Liverpool Banter Archive March 22 2015

22 Mar 2015 23:18:32
I have to say that in our 2 biggest games this and last season (being Chelsea and Utd at home) we have been tactically inept. I just cannot fathom how the management team failed to plan for Fellani and also employed the same formation and tactics that Swansea destroyed less than a week previous. I cannot see howthey expected us to win without solving these 2 issues. This isn't a Brendan Rodgers bashing piece; I just cannot see how Marsh, Pascoe, Rodgers et all allowed us to train and prepare for a week for our biggest match of the season without having 2 two obvious standout issues ironed out. What were they working on tactically if not on these??

23 Mar 2015 00:37:33
Clearly you didn't see the table tennis championships or Enrique's Mario Kart challenge, then? Tough work pulling those together.

23 Mar 2015 00:17:34
JUST Like the champs league and
Europa league
Any team of quality Joe Allen is lost and Henderson is all over the place trying to to two jobs.
Stevie had the decency to apologise and take the blame for the result.
Brendon Rodgers admitted that his midfield did not make a tackle in the first half but no apology from him.
When will he understand that with (fit again) lucas holding allowing stevie to push up with Hendo forcing the closing down and hence causing the opposition to error which gives ths front flair players extra room and the split second extra needed to penetrate.
Rodgers should apologise.
Joe Allen is not fit for purpose.

23 Mar 2015 06:56:10
Allen has been playing well and lucas was out for well over a month maybe Gerrard could have set it out for longer and lucas come on

{Ed001's Note - when has Allen played well? I keep reading that on here but I have not seen it myself. I just don't get this sudden Allen love in! He has been a passenger and it is no coincidence we have looked a much worse side with him playing. In his first season he played well, since then he has had the odd flash of good play and 89 minutes of running round aimlessly giving the ball away or getting brushed off easily when, on that rare occasion he gets near enough to an opponent, he makes a challenge. I just don't see what he has offered. He is constantly chasing because he is constantly caught out of position ball watching. He tries hard but he is just not suited to us.}

23 Mar 2015 07:34:52
Good squad player.
His best game this season was against City a few games back.
Awful yesterday though.
Really bad.
But he was not alone there.

{Ed001's Note - I am sorry but we don't need squad players in our position. All he is doing is stopping players like Rossiter and Williams from breaking through and from Lucas being put straight back into the team as soon as he is fit. His best game was against City, but he wasn't outstanding, and they were truly awful in midfield as they only play one man in there at the moment. Toure seems to have gone AWOL this season. He just strolls around. If he had pockets in his shorts his hands would be in them.}

23 Mar 2015 08:11:42
Good point Ed on Toure.
A decision has to be made on Allen.
You do need players who are not in the first team every week but can come in and do a job.
I agree that this position should be taken by a youngster though.
I can't get over how poor the midfield was yesterday.
I looked at Carrick and Herrara and thought we'd overrun them.

{Ed001's Note - we might have done if we had not dropped deep so there was no out ball forward.}

22 Mar 2015 22:44:16
Personally, I feel Liverpool won't make the top 4 again.
If only Ibe was available, I would've preferred Sterling starting as the striker instead of Sturridge, as it was against City. Sterling-Coutinho-Lallana are really good at pressing from the top and Sturridge could've come in later in the game to see things through.
I believe a RB is a necessity in the next transfer window.
Hopefully, majority/all of the fringe players would be cleared to raise funds.
As for Rodgers, I hope he agrees to work with a DOF. Don't know if sacking him would make much sense - outside DeBoer, who else? But then, maybe sacking him would be a bold step.
Looking forward to next season.

22 Mar 2015 23:06:52
Sacking him makes no sense at all.

{Ed002's Note - As long as you are satisfied with debt and failure. He's your guy.}

23 Mar 2015 01:57:03
Real, season's not over yet and Utd might have the upper hand but nothing has been decided yet. Still 24points to play for. We have big games coming up and we still need to focus. For me, nothing would have changed had we won because we still would have needed to win our games because we would still be only one point ahed of them. Keep faith and we'll see what happens.

23 Mar 2015 08:19:05
What exactly is the deal with all of anti-Sturridge posts? It's just bizarre to me- scores, creates chances, does very little wrong, and seemingly can't get a word of praise from near anyone. Balotelli does nothing and has his own song. Suarez did all of the things Ed002 mentioned yet apparently people really can't get enough of him. I just don't get it.

{Ed001's Note - you are not the only one.}

23 Mar 2015 08:19:19
{Ed002's Note - As long as you are satisfied with debt and failure. He's your guy.}
======================
I understand what you saying, but like I have always replied to you, I think there are bigger failures above him. I remember reading similar comments from you about Kenny and I bet in a couple of years I'll read similar remarks on a our next manager.

{Ed001's Note - but that is because we are picking the wrong guys, that is no reason to put up with a failuer because the next guy might fail too. I really don't think that comment made the slightest bit of sense.}

23 Mar 2015 08:19:32
Unfortunately I have to agree with Ed002. Rogers took us as far as he could last season. He is tactically naive and that is not going to change

23 Mar 2015 09:03:00
Aren't all young managers tactically naive?
He has changed loads already since he has been at the club.
Still loads to learn (yesterday proved that) but Christ it's not like he is Pellegrini's age is it?

