getting reactions online. They would not say boo to a goose in the outside world.

Just carry on being you and do not take it personally. I am guessing your going through some personal problems at the moment or something as your not your usually self.

Chin up mate

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22 Dec 2014 21:08:03
No one hates you Adam.

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Can never knock your passion Ems, that's all that really matters !

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Ligament damage in both ankles MarcO.

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Thank you everyone btw. I probably do take the personal abuse a but much to heart.

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I'm liking the EMS appreciation society. ;-)

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EMS in the words of Jay-Z, "Brush that dirt off your shoulder" and keep it moving.

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EMS, I might have been a bit harsh on you the other day during the Sterling debate. No hard feelings though mate.

Red Rum

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23 Dec 2014 03:42:34
Well I like your posts. Don't always agree with everything you say buti do with a lot of it. It's possible to have an opposite point if view without being nasty and personal. I often don't agree with Ed002 but he's doing the work so he deserves his say!
Merry Christmas to all the Eds and viewers.

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Your taking this site (and yourself) a bit too seriously adam.

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23 Dec 2014 07:02:11
Adam

Look at me, I don't think anyone after Waro would have taken stick for their opinion and post as much as me.
But It's a part of the game.

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Cheers for all the replies. No worries Red Rum. I never hold grudges.

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22 Dec 2014 19:48:07
hi red rum said something which made me think of this, maybe with a better midfield our defence will come good, i have said it before about the midfield letting teams run through it which in turn put pressure on our defenders and goal keeper, if we had a good midfield and a good def - mid then it would offer some protection to our defenders who can then not be as bad and have a bit of time to sort themselves out where as they don't have time now and the panic sets in, they always say the game is won and lost in midfield

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I agree defending can't just be left to the keeper, back 4 and holding midfielder. It is the whole team that must defend as one effectively. Teams play through our midfield far too easily. I plenty of time see Coutinho not track a runner or Gerrard/Henderson go charging across to an area of the pitch where we have enough cover, the wingers not tucking in to help a defender. I really enjoyed our high pressing system but it still resulted in us conceding too many goals. Rodgers has tried to change that by implementing a more possession based football, which hasn't worked. We have spent so much on buying "better" defenders but I am no longer convinced it is the personnel. You cannot altogether coach individual errors out of players but you can certainly reduce them with good coaching. When you watch Chelsea or City play, when they are defending, the pitch almost looks smaller for the attacking team. Every player is talking to his next man, nobody let's runners go and teams are often forced from side to side, or backwards. I think bringing in Lucas and Toure is a positive step but having one or two leaders doesn't cut it, we need everyone to talk, to pull their weight defensively and do their jobs off of the ball. Even if our striker sees a runner he needs to follow him until someone relieves him. That is down to the players but if we have a more defensive culture pressed on the players by the management at the club then perhaps that could help things. What really worries me is the rate at which we concede at set plays. That has to fall back to the management and has to be sorted. Playing attacking football is great but it isn't an excuse for conceding the amount of goals we have over the last 3 seasons, or for players to just neglect their duties off of the ball. There seems to be a bad attitude to defending from the management team that needs to change if we are to become serious long term title contenders.

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22 Dec 2014 19:39:58
Jerome Sinclair has been scoring for under 21s. I would like to see him on the bench as striker option. I think it is time to introduce some young prospects now that Sterling has settled into the side. And get our loan players back!!

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Sinclair has been in good form for this season and has managed to stay injury free. I think this is a good time to put him in the 1st team squad for a couple of sub appearances.

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I'd play him, Ojo and maybe Canos (as a sub) in the FA cup along with mignolet, enrique, can, borini etc as we need to be focused on the league.

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22 Dec 2014 19:31:04
Hey eds,
I saw that Hyypia resigned and I was wondering if he would be interested at being a defensive coach for Liverpool. I know it's a long shot with Rodgers saying we don't need one but what are the chances of him accepting the job if he wS offered? Also, do you think he would make a good defensive coach?
Thanks in advance,
Sydney Red

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{Ed001's Note - I am sure he would take it, but I don't expect him to get offered the role. Not sure he is a good defensive coach, judging by his record.}

Well let's hope the clubs selection committee who voted on some of the rubbish we bought this season get something right and vote to bring in the best centre back since Alan Hanson, Sammy Hyypia

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22 Dec 2014 22:36:13
I agree with the sentiment Albey.

The problem is an amazing defender isn't necessarily an amazing defensive coach. And by god do we need an amazing one!

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Just like how great players do not make great coaches, I guess.

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A guy off our estate works at the academy so we asked him what work they do defensively at the club. His reply was they don't, they just concentrate on the midfield and attack through all the teams! Shocker!
Scousekew

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{Ed002's Note - He will be teasing you - probably knowing that Liverpool fans are particularly gullible.}

22 Dec 2014 19:00:05
Reading through some of the post re yesterday's game and no one mentions the Flamini incident. He had been booked and I, along with a lot more fans, thought that his elbow deserved another yellow card. The attempt he made was reckless at least and so warranted a card. If he had gone it would have been a different game altogether and maybe we would have gone on to win it. The referee obviously saw the incident as he gave us a free kick. No wonder managers and fans alike call for more consistency.

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22 Dec 2014 19:36:17
I've found that when you start asking for red cards to win a game, you probably didn't deserve to win anyways lol. I think the ref got that one right.

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Robbie i agree with you flaminni should have went, when i seen it it looked like a card but on the replay he knew what he was doing and he has always been a dirty player even when he was with arsenal in his 1st spell, the commentators said he was not looking at lallana and i think that is what saved him, he did not have to look at lallana because he knew where he was he was touch tight to him, you can see his arm move towards lallanas head just before he contacted him, but i think even with him on we should have had the goals by then to have won the game easy

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The point I was making is consistency. What is good for one player should be the same for another. Flamini was involved in setting up the second goal. I am not depending on red cards to win games, sometimes it's harder against 10 men. Both the linesman and the referee couldn't decide if that was a yellow card? If he hadn't been booked before then would it have been a yellow card then?

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Robbie your spot on mate but referees interpret the rules to suit their game you will see another game and a incident like Flaminione and he will send the player off and this causes the rest of the refereeing society to debate weather the referee was right or wrong and then they will have an incident the same in their game and give nothing so in short every ref has different opinion

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Interpretation is always key and the ref thought it was not intentional. Besides, both teams were poor so the game ended the way it should have, IMO.

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If both teams were so poor how was it that we had so many attempts on the Arsenal goal. Their keeper, yet again, produced some fabulous saves. So, we wasn't that poor after all.

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We were poor, they were poorER. Get it?

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22 Dec 2014 18:21:58
My brief summary from yesterday's game.

1st half- much better and improvement evident to all, made arsenal look poor, that was until we offered them a gift which they greatfully accepted. 1-1

2nd half- not so dominent but by no means awful, until the second gift "there you go oliver, have a free shot" (maybe a gift from some of our fans, after he trod on martin's bonce) 1-2

Borini's on giroud goes off (skrtel sigh's from relief) borini goes off - down to 10 men.

Then with minute's left, we get a corner and put reverse psycology into practice. they've got 11 back, so we will put 4 in the box, play a diamond formation, get it over the lamppost at the front (who duly bent double) and let the ninja skrtel arrive unattended, from the rear, to bullet the header home. 2-2

Kind Regards

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How can skirtel jump high enough to score but couldn't get off the floor to win the header for the first Arsenal goal ?

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He had a running start which based on the simple laws of Physics, allow you greater momentum to jump higher.

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Exactly what Redohio said, Arsenal's zonal marking gave Skrtel the momentum to outjump everyone for the goal.

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23 Dec 2014 08:18:36
Fair point except when defending he had half a foot head start, he didn't exactly need to go that high!

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22 Dec 2014 18:13:34
Dear Santa could we please have a good goalie and a Def - Mid andfor my last prezzie i would like a striker who does not get injured all the time

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22 Dec 2014 17:54:42
EMS. I don't dislike you at all & i don' t use the buttons, i just feel your posts come across a bit know it all ish. I'm sure your a sound lad, but i will always lock horns with people over Stevie.

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Waro
Have your own opinion, you are becoming a rare species on this page and your one of few who I would read their posts.

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The guy does seem to be a bit up his own rear but he he clearly has passion, fair play to him.

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I agree with Big Al Waro keep true to yourself mate

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LoL Self belief is a turn on for some Waro, that's how I interpreted your E.M.S shout out. XD But that midlands accent though.

