Liverpool Banter Archive September 22 2013

22 Sep 2013 21:54:19
Well yesterday made it clear that we can cope without Suarez OR Countinho, but not without both of them. We had no-one with the guile or skill to go past a man or pick out a sublime little pass into Sturridge - he was like a fish out of water yesterday. Gerrard can do the long stuff but when he is playing in the deeper role he cannot get the little dinks through. As Brendan said at least Suarez is back on Wednesday so we may see some improvement - but we need to be wary of a backlash after their loss at our place and their spanking today. In Brendan We Trust.

22 Sep 2013 22:09:54
Well at least we won't have to watch Di Canio's antics at the weekend.he's history!
First Prem Manager to get the sack.

Perhaps Luis Alberto could supply the guile/skill you oh so desire. Not that I wan't to jump on the 'Gerrard has lost it' bandwagon that may be around these parts. BUT I do think Henderson would give us a lot more energy in midfield.

Fishyred, we do have a number of players with guile, unfortunately both of them are on loan doing really well for Groningen and Almeria. We should have atleast kept Adorjan as backup for Coutinho. A midfield of Lucas, Gerrard and Hendo lacks creativity and imagination. We need another proper CAM who can also score goals. We ain't finishing in the top four with the midfield we currently have. The scouts better have someone lined up for the CAM and CDM positions in jan.

That'll help consistency. Two more new starters in the most important area of the pitch.

22 Sep 2013 21:29:41
For the people still disappointed at our performance on Saturday, cheer up! MOTD is on in an hour and we can all watch Man U get a good spanking.Roll on Wedensday!

22 Sep 2013 21:23:07
We are so predictable, everything goes through Gerrard! cut him out and press up, don't give anyone time on the ball, and you will beat us, simple really.
I also think BR is too scared to play more of the younger players, we have young wingers Ibe and Sterling and when we played them together pre season we looked dangerous, it couldn't be worse than the last two performances could it? I would rather we go down attacking than clog the team with defenders! 4 centre backs! Lucas and Gerrard playing deep? where are the creative midfielders? ah well it will all be ok when Suarez comes back! won't it?

Completely agree with you. as you said I rather go down fighting then being scared of going forward even once during the game. As I have said before, I believe both lucas and gerrard need to be benched for a game to see how it turns out. I think a midfield of allen, henderson and alberto/coutinho would be agile, lethal and more energetic. Also I do think sterling and ibe deserve more of a chance but I do like moses and aspas up front. I think sturridge needs a break so hopefully Suarez can at least give him that. At the back. I think kelly, skrtl, toure/sakho and enrique would be great. Change it up Brendan, champions don't get scared, they go all out to win!

Lucas was benched for a game. Don't you remember when we nearly lost to Notts County. We need Lucas he is vital. I would say Gerrard is not as vital at the moment. But I will never count him out of returning to top form. Still though, we need some sort of attacking midfielder who can cut teams apart like Couts and Suarez in the team as they are as vital as Mignolet at the moment.
GOD

22 Sep 2013 21:02:26
Krisztian Adorjan made it three goals in three games while on loan with Groningen. With Suso also starring on loan, next season is going to be interesting. Hope our youngster grow whilst out on loan and get some game time for us next season.

22 Sep 2013 20:52:40
Level on points after 5 games with Chelsea and man city. Ahead of Everton and man united.
Who wouldn't have taken that 5 games ago?
Apparently playing awful as well, can't wait to see us when we are playing well and everyone is back fit.

22 Sep 2013 22:02:28
I suppose I would've taken in at the start of the season. But:

1) It still doesn't change the fact that I'm disappointed with the last two games.

2) We all had our first six games flagged as a relatively benign start to the campaign. Whatever our ambitions for the season, 13 points from them should really be the minimum expectation, imo.

Just because you get an unexpectedly positive result doesn't make the team immune to criticism and comment for an unexpectedly negative one.

Equally disappointment, comment and criticism doesn't have to mean that you want Rodgers sacked.

Excellent post agree with you completely I think some people on this site need to read this post and realize that compared to previous seasons we are doing very well. Also don't forget Suarez returning and other players coming back from injury will mean we will be a much stronger squad, and just think when we are playing well again with Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho and Moses attacking teams we will be a match for anybody. Along with our improved defence I can see us easily getting top 4!
Keep positive. but realistic!

22 Sep 2013 18:37:35
Hi all not an over reaction to yesterdays result but the performance was very worrying. Most of the games lost last year we deserved something from. The problem I feel is gerrard and lucas both were awful yesterday don't look fit and were very lethargic. Also swansea passed us off park and southampton pressed us off park. This was meant to be template for rogers team and yet we can do neither and the reason is the above mentioned players who are not suited to system but with big reps. Also just watched game again aspas wasnt so bad certainly better than sterling. Allen has to come back in at least he can retain possesion in tight areas.