23 Mar 2015 09:34:37
RDL and Ed001,
It isn't an anti-Sturridge post. I've absolutely nothing against Sturridge. My point was that I would've preferred a "midfield overload" against Man. Utd because we would have been able to pressurize them more, and retain possession more. Sturridge could've then come in to wrap up the game.

23 Mar 2015 08:19:44
Ed002 is definitely Roy Hodgson.

22 Mar 2015 21:01:46
Who still thinks Sterling is a £50m player or the best young talent in Europe as Brenda said? If you were offered £25m I'd snap the hand off for the little mercenary! No end product, and runs down dead end channels

22 Mar 2015 21:30:34
Listen hear stand united your coming over here shouting the odds on a 20 year old kid I have seen ronaldo having games like that. Sterling imo will someday be in a liverpool team in the not too distant future that will tear united apart so you won today that's football teams have off days as you should know recently when arsenal knocked you out a the cup it was doom and gloom.

22 Mar 2015 22:12:19
He actually won the award for best young talent in Europe too so you know.

22 Mar 2015 23:41:35
This isn't based on today's game boys. It's based on the season. He doesn't have a good enough end product, often scufs shots, runs into no mans land. And to compare him to Ronaldo is embarrassing on your part.

23 Mar 2015 02:05:15
Were you among the same rags mouthing off about how Adnan Jazzyjeff was better than Sterling? He is not even fit to lace Sterling's boots and at the rate his ass is burning a black hole thru the rags bench, he never will. Give it a rest, rag. Your team won and that's fine but don't come here and start giving your biased opinion about stuff you know nothing about. He might not be the finished article yet and neither was Ronaldo at his age. Besides, CR was not asked to do everything Sterling is being asked to do and be effective at all of them so yes, We can compare both players.

23 Mar 2015 08:07:50
Stand-United, to say Sterling isn't a huge talent says more of you than him. Maybe his season is reminded a bit of our own Januzaj? Big first season, but.? I know our teams are huge "enemies" but kicking someone while down is just idiotic.
United fan in peace!

23 Mar 2015 08:33:29
He is being used as a jack of all trades.
Now he needs to be given his position and then judged on that.
I don't remember Giggs playing wing back too often for United.
He was shunted into 3 positions yesterday, that is a hard task for a senior pro to get their head around let alone a 20 yr old.
And when he went to left back he was still a major threat.

23 Mar 2015 08:45:59
Ohhhh touched a nerve have I scousers?? Ronaldo was a better player at his age than sterling is. Let's see if sterling wins the ballon d'or shall we? Then we can start comparing them. He's a glorified Arron Lennon . Memphis depay is a better option . But why would he come to you?

{Ed001's Note - except he is nothing like Aaron Lennon, though I agree he is not as good as Ronaldo was.}

23 Mar 2015 09:54:51
How can I not compare him to ronaldo when ronaldo was 20 he hadn't done a big lot who knows how far sterling can go in the game not you r me and ronaldo was meant as a comparison in the liverpool v utd games even some of the best players don't play well in these games he is the BEST utd player ever isn't he.And you point out all the mistakes sterling makes is their a 20 year old who hasn't made a mistake, don't see you mouthing when the best team in England struggled to get hold of him in the cup.

22 Mar 2015 19:59:18
Today we didn't get out of the blocks from the start, we sat back and we gave utd far too much space and allowed their creative players to play, once the momentum had shifted over to utd the system rogers employs became nullified, we didn't muster a shot on goal until about the 31st minute. Rogers should have seen the problems and corrected it earlier, ie lucas for allen can into midfield with toure in defence. In the second half a change was made not by choice but through injury. sturridge throughout the whole game was isolated up front due to the absence of our playmakers, bringing ballotelli on (my opinion) was a big mistake, he should have used lambert who would have been more effective, mainly because he would have played football and not just played the nuisance. rogers again seems to be blindsided by his own mistakes he cannot see them and therefore cannot rectify them. If we have lost out on cl place then in my view being the manager he has to take full responsibility for the failings. there are only 8 games left and kenny won a cup but didn't make 4th spot, so even if we win the fa cup finishing below 4th has to spell the end. sorry for the long post

23 Mar 2015 02:11:48
Agree with your post in parts. Teams have figured us out and if we don't act fast to rectify this, we will be out of top four for sure.

22 Mar 2015 19:32:41
Utd will not get top 4 of that I'm sure whether we do is a different question. We were crap today no doubt about it and a few players need a serious kick up the are. Sterlind, sturridge and can were absolutely awful though after 5 minutes I'd have moved can into midfield as united were running through us. We only have ourselves to blame the game was there for the taking and a more astute manager would've taken it

22 Mar 2015 20:10:48
I am a bit tired of the 'United are so rubbish' argument. Just to clarify I despise United just like anyone else here but I never accepted, not this season and even not last that they are rubbish. United attacking and midfield (and even some of the defensive) players are made of the payers who won the league two years ago comfortably with addition of top top players like Mata and Di Maria. They hugely underperfromed last year and this season and had serious problems in the back but going forward they have been one of the best side in PL at least recently.

Personally, if I could, for argument sake only and on the basis of quality, I would have replaced allen with Carrick, Sturridge with Rooney, Sterling and Lallana and with Di Maria and Mata, Blind for Moreno, and Baloteli, Lambert, Borini plus Lovern for RVP and of course De Gea for Mingolet even though I think Ming is doing great recently.

