Liverpool Banter Archive February 23 2015

23 Feb 2015 19:20:45
Some people on here seem to think that Rogers SHOULD win us the title. Think on this for a minute, whenever the next big name becomes available in the transfer market and Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U and Citeh show an interest with us paying the wages that they do, what chance do you think they will sign for us. I would say no chance, but we still expect the title and blame all sorts when we don't

23 Feb 2015 19:59:22
It's obviously going to be difficult but on the other hand is it acceptable to just finish 5th every year (where we are by wage bill and revenue, last I checked)?

If BR can get us consistently fighting above our relative weight, then great. If not, keep trying until we find someone who can.

23 Feb 2015 20:20:20
If Dortmund, Ath Madrid, Lyon are/were all able to compete with bigger spenders (obviously Dortmund have fallen away this season) and in some cases beat them to the title then I would expect us to at least compete at the top end of the table given our finish last season and the money we spent.

I don't think anyone (outside of Rodgers when he made the crazy promise that he would win the title) would have said we were favourites to win it but we should never have dropped out of the top 4 for the length that we have done this season, I think at one point Man United were in the top 4 (sometime around Jan) and had the same points at that stage as last season under Moyes we should be better than that given the money we spent. We are playing catch up now when we shouldn't have. I think everyone can see that if we fail to finish in the top 4 Rodgers is gone, whether you think it is the right decision or not.

23 Feb 2015 20:30:47
We shouldn't have to go for the big names, usually a waste of money.
We and most teams in fact have had more success buying the up and coming players and moulding them in the clubs image and playing style.
Buying big names is no guarantee of a superstar. Falcao anyone?

23 Feb 2015 21:35:18
Brilliant reply Mike 85. Perfect

23 Feb 2015 21:46:58
RDL if we do that we' could end up like Spurs. Given the strength of challenge last year and the second half of this season, Rodgers deserves one more season. I think he will stay even if we finish 5th.

23 Feb 2015 21:24:38
Who was the last big name proven player we signed ??? Anybody want to help

23 Feb 2015 22:28:42
Or we could end up winning the title with a different manager (well, coach + DoF). There are no guarantees either way, but if we don't make CL this season that's 2 out of 3 where the minimally acceptable outcome didn't happen which, for me, is plenty of time. I really don't understand why the assumption is automatically that anything other than BR would be worse, that's only one of 3 potential outcomes.

23 Feb 2015 22:31:56
1 more season?! Why are talking as if Rodgers' future is in doubt? He's been brilliant for Liverpool! There isn't a manager in the world I'd rather have than Rodgers right now. Obviously there are world class managers like Klopp and Simeone out there, but what chance is there that they'd come to Liverpool? And why fix something that's not broke? Rodgers deserves to be here for many years to come. We will not improve and progress if we keep changing managers ever other season.

23 Feb 2015 23:38:03
Wasn't balotelli a big proven name before he came here he BR would mold into a brilliant striker, who wouldn't act like a fool could be turned round by steve peters and BR's man management.
I wouldn't include Falcao in that list of failed big money transfers he had a horrid injury that curtailed his good start at Monaco, he was MAGNIFICENT at Porto and Athletico. His injury hampered him dearly, to the point he only got match fit around January, cue that with having a manager hell bent on a ''philosophy'' who's own starting 11 choices have UTD fans screaming like this board was about BR from september.

23 Feb 2015 23:59:16
RDL - It's all hypothetical but my feeling is he deserves one more chance to get it right, even if we finish outside top 4. If you think we should change the manager than that's your opinion, I'm just saying I don't agree with you.

24 Feb 2015 00:47:43
Fair enough, Extra Bacon. It's all just opinions, there really is no right or wrong answer to something completely hypothetical.

24 Feb 2015 02:44:58
Adam Lallana 26 mill, Lovern 20 mill. Both struggling and any other manager apart from BR both would have been benched long back.
If some think they would come good next season, Y not BR?

24 Feb 2015 04:23:52
yes agreed we might not be able to attract big names, pay atrocious wages, but liverpool do pay over the bonkers for their targets . markovic lallana lovren combined costed us a good 60 million and they cannot justify their worth in the first season. given time they will come to the fore and prove themselves and that is how a team is built. nobody really blames rodgers for buying the players for the future, but then he doesn't handle them well does he? ( illori, suso, alberto, and many in the youth setup who just won't get a game.)
its his words that disgust the fan, he has back-tracked on so many occasions, speaks on matters that are not to be spoken of and then plays johnson/allen whenever he gets the chance.
we say we have had great second half to the season. what i fail to understand is why couldn't we do it in the first half? same set of players, same coaches. why did it take 15 games to get our season started? how did a defense become strong once again with 3 at the back? i don't call for rodgers head, but i do believe he has to improve his management game, his soft skills and his media consultation, be more responsible for payers he signed and have his clear say in the signings

25 Feb 2015 02:22:28
I agree w/ parts of your post, ak. If he refuses to get help and improve on his conduct then he should be shown the door. If he does, then we keep him. The owners will a full review of his tenure and not focus on just the last half of each season and that is what we should all be ready for. The poster who said he will be kept even if we come 5th is deluding himself, IMO. That would be abject failure after blowing 100m and coming 2nd last year and judging by the way Kenny was offed, he`d better be ready to be disappointed because I wouldn`t be if he was ideed sacked.

23 Feb 2015 19:13:13
Look on the bright, it could have been Martinez in charge. .

24 Feb 2015 00:07:43
I think he knew he wasn't up to the task of managing 1 of the best clubs in the world.

24 Feb 2015 04:39:17
Crap manager and a crap motivator. All hat but no cattle as the say in the geat state of Texas.

24 Feb 2015 09:52:45
Must be lots of cattle crap in Ohio, Texas.

/s

23 Feb 2015 18:52:55
Top of the form league and going strong in two cups.

Stop moaning you shower of tarts and sit back and enjoy the ride.

t is the form league trophy called Davey?}

23 Feb 2015 19:30:05
The form team league is not a trophy and will not win us the league nor even a top 4 spot so your post is pointless.

N BTW, your trash talking ability really needs work because you are getting worse.

