Liverpool Banter Archive December 23 2017

23 Dec 2017 22:28:45
This talk of lemar in for couts - lemar is primarily a winger, which we have two excellent ones. Couts has primarily been playing as part of a midfield three, which he has done well in creatively, but poor defensively. I know lemar can play attacking midfield, but we have lallana gini and others capable of doing a job there. Id much rather buy a goretzka type who can attack well, but also offers defensively. We have no issue scoring, but all the help we can get defensively, we should take. For me lemar is not worth the money being touted. I'd take a Meyer probably, to help break down the teams when we are struggling to break them down, and he could cover wide when rotating, but I don't see why we need to blow our transfer record on someone who may not even be a guarenteed starter.

23 Dec 2017 23:15:45
I would take Julian Brandt for similar reasons although Max Meyer is still a decent option. Leon Goretzka is a good shout, although Im pretty sure I read on here that the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus are after him so might be difficult.

23 Dec 2017 23:19:03
i would go for a Dm someone in the mould of Matic or Kante and then let Hendo partner Keita as the midfield 3. a fit hendo and Keita can run riots in any midfield.

23 Dec 2017 23:52:01
Spend ALL the money on defenders and a keeper!

23 Dec 2017 23:54:53
Defenders.

24 Dec 2017 00:38:53
We need someone equally as good as Coutinho to maintain this 4th best team in the prem.
And that is worrying because they're all unrealistic.
To push on we'd need someone better or keep him and add quality.

24 Dec 2017 01:39:21
Just keep coutinho buy oblak sell mignolet and if possible get toby alderweirlder ( Tottenham defender)

24 Dec 2017 01:45:56
I don't understand why people think we need somebody as good as Coutinho, when we got by just fine without him the majority of this season. Sure he's had a few good games, the majority of the games he played he was mediocre, the rest he was ' injured' yet some are crying out for an immediate replacement? come off it. We need our defence to be strengthened more then anything, Coutinho has been invisible the vast majority of the season, he won't be missed as much as many may think.

I'm not saying we shouldn't replace Coutinho, I'm saying we must prioritise, get the most needed signings in, we're fine attacking, even without Coutinho, it's our defence what needs reinforcements.

24 Dec 2017 06:39:58
Brandt makes the most sense. Would be relatively cheap and Klopp has watched him quite a bit so would not be a panic buy. Meyer is just not that good while Goretzka will go elsewhere. Lemar too expensive.

24 Dec 2017 09:38:59
Brandt rejected us last summer as he confessed that he thought he was not ready to make the jump to a big club yet and wanted to stay, get game time so he could try and make the Germany squad for the WC. Will he be ready now if we go back in for him? We shall see.

23 Dec 2017 18:07:09
Non Liverpool question,

{Ed002's Note - This isn’t the place to ask.}

23 Dec 2017 15:10:43
Merry Christmas all! Stay safe driving to see family or football this festive season!

I've already had the first accident 😂 at least it was the other drivers fault!

23 Dec 2017 16:54:15
It was hendersons fault.

23 Dec 2017 17:38:48
I disagree. Mignolet could've stopped it 😂.

23 Dec 2017 20:51:49
Lovren was clearly at fault. No sense of where to position his car.

23 Dec 2017 14:52:50
Thanks Eds for everything you do on these pages. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

{Ed001's Note - thank you mate and merry Crimbo all.}

23 Dec 2017 13:16:47
First time ever I'm actually rooting for Everton.

{Ed025's Note - we are not looking to go above you just yet mate.. :)

23 Dec 2017 13:42:00
I'd love to see you do it against Chelsea mate after the draw for us last night it'll be good for us. People can say what they want about fat scam but he's certainly pulled your lot together, even if you do lose or draw today, he's not done a bad job, a month ago you'd of been getting slaughtered today.

{Ed025's Note - your right mate..

23 Dec 2017 14:22:47
The draw vs Chelsea was likely and this makes our unfortunate draw vs Arsenal look like a seriously missed opportunity. I guess we move on.

23 Dec 2017 14:32:16
Exactly Br it's a missed opportunity. Some fans will probably use Chelsea's draw as an excuse for ours and our short falls.

23 Dec 2017 17:09:23
Not for me, Jay. No Way, losing a 2 goal lead after threatening to score 5 and rescuing a point via a howler from the opposing GK, is nothing positive for me.

24 Dec 2017 23:25:32
There is no place in football for the style of football, Allardyce, Maureen and Pullis play, it's out dated and boring.

23 Dec 2017 13:22:30
I'm not usually one for isolated stats but get a load of this one. Mignolet has now conceded the same amount of goals (23) as he has made saves (23) this season in the PL. That to me is just mind blowing, and also why Klopp has to change it fast.

23 Dec 2017 13:28:34
Problem is, I fear he won't change the GK selection and that worries me.

23 Dec 2017 14:26:11
Another stat. Migs has committed the most errors leading to goals in the PL since 2013. What such a hapless GK is still doing here, is a Dear Klopp question at this point.

23 Dec 2017 14:36:58
Them stats make for some depressing reading Gents. Even without them though I think everyone knows that Mignolet is nowhere near good enough to be a premier league keeper let alone ours if we have serious ambition.