They are not a top European side for sure and are beatable but they are a decent side and the gap between where they are now and what their real squad worth is bigger than ours. And they played very good today, expecially first half.

22 Mar 2015 20:17:31
Sturridge scored a well taken goal and presented Lallana with really the easiest chance of the game bar the penalty. Not sure what more you'd like him to do.

22 Mar 2015 20:42:07
Nice post fanobip. We clearly aren't rubbish. Out of the top 5 sides Chelsea, City, arsenal, united and Liverpool, we hav the best head to head record in the league this season with 10 points from them fixtures to 4 points for Liverpool. We also have the 3rd best defensive record in the league just 2 goals behind Chelsea who are masters of keeping it tight and hard to beat. We've had 7 new players to try to integrate, along with a manager who's never managed in England before unlike Rodgers. Plus 50 odd injuries first half, put all that into context and I'd say were in a good place on the up. 3 defeats in 25 games isn't too shabby for a rubbish side

22 Mar 2015 21:34:37
Stand-united don't misinterpret my comments and don't over compliment yourself - given how much you have spent in the summer what you have (not) acheived this season and last is pretty shocking.

23 Mar 2015 00:10:15
And what have you achieved in 3 years under Rodgers?? And quarter of a BILLION spent??

22 Mar 2015 23:23:06
fanobip liverpool spent 116 million in the summer so giving what you have spent spent in the summer what you have (not) acheived this season, compared to last season also is shocking if not worse

23 Mar 2015 08:43:02
We are at the stage that Ferguson was at with United when he had not won anything.
We have a young side with a young manager (who got tactically out thought yesterday)
We finished 7th then 2nd and we are probably going to finish 4th or 5th this year.
Small steps agreed but we are getting there and you have had the advantage of not playing more than 1 game a week for ages due to your crapness.

22 Mar 2015 18:07:51
Only one person to blame is Rodgers today, everyone knew that MU would go left and play Fellani there and Rodgers just did not have a plan. All the pundits on TV were talking about what he would do if they played that way but nothing.I was also at Swansea and we were poor and lucky to win, so why go with the same team??????

23 Mar 2015 02:26:45
That is a fair criticism of BR and he needs to provide answers come next game or top four will truly be gone, for sure.

22 Mar 2015 17:58:08
Eds fellow reds .br saying got a points tally in his head .i think we'll need 77pts to get top4 so we have to win all games .2nd point .br hasn't learnt anything from last year .we only needed a point today that would have left pressure on utd to match or better our result now utd have to lose 2 and us win .think fsg will change a few things come the summer

{Ed002's Note - You might do best to ignore everything he says. He won't be helping anyone as he continues to open his mouth and stick his hoof in it.}

22 Mar 2015 18:31:27
Stop with the BR bashing a bit because it is getting lame. We lost a game because we were reckless, a times indisciplined and outplayed in the first half. Nobody went into the game with a draw in mind. You go into it to win and in the end if you can't win a big game, then better not lose it. That was not possible today for diverse reasons. I have been a critic of BR but taking stupid shots at him for no reason is pointless and cowardly, IMO. We lost and that's that.

{Ed001's Note - so you don't think he was at fault today? Despite having had warning after warning that teams had worked out the system yet refusing to change it.}

22 Mar 2015 18:47:08
Yes but Ed, Rodgers brought Gerrard on to change the game, that decision may well have gone on to be the deciding factor, if Gerrard wasn't so stupid.

As for the system, If he'd have changed it and we lost, he'd be getting stick for changing a system that has seen us unbeaten in the league since December.

At the end of the day, we lost, we move on.

Red Rum

{Ed001's Note - the changes should have been made much earlier, by simply altering the system we were playing. It was clear after ten minutes Can was getting bullied, so do something then, not wait.}

22 Mar 2015 18:47:20
ed01 was thinking the same thing was realy hoping he would change today and surprise united and rivert to the diamond 2 up top but he just doesn't see the warning signs that sre given to him also how has been telling hi, to change cheer ed

22 Mar 2015 19:15:21
He deserves to be bashed. His arrogance is unbelievable considering he's won naff all. His naivety costs us time and time again

22 Mar 2015 20:48:44
Ed001, cheers mate for agreeing with me on this one, BR has trouble changing the game in live play waits til half time or next game if he feels like it . Shanks, kenny, and hate to say old red nose and Jose act on these things a lot quicker

23 Mar 2015 02:38:32
Yes Ed, BR has to get the blame and that is fair BUT I feel the pot shots look seem a bit unwarranted at this moment. The poster said we would have gone for the draw which makes no sense and that is what I criticized as being stupid, not whether BR was at fault or not because clearly he was.

22 Mar 2015 17:26:00
Hello everyone. Ed001, I know you believed that Utd will fall out of 4 top and that at the end we will make CL. Has this changed after tonights match? And if you have time, I would like to hear your match review, what went wrong (beside Stevies card) and who dissapointed you.

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - it looks unlikely now that they will fall out of the top 4, they are picking up results and will probably keeping doing so. I thought Rodgers would have spotted the signs that teams had figured out the system and tweaked it for the better. Instead he has just made the wingbacks drop deeper as fullbacks and it is costing us. We don't have the personnel on the pitch to defend.