23 Feb 2015 20:06:41
redohio, I'm pretty sure if we stay top of the form league til May, we'll finish in the top 4 mate

23 Feb 2015 20:09:50
Delightful as ever Dave.

Can just imagine now a picture of Brendan with his pearly whites sat right next to the mrs on your fireplace.

23 Feb 2015 23:44:29
Form based from when? the start of the season?If so you're wrong there pal

23 Feb 2015 18:45:39
Ed, I've heard a lot about changes being made to the club. What changes (in detail if possible) have been/or will be made?
Thanks once again for all the hard work and time taken over this website for us!

{Ed002's Note - Scouting, youth system, London office, commercial and medical have all been revamped since the summer. Hogan has been in the background for a year or two but is now front and centre and will oversee new commercial deals and the stadium work. He will be looking for people to take on the naming rights for stands or for the entire stadium.}

23 Feb 2015 20:29:29
Thanks Ed!

23 Feb 2015 19:52:31
Ed002 in your opinion is hogan and his role important for us and does he have good experience?

{Ed002's Note - It is very important and should not be under-estimated.}

23 Feb 2015 18:23:18
Edd001. Can I get your opinion if I may mate.
Theres a big deal about finishing fourth but imo it's a major hinderence. Reasons being it's most likely that team is well off good enough to have won the league or hadnt a great squad to challenge Thus not competing in the CL. All unless the difference from 1st to 4th was a few points. To Liverpool it's extremely important because of our financial situation but I don't see us competing seriously or winning in either the CL or PL next season. I would rather we gave our all in the PL with the aim of winning it rather than be conservative in certain matches to ensure champions league places.
For example united fans urge fourth but it's really not an advantage because they have a poor squad and manager and won't challenge for either next season without another huge amount spent in all areas and a new manager that hits the ground running plus they are financially very strong

{Ed001's Note - the money is important to clubs, it makes a huge difference. Plus it is easier to attract players with Champions League football than it is without it.}

24 Feb 2015 09:56:48
I've done a lot of things for much less than champions league football

23 Feb 2015 16:35:56
I won't be happy with fourth and I'm irritated with the media confessing their love for Rodgers and this turn around and 4 or whatever clean sheets. We were awful for six months and the defence in that six months is still the same though slightly improved because of wasting a talent in can to help skittles defend.
Lucas returned(previously isolated by Rodgers) and helped our team as a whole. Then we reverted back to our system that made us previously successful. This is no 'turn around'. We paved our own downfall and we would probably be second in this poor league had we continued how we played from last season even with the same defence and goalkeeper.
I believe we will finish in the top 4 but that is still a failure in my eyes. There has been no improvement this season rather a regression and has the first half of the season been switched with this forthcoming half, Rodgers would be gone but probably will hold onto his job this summeR.
And yesterdays match, we were shocking defensively in the ffirst half. If we play a top inform team that take their chances our defence will be hammered. The fans on this page don't realise that we have a defense in place that potentially will pave way for a defeat that will make the history books. And I see no improvement until Rodgers gets and Accepts proper help in the back line. We will never win a PL without a solid defence and skrtl dropped. He is a major undoing in our backline and Rodgers favours him.
How many years are we going to suffer without proper defending. It's criminal how long we have never had a solid backline and gk.

23 Feb 2015 18:30:31
I understand your frustration about the start we made but the manager deserves credit.
His record after Jan 1st is phenomenal.
Only 4 defeats in all 3 seasons put together and it looks like we are going on a similar run again.
I don't care what anyone says when you buy 9 players then it's going to take time to gel.
That's obviously what has happened.
As far as I am concerned if we finish 3rd then all is well that ends well.
I want the title as much as the next fan but for me we are building something not just for a couple of seasons but for years with a really promising young group of players.
I think it would be professional suicide to get rid of a manager who achieves the aim of finishing in the top 4 2 years running if we make it.
And I know he promised the title to the owners but what would you promise after finishing level on points with Man City last season?
I think he was wrong to make that promise as it was always going to take time for the squad to learn about each other after signing so many.

23 Feb 2015 19:43:47
So Rogers made a mistake by bringing in to many players and it took until now for them to click if he learns and we get the right players in the summer (assuming we get CL) it could be those players we signed that win us many leagues in the near future Rogers is young inexperienced the owners knew that so if he learns we will benefit

23 Feb 2015 19:59:50
"If you spend 100m then you should be challenging for the EPL". Know who said that? That would be BR. If he was wrong to promise the title then (IMO), he conned the owners into giving the money that even they don`t trust him with per his dreadful record in the TW. Should he not face the music for that? You say he should get a pass because he bought 9 players. We did not need a new squad. We needed 3/4 top players to help the first team and was asked to use the youth academy but he did not and pissed 100m on youth and potential knowing fully well that would not win us the PL as he promised. You don`t challenge for the title by buying a young group of players. We already have them in the academy so why sped money on the to begin with? Should he not face the music for that too? Crashed out of the PL w/o a whimper as well? What other excuse should we give him for that? 4th place was not one of the promises and if he gets it, it might still fall short of expectations and after dealing w/ his blunders for 3 yrs, would you fault the owners for looking elsewhere? I wouldn`t because it`s their money and they have backed him all the way and at some point, BR has to get the results that their money deserves(which is NOT 4th place, mind you). The turn around agument is just BS because you cannot get credit for fixing what you willfully broke. That is just stupid and frankly, does not pass the laugh test. Regardless of if it was right or wrong, BR promised what he promised and come this summer, he will face the music. That is a fact that I advise you get used to because his position WILL be reviewed and if he stays, he stays and if he goes, he goes and would have deserved it due to the afore-mentioned facts. I have no prob whatsoever because LFC is my priority and provided we are winning and the manager is learning from his mistakes and adapting, that`s all I care about.

23 Feb 2015 20:11:33
If you're worried about a top in form team turning us over then maybe reserve your judgments until after the City game next week. Just a thought.