I think its more the system we're playing rather than player fitness or lethargy - I've always maintained that by playing two holding midfielders (which seems to be the defensive strategy of BR's game plan) we're sitting too deep and inviting teams to attack us. This can be fine away at the Etihad or the bridge, but not at home. Also, playing 4 central defenders meant Gerrard and Lucus had limited options out wide to offload the ball to. I feel BR is overly concerned with stopping the opposition. I know this is a big part of the game, but we need to be putting other teams on the back-foot, not encouraging them to go forward.

Lucas's lack of pace (yes his reading of the game makes up for it a bit, blah blah blah) and Gerrard's rapidly ageing legs and ambling around the field are the problem. Won't even bring up the hollywood passes.

Games are won in CM. Teams with pacy flair players sail past Lucas & Gerrard. Then there is the ball watching Gerrard does and not tracking runners. Lucas just can't keep up with the runners and heads for the centre to try intercept the ball in.

22 Sep 2013 17:46:56
Well very kind of Man United to lift our spirits after yesterdays game :)

Sssshhhh! or Sydney! will be here telling us how Manchester United will finish 30 points above us!

22 Sep 2013 14:40:01
Ed001, was just wondering what your thoughts were on yesterday's game?

Personally I thought we'd lost before we even started with the team selection.

On a more positive note, cracking performance from Suso for Almeria yesterday! {Ed001's Note - we were poor, though that was partly down to Southampton working well against us. I wasn't impressed with the choice of defenders, Toure is not good at fullback, Sakho is not settled in yet, you just can't put both in at the same time. Oh well, we can't win them all, but lessons need to be learnt and we need to start passing the ball better.}

I think the lack of offensive effort from both Toure and Sakho was the key to our defeat yesterday coupled with both Gerard and Sturridge being out of form in the match. I hope the return of Suarez will motivate the group against Man U.

Manager made the wrong choices at the back and then the players capped it off, strolling through the game.

I have to say though, If Kelly is not fit enough, why didn't he play Wisdom, who has played at RB more than anyone else recently?

Also, Agger wasn't fit going into the game, he has told Danish media that he should have told BR he wasn't ready.

Bolder decisions need to be made by BR.

22 Sep 2013 16:08:54
Well, season now starts. We were never going to win every game so how react to our first loss will show the depth of our character. Toure is right, love that guys attitude!

22 Sep 2013 15:40:59
Eds, can you give me any idea why my post was not published last night? Are we not allowed to criticise Rodgers?

The reason I'm asking is that I've got better things to do with the 20 minutes or so that it took to write it if my opinion is to be ignored because someone might not like it. I didn't think it was offensive in any way.

My apologies if it's on there but I can't find it and its not in my recent posts. {Ed002's Note - 21 Sep 2013 20:42:38 on Other Posts}

22 Sep 2013 12:25:18
The air is thick with chickens coming home to roost.

Dreadful on Monday, dreadful yesterday. BR teams I thought prided themselves on retaining the ball. Our passing was off the scale bad.

Sakho the new Djimi Troare anyone

Red wool

Sakho will be world class.

I agree with the statement how we were poor Monday and yesterday. In all honesty we have been poor all season excluding the stoke game imo.

Sakho has had two game's and is an amazing CB, don't be daft, it will take him some time to get used to the system and for some reason he was LB for a good part of yesterdays game ie completely the wrong position.

Djim Djimini djim Djimini djim djim traore, he's a big Frenchman who we all adore. Djim Djimini djim Djimini djim djim traore. We'll all go mental when Djimi does score

Is that Champions League winner Djimi Traore?

An old song the tune of Blame it on the Boogie

Don't blame it on the moonlight don't blame on the floodlights blame it on Troare

He just can't, he just can't control his feet

Good times, Good times

22 Sep 2013 10:47:54
Southampton Game:
Yes a number of our players had a bad day at the office but let's look at it honestly. Southampton woked tirelessly to stop the feed to Sturridge, knowing our '10' was out made it a bit easier. So full credit to Southampton they probably deserved to win by a more comfortable margin on the flow of the game.
Losing 1-0 on a very bad day for us and a good day for them is still not the ens of the world. I terms of goal difference we could have a lot worse than to drop 1 on our worst day of the season so far! I mean 1-0 is not dreadful, losing 3 or 4 is what could happen on a bad day.
We missed creativity, well Mr. Luis 'Edge of Your Seat' Suarez is back this week and he will provide that in abundance and hopefully Sturridge will be the poacher finishing off. We have seen that we need another 10 or someone to step up. Whos to say Henderson, Ibe, Sterling or Moses won't step up over the course of the season? If not then we buy or promote a young gun, Suso, Rossiter (spelling) to push Coutinho.
All i'm saying is our unbeaten run couldn't go on all season, and we have our best player starting this week to reinforce any lethargic approach. let's be honest, lethargic is the one word you would not associate with Luis, he will add a new dynamic to what has already been a very robust team who had a day off. The rest of our main competitors have already had bad days and yesterday was ours.
The vultures need to behave, we are ok and moving forward we will get better.