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Nice one brock and big al. But you do realise you'll be targeted now for your positive responses to my post. Haha

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No worries Waro. I've asked for this function to be changed a few times. It just crossed my mind again today when one of my posts gained 5 dislikes in 5 minutes despite being about 10 metres down the page!

I don't care if they were all legitimate. It just seemed suspicious and it's nice to have clarification. The function needed reviewing anyway in my opinion.

I don't mind locking horns mate. Just try not to make the personal insults like calling me a know it all or saying I'm full of myself. If you knew me in real life you'd know how ridiculous it is to suggest it. I have strong opinions and I'm very passionate about the game. If that ever comes across as arrogance, I am genuinely sorry.

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Both Ems and Waro offer a lot to the page, we all agree and disagree to various posts, I enjoy both posters and I have to say I always look out for your posts.

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22 Dec 2014 17:12:09
Hey Macca ! what's up man ? Could you kindly give us any update on our January transfer targets ? Thanks !

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22 Dec 2014 17:00:23
Hi Eds.

I was wondering if you could shed some light on the future of some of our under performing players?

It looks like we're taking steps to replace Mignolet, he's been poor in fairness but Lovren as been our worst performer. Do the club plan on sticking with him?

Also do you think the club will have a bit of clear out over the next couple of windows?

Also ED001. Is there anything in particular from the club Wisdom, Ilori and Ibe in regards to next year or is it too early?

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{Ed001's Note - Lovren has only just arrived, he needs a chance to settle. Yes there will be players moved on, if possible. Too early with regards those 3.}

Lovren was great for Southampton last season and in my opinion a lot of defenders would struggle with a midfield like ours in front of them. Let's wait until the new year to see what our midfield looks like, and I'm sure if we strengthen correctly we will see a much more solid defence.

Red Rum

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22 Dec 2014 16:44:05
I just read on ESPN that BR said the following:

"Our performance today was better than when we won 5-1 here last year."

It seems that on their visit to Liverpool, they brought some of that stuff that they'd been smoking at the Emirates.

I agree we were the better side, but they were more clinical with their chances, by far, like usually everyone else we have played. 27 shots on goal and 2 goals. We had 0 players on the pitch that are clinical finishers. I'm one of Sterlings biggest fans, but he is by no means a striker. And then, when the game is on the line, he subs our 2 strikers in for our CB and wing back. The same 2 strikers that apparently aren't even good enough to make the starting line up, and sometimes even the bench, were now expected to take the game back.

Just like in the Champions League, I was so excited to see Markovic come on; and he changed the game. Then, he got a red card.

Borini came on, tested the keeper 2 times in 10 minutes, and then got a red card. It's no wonder he's so frustrated. I hope that he will get a chance after it, but I really really doubt it now. Especially with Balotelli and Sturridge back at the new year.

So. My Christmas wishlist?

Markovic to keep improving, Sturridge to come back fit, and my favorite gift: Suso to be given his chance, and he impresses, and solidifies his spot, and signs a new contract.

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I was gutted for Borini. The first one was never a yellow card offense. Especially considering he was right and it was his throw in. However, the second was a straight red in my opinion. he was lucky to only receive a second yellow as I believe that carries a shorter ban.

You only have to look at the mark on Cazorla's chest to see that it was dangerous play. I hope he gets another chance because I think he was just too eager to impress. This is what happens when you don't give people anything and then throw them in after weeks in the reserves. He was too keen and hell bent on showing he deserved to be in the team so charged around like a man possessed and got himself sent off.

Poor management, but also very poor discipline from Fabio. There is still no excuse to kick someone in the chest studs up.

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I agree with most of that, EMS, but throwing the ball like that will always be a booking. It was pretty dumb on Borini's part.

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Borini had to be sent off

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All the angles I've seen just show him throw it at the floor. I didn't realise it actually bounced away as well. If so then I suppose it probably should've been a yellow.

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You are a professional, you shouldn't be throwing anything.

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22 Dec 2014 16:34:28
All this talk about needing to buy a DM i really can't understand it.
i mean atm we have Lucas and Gerrard playing that position whether or not we like it as fans, let's assume lucas leaves in january, then we have Emre Can sitting on the bench who can't get a look in right now. so why go spend more money we don't have on another DM? Back up? Promote youth!

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I think selling Lucas or letting him leave on loan would be nothing short of criminal.

Gerrard is not a defensive midfielder, never has been and frankly never will be.

We all know that BR would choose Allen over Can, though I've absolutely no idea why.

In short to simply say don't worry it will all be ok, we can really upon youth for such a crutial position is naive to say the least.

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22 Dec 2014 17:56:00
Because Allen is a good player and does not deserve the hate he gets.

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Allen is not a good player in any sense of the word, he is weak in the tackle, poor in the air, cannot pass the ball more than 5 yards, offers nothing going forward, is easily shrugged off of the ball and loses posession too cheaply and easily.

What does he actually offer? There is no way that he deserves to start ahead of Lucas or Can.

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Allen is a good player but plays in a system and with players that do not suit his game. If he had played yesterday, he would have slowed us down and stopped momentum of ball circulation and high pressing. He is not what we need at the moment and will only be good coming on off the bench. I will say, the hate he gets is criminal and has no place on any fan forum

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Allen gets exactly the same hate as lucas got a few years ago. Lol

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22 Dec 2014 16:34:20
Eds if Borini does leave in the January window, who would be interested and how much do you expect him to leave for? Surely won't be the 14 mil Sundeland were wiling to cough up in the summer !
Thanks

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{Ed002's Note - We have no interest in money. Football supporters are not vey bright and it will be confusing for you.}

Im the brightest bulb that could hang on anybodys ceiling :)

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I can't see Borini leaving in January mate tbh. He will be with us until the summer. Although i do agree we need to sell him and Bslotelli and push for Bony i just can't see it happening imo.

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Walkon, that is my cheesey sense of humour haha

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22 Dec 2014 15:53:49
Ed033 (I'm sure that's the right one)

I am really curious as to how many people are abusing the agree/disagree button. As a personal rule I never agree with my own posts and try to avoid disagreeing or agreeing with somebody else's post more than once. I get the feeling other posters do not care so much for accurate representations of public opinion though and would rather fuel their own ego's by abusing the functions eg. repeatedly agreeing with their own post or repeatedly disagreeing with somebody elses.

I don't know if it would be possible or how much work it would involve, however for me this is the only problem with this site. Could you potentially look into locking each account to just one agree/disagree per post and maybe even incorporate a function so you can see who is disagreeing with you.

I'm only curious because some of the posts I send in get torn to shreds by a select few posters and trolled with the disagree function and then somebody else can post the same thing in their own words and there isn't a controversial reply in site and never anything like the disagrees I get.

I'm genuinely not that bothered if people would rather I spouted my "tripe", "nonsense", "know it all" posts etc elsewhere but I'm just keen to see just how many people there are on here who have a problem with me rather than what I write; because I have a hunch it's a lot! The likes of mbrock99, bobatron, Waro, starwarz etc make it extremely obvious they dislike me. It'd be nice to know who else is hiding behind the agree/disagree function though.

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{Ed033's Note - Hi EMS, it is possible to 'abuse' the Agree/Disagree buttons. At some point soon, i'll change it to 1 Agree/Disagree per username per post. At that point the button counts should be more realistic.

Why are you so bothered about an agree or disagree? Does it really bloody matter?

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Cheers mate. The trolls will be ever so disappointed. As you can see they've already got to work on this post too. Feel free to delete it when the abuse starts inevitably getting heavy from the knuckle draggers.

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22 Dec 2014 16:50:24
Wow. I never noticed your posts before but from now on Ill pay special attention. Are you the same poster that few weeks ago promised not to post again because someone disagreed with you?

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I don't care about it on an emotional level Eusebio. Social media/forums always attract keyboard warriors because it's the only place they can feel significant. I care more about getting an accurate representation of whether or not people actually agree with you points and opinions.

For example, If I post an opinion, it's impossible for me to know what he general consensus is because of people who troll the agree/disagree buttons.

If the agree/disagree function does not provide an accurate representation of public opinion, then it is pointless.

So in a sense I agree with you Eusebio. It doesn't really matter. But if you're going to have it, you might as well make it work otherwise it's just a pointless function that allows people to troll and abuse other posters.

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Roy I'm not even sure what you're on about. Can you please tell me where I've asked for special treatment? I've recommended a way to improve a function so it works more effectively.

I didn't stop posting because somebody disagreed with me did I. I stopped posting because of personal attacks; which sadly seem to be becoming far more frequent on here and they're not all directed at me either.

The level of maturity on this site is at an all time low.