My match review? Simple, United hoofed into the corner to Fellaini, who just did his usual elbows out in the face tactics and Can couldn't cope. Then they picked up the pieces because we were stood watching. Our defence was non-existent as a unit. Skrtel still dropping off when there is no need, Moreno is just dozing and Can is just not comfortable when put under pressure defensively.

If Rodgers is going to persist with this system, then he has to push the team up and attack the opponents, whoever they are. It is not set up to defend.

Who disappointed me? Pretty much everyone. Rodgers has to take the main blame though, when he can't figure out how to cope with the same tactical system Allardyce employed all those years ago at Bolton, then he has a problem. Plenty of other managers figured it out, he should have too. At the very least he has to realise Allen is a passenger in games like that and we desperately need Lucas back in there.}

22 Mar 2015 18:07:37
But Harsh Ed. Pretty much every United fan hates the long ball up to Fellaini but I didn't see may desperation today. In the 1st half possession was kept and Liverpool were pushed back. I get that Fellaini is all arms and elbows but even his biggest critics at United (including me) think he is making a differenc right now. The questin for Liverpool is what happend in that 1st half? Why did the form team not show up?

Also worth noting that United beat Spurs because Spurs were rubbish and the same is being said today. United have been poor for much of the season but in the last 2 games have looked like a team. I. still think anything can happen in the run in.

{Ed001's Note - why is that harsh? You lumped the ball to a thug and it worked. Just shows why English teams are so useless in Europe when this is the tactics employed each week in the league! It is like going back to the days of Wimbledon. May as well have Dave Bassett in charge as LVG really. Sorry but I don't see any sign of you being a good team, just a hoof it team, but defo more of a team.

As I said to Ed004, Spurs were rubbish because United put them under pressure, Liverpool the same, so it is to their credit that the opposition was poor in both matches. Having said that, the tactics were awful and a good manager would have figured out how to deal with them with no difficulty at all. Unfortunately Rodgers didn't even make any kind of tactical adjustment until half time, and that didn't work out well at all.}

22 Mar 2015 18:47:34
Agree with most of what you say, Ed. We all knew cCan would be found out in big games and he was. We needed Lucas in mid today like you say and if teams have figured us out, then we need to tweak it again. Top 4 will be hard now but all is not lost and we need to keep playing.

Also Ed, it is being said on TV that BR and SG have a semi frosty relationship due to his not being offered a contract on his terms and being left out of the team. This might have led him to being so reckless in the game due to all that penned up frustration. Is this true and if so, what's your take?

{Ed002's Note - It is not up to Rodgers to decide the terms of any contracts. SG is not the full optic but that won't have led him to make the tackle that he did. You should change channels redohio.}

22 Mar 2015 18:49:55
Have to say, had BR started Gerrard instead of the vastly overrated Allen I believe we would have been much stronger at the back. Gerrard would have put Sideshow Bob Fellaini in his place early on and we would probably have staked a claim on the midfield. Instead Wee Allen was run over repeatedly, offered up juicy possession to the opposition, and generally left us bereft defensively.

The side note to that is that Stevie G wouldn't have come on extra pissed and would probably have avoided that most shocking red.

. then again, how is it that Sir Alex still has the refs in his pocket when he's not even there? Can someone explain that shocking Jones tackle and it's gift of only yellow?

22 Mar 2015 19:00:45
No one hates the Fellaini long-ball game as much as me, but neither goal or even the penalty were the result of a Fellaini long-ball.

22 Mar 2015 20:00:22
Completely agree syd! If you ask me Fellaini has showed in the last few games he has more to his game than just getting on the end of long balls. Some of the excuses iv heard today from liverpool fans are ridiculous, You were beaten and completely outplayed in the first half, i believe we invited you back into the game by sitting deeper to protect our lead. And to the person comparing the Jones challenge with Gerrard's. Here's the difference, Jones went for the ball and completely missed(which is not surprising really) Nothing malicious like studs up, Whereas Gerrard had no intention other than stamping on Herrera. Please stop making excuses for your own sake its embarrassing. United outplayed Liverpool and deserved to win the match as simple as that. !

22 Mar 2015 20:41:07
Sorry Colin_Canada, Gerrard would have been just as bad as Allen, teams have been running through like he's a ghost all season, Lucas is so badly missed its unreal.

23 Mar 2015 00:10:16
Got to laugh that Sydney is back. Been anonymous on these pages all season and suddenly he's found his megaphone

23 Mar 2015 02:44:51
Ed, I did not say that it led to the tackle. I merely asked if the events that may have allowed all that frustration to sink in came to a head hence, a lash out to a tackle in exasperation in a game he thought he should have started. Neil Ashton of the daily mail was who said that, hence, my question.

{Ed002's Note - It is nonsense. If he cannot control himself and that is the result he should never be allowed to walk on to a football pitch again.}

22 Mar 2015 23:27:50
must have been watching a different game to everyone else ed, we clearlly didn't play long ball.

23 Mar 2015 06:39:02
Really SPB?
When ever the ball was played back to De gea, the commentators said, "Now De Gea is going to launch it to Fellaini on the left."

And that's what he did, EVERYTIME.

But United seem to have picked up their game just when they needed to. You guys made Spurs and Liverpool look poor.