23 Dec 2017 16:57:28
A concern that has always been in back of my mind since Klopp took over, he also persisted with Weidenfeller at dortmund, who is likewise a woeful keeper.

23 Dec 2017 17:11:49
That is my fear, Lfcfan. However, he brought in Karius to replace Migs. He did not do that w/ Weidenfeller at all. I hope he acts cos he will get himself sacked if he continues with Migs.

23 Dec 2017 12:48:08
Morning Morning Eds and fellow Reds, will its the morning after the night before. It has been said and will be said again, I love Klopp but please for the love of everything just drop Simon Mignolet. I mean this guy will continue to cost us and cost us dearly like last night and many a nights. Genuine question, why did he go with one hand? If he hand simply stand still and gone with two with his body behind it it would have at worst gone back into the danger zone and not in the net. I am really struggling to find any saving grace with Mignolet but what do we know as I am sure he will be picked again in the next game. If I were Karius I would be fuming, also this saving Karius to avoid fan backlash just doesn't sit right with me as Mignolet is receiving criticism, which in turn does not help his confidence or what's left of it and in turn does not help the confidence of the defence and in turn always give the opposition the idea that they can always score. Play Karius and worst case scenario he makes mistakes but at least Klopp tried another option and can justify to the board to spend big on a keeper in the summer.

Personally and whether its viable or not I don't know because you would first need the player to want to come to play for us but I would be in the market for a top goalkeeper and overspend in terms or transfer fee and wages to attract them to our club. A keeper can single handedly save you points and push you from Europa League Finish to Champions League Finish to Title. I will make a bold statement in that if we had De Gea in goal with our current team, I believe we would win the league or at least be toe to toe with Man City for the title race and that's with our current back four and without any new defenders, which we still need of course.

Yes others have made mistakes but its the frequency of which the Mignolet and central defenders make them which is worrying. I would buy two central defenders, by end of summer and at least one in January. Play Karius until the end of the season in bother Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup and see how he fairs and if we need to go big in the summer for a keeper than so be it, spend whatever it takes to do so. Replacement for Coutinho who is bound to leave by summer and a class defensive midfielder.

The players I want are Dayot Upamecano who is a beast with great potential can play in his natural position at centre back but feel can also provide cover in the defence midfield role so could prove to be versatile which we know Klopp loves. Julian Weigl, just oozes class and would be good with our fast attacking three for the counters, reminds me of Alonso in many ways and would complement Naby Keita well and is just a composed young player to have in the middle of the park. Julian Brandt as a potential replacement for Coutinho and an experienced disciplined defensive midfielder to provide that cool head. Lastly a keeper after reassessing Karius in the summer if all doesn't go according to plan.

Julian Weigl and Dayot Upamecano or almost certainly out of reach but one can dream right but I welcome others peoples opinion in terms of the names I listed or the list of other players to fulfil those positions.

23 Dec 2017 13:01:48
If Klopp wants to attract unwanted abuse, media pressure and ultimately get his own head on the proverbial chopping block, he should continue with Migs in goal and he will be ut of a job before Migs is out of LFC, I promise you that much.

23 Dec 2017 13:25:51
I should start proof reading my posts so sorry to everyone, hope it made sense as it was written in a hurry. To Brover I am with you, it will end up costing Klopp, which I don't want to happen.

23 Dec 2017 11:56:59
Well that was interesting!

imagine how many missed calls Klopp will have from Karius and Ward. voicemail must be full!

"Klopp listen my nan can do better than that put me in goal"

if i was either of them i would be banging on his front door right now and demanding the position for swansea!

23 Dec 2017 12:07:00
Yeah I'd be kicking right off demanding change if I was one of them two, as should the rest of the team, surely questions are been asked, surely? Everybody knows it was Migs to blame last night, the team as a whole must be asking why the hell he is still getting put on, when Karius did a bit dodgy after a broken hand they pulled him off, after what, 10 games? Migs has had 4 bloody years! why?

23 Dec 2017 12:24:30
Gomez started the slide . I don’t like slagging players off but he should have done better. Especially when your marking someone like Sanchez. he played well other than that though. but it was a costly mistake.

23 Dec 2017 13:04:52
Weller, I agree BUT it is up to the older players to help him out by dealing with situations that come their way as we were still winning 2-1. Migs had the chance (the easiest of all) to do that a minute later and literally succeeded in screwing up a routine save, punching in Arsenal's equalizer. That is where the game really turned and had it not been for Cech's howler, we lose and trust me, we are NOT as calm as we are now, I promise you that.

23 Dec 2017 14:23:20
for the second and specially 3rd goal Can and Milner should be blamed too. No body cloawd down Zhaka and for the 3rd they left Ozil alone and walk into to the 6yard box. there were moment went arsenal were attacking and Can was just walking around, may be he was tired but still he can nver be the Dm to hold that team.

23 Dec 2017 21:53:49
yes gomez could have done better but he's still a young defender vs Sanchez. Gomez for me is still great in defence. Just shocking keeping for the xakah goal, and was left with too much room.

23 Dec 2017 11:31:48
Can I ask anyone with goal keeping knowledge, should migs have gone with 2 hands for that shot last night, I can’t quite understand why he went 1 handed, he wasn’t having to dive and stretch, that ball would have hit his right hand had it been up there. A genuine technical question, cheers.