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Ems

fans have the right to disagree with each other there's no problem with that for me if some one disagree's with me that's fine i don't expect people to agree with me some might feel the same way or agree with me to a point and some will disagree with me that's why its good to have the agree and disagree buttons, its a quick way to see if people agree with you or not, you mention me in your post as if to say press the disagree button on you all the time, i don't i would rather tell you in a post or a reply, if you don't like what I've said get over it its no good crying to the eds, just because you say something does not make it so, people do have a right to disagree with you and i hope the eds do what you want because i don't think the disagree will drop off, you think because people say honest things its a personal attack or because they don't agree with you, well believe me you are not right all the time and before you say you have not said it all the moaning to the eds and thinking people are trolls to you prove that you think your right all the time, if people don't agree with you that's there right its nothing personal, you say you don't ask for special treatment asking for the agree / disagree buttons to be changed is asking, what's wrong has some one disagreed with you, and do me a favour don't be including me in your whining to other people, how old are you, grow up and do what waro said grow a pair, or go and cry, re-read this again and see if there's any abuse in it there is no, i just don't agree with you

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EMS i informed on this a while ago, I know who does it to my posts.

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For the record it's not that I dislike you, I;m not a keyboard warrior, if you were ever in Leeds I'd invite you and any 1 for a cuppa/beer and a Liverpool chat. Although Alan Huyton, might not be able to withstand a ''reader''

I've said to you before and I'm not the only one who's mentioned it, that you've contradicted yourself on some glaring occasions, and that you seem to as some 1 else put it ''REHASH'' what ed001 writes to get agrees, and positive replies.
Just a personal POV on you, but I don't dislike you, how could any 1 dislike some 1 they never met?

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22 Dec 2014 18:44:06
EMS a couple of weeks ago someone posted that they being picked on by others disagreeing with them for the sake of it. I was wondering if it was you, your reply suggests it was n't , so in a way this should cheer you up , there are others that feel the same way. If it gets to you, it should n't , who cares, you have your opinion , others have theirs .And as someone who probably collects a high number of disagree clicks , take it from me , its no bother, the way I see it, I have better foresight that most in here and with time people will see what I observed months ago. I can't help it if I am more intelligent. cheer up and enjoy your xmas. This is a banter site to relax and an outlet for the frustration and disappointment of the team performances and results; and not to upset or distress, the team is doing enough of that for us at the moment.

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EMS, how do you know they're trolling? They might just disagree with you. Are you that high and mighty that you think you can't be disagreed with otherwise it is trolling? Climb out mate.

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I won't be replying to any replies after this. Eusebio, scroll down to my post from yesterday. 17 agrees and 18 disagrees. Look at the second reply; it basically completely agrees with me and say my post was bang on. Only 1 disagree and 11 agrees. That therefore suggests that 17 of the disagrees on my original post are targetted at me rather than what I actually wrote.

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22 Dec 2014 16:12:04
Hi Ed, rather than asking about transfers, I was wondering what you tihnk of our younger players (Under 24-ish) and if you think our team is looking good for the future?

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{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has a good academy and certainly some of the kids have a bright future - some at Liverpool and some elsewhere. For a couple of years Ojo has been the player those who know think is the most nifty. Sterling is a good player but I expect that the next 18 months could see him move on. Markovic will be a good player in the future. Many of the others Ilori, Suso etc. will simply leave. Emre Can is going to be a real talent. Yesil might be worth a shot at having a good future. There are some good defenders in the mix - if they get a chance. The future looks reasonable good.

Football, like my second wife, is a very fickle mistress.}

Who are realistic suitors for sterling ed? I would imagine that we would price him at such a level the big teams would look elsewhere.

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{Ed002's Note - WE have been through this before and I don't want to open it up again now.}

22 Dec 2014 17:38:57
Ed002
Could Sterling leave in the summer? Would be a real shame I think he is our best player.

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{Ed002's Note - Perhaps.}

22 Dec 2014 17:39:20
Ed002, regarding Sterling.

London or Spain? I'm thinking Real Madrid or Chelsea will be the clubs that come in for him next summer. If we get Isco or Oscar (yes I know, dreaming) in return I won't complain.

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{Ed002's Note - They are options for sales - but not perhaps for buys.}

23 Dec 2014 03:41:40
Ed002, I understand that LFC have a good Academy and that the youth there are very promising!. However, owing to the current situation at the Club i.e. BR not giving chances to the youngsters from the Academy (doesn't trust them), hence him bringing in youngsters from abroad for the squad.

i'm concerned that this will continue under BR and that the promising talent will be loaned out (again and gain) or simply moved on, unless of course BR is definitely replaced. I know you said that you don't see him there next season, so hopefully, this will enable the Academy players to shine through big time.

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22 Dec 2014 15:44:53
hi eds I see sami hyypia has offered to quit the brighton job do you think it could be down to us offering him a defencive coaching roll

thanks
mark1980

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{Ed002's Note - No.}

Hyypia is too good to be just a defensive coach in my opinion. Assistant manager or head coach maybe.

It's difficult to define these roles though to be honest. I just don't think he' want to go from Manager of Bayer Leverkusen a year ago, to working underneath Rodgers as a defensive coach.

This 3-4-3 could work defensively if Rodgers gets the midfield 4 right and drops Skrtel. The sad thing is we loaned out Ilori and Wisdom and the right side of the back 3 would suit them both to a tee and allow us to put Toure in the middle to actually organise the defense.

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We could certainly use a defense coach.

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22 Dec 2014 18:53:44
Assistant manager is a good shout but can't see Brendan parting with Colin .

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Cos BR likes his YES men and Sami will not bow to a coach who has won nothing and doesn`t have the CV nor pedigree to dispute his opinions on the merits. Sami is not only very accomplished player w/ trophies gaore to prove it, he also seems to be a good guy and well-loved.

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22 Dec 2014 15:10:14
If we are going to keep playing this formation wouldn't it make more sense to have Moreno on the left and markovic on the right? Also I think we need to have two very good defensive midfielders in the middle to allow the attacking players to flourish. This is why I think Emre Can and Lucas should be starting from what we have available.

In January we should be looking to buy a proper DM who will be able to protect our defence. We don't need to spend huge amounts to do this. There are many bargains out there in this position. For example West Ham gettinh Song on loan and Medel being sold by Cardiff for about £8m .

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Completely agree mate. Can in for Gerrard and Moreno in for Henderson.

Before yesterdays game I wanted Henderson to play in the 'front 3' with Sterling and Lallana because the 3 of them seem to link up really well but Coutinho was brilliant against Arsenal. Makes that decision a bit harder; which I'm sure Rodgers doesn't mind. I thought Markovic was good but he is limited to what he can do on the left because he doesn't have a great cross with his left foot. It makes him predictable as he always cuts inside . Put him on the right and I think we'll see him start to beat his man on the outside a bit more and maintain the teams width. Moreno also looks perfect for this role on the left.

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I have to agree henderson is a really poor rwb either play him centrally or don't blame him in this formation.

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EMS, completely agree, Gerrard's years are catching up with him and only those with the most tinted glasses think otherwise. So Can has to come in, he would compliment Lucas and offers the physical presence we need.

These rumours of Lucas leaving leaving us with Gerrard and Allen as cm options actually makes me cringe.

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Agreed Dennis. I think In Can we have a really talented player. I'm not going to say we should build our team around him because that was our problem in the past; constantly building around one player rather than a philosophy. However, I think Can will be mainstay in our team for many years.

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Agreedm boys! Marko and Hendo are wasted on the WB positions because they are not WG`s, period. Play Moreno there and Manquillo on the left. They are fullbacks who have a better chance of adapting to the position better. As for Can, he is a beast of a player and he is what we need and playing Allen and SG ahead of him will NOT change that. PERIOD!

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23 Dec 2014 03:42:00
Does anyone know why Can isn't getting games? I know there were rumours about his fitness but even Ed002 thinks he's a real talent

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22 Dec 2014 15:05:36
there is a lot of fans who agree that skertal is one of the culprits to us letting goals in, he is like a rugby player he plays the man instead of the ball, what BR need to do is drop him to see if the defence gets any better, i think it will because i also think skertal makes the others nervous he drops too deep and makes many mistakes, if he would have tried to head the ball for their goal i'm sure jones would have saved it or that the ball would have went wide but to not even challange for a header when your a defender is criminal, he has to be dropped if mingolet has been dropped because of form then skertal should also be dropped because at the moment we are starting to get better and players form is getting better but skertal just does the same as he does every game, we all wonder why he has not gave more penalties away with the way he mauls players, if he can't defend then he puts the other players under pressure to make up for his mistakes, let's hope BR has the gonads to so the same to skertal has he has done to mingolet

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He is the only guy who can head balls for us, and a lot of balls coming to our box meet his head - I hope he will also produce more goals for us on the other side of the pitch. He is not afraid to go forward with the ball and very rarely pass it back to the keeper from the centre of the pitch unlike some of our other defenders (Toure and Sakho in particular) who look really frightened whenever they get the ball out of the box and are not sure what to do with it. He is far from a perfect defender but he has a great spirit and for me still the first name on the selection sheet in terms of defenders.