Sturridge and Sterling haven't been at the races for a while now. We really need to try something different for Arsenal

23 Mar 2015 08:50:11
Random red, when you keeper if kicking it he's naturally going to look for the tallest, biggest target isn't he, why would he fire it to mata? Common sense! But that doesn't make us a long ball side! None of our goals came from that, we opened you up with through balls. And should of been more had di Maria not played it behind Rooney when we were through. We outplayed you. Chased you down wjth more intensity, more accurate with out passing, better movement. Best team won! Simple as thay

{Ed001's Note - yes the best team won, but you still hoofed it when the keeper had the ball with time and space it was launched rather than passed. Sorry but you are blinkered.}

22 Mar 2015 17:21:59
Eds,

Out of interest whose wage bills for playing staff are the 4th highest and if we are not in there do you know where we are in relation ?

Keep up the good work and good luck dealing with all the ' Gerrard cost us the top 4 ' posts

Ha ha

{Ed002's Note - (4) Arsenal, (5) Liverpool.}

22 Mar 2015 17:14:48
Oh well, Europa league it is then.

No it isn't. We still have arsenal to play and united also have arsenal and city to play. Anything can happen.

But we were poor today and did not deserve any points just like we did not deserve any against Swansea.

Chin up kopites, hopefully we can regroup and play the high intensity and attacking footy for the last 8 games and hope for the best.

22 Mar 2015 18:58:22
That's the spirit. Nothing is done and dusted yet. Plenty to play for and it takes one good result for us and one bad result for our rivals to change everything. Also, Utd play Chelsea. We go again!

22 Mar 2015 20:59:41
So do you play Chelsea

22 Mar 2015 17:11:49
Can't fathom why sterling was played wing back with lallana down the middle. Sterling offers more in the advanced position both defensively and offensively. Poor choices again from Rodgers meant we were overrun in the first half. Moreno had a shocker, was he playing with a hangover or sommat?

22 Mar 2015 19:01:28
That was my issue exactly. He like Can, are wasted playing wing back and C and I have said it here many times. He needs to be causing probs in the opposition's defence and not defending the whole time. BR needs to figure it out and fast

22 Mar 2015 17:07:47
If I had a pound on every time I said this season - why can't we pass (other than the wonderful Sakho) why can't we take our chances (Lallana today) and why do we start to play only on the second half, I could have had all the money I need for the ticket I want to buy for the Arseanl game (anyone is selling a ticket btw?).

I could bite my lips and live with the loss today and with us finishing out of the top 4 (of course nothing is finished and all that but realistically. ) given the loss of Suarez in the summer. I am just really really worried that next year it will be so much harder to go above Arsenal or ManU. We should have taken advantage of their poor form early season but we concentrated on being even poorer.

Anyway, bring on the FA cup.

22 Mar 2015 19:04:37
Nothing is decided yet and with the way the PL is ATM, we have a good chance of being very competitive again provided we prepare well and sort our transfers out properly.

22 Mar 2015 17:03:43
Stevie let us down but even before that we were rubbish. They were far better than us in every department.Top 4 is gone games are running out and everyone else like spurs and Southampton won just the FA cup to look forward to now.

22 Mar 2015 19:07:01
Twenty four points to play for, mate and it will only take one result for all this to change. All is not lost.

22 Mar 2015 16:47:30
With the striking options we have it was always going to be a big ask to finish in top 4.

3 not good enough and the other is always going to miss games through injury.

The failure to plan correctly for the Suarez departure, when we had plenty warning he'd be leaving is what has cost us this season.

Hopefully the departures in the summer can see us add one true proven class striker alongside Sturridge, Origi & Sterling, with us going back to 2 up top also which will benefit Sturridge big time.

22 Mar 2015 17:01:44
What cost us the season was our dreadful start due to our tactics and BRs inability to change things until its too late. I am not going to lay all the blame on BR for today but if Swansea was able to figure out our system and dominate us in the 1st half what made him think United wouldn't?

22 Mar 2015 17:03:21
Realistically, and I don't want to appear overly pessimistic, but do you think we'll get a "true proven class striker"?

22 Mar 2015 17:09:45
Agreed STEPH1. Blackburn, Swansea and Utd all found a way to counter the 3-4-2-1 system we are deploying right now, and Brendan did not make any changes to adapt to the opposition's counter methods. It was the same last season when team were slowly figuring out how to outplay us and we ended up paying the price. Same thing is happening now and its time to alter the tactics and maybe go back to a back 4 and get more bodies up front than have Sturridge scrapping for half chances.

22 Mar 2015 17:10:17
We shouldn't have a striking problem. We have spent over £250M in the last 3 years or so on transfers. The priority with the Suarez money should have been a replacement quality striker.

22 Mar 2015 17:26:29
Either we are a big club or we are not?

Money talks and from sales and money saved on Gerrard & Johnson wages surely we could put together a strong package for a Sanchez calibre of player.

As long as their wife doesn't wear the trousers we should have a problem

ha ha

{Ed002's Note - It is not as simple as that. The club has to clear up the mess from this season first.}

22 Mar 2015 18:26:58
Ed,

If we clear out the players that are clearly not in Rodgers plans or not gaining a new contract ( Balotelli, Borini, Aspas, Alberto, Coates, Enrique, Jones, Toure, Gerrard & Johnson ) raising say £30m & saving another £ 25m/£30m a year on these wages, would only some of this be available to sign one specific striker Rogers insisted on if there is still a financial mess to sort out?