23 Dec 2017 11:59:42
He should have put it over the bar using 2 hands. He must surely no he dropped a clanger.

23 Dec 2017 12:01:32
Lfc, it was a difficult shot to save, but any goalie will tell you to stop it with two hands, too much power for one hand, I would imagine that every top goalie would have saved that one,
will Kloppy play butterfingers next game, of course he will,
will Migs make more basic errors, of course he will .

23 Dec 2017 12:09:50
I'd surgest 2 hands even if it goes up in the air u have a good chance to claim it on the rebound. Failing that tip it over the bar and settle for a corner.

23 Dec 2017 12:14:59
In addition to that Reusch and Happy, Migs went with the wrong hand as the ball came towards his right hand and he tried to punch it (why you would wanna punch a rocket like that is already, dumb) with his left hand and wound up punching it into the net with his wrist. That was the easiest shot a GK would have to save as for any other GK even at youth level, you put two fists up and use the pace on the ball to divert it wide. Migs actually succeeded in screwing up the most basic of things in G-Keeping. Go figure.

24 Dec 2017 00:24:12
The fact that he threw himself to the floor as he did it tells you it was for the cameras.

24 Dec 2017 03:34:07
Exactly Brover, Mignolet has serius basic gk shortcomings. I don't know if you noticed but he made exactly the same mistake against Chelsea (jumped with his left hand although the ball was going to his right) . It's so simple but Im schoked the coaching staff and the so called "analysts" didn't pick this up. I can do a much better job. ED1, can someone pass the message to Klopp abt the left hand thing?

{Ed001's Note - the analysts are meant to look at those things mate, as are the coaching staff, I am quite sure they will have spotted it. However, spotting it and rectifying it are two totally different things!}

23 Dec 2017 11:33:07
A few points.
1. Fans say Mignolet will be dropped after last nights mistakes. Mignolet has probably made 30 plus costly mistakes in his LFC career so why would last nights be any different in Klopps eyes and we now assume he will drop him.
2. It is said that Klopp is protecting Karius from fans backlash by not playing him in the league. If that is the case why play him in the CL group stages where a mistake would prove more costly and could knock us out. If he's good enough for CL then he's good enough for premier league.
3. We as fans seem to pick and choose what players recieve criticism and those we turn a blind eye too. Robertson has received some for giving the ball away on the edge of the box but no one mentions when Firmino did it. Mane who we say is now shocking for missing chances when Salah misses twice as Many (not a dig at Salah and I think both players are top top class) And the best one where Gomez's defence for ball watching and not attacking it is he's young and he will learn. You learn to attack the all in the box as a child not a pro. Coutinho used to be our poster boy but now it seems he is too blame for us not scoring enough and conceding at the back as him and Mane get scapegoated. The problem is without Coutinho, Mane, Firmino and Salah the rest of this squad would probably be in a mid table/ relegation fight.

23 Dec 2017 12:14:16
Good post Jayden. Klopp has put lots of praise on Migs over his LFC career, he obviously rates him highly nd I doubt 1 more clanger will change that.
On point 2, I think Klopp realises Karius cannot vit it in the premier league where keepers are under a lot more physical and mental pressure as well as lots of crosses and high balls.
The champions league and most European leagues protect their keeper far more. Look at Guardiolas reaction when Bravo conceded last year after he was bundled into the goal. He was furious and spitting blood. Did Guardiola do something about it? Yes he replaced his keeper in the summer with one who can handle himself under physical pressure. This is the premier league, keepers have to be tough cookies.
You’re absolutely right about point 3. Gomez let Arsenal back into the game yet Migs is getting the abuse for the second goal. Gomez’s error gave Arsenal the belief they could get back into it.

It all depends what are expectations are. Do we want to challenge for the league? Yes or no? Yes - then we need a ready made top class keeper who is hard as nails and doesn’t give a toss what fans say about him. We also need 2 or 3 top class defenders who are not too far up the field to prevent crosses and are big and strong enough to defend crosses.

23 Dec 2017 12:24:51
Brilliant post, Jay. I agree with every point. It is the fact that some fans pick and choose who they slate and who they don't, is why we are in the GK mess we are in. We cannot say Gomez is young as an excuse for his mistake YET on the other hand, slaughter Karius for making a mistake as he and Gomez need experience at this level so mistakes will happen. Both of those statements cannot be correct at the same time. NO WAY. I do not blame Klopp for protecting Karius as the shameless conduct of some of our "fans" last season gave him no choice.

But now, it is time to end this farce for good. Karius has improved and deserves his chance as he is light years ahead of Migs except in experience (Yeah, experience at being a clown is not experience I want anywhere near LFC anymore) . Play Karius till the very end of the season, drop Migs and throw away the key the same way Pep rightly discarded Hart and ended the debate even tho Bravo messed up, at least Hart was no longer a prob. No one would blame Klopp for doing this and he needs to do it NOW. Afterall, he did not have an issue bombing Moreno for his errors. Why should Migs continue to survive his?

23 Dec 2017 12:37:56
Gomez made a mistake but he’s had a fantastic run of games after a serious injury and is also very young so will make the odd mistake. Despite this he’s transformed the solidity of our back 4, we are clearly way better with him there than Clyne or even TAA defensively speaking.