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Really? Sahko is probs the best defender we have in terms of possesion last night toure and skrtly (spelling) kept giving the ball to sahko to bring out of the defence because they were to scared. sakho is the best defender we have in terms of 1v1s possesion and aerial battles and speed

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Fanobip i have to disagree skertal passes the ball back more than you reallise toure does have a pass in him and sakho cuts out a lot of passes he incepts the ball a lot, that's why i was made up we bought him, you are right about the way he looks with the ball at his feet he looks clumsy but I've watched him makes some long passes to try a set an attack up plus he brings the ball out a lot, I've read he had a good world cup i never watched him but i do believe he could become our leader at the back, i think its the way BR has the team playing and passing it out from the back instead of trying a route 1 ball, i maybe wrong but i think sakho is going to be our new sammi, i hope so

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Maybe skirtel is holding Loveren back because they obviously can not play together maybe Loveren is a leader which we all believed he was when we bought him but with skirtel being at club a long time could be intimidating to Loveren just a thought guys

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Sahko had a blinder yesterday and was very comfortable in position. He and Lovren/Toure would be my pick for a partnership because Skrtl doesn`t communicate, error-prone and often out of position. Did I mention he makes rash tackles, grabs on players and got benched by a semi-retired, 35yr old Jaime Carragher in the 12/13 season?

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22 Dec 2014 14:26:29
For those that may not have seen. L Alberto played for Malaga this weekend and was brilliant going forward, some brilliant touches and one twos, mixed with a goal and some brilliant crossing.

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He played very well to be fair to him. Only seen the highlights though. It's a shame Rodgers didn't give him more of a chance. He always did well for us when he came on and looked like a man playing U13's football when he was forced to play with the reserves.

I'm sure he got a driving conviction last year so I'm not sure If that is why Rodgers never played him or not? I'd hope not though as Rodgers isn't exactly in a position to be passing moral judgement!

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Was it brilliant?

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It's my only superlative I know

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Cos BR has no idea what he is doing with the players he says he wants then suddenly, has no use for them when he actually gets im. Like Aspas, Ilori, Suso and the lot, we will never know if they are good enuff because they were never given a chance to show their worth. Worse IMO, Alberto and Ilori were not needed when they came like he as no plan for these players, he has no plan for our academy players who are good enuff to step up in to the senior squad because simply, BR doesn`t trust any player that is not his fav, IMO.

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He got done for drink-driving which, for a player looking to burst into the first team, does not scream professionalism. I know the opinions on Rodgers are at an all time low but I personally think he did the right thing on this occasion.

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22 Dec 2014 14:02:30
Hi Eds,

Do you know what the team are doing to try to sort the issues we have in defence?

Has there been talk of a defensive coach?

I know I will probably get slammed for this but everyone is having a go at Lovren but I think Skrtal has been just as culpable for several of our goals. Last night he didn't do good with either Arsenal goals.

SA

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{Ed001's Note - Rodgers brought back Lucas to sort out the defensive issues and he is using different plans for set pieces to keep opponents guessing. But no specific defensive coach.}

Set pieces seem to have been our weakness for as long as I remember.
I don't think skrtle even jumped yesterday for one of the goals conceded.

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22 Dec 2014 14:24:21
Seems we are going back to old and only formula, outscore the opposition.
Those who wants BR out should have raised their voice an year ago when we were conceding goals for fun.

Ohh wait. Let's buy lovern the leader and things would be fine.

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Different defensive plans for set pieces to keep opposition eh ed - it must work, if our lads can't work em out what chance do the opposition have

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{Ed001's Note - you can't blame the players for not understanding it, I mean one game 3 get left up for a corner, the next none!}

Toure and sakho are our best pairing at the moment.

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22 Dec 2014 13:17:17
The amount of playing time Gerrard has been given is way to much and it affects how he plays. Anyone else think he should used the way Lampard is being used by Man City?

Also it seems like Gerrard has given up a bit? We need someone who can keep the team going. Would love to have Carragher at the sideline yelling his lungs out, but then again I would also like if Brendan would do this, he just seems to calm, when he should be yelling at some of the players that doesn´t perform.

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Waro rage in 3. 2.1.

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I think you're spot on btw and posted the exact same thing the other month.

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Yeah I would actually let him leave in the summer. No manager has got the bottle to play him like lampard so he's just going to keep bringing everyone down week in, week out.
It's sad to see his final years with us as more of a hinderance after the career he has had.

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Don't think it's as simply as just let him go. We scored so many goals last season because he was sat where he is. defenses had to play deeper knowing the pace of Suarez and sturridge. and stevie G's ball over the top +free kicks EG sturridge vs Everton, Suarez vs westbrom. If we had that same sort of attack this year, I would definitely keep stevie in the team, as we'd be such a threat going forward. as it stand we don't have that speed and natural goalscoring up front to make teams sit back it's actually to the point we don't even have a striker on the pitch. This is when stevie should be benched.

It's worth noting when Lampard wasn't doing it any more, he was replaced by the likes of matic and fabregas, Stevie is being replaced by Can and Lucas. Also Lampard currently has toure fernando, fenandinho, kompany and joe hart behind him, let's not compare Lampards contract/playing situation to stevies.

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Have any of you lot ever kicked a football Steven G needs to be on the pitch for as long as he can still run we are bringing through some very young players and if you take out the best player we have had with the most experience in the football club more than the manager by the way then it will damage the learning of the younger players plus the opposition still fear him and plan their game around stopping Stevie G playing so I would be wary of what you wish for because I bet you lot if he was to leave their would be a A list of teams that would jump at taking him on

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22 Dec 2014 12:24:03
so does that mean the groundstaff have now also been brendanded? i'm guessing the pennys final dropped that he won't be seeing out his 5 year rolling contract and now he's trying to take everyone else with him!

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Ah the pitch that must be the reason Arsenal were so poor and I wonder if Brendan gets a xmas card of the grounds man

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22 Dec 2014 12:22:04
so eds and posters due to the fact we have to watch what we are spending this window which positions (or position) do you all think is the most urgent to address? do you think we need a striker to come in with sturridge to hopefully be back soon ? or new GK, center half or full back positions?
i was hoping for bony in the summer but forgot about the african nations cup so would be away for a while.
chech could be the one for GK(but would he come?), but i'm unsure on other positions and worried with the clubs recent transfer failings who they will bring in especially in defence where we seem to throw good money after bad and we are still sub standard!. merry xmas all. cheers

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{Ed001's Note - has to be a keeper as number one, number 2 and number 3 priority. The only thing we should be buying is a keeper right now.}

And for the love of god, buy the right keeper.

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Ed01 who would you say is the best keeper to sign, and who is realistic

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{Ed001's Note - Neto is realistic.}

Ed, how good is he?

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{Ed001's Note - I am not sure how to quantify that. I have only seen him once myself. He looked good then, but how to know whether that was a one off or his usual level?}

22 Dec 2014 10:16:26
Morning Eds.

What were your thoughts on the game yesterday?

How do you think we played?.

Thanks

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{Ed001's Note - it is a tough one to say because Arsenal were simply shocking yesterday. They constantly gave away the ball and were sluggish to press or put us under pressure, making it easier to pass it around at the back. While we did ok, at times playing some great football, we never really created the clear cut chances we should have done against a team so woefully out of sorts as Arsenal were. Far too many shots were hit and hope from the edge of the box.

Defensively we were as awful as ever, no one marking, everyone looking at each other for someone to blame and no one taking responsibility. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother having a captain on the pitch any more, as he does nothing a captain should. He doesn't organise, he doesn't cajole, he doesn't gee up, nothing. Either give the armband to someone who will take a bit of responsibility or don't bother with one at all, because at the moment it is not working. There is no leadership at all in the team.

Thankfully Arsenal were awful and the team should have gained in confidence, so, fingers crossed, the next performance should another step forward. Though the defending has to improve or there is just no point in us playing good football, it will all be undone by any half decent attack.}

22 Dec 2014 10:40:35
Ed01, Adding to your points, Arsenal were still in that shock of 5-1 humiliation ( all the goals came from blistering counter attacks ).