While I like your logical thinking, I have to say, what makes you think this was our one "Off-day""?

During all of the games this season, we have dropped-off our intensity in the second half atleast and have invited the opposition back into the game.

It's more worrying that we haven't had a decent 90 minutes this season.
And I don't think Coutinho has started this season the way he finished last.
For goals we've been relying on Sturridge to score and Gerrard's passing. Moses has added a bit but that's about it. When they don't do it, we don't look threatening.
Suarez will be a massive boost; his movement is fantastic. But I was hoping we wouldn't have to rely on him. Aspas and Sterling have been disappointing, especially Sterling. He looks so lightweight and lacking in confidence. They have got time on their side but someone needed to step up and take some of the pressure off Sturridge.
It's the same with the midfield; if Gerrard doesn't do it we lack creativity. Lucas will spoil and keep the ball rolling and Henderson will run all day but we've needed more guile. Maybe Allen and/or Alberto can give us this but it's more in hope than expectation.
Add to this that we've looked tired in games and can't press higher, we've been hanging on in games.
Still, ten points without playing well is great and performances can be improved but points lost can't.

Andy
We've just played against the side with the best pressing game in the country. They stuffed us last season at theirs, with Suarez and Coutinho in our side.

It's like a full squeeze, their fullbacks up high too. Our out ball is usually the false 9, or the two wider men. But there's no space. They push up their centre halves, full backs go in tight (and I notice are very aggressive with our smaller widemen. Coutinho got knocked all over the place last year), so those options are covered.
Our own deeper lying playmaker ends up with no ball out.

What's the answer to this pressing?
Our centre halves bring it out, Jocky Hansen-style, and have to beat a man to free everything up?

I'd be interested in people's views.

22 Sep 2013 15:37:39
What makes me think that was an off day is that although we were only winning 1-0 we were bossing the possession and yesterday we struggled in that respect.
Simple passing is what we use to pull teams about before we attack but yesterday passing was a weakness, that is an off day for us.
Think about when we pull a dm out of position and the pass to Suarez next week, and he gets to use his trickery against the defense. Then think about when Coutinho comes back and his precise ball playing combines with that. We then have Moses who drives a player back pedaling into his own box. And Sturridge who will put his left foot through almost any decent opportunity.
Our future is looking good, were in a decent place so far and have the individuals and team presence to continue strongly. When you bare in mind that creativity has been our missing link and we have the second place for last season golden boot and most fluent carrier of tricks to come back to our starting XI then you realise were ok. How many nutmegs did Suarez pull off last season with no one to pull the ball back to. Sturridge is that someone now.
Im annoyed that we need Suarez, as I had hoped we could have appeared quite like we didn't need him and he was just the same as any other player at Liverpool, but if were honest every teal needs their stars. Van Persie, David Silva, Ozil, Ben Arfa. At each club and each level there is a player that boosts that team and they need him to really push on, and ours is L.Suarez.

22 Sep 2013 09:29:19
Can't believe all the negativity on this page after yesterday's result. Yes it was a poor performance, but some credit to Southampton who closed us down constantly through the game and look like they will cause lots of problems for teams this season, plus we are missing some key players atm (certainly in terms of attacking options). I'm certainly not saying Brendan can do no wrong, but, he sees the players day in, day out and obviously feels that Kelly is not quite ready to come back into the team yet, Enrique apparently has an issue with his knee and looked poor when he came on which presumably is why he wasn't included in the starting line-up, that left little option in terms of full backs which is a key aspect to our current game. No Suarez, no Coutinho, Aspas, Sakho, Alberto, still finding their feet in the PL, further new additions in Mignolet, Moses, Toure gelling into the overall team play, Stevie not on top of his game so far this season (which will come), and generally still only 5 games into the season but with 10 points on the board. 1st defeat in 13 games, come on reds, there is a bigger picture here. Time will tell, but we have played a difficult Stoke, Man U, and up and coming Southampton, Swansea and Villa. We will improve once some of these issues have settled, so leave some of the unconstructive negativity until at least January and see where we are then.

I agree totally yesterday wasn't great but performances will get better. Yesterday as gone. Now let's get ready for an important week.