23 Feb 2015 20:39:13
Fair enough argument although with LFC adding 3/4 players this summer with out over spending we could make a serious challenge for the league of you ask me

So my question is yes he made a balls of this season but were in 2 cups also so what does he have to do to earn another season (if our form continues it will be tough for the owners to sack him btw)

24 Feb 2015 08:11:59
redohio. I know he said that and I have used that quote on here before as well to have a dig at the manager.
But Spurs and Liverpool did not spend that money and keep their best player did they?
They both sold their best player for vast sums which allowed them to spend 100 million.
So both teams weakened their squad before trying to strengthen it again.
Compare that with United, City and Chelsea when they were building their "super squads" before FFP they spent vast sums and kept their best players.
Other clubs simply can't do that.
So in truth we spent 100 million and sold our best player for 65 million.

{Ed002's Note - You are making these numbers up. Why is it always about someone else and not about Liverpool? This is why the other fans are looking at the Liverpool supporters as a laughing stock - and you are simply feeding the fire going on and on about how much better off the other clubs are. You don't understand about FFP, the money, the sanctions. Say Liverpool are banned from European football for a year - whose fault will it be? Chelsea I guess.}

24 Feb 2015 10:06:32
Chelsea play football.

Chelsea play football with pensioners.

**** football pensioners.

Chelsea = FFP

There are three letters in that three-letter acronym.

Half Life 3 confirmed.

-------

FFS the club is a business and perhaps your capital investment is purely emotional but that means you're still invested in it's success as a commercial enterprise. If you owned Blackberry stock you'd be demanding accountability. Listen to ed and drop the FFP conspiracy.

25 Feb 2015 02:26:26
Barnes, the numbers don`t change anything. We spent 100m is we spent 100m and where the 65m came from is IRRELEVANT.

25 Feb 2015 10:46:54
Every team has embarrassing fans ed. do you not agree?
I don't think it's embarrassing talking about other clubs. they are our rivals so I really don't get your point.

{Ed002's Note - Of course every team has embarrassing fans but it is a league that Liverpool are running away with.}

23 Feb 2015 15:11:25
I will be happy if we finish in top four. It means more time to improve finances. It also means being able to add one or two quality players every year and build a strong team.As for BR i am strongly with him.There are very few proven managers around but will they come to Liverpool is a serious doubt
Then there is the new crop of managers like simeone, klopp, villas boas and de Boer. Simeone will never come, klopp is already suffering villas boas has failed and gone and de Boer yet to prove himself anywhere else. Then I see the teams around. Tottenham trying for the fourth place for last so many years, everton last year so near this year nowhere, man utd 7th last year with a champion team and no guarantee even this year. So yes I will be happy with a top four finish.

{Ed001's Note - the new crop of 'managers' are not managers. They are head coaches. We are one of very few clubs still employing a manager at the top end of football.}

23 Feb 2015 15:51:22
Ed for those who don't understand (myself included) what is the separation. I've read Werner describe the transfer committee as have some of the responsibilities of a DoF.

Who is the one who sets the team up tactically? Who has final say over what? Does the DoF have any commercial responsibilities. How would you best describe the responsibilities of each? Who bears the brunt if transfer don't work out or the team is under performing? That sort of thing. I've seen you say Mourinho works with the DoF but in a situation where Mourinho has identified a player he thinks would fit into a system and the DoF identified someone he thinks is better who has final say?

It can be a bit confusing as we don't know where the lines are - similar to the Tottenham- Villas Boas situation where fans didn't know who to blame and both but Baldini kept his post.

{Ed001's Note - depends on the DoF. There are no commercial activities, purely footballing ones. Usually a DoF picks a head coach he believes coaches in the style he wishes the team to play, but the head coach has responsibility to pick the tactics and set the team up. The DoF will be an overview, linking the first team with the youth academy and scouting set up.

The DoF usually has final say on transfers, for the simple reason that he is supposed to be responsible for the long term wellbeing of the club, while a coach's first thought is winning the next match. The head coach will suggest players he thinks fits his system, but the DoF will usually be able to veto them, especially if he believes there is a particular talent in the academy the coach should be utilising instead of buying.}

23 Feb 2015 16:00:51
Ed001,

Do the new crop still have the say on the style or philosophy of how the team play? I thought this was a DoF responsibility.

{Ed001's Note - it depends on the DoF mate. When Cruyff was DoF at Barca, he set the style of play that the coaches were expected to play. Usually though the DoF does not do that, they usually let the head coach set the style. I doubt many head coaches would accept that kind of restriction without a Cruyff to listen to!}

23 Feb 2015 16:13:42
Ed001, do you expect Rodgers to be here next season with him promising to win the League which definitely ain't happening? FSG have shown to be ruthless i.e. Kenny Dalglish and Comolli.

I am pretty sure FSG by now have quite a few options should they feel the need to show Rodgers the door?

{Ed001's Note - I am sure if they have a better option available to them he will be gone. They seem to be edging the club towards a DoF gradually, so I expect that to be set in stone with one appointed. A lot will depend on how Rodgers reacts to that, as the only real option out there seems to be De Boer, which would be another unproven man. Though at least he has a track record of success, which does give him a certain appeal. There is a lot of dissatisfaction with the manager being so far behind that this good run is not putting us in the mix for the title. Top 4 is great, but not when you were 2nd the previous season.}

23 Feb 2015 16:19:30
What's Cruyff up to these days? Does he fancy a challenge this summer? Would our club even consider such a top established 'name' or would they prefer someone upcoming/less limelight?

{Ed001's Note - we tried to get Cruyff but he rejected us. He didn't want to start another big job at his age.}

23 Feb 2015 17:06:30
Thanks for the reply Ed001. I cannot seee Rodgers wanting to stay on if a DOF is appointed. If Rodgers did not want the LFC job first time round with a DOF then I cannot seee him accepting it when FSG put their foot down and tell him it is either or.

I quite like the idea of De Boer. He is working under a DOF now and has no problem with it plus he might bring some of the talent on show at Ajax with him. Managing a club as massive as LFC should not be down to one mans decision and FSG clearly do not want it that way so I am assuming it will be FSG's way at the end of the season or highway for Rodgers if he cannot accept working with somebody above him calling the shots.