Their idea was plain and simple, We are not going to attack you, Instead we will make sure, You don't break us in counter.

They never pressed us and we had more of the ball in the first half.

Any team in the PL could outmuscle Lucas and Gerrard in the middle.

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I couldn't believe how poor Arsenal were. This is the team that beat Galatasary 4-1.

They seem to have their own set of problems.

Ed001 reflects the objective match report from the Telegraph.

Two poor teams and a match that showed this.

Things will probably drag on how they are, until the end of the season.

I agree with much ed001 has to say.

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Spot on, Ed01! Arsenal were terrible and because we were almost just as bad, a draw is what you get. As for defending and leadership, we haven`t got a leader since Carra retired. SG being a leader and taking charge? Less said the better. BR has no leadership in him hence, none on the field and as for our captain, he is captain in name only at the moment.

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Sack Brendan and give the armband to someone else, brilliant.

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I can't believe people are pointing out more about Arsenal woefulness than give credit to Liverpool for making them that.

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Scotred, it`s called leading by example which BR has no idea of, obviously. But I`m sure you already knew that.

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22 Dec 2014 09:35:55
Lazar Markovic is clearly a valuable member of our squad. as proven by his first-half performance yesterday. He's not afraid to run at defenders and is always looking to get involved. I don't think he should be expected to defend too much because he's not too great in that area but he does offer a lot going forward.
Emre Can must be immensely frustrated at his lack of chances as he's impressed in his few games so far.
He is a quality and versatile young player who we were lucky to get.
Adam Lallana is a skilful two-footed creator and, therefore, a rarity in British players.
The young Spaniard Moreno is a bit like Gareth Bale a few years ago insomuch as he's being used as a Left-Back but is clearly a much more effective Left-Mid/winger.
I don't think it was wrong of people to enthuse about the above Summer-signings but I do think they have been woefully mis-used or under-used.
Skrtel, Gerrard, Johnson and Allen should be a little less favoured by BR as automatic choices in my opinion.
Maybe the much maligned "transfer committee" have been let down by the manager. Maybe even Balotelli was a shrewd gamble? I know Ricky Lambert was a decent cheap option as an impact-sub for Europe etc. and at £4m I still think he was a good buy but he can't carry us.
It's taken half a season for the enigmatic genius BR to see what most posters on here could see in October.
He has the expensive tools to do a job but, like an amateur DIY'er he struggles to use them to their best effect.
He now realises his best formation but seems determined to make odd personnel decisions. . Brad Jones!?
We have young talent oozing out of our pores. . a pretty decent "toolbox" which far exceeds what Rodgers had at Swansea. Wisdom, Suso, Ibe and Llori should be at Anfield champing at the bit at the moment. . not out on loan.
Mis-management of a quality squad is, hopefully, going to cost Emperor Rodgers his reign.
Anyone who thinks I'm being harsh or misguided should Google our results this season. Those who think that because we played quite well v Man.Utd (0-3) and Arsenal (2-2) and that we've "turned a corner" should not lose sight of just how small-minded our leader can be.
Nobody can accuse him of talking sense in interviews. "We were better today than when we beat them last season"!?
Nobody can imagine him being poached by Real Madrid or Barcelona. .an ambition he has openly and disrespectfully aspired to (LOL).
I'm a season-ticket holder who isn't wealthy enough to accept second-best at nearly £900 a pop.
I have to juggle my shifts and even turn down loads of overtime just to get to games where I know I'll spend most of my time with my head in my hands.
I don't sacrifice as much as some of those who go to away games as well but I do think that I have the right to run the rule over my club's current manager and I'm not impressed with either him or his "coaching staff".
The philosophy of football is, wisely, build from defence. Rodgers gets a cross in that box. Alternatively, "have a great spine". again Rodgers fails if he thinks Brad Jones, Martin Skrtel, Joe Allen and Mario Balotelli are a "great spine".
In fact, Brendan's philosophy seems to be based on Spain 2010. There's no Plan B. Perhaps he should've gone to more night classes. Maybe he could Google something he could use to teach him how to train a £50m defence how to defend properly.
My contempt for Rodgers has hopefully been noted. God knows I've been saying it for long enough!
Merry Christmas everyone and here's hoping we don't lose too heavily at Burnley !

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22 Dec 2014 09:48:20
Markovic has pace and serious pace. Play him through the middle for once BR. He would take on people.
Again wasted on the flank.

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I think he's perfectly suited to the wing actually.
His decision making and crossing needs to get better though.

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22 Dec 2014 11:09:33
Mikey

Let's make him Our own Ashely young then? Or you wanna try moulding him to Hazzard?

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22 Dec 2014 11:25:37
Why does he have to be either of those players, harry? Can't he be Lazar Markovic?

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Markovich will never be Hazard. Ashely Young at best and he is still not there even. Sterling can be Hazard if he dramatically improves his decision making and finishing.

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22 Dec 2014 11:57:02
Great post pete

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22 Dec 2014 12:06:43
Fanobip

Y so mate? Is that because Sterling is from our academy, or Sly and BT sports shower praises every hour on him?

There is a very thin line to be a world class or jack wilshere. Sterling could be either one.

Markovic is a sensational player and would go on to become world class.

Mark my words

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22 Dec 2014 12:18:09
Fanobip

If Sterling has to dramatically improve his finishing and decision making, what's he got now?
Running to defenders?

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Marko is a winger w/ blistering pace while Hendo is a CM suited for the high presss. They are both wasted as WB`s. Still shows BR has no idea what he is doing hence, we are still going around in circles.

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Not sure I know what your on about Harry, opened the sherry early this year?
Markovic is a winger every day of the week for me.
I'm made up he's showing a bit of form and is forcing his way into the team, I stick by what I said in the summer for now though. I wouldn't have spent £20m on him with Ibe in the team. But I really hope I'm wrong on that one and £20m looks a bargain by the end of the season.

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It seems by and large that any player that has ability with the ball at their feet and the eye for a pass, should autkmatically be played central. A view I don't share.

For me as good as they are and can be in the '10 role', the likes of sterling and Markovic are best deployed wide with the freedom to drift and receive the ball to attack defenders. I know many believe sterling is best utilised centrally, and right now I agree if we won't play with a recognised forward, but think we'll see him back wide at some point.

The best 10's attack zone 14 and get in between lines effortlessly and have an eye and the quality for slipping balls through I.e. Silva

Sterling in my opinion when not needed centrally would best be used like Hazard is at Chelsea. Licence to roam and recieve the ball to drive at defenders be it centrally or wife, but also does his duties going back. He definitely has the discipline for such a role.

And finally, incase I'm not about the next couple of days! Merry Christmas all, have a good'un!

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22 Dec 2014 15:20:40
Mikey

Play him through the middle much like Sterling last year.
Wasn't Sterling a winger when broke into the first team?
Marko is different from Ibe.
Marko isn't straight or direct, nor reach the byline and cut inside.
He has got a Robben in him.
I am convinced he would become a top class player.

That finish cool calculated on the left corner in the mix of all opposite defense isn't a winger blasting into the crowd.

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22 Dec 2014 09:30:36
A lively start. We looked brilliant for the first 15 minutes, then very good, then good, then not much better than Arsenal with occasional improved flashes. Once agaion, we saw flashes of why Markovoc & Lallana jad been bought - both looking quality for large chunks of the game. I thought it strange that Markovic was taken off - personally I would have taken Sterling off at that point as he seemed to have developed a very slight limp by then and had lost his pace a touch. Again, we played better without Johnson. Encouraging kast three games movement wise. One thing is apparent though - we have no 'presence'. Could Can provide it?

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22 Dec 2014 11:33:31
Perhaps Emre can provide us with some Christmas presence. Yo ho ho.

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Can should be playing ahead of SG and Allen, IMO. We have no leaders on the field which is why we are headless chickens when defending set-pieces. Carra would have cracked someone`s skull already and would have made players accountable had he been playing. BR has no accountability and blames everybody else for our issues so how do we expect there to be any from the players.

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22 Dec 2014 14:26:13
Redohio

We did splash 20 mill in the summer for our own new Carra, the leader and you know what happened next.

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Great point! However, BR seems to have given up on him and Sahko already and the fact that he thinks Skrtl is our best CB says it all really. SG is the captain and the leader of the team. But we have no defensive leaders which is why we concede all the time. Leadership is in-fused or encouraged. Not bought.