If so that would be worrying and would make me think a player who Rogers would want to keep would have to be sold to get that x factor player he wanted e.g Sterling

{Ed001's Note - what makes you think Rodgers would specify one that is attainable? He would only end up rejecting all the options given to him like last summer. Which is why he is now looking at finding a new job in the summer, because top 5 is simply not good enough.}

22 Mar 2015 18:40:49
Ed,

You seem pretty sure that Rogers will be relieved of his duties.

To be honest he frustrates the life out me but unless there is a definite improvement out there and available I think he should get one more season with an experienced DOF above him to rein him in a bit with the press etc.

If the best available option is De Boer then this is a gamble.

Do you feel there are better options than this or would De Boer be good in your eyes ?

{Ed001's Note - personally I can't see any better options out there, though I agree it is a gamble, that would be attainable. At least De Boer would be happy to work with a DoF and to have specialist coaches.}

22 Mar 2015 19:18:24
If he misses out on top 4 which looks likely, don't think he'll have any option but to accept he has to work with a DOF.

Also u mentioned that other strikers were an option but refused.

Would they be players you feel are at the Sanchez or Bony level that the fans are craving for to improve what is undoubtedly a young but talented squad

{Ed002's Note - You need to understand that Liverpool must balance the books for this year first, then must continue to balance the books going forward.}

22 Mar 2015 16:30:31
Gerrard let himself down, ridiculously. Last time I'll ever see him play in the flesh that, such disappointment.
Sterling hasn't put a shift in since his Jamaican break.
Sakho was immense though today, and after the piss-poor first half hour I thought Rodgers' changes were effective enough, he was let down by his captain and, also, an appalling refereeing performance.

22 Mar 2015 16:38:27
Decent post until you mentioned the referee. I'm assuming you mean him missing the stamp on De Gea at the end. The referee stood firm despite continual intimidation from your players, fans, and management. Fair play to Gerrard for being so honest and a great performance by your team in the second half. If I was you I would be asking what happened in the 1st half.

22 Mar 2015 16:53:50
I agree, I don't think there was particularly wrong with referee other than him missing Skrtel's incredibly poor challenge.

22 Mar 2015 16:54:31
I agree with AJH. The referee was not at fault for this one. Terrible first 35 minutes and a moment of madness from gerrard cost us this game.

22 Mar 2015 16:59:51
@ AJH the only thing I can think of is Jones smashing Lallana without any punishment in the 1st half - most refs would have booked - and in 2nd half he would have walked. But that is an injustice because, push come to shove, the ref was not so bad and United deserved to win. I hate saying that, but the truth is better than lies. I think Rodgers probably needs to go, he just does not have what it takes.

22 Mar 2015 17:06:49
It's all a bit odd. We think you have been the form team yet many of you are not happy. We have been in the top 4 and won a lot of games but there has been a lot of unrestt with LVG. I think with the top teams still to play each other anything could happen, if you beat Arsenal and United win then we go third, if you lose and we win then the gap is 8. Every game a cup final now. It's also quite sad that the 2 most successful teams in the history of Engish football are having to scrap for 4th place.

22 Mar 2015 17:16:01
I think people are being a little hasty here, we have looked a much better side in the past couple games and Liverpool have done well to close the gap like they have.

As for the refereeing performance, I think Atkinson was excellent today. I actually thought Jones had every right to go for that ball, but except that it was probably a foul although a booking would have been harsh.

Still a long way to go lads and I for one am excited by the competition this season. Liverpool are more than capable of making up six points. You have made that up already this year.

22 Mar 2015 17:28:46
Sending out a search party for lfc. What about skyrtel 2 blatant elbows through the back of Fellaini's head. Did skyrtel even get a card during the game? Sterling was persistently fouling too and never picked up on. Only see what you want to see typical.

22 Mar 2015 19:12:56
Fellaini does the exact same thing and he is called a great player so your point is stupid

{Ed001's Note - also missed when Jones pushed Coutinho over on the edge of the box but got a free kick as Coutinho's feet caught him as he fell over. There are always loads of those that get missed in every game.}

22 Mar 2015 16:02:53
Played awful today, but still can't eexcuse Gerrard pure stupidity, Allen and sterling just looked so lost.

22 Mar 2015 16:49:52
Allen would look lost in a man lift. Sterling has just been caught out and showing us just how ordinary he is.

22 Mar 2015 15:52:54
I think its obvious that Sturridge is struggling with this system and its affecting our play as a whole. So till he picks up his game, Sterling should start in front for me.

22 Mar 2015 16:51:19
I think Borini would be a better foil for Studge, but BR has alianted the lad, shame really as he does give 110%.
Not the greatest but defo tries.

22 Mar 2015 15:28:05
There are still hard for games for all the teams going for the Champions League spots. The defeat hurts, but I hope we can use the experience to our advantage for our next game. I hope fans don't lose hope after just one loss. Only 4 points away.

22 Mar 2015 15:33:58
We won't win awY to arsenal. Absolutly no chance. We go found out a Swansea and Rodgers didn't change it. Woeful.

22 Mar 2015 15:43:08
Right you are. We have lost the battle BUT defo not the war. We can take heart with the team responding after the goal and after the red card. BR should not have put Balo on because he did nothing but pick fights with the opposition. Lamborghini would have been my choice based on his hatred for Utd. We dust ourselves up and on to Arsenal because that is a huge game now and a must not lose game. 8 games left and Utd can still drop points so not over yet. Credit to the boys for leaving it all on the field. YNWA!