On the other hand, Mignolet has had questions over his position from day one and had years to prove everyone wrong. Silly mistake against Tottenham, mistake against Chelsea (even if a little unlucky), mistake against Arsenal. the list goes one. Look at his goals conceded vs shots on target and it’s obvious there’s a problem. That’s why everyone is up in arms from the fans to the pundits. What makes it even more bizarre is we have two talented young backups so we could hardly do worse than give them six months to prove themselves or buy someone better in the summer.

23 Dec 2017 12:48:27
Karius hasn’t got the attributes to play in the premier league. He is weak with high balls. His deficiencies will be targeted at will.
BRover, can you give examples of “our fans” who behaved disgracefully by criticising Karius. I’m sure Migs and Moreno have had worse.
I think Klopp dropped Karius for a series of poor performances and the fact that pundits highlighted it. Instead of ignoring pundits, Karius tried to respond public ally. They correct response is non-verbal on the pitch.

23 Dec 2017 12:54:33
well said mate.

23 Dec 2017 13:26:11
Grobs that's not me trying to slate Gomez as he's been terrific. The same as Firmino. I'm just pointing out that saying he is young and will learn is not an excuse to turn a blind eye and scapegoat others for the same thing. Mignolet deserves all the stick he gets with exception of any personal attacks. Calling him a clown i. e is Un needed. He is not good enough and that it the bottom line.

23 Dec 2017 13:21:18
It was all over social media, Ron. Don't act surprised as we were all there as it was happening esp. with the sell out and failed manager (Ed01s description of Carra and Neville, not mine) fanning the flames. Karius spoke up for himself. So effing what? There is NO clause in his contract that says he should not defend himself if he felt targeted which per Chris Sutton (who alongside Mari=tin Samuel, defended him for) and many of us, he was. There were critics on here as well.

Klopp did not drop Karius cos of any poor perf as the kid conceded 5 goals in the 9 games he played befoe B'mouth cos Ed01 has already said so even at the time so your premise on that topic is factually wrong. In fact, Ed01 said Klopp was forced to drop Karius at the time as the media frenzy was getting out of hand so he had to act even tho he was against it. It is for that same reason that he was at a time this season, hesitant to put Karius back in this season after Migs' errors vs LC and Burnley and Hoffenhiem as he was scared of the backlash he would get should he make a mistake.

Ed01 has mentioned these facts repeatedly so again, you are wrong. You may not think Karius is ready for the PL BUT that is your opinion, which many on here clearly disagree with as the kid has done absolutely NOTHING wrong this season when he has played with one error committed in 8 games (5 clean sheets), Fact. We will have to wait and see if he can come good when he gets the chance long term until then, there is nothing to suggest that he will be successful or not until it is tested.

23 Dec 2017 14:06:21
BR- social media does not mean you are a Liverpool fan, anyone can claim to be a Liverpool fan on social media.
If it was factual then it should have come from Klopp himself. I’ve seen Karius’ poor performances and if he wasn’t dropped for that then he should have been.
The media frenzy dies away if you don’t contribute. Karius did so the next mistake causes more uproar.

I’m sorry BR, goalkeeper is one of the most high profile positions on the field. The premier league is the most high profile league in the world. If you’re going to play in goal in the premier league you have to be man enough to cope with criticism otherwise you’re in the wrong job.
Karius is not a kid, he’s an adult.
Migs has had far worse abuse and hasn’t been dropped because of it. Karius needs to man up I’m afraid.

23 Dec 2017 14:54:04
Ron, you are wrong again as the Ed01's info I posted (which you conveniently never disproved nor addressed) has proven. That is a fact. The issue is that the level of criticism and all the hoopla fueled by the media and the hack job pundits was over the top. I did not say that, members of the media (Samuel, Chris Sutton etc), posters and Ed01 on this boards said so. Again, that is a fact. The whole crap storm was getting out of hand and Klopp had to act to protect him form the circus which was all it was. Why you are rewriting history is beyond belief just cos you don't think he is good enuff. Facts are stubborn things you cannot ignore, I'm afraid

You say he does not have the temperament to be in the PL YET also say why did he respond to the pundits. Both those statements cannot be true at the same time and again, proof that he is a tough guy is that he is still here and playing and putting Migs to shame each time. Had he been the snowflake you claim, he would have jumped ship when German clubs came in for him in the summer (Ed02's info) . Again, another fact.

I post facts, not opinions. Your opinions are not facts on this topic. If you have better info to disprove that which the Ed's say or is giving us, please I am all ears. If all you have are opinions projecting them as facts then you are simply blowing smoke up into this debate and frankly, it is a shame.

23 Dec 2017 17:25:48
If he had the right temperament he would have been in goal for the last 4 months. He hasn’t. There is a reason for that. Could you give me the facts why he’s not in goal in the premier league?
A media circus which ended 12 months ago? I didn’t think you’d be as naive as that.

23 Dec 2017 11:11:09
Ed001.Match review? Do not hold back on Mignolet. lol.

{Ed001's Note - parents are staying mate having to take them Xmas shopping. No chance of getting anything done sorry.}

23 Dec 2017 11:28:29
Let me do it ed.
Our starting 10 played really well.
Done.

23 Dec 2017 12:48:11
Did they benny, as we should have been 3, 4 nil up by half time and Migs had nothing to do with that?