{Ed001's Note - a lot of the tasks a DoF would take on have already been taken out of his hands, so why not just do it properly? It would make sense, and I would hope he would see that. It would give him more time to concentrate on coaching and assessing the opposition. Surely that would be good for him?}

23 Feb 2015 17:17:12
After selling suarez last summer we bought in a number of young promising players instead of ready made experienced stars. Anyone expecting us to win the league at the start of the season was very naive.the owners surely realised this. We need stability with the management situation . getting rid of Rodgers and bring in De boer? Do me a favour!

{Ed001's Note - Rodgers wanted those players, he didn't want the ready made experienced stars, and he was the one saying they would be what he needed to bring the title. So are you calling him naive?}

23 Feb 2015 17:28:39
Ed001, I am I right in saying we had a chance of signing Lacazette last summer with all the money made available to Rodgers? That is the type of player that we needed and would have given us more or less what Suarez did.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know that we ever had a chance of getting him. Bony was the one we could have had, so it will be interesting to see what he does at City.}

23 Feb 2015 17:38:16
He knew as we all did that 1 we don't have the clout to shop for the big boys and 2 that there's no guarantee the big players will want to join us after one good season. Eg Sanchez. We had to invest in the younger ones and build again.

23 Feb 2015 17:40:17
Superreds, Rodgers spent the most money in the league last summer, only second to UTD. Last season we finished 2nd so it would be naive to believe FSG would accept 4th place after spending almost £120m with the aim of finishing 4th.

Does that make sense?

23 Feb 2015 17:43:21
I would much rather have taken Bony than Balotelli. What a muck up.

23 Feb 2015 18:09:11
I can see your point max lad but any team that sells it's best player is going to suffer big time especially an up and coming young and small squad. I think we invested in the right way by and large. Lovren and Mario being the exceptions. but buying so many players the same window they're not all going to be a success . Top 4 spot was always going to be the best we could hope for

23 Feb 2015 18:43:19
I think the owners need to take a step back and just hold fire on the getting rid of Rodgers malarky.
Where were we when he took over?
What squad did we have then and what squad do we have now?
I have heard all of the reasons for wanting to get rid of him and I acknowledge them but I don't agree.
FSG need to look at the longer term for me.
We have a manager already who could win us that elusive title in my opinion.
I take great pleasure in wetting my pants at the prospect of the squad next year and I see no better man than Rodgers to continue with that squad.
Yes by all means restrict the transfer spending, Maybe even try and convince him that we need a Df but let's be fair. Rodgers has now built a squad which really only needs 1 or 2 rather than 6 or 7.
Young hungry players is what we have and we also have a young hungry manager.
I want him to see out his contract because this is the first time in 20 years where I look at our squad and think it is comparable with the best squads in the league.
And as Rafa would say. That's a fact.

23 Feb 2015 20:08:20
FSG will no longer bow to his demands and as a result, if he doesn`t accept the help and the changes FSG wanna make, he should be shown the door. All the other stuff, doesn`t matter because in the end, it was his show and he bought the players that he said would challenge for the PL and has clearly failed. I don`t want him to go per se BUT We need to see improvement and his mistakes being rectified otherwise, he gets the boot and we move on.

23 Feb 2015 22:20:19
Just thought I'd mention, we could still finish third yet, win the FA CUP and do very well in the Europa League. What a turn around that would be.
People need to remember we bought a lot of young players from abroad who needed time to settle. Even British players need time to adapt to Liverpool

23 Feb 2015 22:26:11
how stubborn is Rodgers? Just thinking if he was told DoF or FO then regardless what he said previous I think he would accept it. He seems to find his mouth with every step he takes, so to back track wouldn't be an issue for him.

23 Feb 2015 13:35:51
Hi question for Ed01 if you have the time.

My question is around the defence and how shocking it is along with people being played their out of position.

I may be wrong but in my opinion we have a fantastic Midfielder in Can, nothing taken away from Allen or Lucas etc but for me he would be far better used currently in the centre with Henderson instead of shoving him either right side or like yesterday on the left of a back 3.

In your opinion Ed01. what do you make of it? Is Rodgers just doing this to say look . master stroke playing a midfielder at the back who is very confident on the ball when we have Lovern, Sako, Tourer and Skittles who can all play at the back?

Also why play Marko out wide left wing back. That made no sense and with Coutinho in front as cover he was exposed so easily and you can see he struggled from the off. It made no sense when Moreno was perfectly fit to play.

I feel we will and should make top four but cannot understand when he does things like this.

What is your take on this and what did you make of the game yesterday?

Many thanks

{Ed001's Note - I think he just wanted someone to be able to play out of defence, someone who has played in defence, but is good enough on the ball to do more than just defend. I understand the decision to play Markovic, he has been playing well, I think he just played him on the wrong side, he always looks lost on the left. He was just hoping to hold Clyne back, as the fullbacks are one of the Saints' main strengths.}

23 Feb 2015 13:33:41
We finished second last year, narrowly missing out on the championship. In all fairness we should have won the championship and it was there for the taking but silly decisions toward the end of the season cost us in my opinion. We sold Suarez, we re-invested in a whole new team, the main objective that Rodgers promised the owners became un-achievable by October. Rodgers knew he would overhaul the squad in the first place and still promised the title this year, by October his tone changed and the 'period of transition' card was pulled out. He should have been honest from the start in my opinion, he likes the sound of his own voice and likes to hear himself say he will be a European & English Champion this season, actions speak louder than words he should stop talking so much. We are playing better, but still not to the levels I want. Against Southampton, if we defensively went about the City game in the same manor we will be going into half time a few goals down. If anyone can say it would be a good season finishing fourth, you are living in a simple world. How going from near champions last year to 15 points off the pace and scrapping for a fourth spot this year is a good season, is beyond me. i'm probably going to get loads of abuse but I wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to Liverpool and it frustrates me to see so many fans with their blinkers on.