22 Mar 2015 15:47:19
It'll be very difficult to do now, and it relies a lot on winning nearly all our games and favourable results which we can't have an impact on. Our form over the last few weeks hasn't been great nor clinical IMO, that needs to be addressed soon.

22 Mar 2015 16:25:04
But harsh to blame balotelli, Lambert may have been a better choice but lallana should have equalised before half time and thought he was poor. Then there were numerous chances to put players through on goal with simple passes that were missed, gave away possession far too easily and morenos defending was woeful.

Think it's a bit harsh to blame rodgers entirely initial tactics were off but later part of first half looked like we were going to equalise and maybe add more, bringing gerrard I was the right idea but red card was beyond stupid and gave the rest of the team a mountain to climb!

22 Mar 2015 15:50:48
I think the question with more brevity is 'do we deserve champions league football?' - i'm not so certain. I would have given the same reply before today (no: we have not been good enough) - I think today solidifies it somewhat. Taking Lallana off was a bad, bad decision. Not because Gerrard was sent off, but because Lallana had looked like he might have done something. I'll be honest I wanted Gerrard on as I thought our players where shriveling under the pressure - but for me taking Lallana off was a poor decision. Why not Allen who had been struggling ? I like the lad but he really was not good today and he did not impose himself at all. Maybe a day to consign to the recent past as soon as possible?

22 Mar 2015 15:53:22
The game between us will be massive for us both piledriver, if we win it we're 9 clear with 7 to play so in a brilliant position but if you beat us the gaps down to 3pts and its a 3 way fight to the finish.

22 Mar 2015 15:56:28
Hate to break it to u mate but it's 5 points with a much superior goal difference.

LFC. How u feeling mate? Is that a few times now u have come on our page and predicted a title or win and looked foolish.

Hehe u and AL are welcome over to our page lads lol.

22 Mar 2015 16:04:07
Away at Chelsea and Arsenal are going to be nigh on impossible to win.

22 Mar 2015 16:26:18
I really do not see the top4 changing now. We basically have to cover 6 extra points than Utd and that is not going to happen. They have too much experience and quality to slip up now and i think this is the final nail in the coffin for BR's LFC tenure. The owners will not accept Europa league after spending so much money and they are fully justified in overhauling the staff as they see fit. This is not about losing hope but more about being realistic whre the club actually stands.

22 Mar 2015 12:00:40
Personally i would sell sterling, i think he is massively overrated and going by this contract mallarchy he is very greedy and money orientated. I think his first touch and final ball is a disgrace and even when he strikes a ball he seems to scuff most shots. He runs around like a headless chicken recently and i was thinking about this a lot and he reminds me of arron Lennon and i personally would not have him. All being said he will probably make a fool of me and score the winner today . But that's just my opinion of him

22 Mar 2015 12:41:22
Seriously give the boy a break, what about Henderson as well, he hasn't signed. Wait till the end of the season and see what happens. You can't call yourself a real fan when you are slagging off a 20 year old boy who has immense potential and was our best player during our terrible start. Get behind the players instead slagging them off because Sterling is a talent and how can you be suprised he hasn't signed when people are all over him all the time. Rant over.

22 Mar 2015 12:51:14
Very harsh that.

22 Mar 2015 13:25:49
Harsh and, more pertinently, untrue. He might not be an out an out goalscorer but then again we never expected him to be - that was a role forced on him due to injuries/lack of form throughout the rest of the forwards in our squad. He is 20 (or 21, i forget), already has a couple of year PL experience and will only get better. A lot of the fans have started turning just because he is yet to sign a contract - the bottom line is no one knows the situation and, rather than make spiteful posts like these, it would be better to simply wait and see what the final outcome is. I don't think Sterling has done anything wrong by asking to delay contract talks until summer - he still has 2 years left on his deal meaning we have plenty of time to either a) get him signed up or b) move him on for a healthy transfer fee - the vitriol is embarrassing.

22 Mar 2015 14:30:43
If anyone offered good money for Sterling i'd bite their hands off, he's very average i'm afraid, not worth 200 quid a week never mind 100k, very overhyped, Ibe will turn out better I reckon and much cheaper.
Henderson I've said many a time, runs a lot produces little, another one whos overhyped for what he is.

22 Mar 2015 15:26:41
My Lord!!!!

22 Mar 2015 15:55:33
@scouse pride

I have a lot of time for Ibe. My friend (who used to work at Liverpool) said he is one of the nicest, down to earth lads you could meet. I have all the time in the world for him. But, being brutally honest, I don't think the level he can reach is near the one Sterling has the potential to reach. Really grim how you write off Henderson - one of our best players this season and a constant source of stability. Look at Gerrard today - sent off after 45 seconds - it's a joke. You need players to be strong but keep there head - both Henderson and Can do this week in week out, we would be stupid not to sign him up.

{Ed001's Note - seriously? Ibe has always stood out as having far more potential. I like Sterling, I think he can be a top player, but Ibe can be better.}

22 Mar 2015 16:47:48
ill ask you this question Seano, show me the stats on Hendo, games played, goals scores and assists made etc, I bet it won't be good reading.
Hendo is average at best, runs a lot ill admit but like I said, produces little, if you think he's one of our best players then that shows you what poor players we have overall.
Ill bet you think Allen`s wonderful too.