23 Dec 2017 11:25:42
No Worries mate! Have a gr8 christmas! Do u mind if i post the match review? I Would love to do it.

{Ed001's Note - please do mate.}

23 Dec 2017 11:30:22
Hi Ed01 what are you going to buy me this Christmas?

{Ed001's Note - same as last year and the year before mate.}

23 Dec 2017 11:35:58
Ed 01 save yourself the heart ache of having to watch that game back mate and enjoy your day with the parents. I think every man and his dog know what the review would say on our weakness's without you having to even write it. Have a good Xmas YNWA.

{Ed001's Note - I still haven't recovered mate. To make it worse, for the first time ever I actually saw some people round here wearing Arsenal shirts *sigh*}

23 Dec 2017 21:10:16
Hey Ed001, I have posted my review through the contact form at Football news articles website. Could u post it on the banter website?

{Ed033's Note - It's been posted thanks.

23 Dec 2017 11:09:16
Any one interested in a gofundme being set up to help buy a new keeper?

23 Dec 2017 11:28:19
Our manager rates our keepers highly.

23 Dec 2017 11:29:34
Put the money toward a lawyer and prosecute mignolet for stealing a living.

23 Dec 2017 11:34:03
We don't need to buy a GK yet, we have Karius.

23 Dec 2017 12:09:58
Think both karius and ward could be good keepers but still think we need to go out and get a top class keeper as a priority if we are going to really challenge for top spot. Man u, Chelsea spurs all have keepers that earn them points, ours cost us.
We need to spend on a commanding keeper and cb over any other position.

23 Dec 2017 12:53:58
We have the money to buy a very good keeper now, but we won't do it, although how many are actually available to move atm? Genuine question there and I don't mean your Harts or your Pickfords, we need better! Oh and how much has our goalkeeping coach done to this situation, Migs has hardly improved the whole time he's been with us and some of that has to be levelled at coaching staff!

{Ed002's Note - But never at Klopp}

23 Dec 2017 13:33:01
In my defence Ed, I said some of that blame, Klopp deserves a lot for the idea of keeping 3 keepers happy at the club and it's not working, as I predicted in the summer!

23 Dec 2017 10:08:01
My take on last night for what its worth.

Firstly, we need to be way more savvy when two goals up. Teams now still believe they can get back in the game as we are prone to errors.

We need to break up play better, give away free kicks around the half way line, have a couple of players go down with injuries for a minute or two, make a substitution, anything that stops the game for a minute - is it gamesmanship, ? yes probably but I can't imagine a Chelsea side from a few years back or Utd team now letting the opposition get into an attacking rhythm. We just invite teams to keep playing and keep coming on to us.

The less said about Migs the better. Klavan and Lovren were decent as was Robertson - Gomez dropped but a clanger by not attacking the ball for the first goal - but probably won't make the same mistake twice.

I thought the midfield and front three were excellent - though Mane is a bit of concern for me. His touch seems off at present and his wry smile when he was subbed seemed to suggest a kind of "yeah, its always me that gets hooked" attitude. Perhaps if his over head kick had gone in things would have been different for him - let's hope he just needs a good goal to click again.

I've read some stuff on here regarding Couts desire in tracking back etc - for me, and only my opinion, whilst that is part of his role - creating and scoring is where his talent lies - the run he made to score was fantastic and his technical ability is brilliant. A shame he will be off at some point to Barca, he will be hard to replace.

Too many draws, when we have bossed games is costing us big time - every player will always make a mistake or two - ours cost us a goal - not just a chance for the other team. We are paying a heavy price at times.

Great to watch - but it sure isn't relaxing!

{Ed025's Note - good honest post that weller, im a massive klopp fan as you probably know but at times i have to say he is tactically naive, attacking wise its superb but the price you are paying for the lack of defensive organisation is a high one, the main problem is the keeper mate as he is costing you points and a replacement is needed as a matter of urgency..

23 Dec 2017 10:29:24
Agree ed, apart from the goals, he came for a cross in the second half and well. I’m not sure how to describe it! Luckily the red blew for an infringement. woeful.

{Ed025's Note - he really is weller mate..

23 Dec 2017 11:41:28
I think our midfield was far from excellent, there was w huge hole that Arsenal we’re allowed to operate in. As for Mignolet, absolutely awful. I think he has to go now. Our centre backs always make opposing teams think they have a way back in it.

23 Dec 2017 12:20:36
Midfield wasn’t excellent? First half and for half the second half seemed decent to me. your expecting a midfield to dominate arsenal for 90 mins? . good luck.

23 Dec 2017 11:08:35
Ed025.i agree that a keeper is obviously needed and Klopp has to be blamed for not addressing the problem or atleast not giving others the chance. but i think tactically we were spot on last night. all the goals were individual errors and game management is something that players should be aware of cuz it is not rocket science and all the players are internationals for their respective country so they should take the responsibility for that. not much Klopp could do to stop us from stupidly giving up possession after conceding the goal!

{Ed025's Note - thats a valid point SW..