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Gerrard was anonymous against Arsenal and has been anonymous all season long - for the good of the team he should be dropped as he now contributes so little in both attack and defence. There is just no way he should be starting games, how badly does he need to play until he is dropped? Can for Gerrard, Sakho and Lovren to be given a run of games as a centre-back pairing - I don't care if they make mistakes and they concede goals, we do that anyway - to spend close to £40million on two defenders and never play them is criminal.

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21 Dec 2014 17:01:13
Hi ed
I was wondering whether Lewis Cook (leeds) has attracted interest from bpl clubs.Looks like a great player and at the age of 17 - he looks like a great prospect

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{Ed013's Note - He is a great prospect and has already left a good impression with the England U17's after a very good tournament in the Summer. At 17 he has a good head on his shoulders and reads the game very well. He looks years above his age operating as either a defensive midfielder or in a attacking role, although I see him cementing the defensive midfield role for years to come. Scouts have heard of Lewis and have had him watched, the sticking point is his new contract, the Leeds owner doesn't want to sell and he is a first team regular already which he isn't guaranteed in the Premier League. I have no doubt that he will go on to be an established Premier League player and he has a great shout of being an England International, it just depends on how well his career is managed and I don't honesty believe that he will achieve this if he goes to a top Premier League Club now, only to sit in the reserves. Next season will see how far he has come, I believe he is a much bigger prospect than Sam Byram and Alex Mowatt which is a big call for 2 very good, young, established first team players}

We have our own top players in the reserves who if were at leeds would be regular first teamers but can't get a chance at thei own club

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22 Dec 2014 09:10:47
I still see people having a go at Brad Jones. He is the back up keeper who has been called into action due to our first choice being in shocking form. There is no doubt that neither are good enough going forward because they both have holes in their game.

Yesterday, a world class keeper saves both of Arsenals goals. The header was soft regardless of the deflection and his reactions weren't up to the second goal. Neither were down to positional sense or doing the wrong thing. He just isn't good enough. Mingolet may or may not have saved tge first goal but he wouldn't have stood a chance at the second because he is worse than Jones at stopping shots with his feet.

Everybody is also conveniently forgetting the 6 or 7 times Jones came out and caught the ball to completely take the pressure off of the defence. Or the time when a loose ball ricocheted in behind and Jones beat both our dedenders and Arsenals attackers to the ball to stab it out of play. The amount of times he received a stupid back pass was also ridiculous and he never crumbled under pressure. His kicking still isn't acccurate enough but at least he can keep it in play and get it further up the pitch allowing us to regain shape. His actual distribution when he has the ball in his hands is brilliant though because he always throws it out.

I will admit that yesterday, De Gea, Lloris etc wins us the game. We need to find a keeper of that standard. However saying "Mingolet is better than Jones" purely because he might have stopped the first goal is being very simple minded because he wouldn't have done half the things that Jones did right. If you want a culprit for the goals we conceded then Skrtel is the main man at fault. He completely lost concentration for the first and was weak challenging the header due to the fact he had no idea Debuchy was behind him (although what was Gerrard doing fouling Sanchez in that position for the free kick? He was going nowhere). For the second he got caught ball watching and left Giroud completely open (although Gerrard was stood 2 yards away and he didn't see the danger either).

So yes, a better keeper might've won us the game. However Mingolet is not that man and also try to remember that the ball has to get past 10 other players before it gets to the keeper. Gerrard and Skrtel once again led to us conceding. Regardless of whether a better keeper would've saved them. Skrtel did pull the game back at least with a bloody good header but what did Gerrard do other than shoot about 5 times from too far out or shank 90% of his diagonal passes thus conceding possession? The annoying thing is everybody even on here (saw the post further down the page) can see that E.Can should be playing instead of Stevie in that deep role. He just isn't a holding midfielder. Putting Lucas next to him does not change that.

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Conjecture again I see. BJ is worse than Migs. That's the end of the discussion.

As has been said, Jones introduction to the side also came at the point Johnson was out and Sakho and Toure were brought in. The shots and crosses against us from UTD and arsenal were minimal, we are simply dominating posession int he mdidle of the park, reducing shots, and not having a true forward, it's why most our chances yesterday came from Grrard and coutinho shooting from distance.

I will agree, Migs and BJ aren't good enough, but you've dropped a keeper in mignolet, who even in his bad form, is still better than Jones

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22 Dec 2014 09:41:15
Adam

I agree with your views on the GK area. A top class keeper and world class DM would ensure quiet a lot safety to our Defenders.
Reina and Mascherano simply made Agger and Skretel the best pair in the league
We need to buy these two players regardless of any managerial chnage or CL revenue for the next season.
All the open play goals conceeded are the results of poor midfield protection.
Chelsea are the best example, Czech/Courtios and Matic are world class protection for their defenders.

Bang on with your post mate.

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Bobatron that is your opinion. You can't say 'end of discussion' and then not even give me any reason for your opinion. I'm not saying Jones is better. My point is that they're as bad as eachother for different reasons. Are you sure that's why we've had less shots at us? Because you cannot argue that Mingolet constantly giving away possession allows the opposition to attack us more frequently. You also cannot argue that Jones coming out a claiming the ball far more often than Mingolet reduces the number of shots on goal.

You've only served to prove my point mate because of your close minded analysis. Jones doesn't stop shots well enough. But he does a better job than Mingolet at preventing them from happening. Whereas Mingolet invites tge opposition to shoot but then deals with the shots better than Jones would.

It is purely a case of what you consider to be the lesser of the two evils. For me, Mingolet constantly giving away possession and never collecting crosses reduces our possession and makes us less likely to score whilst also making us more likely to concede. At least Jones' poor shot stopping capabilities only make us more likely to concede!

As you say, neither or good enough but you need to look at the bigger picture and then if you still disagree with my opinion, back your argument up without having the arrogance to say "end of discussion".

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22 Dec 2014 10:21:52
They're BOTH very average

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Btw it's worth Noting, that I think you're forgetting Jones simply booted the ball up field a lot yesterday aloowing mertesacker to head it to his own player, he threw a ball directly out to touch, It was a complete different set of ideals that brendan has been trying to impose on the team, there was very little centreback splitting which is what we saw under migs etc. It's also worth mentioning he booted the ball stright at sakho I think when trying to clear, thankfully sakho was able to control it and play it out wide.
I'm guessin most of this escaped peoples attention though, as it wasn't migs under the spotlight

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But you can definitively say Migs would not have saved Giroud's shot?

I've given my opinions previously on Jones, I didn't feel the ned to give them for the 100th time.

Jones didn't stop any shots, arsenal being woeful mneant there weren't any. How did the shot stopping go vs bournemouth and UTD?

Ask the question why Jones was kept out the team for so long by Migs, migs is the better keeper, if he wasn't Jones would have been in sooner. I can't think of why all of a sudden now BR's decided to drop Migs.

I do wonder how migs would look with sakho and toure as a partnership with lucas or can holding. Would have been nice to see that. sadly he got Johnson, skrtel lovren and gerrard.

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Jones is poor, more mignolet is barely average. However Mignolet has been stuck behind a defence constantly exposed by a weak midfield.

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Got to say bobatron, I'm a massive fan of Brad J.

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EMS, If we had Ronaldo up front or a forward of that standard we would have won yesterday and at Old Trafford, pointless point making comparisons of what would have happened if we had a better keeper, you could go through every position in the team saying that, were stuck with two poor keepers end of.

There you go again having a pop at Stevie but covering your arse with the defensive midfielder shout, have the balls to just say you don't want him in the team know matter what position he's played in.

You clearly think he's finished so why are you not criticising the other midfielders around him for not stepping up and taking some of the responsibility?

You implicated him in the Giroud goal yet completely gloss over the fact he's got one eye on the Arsenal player running in behind him who he could have left and gone to Giroud had one of your gaggle of favourites who are poor Sakho picked up the runner freeing him to cover Skrtel's poor positioning, you pontificate a lot on here about systems and stats and come across as a bit pompous and a bit of a smart arse tbh yet you have showed a complete lack of knowledge blaming Stevie in the second goal. Your just looking for anything to have a pop at him to justify your negativity toward him.

As I say, strap on a pair and just say you don't want anywhere near the side, but you won't because you know he could go on a run of games playing really well and have a positive influence on the team so you would then lose your self perceived credibility as the all seeing football eye.

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Plus EMS, blaming him for the first goal for giving a free kick away shows your bias against him, when he conceded that free kick did you think that's a goal now?

He was culpable in the goal but so were the rest of the team, the free kick should have been defended better, it was a free kick in a dangerous position ( something Lucas has done his whole carer by the way ) but poor defending caused the goal not the conceding of the free kick.