22 Mar 2015 16:56:10
You might be right ed but, from what I have seen, Ibe has made a breakthrough due to his physicality, Sterling through technical ability (and necessity due to our rubbish structure). I would love Ibe to be better than him, from what my friend has said he is simply the nicest, most humble guy going. From what I have seen (and I admit this openly that it isn't much) Sterling might just have more. If Ibe turns out to be the real gem I will be ecstatic - I hope i am proven wrong.

22 Mar 2015 17:08:56
Scouse. I bet you think Lucas is no good too?
Henderson does plenty for the team a lot like Lucas, and has started adding goals and assists to his game as well.

22 Mar 2015 18:07:21
Scouse pride, think you are way off on Henderson as is a great player who adds a lot to them team. Was key last season and same this season.

As for stats has 6 goals and 7 assist in around 35 games, which is actually good considering he doesn't take penalties or set pieces and everything else he brings to the team. Yes he isn't xavi or alonso but plays a key role, works hard, contributes to overall play, constantly improving, vocal, and shows up for big games.

As for 'stats' they are misleading (except maybe strikers) but hendo has 6 goals 7 assist in 35 or so games. iniesta has 2 goals and 3 assist in 25 or so games. Considering he has three of the best forwards in the world and hendo has mainly had lambert mario etc do those stats mean Henderson is a better midfielder then iniesta?

Alonso, Pirlo and Modric are two of my favourite midfielders, think they are world class and the don't score regularly or get loads if assist. It is about a players overall game and their role in a team. Think if you put a top holding midfielder next to hendo our team improves ten fold (look what a difference him and Lucas make).

Think sterling should be kept, but tbh wouldn't lose sleep if he goes especially if he wants more then £100k a week as tbh isn't are most important player. Think Sturridge has shown he is our most important player ATM (can score) and behind him is Henderson. But fingers crossed we keep both as think we are 2/3 players (and BR learning from his mistakes) from a title winning side

22 Mar 2015 18:21:13
Phooey, I actually like Lucas, does a job, but unfortunately injuries have taken their toll.
Compared to Allen he's head and shoulders, but not the same player as he was 2 years ago which is a shame.
I said 18 months or so ago, the best player in my opinion for that position was Agger, he would in my opinion have made a great def mid, reads the game well and a good ball player, something we sorely miss, but he was sold for peanuts and now we struggle.
BR knows best eh.

{Ed001's Note - so you think Lucas is not good enough because injuries have taken their toll, but you want to put Agger in there, who is probably the epitome of injuries taking their toll? He lacked mobility at his peak, but he would have been left standing in midfield.}

22 Mar 2015 10:16:56
Louis Van Gaal:

"I snubbed Liverpool".

Thank God for that then.

Imagine some of the moaners on here with that style of football.

22 Mar 2015 10:33:54
To be fair what fans would be impressed with that style of football? It's meant to be an entertaining sport but watching defenders pass back and forth between them selves is pretty boring!

22 Mar 2015 10:46:07
Just imagine having that Bobby Dazzler on the touch line. Related to Kuyt?

22 Mar 2015 13:11:03
thats an insult to kuyt. how dare you

22 Mar 2015 09:59:55
3-0 Liverpool.

Sturridge to score in the 8th and 20th minute, Skirtle in the 80th.

Six corners, ten shots on - six off, three yellow cards and an encirclement of the ref in the 77th minute.

60% possession to the reds with a dive in the box from Stirling, followed by a facial grimace and a rub of the shin.

{Ed002's Note - How did you get hold of my notes? Don't you think the booking of Henderson was harsh?}

22 Mar 2015 10:24:05
Hope your correct with the score Davey.

If we get the early goal I think we will win comfortably, however if we don't I can see a tight game with a draw or 1 goal either way.

Bonus is Sturridge has been shocking so hopefully today is the day he gets into gear.

22 Mar 2015 10:34:04
I agree.

I thought the ref was disgraceful.

I congratulate him for jumping in between the straightener on the touchline between the two managers though.

22 Mar 2015 09:29:09
Hi Ed2.what is your issue with Brendan Rodgers? Do you feel you'd be a better option as manager?

{Ed002's Note - I don't have any issue with Brendan Rodgers; why would you think that? Far from the brightest spark but I quite like him as a person.}

22 Mar 2015 07:03:26
I've been up since 0520 (after 3 hours sleep) in excitement for today's game. Can't wait. Why?
A win today. however ugly, will be massive in our season.
Every result yesterday went against us so we need to beat Man.U. just to keep pace. If we do that our rivals will be looking over their shoulders and Man.U'll be behind us.
I hope Skrtel plays because of his past form in big games but I also hope that Emre Can gets a run out in midfield with Sakho and Loveren in the other two defensive berths.
Toure, Lucas, Allen, Markovic, Gerrard and Balotelli can be a very strong bench for us but the big call from BR will come if Jordan Ibe is fit. I prefer him to Sterling but I don't think he'll play a part in this game due to his injury.
I won't try to second-guess BR but I just hope he doesn't blow it.
We have the tools to do the job today and the momentum to make this a decent season.
Man. Utd. are worrying more about us than vice versa so we should seize on that and batter them back up the East Lancs!!!
Come on you mighty reds !!!!!!!

22 Mar 2015 07:25:05
Big game alright. Hopefully we get 3 points and I agree its all that matters today.