23 Dec 2017 11:58:14
Spot on, Ed. I do not believe Klopp is naive. I just think that people (esp. pundits that no one should bother with) think so just cos he is NOT doing what THEY think he should do. That is a very myopic way to look at things as I do not expect the manager to do what I want cos If I do, then I should stop moaning and then take the job so that way, I can do what I want and be held accountable for it. Klopp wants us to defend as a unit from the source or beginning of a move as in, as soon as we lose the ball. That will NOT happen well all the time BUT as you eloquently put it, it all starts from the GK.

Even if you have the legendary Milan backline of the 90's, if your GK is putting the fear of God into them and they know he is a clanger waiting to happen, they will play w/ jitters. Karius has to come in now and if Klopp even tries to persit with Migs for one more game, he will be the one to own every mistake going forward cos Migs does not pick himself. That will eventually get him sacked THO, I don't think he is that dumb.

{Ed025's Note - i think he has used up all his chances now brover, surely he will be replaced now mate..

23 Dec 2017 09:23:52
The only thing I want for Xmas is a rumour from Macca that confirms that Karius or Ward is now No.1 and a new CB is being bought.

Merry Xnas all.

ConnorsLFC.

23 Dec 2017 08:48:17
Question for Edd's. if Liverpool decided to upgrade their keepers who in your opinion would be a realistic good option?
I like Oblak from Athletico Madrid but would he be a viable?
Cheers.

{Ed025's Note - i think you have better at the club already bilverstone in the shape of karius and ward, oblak is very good but i suspect he will a target for the big boys mate..

23 Dec 2017 09:26:31
I suggest Alisson Becker of Roma. Excellent reflexes and strong as well.

23 Dec 2017 09:29:56
Yeah now is the time too put trust in the other 2 keepers we still really don't know how good they are they haven't been given a decent run, klopp loves rotation so now he needs to rotate the keepers, karius seemed to also have a mistake in him, ward I don't know but seems decent, is Perrin still at Genoa ed he seems a good keeper wat do u reckon.

23 Dec 2017 09:38:48
Karius and ward can't be worse!

23 Dec 2017 09:53:11
Karius will go on to be a good GK for us in the long run if our manager gave him a chance. Unfortunately Klopp knows as much about GKs and defenders as do most of the clueless pundits.
And I don't believe a word Ed001 says about Klopp's plan to phase Migs out and slowly reintegrate Karius. Klopp intends to do this at the cost of missing out on top4? That makes him a buffoon. An even bigger buffoon than the sorry excuse of the GK guarding our goal posts.
Don't get me wrong, Im sure Klopp and MIgs are very nice human beings but miss out on top4 and both should be the first in the firing line. This is a results business and neither are helping LFC's cause at the minute.

23 Dec 2017 09:23:11
Ed025. Ward and karius better than oblak. I know your a toffee mate but surely you cannot be serious. Karius is not good enough either some people think he is the answer but he is just as shaky as migs and ward even tho he was great last season for Huddersfield has found his level. Gk has become the priority position to buy now.

{Ed025's Note - you misunderstand me IR, oblak is top quality mate i was saying that karius and ward are better than migs imo..

23 Dec 2017 10:13:55
IR89 that kind of attitude is exactly why we are stuck with Migs. People are to quick to jump on players backs before they have even been given a proper shot.

Whilst I’m not jumping on the Karius is the answer bandwagon, both and he and Ward have shown enough promise to suggest they deserve a chance and a run of games.

How you can suggest ward found his level in the championship is beyond me? Based on 1 cup game which he wasn’t really at fault for the result?

{Ed025's Note - im with you triangle..

23 Dec 2017 10:31:23
Does anyone think we can win the title with any of our 3 GKs?
I think if Karius and Ward were that much better than Migs they would have been playing regularly.
I don’t think there’s that much difference in our keepers.

{Ed025's Note - i think there is ron, an upgrade would not go amiss i grant you but surely karius and ward have to be better then migs mate..

23 Dec 2017 11:13:25
Karius bundesliga team of the year behind neur. Broke his hand last summer and looked shaky after his injury, fans jumped on his back and wanted the buffoon back in goal.
Right now if we had stuck with karius, like SAF did with a certain young prospect, we could have been reaping the rewards right now.

23 Dec 2017 11:35:31
I still don’t think Karius is good enough.

Champions league and the German league are TOTALLY different football to the premier league, that’s why he’s playing in the champions league and not premier.

People talk of De Gea and fergie sticking with him.
The flaw in that argument is Man Utd have decent goal keeping coaches who improve their keepers. We have terrible gk coaches who somehow manage to make our keepers worse!
We need a gk who is already top class, not a potential keeper who could be good if he improves. Has Migs improved even 5% since joining us? I would say “no” and that’s true about all our keepers.

23 Dec 2017 12:44:22
Triangle. How has ward shown enough promise? He has hardly played and that speaks volumes that he can't get in ahead of migs or karius. He did well in the championship but this is the best league in world football and in my opinion none of the 3 keepers we have would start in a top 8 side in this league. Everyone is living in denial if they think any of these keepers will bring us back to where we wanna be.

23 Dec 2017 12:38:09
Apologies ed025 mate. Didn't have my morning coffee. agree with you oblak is top notch.

{Ed025's Note - very good mate..