23 Feb 2015 14:01:09
I don't think the fans have blinkers on they are just being realistic.Did I miss the interview where BR said we would win the league this year and the champions league or is it just another unfounded rumour Just asking because I have never seen that interview

{Ed001's Note - he promised the owners, not said it in an interview. Do you think they spent all that money in the summer, despite being in breach of FFP over spending, to come 4th?}

23 Feb 2015 16:04:26
Anfield Apple.

You're not going to get a load of abuse, your post is pretty fair but we also have to be realistic. All the cards were stacked in our favour last season and it was a fantastic opportunity to win the league. This season, it was very unrealistic to suggest we would win the league, whether or not Rodgers told the owners he would do so. Just plain old common sense tells us to have won the league, whilst losing Suarez, plus Sturridge, and integrating a number of new signings would be a difficult, if not impossible task. After all, we have to finish above Chelsea and City and that will be a tough ask in any season, with unlimited funds and a fully fit squad to choose from. They are top drawer teams with top drawer managers and will atleast, it seems in the short term be the teams we'll have to finish above to ever win the Premier League.

The realistic ambition has to be top four. A sustainable finish in the top four year after year until we get to the level of those two teams and have the quality of player they have, whether purchased or from home grown talent. Yes teams have managed to win the league without the budget of the bigger teams in the league, Dortmund being one of them, but so far, the Premier League has proven time and time again, the clubs you expect to win the league, do indeed win the league.

My gripe with the majority of posters on here was that they were too quick to throw the towel in and slander a manager who brought us to within inches of winning what we all want. Yes, we were poor, undoubtedly, but 10 games into a season and we have people asking for a new manager, a new DOF, what's De Boer up to these days? How about Bielsa? Is Klopp available in the summer? Even Tony Pulis got a mention FFS! All this, after 10 games. Do you think that's right? It left a sour taste for me, and that constant negativity just spiralled into what seemed a constant belittling of our manager. People were actually looking for any and everything to find faults, whether it was press conferences, team selections, formations, whatever it was. We've had the term "Brendaned", "Foot in mouth" and all manner of negativity towards our manager. Is that right? If you want to find something negative, you will. I could list a few negative things about my wife, and draw up a completely unbalanced picture of the beautiful woman and mother she is. The point being, we stick together through the tough times, and give people the opportunity to show the qualities they have, instead of looking to bury them when the chips are down.

We've improved hugely over the past few months, one of the most in form teams in Europe and now people are saying things like, "he's stumbled into the new formation", "he's playing out of position", "It's all down to Lucas", etc. So even when we improve, it's still seen in a negative light towards the manager. Now today, we're getting "we were lucky against Southampton", maybe we were, but it was still a great result against a very good team, and away from home to boot. We should be like those away fans at the ground yesterday, but instead, there's still a feeling of negativity. A feeling of disappointment that we're actually one of the best teams in the Premier League at the moment and we're starting to rekindle some of the form that made us all dream last season.

The summer signings everyone has been slating the manager for are starting come good, the average age of our side is under 24 I think, that's fantastic. There are so many positives in this squad. They have had a difficult start, but have shown great maturity and a great mentality in turning it around, so instead of us driving a wedge between the manager and those young players, we should be driving them forward together towards success. Liverpool has always been a collective, from the community, to the fans, to the players, to the manager. Modern football is slowly breaking that apart, well. it probably already has.

23 Feb 2015 16:07:06
Omg this is ridiculous the summer money wasn't spent because of 'promises' for the league!

Rodgers may have promised that but I would be surprised, he doesn't seem such an OTT guy, but the eds have said it so it oa fact!

Maybe before Suarez left he might have said it, but noonw expected him to go and if we couldn't of added to him qe would be up there, abs still in the champs league! But all changed when he left and the transfers were partly kneejerk but also part of the owners getting some of europea tip young players in foe future sell on fees Marko, origi, Moreno and can were bought I believe because we had the chance with the Suarez money that like 50 mil, I believe the targets were lambert, lovren, lallana/sanchez for about 60 mil! Which would of fitted in with brwbdans 1 or 2 top player comments!

{Ed001's Note - you clearly need to go back and look at when Can was signed. Also it was never Lallana/Sanchez, it was a case of trying to sign both. Sanchez was the player earmarked with the Suarez money, not Markovic, Origi or Moreno, and certainly not Can.

As for the money spent, it was spent for a title challenge, not to finish 4th, so how is it ridiculous? That was the deal. We will go out on a limb giving you money, even though it will cost us in FFP terms, and you deliver a title challenge. Not sure what you find ridiculous about that? Do you really think they would have risked the club's future for anything less than the hope of the title? They got swept up in the hope of glory like so many others have done in the past at clubs around the world. They didn't buy us to be also rans, they bought us in the hope of reviving the club and winning trophies.}

23 Feb 2015 17:06:19
Jimmy hustle post of the season !

23 Feb 2015 17:52:44
Spot on there Jimmy hustle too much negativity on this site top 4 would be a great achievement i believe in BR 100%

23 Feb 2015 18:52:00
I just think he had to offer the title because of where we finished Ed.
Bravado? definitely, but I like a man who thinks he can get us to where we want to be.
FSG are not stupid, they must understand that Suarez was one of the best players in the world last year.
There are mitigating circumstances, I suppose if you like the manager then these are taken into account and if you don't like the manager then these are called excuses.
I said recently that I would rather give him another season and be absolutely sure he is not the man before sacking someone who could be that man.

{Ed002's Note - They are certainly aware that Suarez was a very good player who was occasionally available to play for Liverpool but was often serving 8 or 10 game bans, dragging the club through the guttering, considering taking the club to court (as he did elsewhere), etc., etc.. They know that they are well rid of the runt. They know the money that has been pissed up the wall. They know that the club has prize money being withheld from them. They know the clubs is being investigated and may suffer further sanctions. They know about the very significant debt the club is in.