You probably think its negative.
the only thing negative is how we are playing. we could have lost all matches we won probably. there is no definitive style to or football. against southhampton we were awful at best.
no coutinho, no suarez, these are excuses, which are not meant to be. athe bigger picture could be worse if something isn't done at this early stage. we rode our luck for 10 points.
and I guess you probably haven't noticed yet, just see the like of hull city cardiif and crystal palace play. the only team poorer than us is probably sunderland as of now. admit it or not we had a fruitful transfer window. but our play is clueless. we have to get that passing /pressing game right, because we don't have any plan B . also buying youth and not playing them, what kind of statergy is that! games like southhampton at home are perfect opportunities for the like of kelly, wisdom, ibe, alberto and sterling perhaps even someone like morgan to start. 20 minutes in a loosing cause are not what they need. I rather lose fielding my youth and giving them gametime rather than lose fielding my overused and overplayed A team

There are NO easy games in the premier league anymore. The simple fact of the matter is, Southampton at home is a game we should be winning and that is definitely 3 points LOST!

I disagree Bruce Lee, it wasn't a poor performance, we were rumbled, it's been coming all season. Southampton did all game what other teams have done second half all season. When Southampton saw our team sheet with 4 centre halfsat the back, they must have been dancing in he isles. The players out injured old chestnut doesn't wash either. Rodgers has spent, he's spent £40 mill on Aspas, Borini, Alberto and Allen. Aspas and Alberto were bought to play on he right, yet he opts to play a central midfielder in Hendo on right. We have 8 first team centre halfs Agger, Skrtle, Toure, Kelly, Sakho, Wisdom, Coates and Ilori. We didn't need Ilori. He plays an ageing centre half at right back (against one of the most talented left backs in league in Shaw) whilst having Kelly, Flannagan and Wisdom on the bench (shows how much faith he has in them). We all know we need a quality left sided mid and holding mid to cover Lucas but Rodgers brings in 3 centre halfs and takes Moses on loan (moody squad player). Rodgers clearly has issues with Enrique but yet again doesn't bring in a left back but takes Cissoko on loan. Aspas, Borini, Allen, Alberto, Sahin, Assiadi all a complete waste of time. Rodgers creates a system which produces a point loading on the number 10 creativity role, yet doesn't allow for cover should Cotinhiou become injured. In fact he allows Suso to go out on loan, the closest type of player we have to Cotinhiou.

Conclusion:- poor transfer window, stark imbalance in squad and poor management decisions generally.

22 Sep 2013 11:32:33
Sigh,
How can you say he brought in Cisshoko and 'failed to bring in a left back?'
And don't say his position is lwb,
Easy to point fingers at the transfers he got wrong,
No manager in the world has a100% success rate of signings.

Ozone to call it a poor transfer window when we are second in the league is wrong. One bad result does not equal one bad season. Take players like Coutinho and Suarez out of any squad and they would not be the same team. How about getting behind the boys?

You can't believe the negativity? For god's sake man, we were horrible. We should have done better. 3 points dropped and more, at home!

22 Sep 2013 01:10:57
Hi Ed's, guys.

Can anybody tell me why Canada doesn't air the league cup anymore? They didn't have 1 league cup game on last year not even the final! Any help would be appreciated.

Also for u guys who stream games. Looks like I'm gunna be watching the UTD game online I usually use first row sports or ATDHE.net but it lags a lot and it's really slow. My computer is good an Internet connection is real strong so does anybody no the issue?

Cheers

There's a couple of things you can try the best is use google chrome it has an app you can use

Or vipbox

Whats the app called on chrome mate?

It's a Sports App. RED LENIN used to post the exact method to get it on Google Chrome. Try searching on his name. {Ed002's Note - HOW TO WATCH SOCCERBALL ON THE INTERNET (WITH THANKS TO RED LENIN)
1. Install the browser Google Chrome.

2. Look in the top right (your right) corner and you will see a spanner.

3. Click on the spanner and select 'tools'.

4. Click on extensions

5. At the bottom right (as you look at it) you will see 'Get More Extensions >>'. Select this.

6. In the search box type 'Chrome Live Football' and search.

7. Click on Chrome Live Football and then click on install. (it may download to a holding file in the bottom left as you look at it, in which case as soon as it's finished click there, but mostly it will install itself)

8. A small football will then appear in the top right (as you look at it). Click on that, select 'live stream' and reset the clock to GMT and it will list all the live games available all over europe and other places.

You may occasionally need to install other programmes or the link you pick will only work on Explorer (in which case cut and paste the URL into Explorer), but you will always get every EPL match (or any other). Sometimes you will only be able to find it with foreign commentary and sometimes you will get it in English. You'll get about thirty links and you may have to look through a lot of them to get what you want. You will also get most La Liga matches, Greek matches, Italian matches and French matches as well as top matches from South America.

Someone also asked about viruses etc. Google Chrome is actually far more secure than Internet Explorer so the risks are considerably less, but you should have decent virus/spyware programmes and run sweeps regularly as a matter of course.

The quality will also depend on the speed of your internet connection. If you have super-speed and have a modern HD TV, consider connecting your PC to the TV via the PC socket on the side/ back.

Cut and paste the above into a document and save it for future reference.}