24 Dec 2017 23:18:11
I think Kasper schmichael is within our reach if we wish to pursue.

23 Dec 2017 08:15:44
That was a fantastic game, completely mad, I was as entertained as I have been all season which kind of sums up United’s play, comfortably second but not playing particularly well.

We beat Arsenal 3-1 at their place but here’s the thing. If you swap De Gea and Mignolet then I think Arsenal would have beaten United and you would have won last night. How Klopp can’t see he needs a new keeper is beyond me, your attacking threat is incredible but you always look like shipping a few.

I think City will win it unless they implode which is very unlikely. Right now it looks like a battle for 2nd between United and Chelsea with the 4th spot between you, Spurs, and the Scousers. Fair?

23 Dec 2017 08:58:08
Very fair assessment AJH, our keeper isn’t someone that saves games for us, but he sure can help throw a few. Conceding 3 goals in five minutes from only 4 shots on target says it all really.

We dominated for long periods until we suddenly let them back in it, if we could eliminate that habit we’d be a much much better team and changing the keeper should be the start.

I’d agree with most of your post apart from maybe Liverpool still being able to finish anywhere from 2nd to 6th. I think with the rest and the rotation we’ve given the players we could end up picking up points on rivals in next couple of months.

23 Dec 2017 08:58:29
AJH, don't know if you are an Arsenal fan BUT if you think they would make top 4 with the shambles we saw last night from them both offensively and defensively then, I fear for you. LFC let them off the hook BIG TIME yesterday as we could have smashed the by 4 in the first half alone and no one would have batted an eye lid.

As for the GK issue, we don't even need a DDG type GK as we don't even concede that many shots on target like Utd do. All we need is a solid GK who can play in a Klopp system and who can pull off the odd save to keep us in games. We don't need to rely on him like Utd relies on DDG to literally win games. We have that GK right now in Karius and he has been solid in the CL this season and made one error in all 8 games he has played. Migs made THREE mistakes in the LC game alone and almost cost us the points there as well. These draws from winning positions is what will hurt us in the end if we don't fix up, quick. On to Swansea.

{Ed025's Note - hes a united fan brover..

23 Dec 2017 09:10:11
Spot on AJH.

23 Dec 2017 09:12:57
Oh, ok. No prob.

23 Dec 2017 09:39:44
Brover the cantona pic might have given it away.

23 Dec 2017 11:28:55
Spot on about DDG, he’s top drawer and that game against Arsenal he was incredible. I don’t think it’s that comfortable between you and Chelsea for 2nd though, I wouldn’t discount us just yet!

23 Dec 2017 12:47:15
I know, Firmane BUT i just drew a blank.

23 Dec 2017 13:29:49
Migs won't be dropped, and top 3 is just out of our reach, 4th or 5th again, we have a great attacking threat, be we have to be honest, and say that our goalie and back four are just not good enough for top 10, never mind top 3 .

23 Dec 2017 06:17:13
A laughing stock yet again over Mignolet. Klopp really needs to drop him.

23 Dec 2017 07:14:01
Maybe this was the plan all along. Play mignolet until we're all screaming for karius to play.

23 Dec 2017 08:51:18
This is Klopps best chance now to drop him, the look on Migs face after het let the 2nd in he nos he dropped a clanger.

23 Dec 2017 09:10:16
You might be onto something there, Hugh. As that is the only thing I can think of as to why this hapless excuse for a GK is still no. 1 at LFC after committing the most GK errors in the PL since 2013. He's prolly saying that "I will let Migs hang himself so the moaners will have no choice but to support him when I bin him". Disagree with that but you get my point.

There are still people saying he has not made that many mistakes this season and that he is a great shot stopper. To those people I say. "You are part of the problem". Karius got hounded and destroyed for WAY less than this and he got dropped unfairly, IMO. Migs has been costing us for years BUT the rules changed. In fact, Karius will have to throw the ball into his own net 10 times to match the amount of errors Migs has made for LFC.

23 Dec 2017 09:57:10
Agree BRover. I have had enough of this GK nonsense that Klopp is fiddling around with. Karius needs to be first choice and the clueless muppets that most LFC fans are need to give him a chance to find his feet. Its either because of their impatience or Klopp's stupidity that the clown named Simon MIgnolet is still guarding our goal posts.

23 Dec 2017 10:35:24
Hounded and destroyed?

Come on, seriously? He got criticised for a clanger. The criticism is was no worse for him than any Migs or other keepers get.
If he can’t stand criticism, I’d suggest he’s in the wrong job because keepers get criticism regularly.

23 Dec 2017 04:40:36
Man Utd fan here in peace. Not a judgement or criticism, just in advance, as we're hardly playing great at the moment. Genuine wonder is all

After watching the game, and a fair few others this season, it's obvious the goalkeeping situation is in major need of addressing. This leads me to my question:

Given the defence and the way that Klopp has the team set up to be open, is that the reason why you struggled to find a top top keeper?
Let's be honest about the back 4.