But thankfully they know that the club will win the EPL this season and be challenging in the Champions League. Brendo told them, so it must be true.}

23 Feb 2015 21:46:18
To the poster who said that 4th would be a great achievement when BR wasted half a season messing about the tactics and systems and not planning for studges injury which we all knew would happen at some point, I say you are joking and if you think the owners put 100m into this season for 4th place when we almost won the PL last year, that my friend, is regression. BR made the promises and got the dosh as a result hence, he should be held accountable for his blunders and failures and not just given credit when we do well. Or is he immuned to that as well? I want acpersonability and humility from the manager and not false bravado and arrogance which is always bad karma especially if you are still learning the game. Bravado is nothing but an act if there are no actions to support it. Martinez has bravado, too. Where is he now w/ Everton? FSG do not trust BR w/ money hence the commitee of which he is a member. The owners gave him the money and knew exactly what time it was. And guess what? They know about all his blunders as well. It does not matter whether they are circumstances or excuses. They are the hard facts and willfully ignoring or making excuses for him for them (as many seem to do here) all in the name of positivity does not help for a healthy debate. It is not about liking or disliking BR for me. Those of us saying this for me, want to show some balance in the debate of should we or not keep BR. For me, it is not a pro or anti-BR issue, it is a case of where do we go from here and if we are going to do that, we must be honest and take into account everything and not parts that fit a narrative and ignore or make excuses for parts that don`t. I love the way we play under BR and he is a damn good coach BUT he needs help and if he doesn`t accept i, I will not blame the owners for letting him walk because we are LFC and we should not allow one man`s arrogance and ego and whose mistakes are costing the club money it doesn`t have, mess w/ our progress.

23 Feb 2015 21:26:59
They also now that if it can continues progressing he's worth what In todays market 25/30mil ? That coutino is worth 20mil? They know Sterling is worth what 30/35 mil? They also know that apart from this seasons high expectations set by br, hw has pretty much relieved what he was brought in to do! They know that the value of the club to people is wr should be winning the league, which is down to br (rather than they won't make top 4, henae why this season seems such a disappointment although we could finish 3rd and have a cheeky push for 2nd - beat City and 7 points is all that's between us), they know that Brendan in his first interviews said the target was champions league football in the 3rd season, they also know that they barley spent Nything on transfers for Brendan before last summer compared to most top clubs (30 mil 1sr summer, 20mil Jan, 43mil 2nd summer and nothing in Jan) alongside getting rid of pleanty of top earners, they also know he's up there with the best COACHES in world football!

I would also like to ask a questions on tom werners interview the other month? He stated they were happy with the transfer commitee, so what changes have been there?

And this new head office you said about as a reaction to the changes there making is false because if you actually look into it that was planned before the start of the current campaign!!

I will never understand the start to this campaign and i have been defending vrendan this season, but I will say he has to have next season but he cannot have a start liel this, I'm fine with the team operating at 60/70% getting results and getti g out the champs league group (fingers crossed) and then hitting full throttle second half of campaign! No more excuses next season!

23 Feb 2015 19:52:51
Obviously in the no camp then Ed002.:)
I don't agree that we have pissed anything anywhere to be honest.
Yes the players have taken a bit of time to gel but most do.
I put a bet on today that we will win the title by 45 points from Chelsea.
FFP is a con.
The clubs who were at the pinnacle of the game have benefited from FFP while everyone else has suffered.
Chelsea stockpiled players in other leagues to offset FFP restrictions so how is that going to even things up? ( Sorry to talk about Chelsea but they are a great example to use and I am not criticizing them)
Unfortunately we did not have a billionaire owner in the years before FFP was introduced or we would have done the exact same thing.

How can stacking the deck in favour of Billionaire owners ensure a level playing field in regard to FFP?
As for Suarez, I totally agree with you but I was on about his playing ability and not his off the field antics.
Would your beloved team suffer a dip in form if they got rid of their best player, in the short term I would say yes, Its called adjusting.

And before you have a go at me for bringing it back to Chelsea. That is who you support so that's why I use them as an example. I have no Chelsea axe to grind.

{Ed002's Note - Clearly you have no grasp of FFP. Do you work for Liverpool?

Which "beloved" team are you referring to? You are grasping at straws with your whining and trying to make it about Chelsea, but at least you think the money was well spent on the likes of Coates, Tiago Ilori, Joe Allen, Fabio Borini, Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Oussama Assaidi, Samed Yesil, Victor Moses, Nuri Sahin and Aly Cissokho.}

23 Feb 2015 10:45:25
Hi all,

Just an idea for poll of the day at some point.

"Should football introduce "citing" such as in rugby, to enable the authorities to deal with dangerous play even though the ref did see the incident"

Following Ashley Barnes' tackle on Matic at the weekend. His reaction was ridiculous, but Barnes' tackle was horrendous and should be severely punished.

Cheers all

23 Feb 2015 11:22:29
I believe complaints regarding specific incidents should be seen and dealt with (or dismissed as appropriate) regardless of what the ref did or didn't do. For someone to get away with a real old fashioned leg breaking attempt because the ref saw something and gave a free kick is completely against the spirit of sport

23 Feb 2015 12:09:30
I completely agree that its a horrible tackle, but the reaction from Matic cannot be accepted and he should be punished hard. i'm pretty sure Matic won't get what he deserves. "If u tackle me, ill kick you're ass" is a message you cannot be allowed to send.

23 Feb 2015 12:38:19
Ok

Am I the only one who sees this differently? The lad had passed the ball when Matic came in from the side. Yes, it looked horrendous, but was it not just a matter of a follow through of the leg in a kicking motion meeting Matic's tackle (so to speak) .

Yes it could have broke his leg, but accidental to my mind. let the abuse begin, but to me it was unfortunate not deliberate.

23 Feb 2015 13:19:57
I agree, Marshy. But on one hand, some will say that the follow through is enough to warrant a red card because it looked rash like Fonte`s tackle on Sterling that this argument can be made for. On the other, your agument is also a good one to make as well because the boy got the ball first. Now what we cannot have is players applying justice themselves on the field which we cannot have and the fact that people are saying Matic was right for assaulting the lad is disgraceful in itself. You cannnot take the laws into your own hands because you feel you have been agrieved which is why we have law enforcement because if you do, you will be arrested prosecuted and Maic was sent of for exactly that.

23 Feb 2015 13:28:28
I completely agree with you, Marshy. I have only seen the games highlights so maybe i've missed something but for what I can tell, Barnes was not trying to make a tackle. Two players went for a ball and Matic lost. Yeah it looked bad but in my opinion it was not a foul. It could have caused a bad injury but you cannot call a foul based on what might have happened and nothing else. Matic reacted poorly and should get 3 games minimum. He acted with intent and violent conduct and should be punished accordingly.