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22 Dec 2014 11:42:30
Easy now, Waro

I find myself in agreement with you and EMS on this point. EMS, I too think Can needs to play to give us that power - preferably in a holding role next to Lucas BUT maybe where he plays for Germany often, as a centre back? I think the back 3 system would suit him personally and with lpvren injured and skrtel being skrtel he could do eell.

This is where I agree with waro because I want Gerrard playing I think he can still turn it on and he's still a key player for us, personally. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings on here about him and where to play him but I think we're better with him.

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22 Dec 2014 12:07:28
Waro

Regardless of both the goals, I would want him to be dropped. He simply offers nothing in the middle.
Gets tired by 15th min and then its walking across the pitch. He then tries for the long balls which is a 50-50 hit or miss.
The other players around him most unfortunate, Henderson/lucas works double shift to cover his spaces.

Gerrard was never a CM/DM in his whole 17 years of professional career. A fantastic ACM 5 years back with Masch and Alonso behind, Even I would excel.

He was pushed ahead by Rafa with brining Hamann on the famous night at Istanbul in 2005.

For all the above reason, If he doesn't get a chance to play as an ACM then like every player He should be dropped.

Simple as that Mate.

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I've got better things to do than argue abusive comments. I don't want Gerrard playing in holding midfield. I don't see you verbally abusing the other posters who agree? Or Ed001 for that matter.

He was poor yesterday mate.he was poor against Bournemouth as well. Yet he looked very good against Leicester in an advanced role. I have never said I want him away from the team. You know that. So don't put words in my mouth. Gerrard conceded a silly free kick and didn't track Girouds run. The man behind him is irrelevant as Sakho is watching him anyway. I agree Sakho should've got tighter to that man but why does that give Gerrard an excyse to stand in no mans land marking nobody?

I get the impression you know Gerrard personally Waro and that is why you're so touchy on this subject. For the last time, I don't wabt rid of Gerrard. I want Rodgers to stop miss managing him!

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Bob, Mingolet is younger and with a better goal keeper coach he could become a good keeper but whilst his confidence is shot, Jones for me is the better option. I cannot definitively say Mingolet wouldn't have stopped Girouds shot to be fair however he conceded a very similar goal against Crystal palace. I think it was Ledley who drilled it through his legs from furtger out than Giroud actually scored from. A better way of wording that point would've been that Mingolet is no better than Jones at reflex saves with his feet so probably wouldn't have done any better.

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Puzzled I also want Gerrard playing further forward. Don't believe everything Waro says. I've never once suggested dropping Gerrard completely or forcing him out of the club.

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Well said Harry.

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22 Dec 2014 14:29:22
Adam

Disagree on Migs. He is poor and no coach in the world could make him good.

To come off the line or not is a decision you take. to distribute the ball to your player, he hasn't done one in 3 years.

He has to go. Simple.

Bang on with your view on Gerrard.

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Can't believe you edited my last post eds I thought it would slip through.

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Ems i agree with waro in that you spout some tripe on this site, i remember you going on about Balo and how much of a good gamble he will be and there was no down side to his signing you pointed out all the positives you could and then thought your point was made and it was the right one, i wonder what you think now, every time you go into one about a player you imply you know so much more about the said player and about football, I've read a lot of your posts and not once have you said you have got something wrong, you seem to be a know it all about players we sign and about our club, you praise BJones and say he done some things better than mingolet, well euro keepers don't come out and catch ball, and mingolet is known for his shot stopping, you high light mingolets mistakes and do the same for jones's catches, 2 different styles, but mingolet is still a better keeper because he was brought in as our number one, and if he was not playing so bad then jones would not have been playing, i have give mingolet loads of stick on here for his mistakes but he has also made some important saves in games which have saved us from getting beat, where with jones he looks like he will let goals in 70% of the time, against arsenal we all know a better keeper would have saved both them goals, De Gea has been held up as a yard stick, but any decent keeper would have saved them goals, even tim howard would have saved them, you don't know it all and your word is not law, i loved the way you moaned about waro not replying to other posters who say some thing about stevie but what put the icing on the cake is where you brought in one of the eds, why bring the eds into it you like a tell tale crying to the teacher lol

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On the point of stevie i think he should be managed the same way lampard is getting managed in games also he should not be playing every game his age is dictating his game in that he can't do what he used to do for us, i see this is the only way we can get the best out of stevie now, plus he should be moved up into the couthinio position and all defensive duties taken away from him so he stays up the field and save his legs, plus he can do more damage further up the field, the free kick he gave away was in a dangerous position and though it was not a nailed on goal against us it led to the goal we let in because one of the problems we have had for the last couple of seasons is ball into our box its a weakness of ours at the moment which has led to many goals and giving away a free kick around our box is very bad, stevie should have known better to sticj a leg out,

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I defended Balotelli from abuse. I've since admitted I was wrongly optimistic. Which you know because you were involved in the thread brock so don't be a child.

Mingolet is the better keeper but not when he is playing without confidence.

I didn't bring in one of the Eds. I asked Waro why he chooses to target me all the time and not the other posters or Eds who share my opinion.

I'm not being funny but this all just seems like petty jealousy because a lot of posters actually do value my opinion. I don't ask for people to do that. I just treat people with respect and give honest opinions.

I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your second post Brock. You just verbally slaughtered me and then basically retyped my argument on Gerrard in your own words.

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It is just funny that people on here can disagree with my original post what 12 times? And Harry's reply that says my post is absolutely spot on only gets 1 disagree.

Can't think of ways to attack the post so instead you all attack the poster using the disagree button as your troll weapon of choice.

This is just ridiculous. I'm trying to get on with my work and all I am doing is defending myself against trolls.

I, like many other posters, give up a lot of my time to come on here and share my views and opinions. If you don't like me, then just ignore my posts. If you cannot have a civil debate, then just ignore my posts. If you cannot come up with a genuine argument to counter my opinions, then just ignore my posts. Because quite frankly, the constant personal attacks are really tiring and something I can't be doing with.

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Read my posts about stevie, I've been saying it for months, but i don't care if you think i'm copying you, i'm not, i believe stevie should be rested every other game or used for 60 minutes to do the damage then taken off, i have my own brain and i can think for myself, so believe me when i say i would never try and take credit for anything you say or post, your opinions i don't rate,

the best still is you moan about people being troll and abusing your posts and people hating you then you in fact call everyone names, that's being 2 faced so carry on flaffing about and whining to the eds i just hope they say something to you about call people names, i think you are paranoid myself, and that people really think your opinion is right, you have even said it, so carry on writing to your fans, i'm not one of them i can think for myself, and read posts properly, some one posted above that THEY WILL PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO YOUR POSTS a, they never said you asked for special attention, facts and right come to minf :))

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22 Dec 2014 08:43:13
i thought it was better yesterday in terms of workmate etc. But I just wonder how long we can carry on with the defending like it is. I keep hearing our form is returning, but no one can deny that right throughout Rodgers managership our defending has been poor. We have shipped goals for fun. I am now beginning to understand what Rodgers meant when he said death by football, yeah, its definitely killing us at the moment.

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22 Dec 2014 08:58:25
We need to start making some tough calls. We need to drop a few players and start playing players on their right position and see how much improvement it brings.
Regardless we need a top class GK, Else it's more goals conceded.

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Who would be your first choice 11 Harry forgetting about Sturridge first then who would you drop for Sturridge.

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{Ed002's Note - You will have to post this as a new thread on the Teams page.}

22 Dec 2014 09:22:42
Sure Ed002.

Mcgoveb

I'll post it on the team page mate.

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Ok sorry guys

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22 Dec 2014 08:28:22
Hi Ed, any chance LFC can bring Alexandre Lacazette I'm upcoming transfer window to solve goal scoring issue?
Thanks

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{Ed002's Note - Please read the posts and try the search engine.}

22 Dec 2014 06:43:02
Hi Eds

You still think its possible that we might look to bring in a Striker in January? Even though we have Sterling who is playing up there and Lambert/ Sturridge o come in?