LB you have an unproven project in Robertson, the awful barring a few games this season Moreno or Milner who is a midfielder
RB you have a green Centeback in Gomez, a potential right wing youth player in TAA and Clyne (no words needed)
CB isn't quite as bad but be honest, how many would get into a decent Champions League team? Klavan is a decent 3rd or 4th option, Lovren looks a shadow of the player from Southampton and Mario has the acceleration and turning circle of an HGV

Though a good keeper will help this all, and Robertson/ Gomes/ TAA could still come good down the line, are they looking and thinking that it's a poisoned chalice being between the sticks? The A grade keepers are no go's (only 5 of them anyway in my opinion) so that leaves the next tier spread between all of the other top European clubs.

Who do you think, realistically, would come to you with the current defence that's in the top end bracket (proven A or B class) that you sorely need?

23 Dec 2017 04:47:51
Matip not Mario. Stoopid auto correct 😂.

23 Dec 2017 08:18:08
De Gea ;)

{Ed025's Note - you wish smp..

23 Dec 2017 09:29:19
Utd fan, I see what you are saying. However, you have to understand how we play and Klopp's ethos from the inside to have a better grasp of what Klopp is trying to do. Defensively, Klop believe that the whole team must defend as soon as the ball is lost. This is why Firmino is very important in his system as he defends from the front hence, stopping the oppo from playing out from the back or we retreat into a deep shell if the press does not work from there. Also, Klopp does not believe in just playing a traditional DM as he believes that playiong a double pivot in midfield say Hendo/ Keita combo, has the dynamism to both break up play and launch attacks at the same time. A Matic would not work in our system as he is too slow and not dynamic enuff inthe high tempo system we play in, for example.

As for the defence, it will definitely help if we have better individual CB's BUT for right now, Klopp has made the tweaks necessary to makes us hard to penetrate (12 shots concede in 9 games is stellar by any account) while at the same time not sacrificing who we are as a team: on the front foot. Klavan and Lovren tho not great individually, have forged a great understanding of late and it is showing as the progress is there for all to see at least before last night.

GK wise, we can do better obviously BUT there are no top GK's out there available as they are all taken so people banging on about getting a top GK then proposing crap GK's like Butland or Hart, are just nonsense. Our young defenders are getting exp. and coming good so no qualms there BUT the individual errors are still there to be ironed out long term. We have a solid one in Karius who just needs more games at this level to show if he can do the job or not. This is what it is, as I see it.

23 Dec 2017 10:00:08
Karius. Give him a chance and he will come good with time.
Oblak was awful in his first season at Atletico and was replaced by Moya.
Ter Stegen had a torrid 2 seasons before finding his feet at Barca.
Same for DDG
Can we LFC fans not show the same faith and patience for Karius?

24 Dec 2017 23:11:30
I wouldn't change the way we play for the world, I love the way Klopp plays and it doesn't matter where we play he goes to win, not sure there is a place in football for managers like Maureen, Pullis, Allardyce, Rafa, it's out dated and boring, love watching the way teams play like us and City, wouldn't change it for the world.

22 Dec 2017 23:49:39
Ed I respect yr knowledge massively, but I know yr time and what I want to ask u as been asked so much, my brother's boy he's 13 playing sat, Sun diff teams he's left footed, tall but one lazy rubbish but he's scoring goals in the leagues for last 3 yrs, managers r begging him come with us
After speaking to my bro he tells me these teams our offering like incentives 20 quid here and stuff
I am I looking at this wrong, and don't talk about parents on the line ban them it's the only way.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure what the question actually is, sorry.}

23 Dec 2017 05:21:58
Any chance of a translation of the above please.

23 Dec 2017 07:14:03
That's a drunk man at Christmas right there 😂😂.

23 Dec 2017 01:44:22
We concede yet another 3 goals away from home, keeper has another nightmare.

But the club are more focused on increasing ticket prices as a long term stategty .

I await for the non season ticket holders and armchair brigade to have their say.

23 Dec 2017 02:24:40
I don’t understand how tonight’s game is linked in any way to ticket prices.

23 Dec 2017 04:01:03
Your post reads with arrogance and to be honest you come across as an @ss. So would you rather we have very few fans but those who are fans gave season tickets? A fab fan is a fan, regardless. We’re a big club with more fans than seats. I hope this is a trolling and I assume t is because quite frankly I doubt you go to any games? I go when I can sadly my work doesn’t permit that often but I support Liverpool F. C. and don’t attack other fans because I have a massive chip on my shoulder or an embarrassingly tiny phallus. We are all supporters, opinions may vary but we are a group, a team, a club. We are all supporters of LFC. Keeper has a nightmare, agreed, ticket prices change? Again I agree it’s not the right direction but to call our fans who aren’t lucky enough to go every game is wrong. Merry Christmas everyone.

23 Dec 2017 04:19:39
Your post about prices is baseless. If you want the team to improve to avoid games like these, revenue needs increased. Raising prices is one of the ways.
Matt in FL.

23 Dec 2017 04:20:20
sell me your season ticket then pet, or stop crying about it. two options really.

23 Dec 2017 06:21:47
Are you for real Drogue? If you are not happy there are 23,000 plus waiting to take your seat.

24 Dec 2017 23:12:57
Ford, I'd beg borrow and steal to stop any of you 23000 getting a season ticket and when you see the protests outside the game, think back to this post as I'll be right there with everyone White your in your armchair taking the top off your bud shaking your head at the bad people not knowing there place and doing as they are told.