{Ed001's Note - do you not think he deliberately went over on the lad's shin? It looked to me like a deliberate follow through, a separate movement. As for Matic losing the plot, he only gave him a push, that doesn't warrant a red for me, just a yellow would be plenty to take the sting out of the situation and calm it all down.}

23 Feb 2015 14:19:05
Hi Ed001

It's subjective and judging by the responses in he media, it was a bad tackle, but to me he doesn't deviate in any way. It just seems a natural follow through but Matic brings his leg into the equation, not the other way around. I guess only he will know if he extended the time his leg was in the 'danger zone' to effect such a collision, but I'm sure he won't be admitting to anything.

As for the handbags, maybe you're right, but you can't raise your hand and retaliate (supposedly).I can't see how that decision could be overturned. He retaliated, end of.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think his card should be overturned, but I don't see how Barnes got away with what was shockingly bad for me.}

23 Feb 2015 14:23:46
He stood up, ran after the player and gave him a push in the back.That is a red card every day of the week. It was more deserving of a red card than Nutter Barton who was merely checking Huddleston's manhood. In that incident you can see from the start that Barton was trying to get other players away from the referee when none of them had any business harassing him. This behaviour is something that should have been stamped out long ago.
Pape

{Ed001's Note - I don't understand how on earth anyone can suggest a punch in the knackers is not as bad as a little shove in the back.}

23 Feb 2015 14:36:51
I can see what you are saying ed001, I cannot tell if Barnes intentionally went through with the purpose of hitting Matic. Of course only he knows what his true intentions were and I can see on the replays where he does seem to glance at Matic as he is playing the ball, but the ref was not in a position to make that judgment and we won't know his intentions unless Barnes admitted it. I've been caught in similar was playing before and I can see that in some situations that when you are stretching for a ball that accidents happen. Again, only Barnes knows and he could have meant to hurt Matic but there is no way of knowing if he delibertely tried to hurt him. And I can also see why you would see a yellow was appropriate, I just feel like just because the shove would most likely not injure a player, that it should not be a red. If he had punched Barnes in the back it would have most likely not done any lasting damage besides maybe a bruise and that would have been a red. It was the intent behind putting his hands on another player that I think deserved the red.

23 Feb 2015 14:38:24
Totally agree with a yellow for Matic Eds. The tackle was clearly too strong and I personally think it had intent. Matic as far as I'm concerned, is well with in his rights react that way. I know I'd have done more than Matic did, but that's why I'm not a professional footballer!

23 Feb 2015 14:45:17
A punch is administered by a closed fist - that was no fist. It was stupid but it was no fist!

{Ed001's Note - it looked like a fist on the footage I saw, either way it is ludicrous to compare that with a shove. Sorry but Barton was without doubt a red, no one has debated that, whereas people are questioning whether Matic should have been a red for a reason. To try and draw a comparison makes no sense. Clearly what Barton did was far worse.}

23 Feb 2015 19:28:15
What Matic did was wrong.
But completely understandable.
This is where technology would help achieve the correct outcome.
The melee lasted about 2 minutes.
In that 2 minutes the ref could have walked over to the 4th official and seen the incident that he missed on the replay.
He would have given both men a red card and Chelsea would probably have won the game.
I would have reduced Matic's ban from 3 games to 1 game on the grounds that it was a horrific tackle.
We have all been on the end of a tackle like that and we all understand the reaction but the rules are clear. you can't just violently shove someone to the ground like he did.

23 Feb 2015 19:29:44
Barton on the other hand. wow.
Clint Hill's face said it all.
The man is a liability.

23 Feb 2015 21:49:38
They were both stupid for retaliating because when you do that, you give the ref an opp to send you off.

23 Feb 2015 09:18:02
Hi lads. Sorry I've been away for a while. You may remember I had seats in the Kop for the Besiktas game.

Anyway the reason I've been away for so long has been due to some personal life problems. Turns out, my girlfriend didn't approve of me going to watch Liverpool and told me to choose between her, and going to the game. I naturally had to choose the love of my life.

It was bloody brilliant watching Balotelli slot home that penalty right in front of me ;)

What an experience. Only just getting my voice back today from all the chanting and singing (well, and the blazing argument with the ex), but I'd definitely do it all again! (The game that is)

Can I just say to all the people from Liverpool, I stayed after the game until Friday afternoon which meant for the first time, I got to leave the Anfield area and get a look at the City (after getting heavily drunk at the Sandon and waking up in a hostel on the next morning).

The Docks and the Cavern club were my personal favourites. Just the entire City in general though. It was incredibly historic. Just a quick question for the locals, what is that bloody awesome looking black cube building by the docks?! It looks like something out of a sci-fi!

A great experience though that hopefully when I'm older and richer can become a more frequent thing. No woman is going to tell me how to live my life :)

{Ed002's Note - I am glad you enjoyed - the Cavern is not the original of course.}

23 Feb 2015 10:47:07
it's a block of flats (apartments in the brochure no doubt)called Mann island. Glad you enjoyed your stay. I think we should all meet up for a pint one day and take a LFC game in, if anyone from this site is ever in Liverpool again that is, would be fun.

23 Feb 2015 11:18:39
Thats women for you. Probably that time of the month! My lifes hell when that's coming up.

Anyhow Adam your only 21 so should be having fun at your age. Chin up mate.

23 Feb 2015 11:24:24
Just remember the argument when it comes to her interests. And if she doesn't have her own interests then beware, cause what she resents isn't your interest in football at all!

23 Feb 2015 12:08:15
Ed002, did you have to burst Adams bubble, some things are better left unsaid.
Adam, its a new block of offices and apartments, a lot of people complained about the ultra modern style being built so near to the more "traditional" Three Graces (as well as other buildings) close by which are three of the most famous buildings in Liverpool, they were built early 1900's.

Glad you enjoyed the game, how cool was Balotelli by the way?

23 Feb 2015 12:39:48
Cheers Ed002

That's pretty cool Dan. Also, I'd be well up for meeting up for a pint if i'm ever in town again.