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{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed.}

22 Dec 2014 02:28:06
Hi eds, I wondered if you could validate some information I recieved from someone I know who is now working within the club, I've been told we are in talks with Kiko casilla, also Borini(inter)and Lucas(fiorentina) are both gone.
I wonder if you had any idea who the club are looking at as a potential Replacement for Brendan should the axe swing?
Cheers ed, merry Christmas

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{Ed002's Note - Please read the posts and try the search engine.}

22 Dec 2014 06:47:56
Would it be too much to ask 12 points from out next 5 league games?

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Yes it would be too big a task for a team managed by Brendan. Skrtel according to Brendan is a world class defender in spite of the two goals we conceded because of his poor positioning and everyone apart from Brendan can see that Skrtel is a defensive liability. A defender should be judged for his defensive abilities and not for the goals he scores. If Skrtel cannot do his primary job properly, then why does he start every game? How does Brendan not see these mistakes and take necessary action when they have been happening for the last 3 seasons? Maybe our manager just does not care for defending and wants to outscore the opposition every game and yet no specialist striker started the last 3 games. The man has lost the plot, not LFC quality.

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Too little. If you ask - ask for 15.

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You know we can't defend right?

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22 Dec 2014 08:09:20
Not every team plays like Arsenal.

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You're right Harry. Most teams will play way better than Arsenal did yesterday. They might not be as clinical but they will certainly play with a bit more passion.

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22 Dec 2014 09:46:16
Adam

Yes, Arsenal were poor and Wenger got everything wrong. TBH Sanchez is saving his time at Arsenal.
If the so called perfect team couldn't by pass a veteran Gerrard and a static Lucas through the middle, they should stop playing football.
West sham with the same formation ripped us through the middle.

But ADAM they do get the goals in. And so they get the points.
Spurs, UTD and Arsenal all are the same. Play sloppy and poor but grind out the results.

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22 Dec 2014 04:55:12
The display yesterday showed that were are becoming a force again and are slowly finding the football we played last year. With sturridge available we could have easily won both match against Man U and Arsenal. Markovitch and lallana is playing well and should start every game but Sterling for me should be rested a few match because he seems really tired. With Sakho back and Lucas and coutinho finding their form, we could beat any team but BR should buy a new stopper in January because both Mignolet and Jones are not good enough for us.

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{Ed001's Note - the same Sterling that was running Arsenal ragged even at the end of the match was tired??}

Our best performance this season but is it the case of too little too late? 9 points behind West Ham, 7 behind Southampton, 5 behind Arsenal and Spurs. There one too many clubs ahead of us and it will be difficult to catch all of them IMO.

But, yesterday was something that worked and we need to ride this momentum through the festive period and hopefully we can translate the performances like yesterday into results.

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I disagree with you Ed001 and I feel he is not playing up to his standard because he can't play each and every match for a guy of his age.

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{Ed001's Note - disagree all you want but his age is the age when he is best suited to a playing the games. He is not 17, he is just about to hit his physical peak.}

Yep, a poor loss and a draw shows we are becoming a force again. They were slightly encouraging as far as performance and effort but we achieved one point and are in a poor league position. Long way to go before they can start handing out the gold stars and pats on the back

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22 Dec 2014 07:58:57
I don't think he's physically tired. He's just making poor choices and his touch is off, which is a mental thing as much as anything else. Some people respond best to being out of the limelight to collect themselves mentally, some are crushed by being withdrawn and makes it twice as hard to rebuild themselves. I think once he's more used to being the focal point up front (or Balotelli and Sturridge become available again and he moves back down the field) he'll be fine

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I agree there are some encouraging signs. We controled the midfield much better yesterday, in the first half they hardly got near our box and we did create a lot of chances. And we even scored a header from a corner for the first(!) time this year - something I complained a lot about.

Markovich is way better than Allen although his main strength is running with the ball into open spaces - I am still not convinced he is pysically strong enough or has the one on one skills to go passing defenders and send accurate crosses into the box. We played in the past week three games agaisnt teams who play very open game. I think players like Markovich and Coutinho (our best player yesterday) may struggle against a more physical opposition who closes the game. We also still need to massively improve our finishing. I still hope (maybe naively) we can bring Baloteli into form, although when he is in, one of the 4 who are responsible for creating the chances has to be out, so tricky.

Until we have a new GK I would prefer Mingolet on Jones, I think he may have stopped the first goal yesterday.

I still think, if we can improve further and get a fit Sturridge back we have a chance in the Europa League if we take it seriously. Top4 in the league still looks beyond us as we left us so much to do for the second half of the season. No team with the number of points we have now has ever finished higher than 6 at the end of the season.

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22 Dec 2014 08:12:28
Encouraging?

Playing 3 at the back adding another 2 static holding players which means 5 in your own half, inviting the opposition to come and kill us?

The only reason we looked like Spartans yesterday, Arsenal are poorer than us by all means but they do manage to nick goals and get points.

They were afraid to come to us.

Henderson a RWB?
Markovic a LWB?

BR is yet again riding his luck like last season.

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A 3-0 loss and 1 last gasp header to draw, and things are looking up. I hope we can keep this form throughout the rest of the season

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TBH, the only reason he would be a little tired is because we seem to rely on him more than other players. It was evident when Markovic was subbed and Sterling went to LWB. Almost every ball was played to the left side for Raheem to attack.

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22 Dec 2014 04:14:51
Small question for anyone who knows. When is Suso due to be back. I'd imagine sometime very soon.

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January. It is irrelevant as he will leave LFC.

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Suso and has been well and truly Brendaned. There is no hope for the lad while clueless Brendan is still at the club. I pray that FSG sack him as soon as possible so the club may still have a chance of keeping Suso, Sakho and Lucas. They are way more valuable to the club than the manager who is totally out of his depth.

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21 Dec 2014 21:22:18
Ed001 what do you make of rodgers comments about the pitch today? Seems he's putting more of the blame at someone else's door. It'll be the tea lady next!!

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{Ed001's Note - I was a bit shocked to be honest, it didn't look that bad and certainly the ball never showed any signs of deviation or holding up in places at all. It did seem like a 'who can I blame today' moment I agree, even though there didn't seem to be any need. Mind it was not as bizarre as the idiotic comment about it being a better performance than last season's!}

Didnt notice anything about the pitch the whole game.

what did you think of the game ed001?

in short, personally I think the problem today was

1. Our defending costed us, 2 shots on target, 2 goals.

2. Our finishing costed us as well, should have scored more with the opportunity we had.

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{Ed001's Note - defending was shocking, Rodgers even admitted that the marking on the second was appalling, but I am sure he will carry on picking the main culprit anyway, and subbing off anyone but him. The players are positionally confused, we had a back 5 for most of the match with Gerrard and Lucas dropping in alongside the 3 centre backs, when we had the ball. What on earth was the point in that? We are still inviting pressure on ourselves, though yesterday we got away with it, due to Arsenal being utterly woeful, we won't against a team really up for it.

Not sure we had that many good opportunities, a huge amount of the shots were Gerrard seeing his name in the papers again and hitting it the moment he got within 40 yards. The only thing I like about him playing deeper was that he got less opportunities to give the ball away by hitting it every time he could, sadly yesterday he found a way to do both. What on earth happened to his shooting? He was always prone to wasting possession by hitting and hoping in the past, but at least he racked up a decent number of goals from it, but those goals seem to have dried up completely. I have stopped even getting excited now when he hits it, not even that brief moment of wondering if he has done another 'you beauty' moment.}

Brendan knows he is going to be shown the door. He is just putting the blame on others to make himself look good. Woeful players like Skrtel, Gerrard and Johnson get picked for every game when fit while important players like Lucas and Sakho have been marginalised. i'm not convinced at all that we have turned a corner. Its only a matter of time when he goes back to Lovren, Allen and Johnson to be his saviors while one of our best players in Lucas is leaving on a bloody loan without a proper replacement being sought. If Ca had played instead of Gerrard, he would have bullied Cazorla and Sanchez and not given them an inch of space to operate. Instead LFC fans were treated to watching their captain being outrun, outsmarted by a poor Arsenal team eventually costing us 2 extra points. And the worst part is Skrtel's goal means that Brendan will persist with him just because he scored, and ignore the fact that his 'favorites' were responsible for both of Arsenal's goals. Absolute joke of a manager.

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I think BR is just not a good enough defensive coach. The only way we can win games is by outscoring the opposition and we don't have the strike power to do that this season.

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22 Dec 2014 08:28:46
Ed01, I have promised my frndz and colleagues, I am not watching another Liverpool match with Gerrard and skretel starting.

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22 Dec 2014 09:55:01
There have been past comments made about the anfield pitch by Rodgers, if I remember correctly it's to do with the drainage system being old and we're unable to replace it. At least it was something a long those lines, I think. To me the pitch seemed ok though!

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The commentators pitch side did comment about the pitch being poor condition, though it was unnoticeable on TV

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21 Dec 2014 21:38:44
I'm assuming my post has gone because it attracted the usual abuse from the knuckle draggers?

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