MarcO and hjikle your replies did make me laugh haha. Agony Aunt stuff ;)

23 Feb 2015 12:39:51
Cheers 18and5. Balotelli was Magnifico ;)

23 Feb 2015 13:07:46
Adam, if your ever back in Liverpool give me shout on this site and we will certainly meet up and hopefully a few more on here would be up for it too. A nice Stella breakfast and a win for the reds, can't ask for more than that. Hope it happens.

23 Feb 2015 13:40:52
Am I right in saying you hadn't been with said woman for too long EMS? I just can't fathom why someone would have a fit and throw about ultimatums for such a thing as going to see Liverpool play in Europe! I mean, I would catch hell for it, but then again I have 2 young kids, no money and live in Scotland, so I could understand the missus's grievances, but by the sounds of things you're better off out of it mate!

Glad you had an awesome trip, now get out there and get you some strange!

23 Feb 2015 14:08:11
Don't worry EMS soon you'll get to the stage where she practically pushes you out of the door to the game just to get some peace! . Or that could just be mine haha

23 Feb 2015 09:53:37
I've been visiting this page for the last three years. I appreciate all the work every ED puts in and special thanks to ED1 & 2 for their input and effort, dealing with lot of people is not easy.
Question for ED1 or ED2 if you have time, I'd love to read your thoughts. What is the chance of Liverpool finishing 4th this season. Personally I didn't think we will have any chance given the way we started the season, but given our recent run I'm hoping we may have a chance to finish 4th. It's going to be extremely competitive. Anyway I'd love to know what you think our chances are?

{Ed001's Note - considering who is above us, there is no reason we shouldn't be able to get it. Man Utd are woeful and that will catch them out, Southampton can't score goals and so will continue to drop points.}

23 Feb 2015 13:27:51
Thanks ed

{Ed001's Note - think we will get there?}

24 Feb 2015 06:35:36
As you said given that the teams above us, there is no reason as to why we shouldn't. But unfortunately I haven't seen enough quality of us this season to convince me that we will be guaranteed a spot on top 4. Even if we do reach top 4, it's not because we had a great season, it will be merely because other teams were crap as well.

23 Feb 2015 05:10:54
Hi. Question for Ed001 and fellow reds.

Next season, do you think we'll need 4 strikers? Let say we sell Lambert and Borini. We'll still have 3 strikers in Sturridge, Balotelli and Origi which is enough considering we play with one striker most of the time. Would rather the money to be spent on a goalkeeper and a midfielder. Else if we really need 4 strikers, someone like Ings or Kramaric will do.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - I think we need to get rid of Balotelli first and foremost.}

23 Feb 2015 10:05:33
I think mainly we need another world class striker.

Sturridge will be injured again so we need the cover properly.

Mignolet has shown enough for me to stay number 1 and we have ward as cover who is probably better than jones already.

We have loads of midfielders at the club I don't think we need more.
Can will cover as DM if lucas does go, and hopefully ilori will come back and compete with the CBs

23 Feb 2015 10:58:29
Agree with Lavers. Sturridge, ings and origi will not be enough for next season if the club is serious about challenging for the BPL. One is injury prone, while the other 2 do not have experience of playing for title challenging clubs. We definitely need an experienced frontman next season to challenge.

23 Feb 2015 01:34:10
How many teams have the flair we do when we're on top form but also the graft to grind out results like today? Fantastic goal from Coutinho, fantastic performance from everyone else.

22 Feb 2015 20:31:05
Ed001 you're right about him praising himself, did it again talking about the defence. It's a shame he can't praise the players rather than himself. It was a lucky win today but everything went in our favour. What's your thoughts on team selection?

{Ed001's Note - he praised the defence? It was awful last night, Southampton cut it apart at will, they just didn't have a finisher to put the ball in the back of the net (plus we got lucky with a couple of refereeing calls).}

23 Feb 2015 07:28:32
Not sure which game you were watching ed001. They defended well, especially in the 2nd half. We do miss Lucas still though to protect the defense

{Ed001's Note - really? The number of calls for a penalty they got showed how often they got in good positions very easily, plus a certain handball on the edge of the box would otherwise have been a one on one with the keeper. I wonder if you actually watched the game at all? Or did you have your Rodgers' tinted glasses on? We were dreadful yesterday, against a team that had a decent attack we would have been lucky to come away with a draw. Luckily Saints' attack has been poor for a few months now, which is why they keep dropping points.}

23 Feb 2015 08:02:31
I thought the defense improved the longer the game went on.
Mind you, its easy to improve from where they started off.

23 Feb 2015 09:53:39
I think its about time we had a little luck, as we have had some bad decisions go against us this season.

23 Feb 2015 10:06:09
Agree with Ed001. Yesterday could well have ended up with a hammering for LFC. Thank God that Saints do not have an Aguero or Suarez up front or they would have scored at least 5 including the penalties they should have got. Any half decent attack would have murdered us.

23 Feb 2015 10:08:29
I thought the defence played well, for me the 2nd penalty claim was the only valid one.

Sterlings was a penalty so they where both cancelled out.

23 Feb 2015 11:07:06
So you are saying: If Southampton had a world class striker they would score more goals.

Amazing that.

23 Feb 2015 12:20:09
Even the Allen penalty shout was contentious; the more I watch it the more I think the ref got it right. If that was a pen then so was the Stirling incident.

Sorry ed001, I had my liverpool tinted glasses on. I've watched the game twice and second half we defended well. First half was backs to the wall at times. Like I said, we miss Lucas in breaking up those attacks

{Ed001's Note - we defo miss Lucas, and yes we were better in second half with Moreno providing more cover, which helped a lot. I don't think Markovic is at all comfortable on the left, I wonder if it would have helped in the first half if him and Ibe swapped over? Ibe has shown he can play out there and Clyne would have no hope of containing him, Targett looked a bit lost and I feel Markovic could have got at him too.}

23 Feb 2015 17:14:15
Yup I suggested it on the banter page at half time but Moreno did well to be fair also. Marko has looked decent on the right and I agree Ibe would have forced Clyne back