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23 Oct 2014 22:37:34
Hey Eds, did you delete my post after putting it on for a bit. I can't find it anymore. .?
{Ed002's Note - We have had trolling of the posts. Unfortunately that means peoples efforts are lost. Sorry.}
23 Oct 2014 21:42:08
Evening Eds
What do you make of JC comments that he doubts Balotelli will be with us next season and expects him to be sold in the summer? IMO he will come good given time.
{Ed002's Note - I don't have any particular views. I explained my views the day he signed.}
JC`s only giving his opinion and nothing morethan that.
I'd say he's not wrong. It was yet another mistaken transfer in the long line of mistaken transfers going back a good ways.
23 Oct 2014 20:24:25
Next poll of the day: does BR ever have what we liverpool fans would think of as a "good press conference?" I'm getting to where I dread reading his comments every time.
I know I've been on a BR rant lately, but man it's piling up.
23 Oct 2014 22:07:33
I'm not seeing what in particular winds you up, with regards to his press conferences. With regards to his transfer activity, now that's a different matter. That is winding me up at the moment.
He does have foot-mouth-disease which he needs help with DESPERATELY.
Like his latest "we don't need a defensive coach we just need more time in training".
24 Oct 2014 09:59:58
This Rodgers press conference view exists nowhere except this website
{Ed001's Note - rubbish, I regularly gets texts and messages from family and friends who are reds moaning about him and his press conferences. That is nothing compared to the stick I get from those who don't support us about them! Takes the blinkers off.}
24 Oct 2014 10:31:57
Sorry, never heard it from anyone, anywhere other than this site. Just being honest.
{Ed001's Note - funny that, only the media is full of these comments too, and the vast majority of people are sheep who parrot what they read.}
24 Oct 2014 10:47:23
I would guess that if Ed002 had not brought up the subject of Brendan's interviews and his "foot in mouth" syndrome then most posters on here would not have seen it as a major issue.
{Ed001's Note - I disagree, it was the thing I have spent his entire time at the club unhappy with. I am sure I can't be the only one who hated it from his time managing Swansea either.}
24 Oct 2014 10:47:24
I try not to read anything about Liverpool, not written by a Liverpool fan as I get too angry. Although this season I'm just trying to avoid the media in general. Doesn't add anything to football.
24 Oct 2014 10:58:41
I agree 100% Irish Rover. I don't doubt that some people do hate his press conferences and find him embarassing. (Personally I find him a bit embarassing, but I think he says the right things)But the ratio in real life is no way near the one on this site since Ed2 said it.
24 Oct 2014 15:09:40
You're spot on RedJoel, there's a hugely disproportionate level of scrutiny on this site in regards to his press conferences.
{Ed002's Note - There is an incredible level of naivety from the likes of the vegetables like RedJoel who want to take the focus away from the manager who is repeatedly now embarrassing himself, the players and the club and put it on me. And people wonder why other club's fans are truly bent double laughing at the club and fans like RedJoel who has been a long term troll who cannot accept responsibility but would rather just blame someone else?}
23 Oct 2014 20:24:12
With the reports that Valdes is set for a trial at United, does this mean we are no longer interested?
Cheers.
24 Oct 2014 10:18:50
I would assume so. Some issue, apparently, with him not wanting to prove his fitness before having a contract offer on the table.
United seem to have gone about this the cute way, by offering him te opportunity to train with them. No promises, and they get to see how he performs after his recovery.
23 Oct 2014 19:36:20
I am in no way a fan of Balotelli but this focus on him all the time is brushing over more major problems. He was the wrong buy for a pressing high energy side as Rogers likes to play. That is Rogers fault.
The shirt swapping issue is a red herring. Whilst not agreeing with it I find more troubling our right back joking with Ronaldo whilst the game is going on.
Our defence is at best mediocre at worst a complete mess. Rogers has spent at least £100m on defenders and midfielders and we are getting worse. Good sides have a strong defence as a core to there success. We do not and until it is sorted we will continue to struggle against good well organised physical sides.
Re Balotelli his best game was against Spurs when in partnership with Sturridge. Since then the partnership has not played again. We can only judge him when Sturridge is back. I would play Lambert on Saturday as his hold up and teamwork is more in keeping with what we need at this moment. Balotelli would be a better option coming off the bench.
We were beaten by the better side, we move on to Saturday and 3 points get us in top 4. I have to believe we will sort our defence out but it needs to be sooner rather than later. We are still competitive in the group with second place up for grabs. Don't all jump on Balotelli, he is not the biggest problem we have!
23 Oct 2014 20:15:56
I've said it a million times he/we are going to struggle without two strikers and that won't change. We weren't playing well with just Sturridge leading the line either.
Everyone needs someone to blame, and it's going to always be Balotelli just because of who he is. Some people posting below pretending like we were a breath of fresh air once he got off the pitch.
Real madrid were going through a passing exercise against us in the second half and I can only remember one decent chance.
I concur!
Why is it we can only judge Balotelli after he has played with Sturridge? Is Sturridge expected to carry Balotelli on his back, his own proverbial albatross?
Borini is thought not quite good enough by most and fair enough, but he's had hardly any more chances than Balotelli and certainly never got a chance to play with Sturridge centrally (instead almost always being a left winger), yet even he has scored more goals per minute for us than Balotelli.
What does this mythical Sturridge + Balotelli combination offer that Sturridge + any other striker couldn't also offer at least equally, if not even more so?
Agree totally pal, and the whole balotelli fuss is a nice distraction for rogers away from the poor performance
RDL. I am not saying Sturridge is to carry Ballotelli. You are misrepresenting what I am saying. Ballotelli is not a lone striker he needs a partnership and always has done. The Spurs game was the only time they have played as a partnership and was our best performance. We will know at some point whether this was coincidence or whether it is fact. Until Sturridge is fit we will not know.
But what sort of striker has to have a strike partner in order to play reasonably well? It just seems bizarre to me that that is the case and I struggle to think of any other good striker in world football who is poor at playing by themselves. I also don't recall him really ever playing with a strike partner at City, to be honest. What he did play with was a lot of creative talent on the wings and behind him able to feed him balls to his feet while he was close to goal.
Let`s wait and see if Stude playing w/ him will change anything. However, that Spurs game might turn out to be fool`s gold because that was his first game hence, he was in his best behavior trying to rove a point. We`ll see if he ups his game w/ Studge next to him BUT his attitude needs to change otherwise, it won`t matter who he`s playing with up top.
Honestly not sure I'd play Balotelli and Sturridge as a front two, depending on who's available. I do think Lallana-Sturridge-Sterling as a front three might be a stronger team anyway.
23 Oct 2014 18:56:06
hi eds, I've just been watching the lille everton game mainly to see this origi fellow, but i have a genuine question could anybody answer why everton haven't got a shirt sponsor tonight. lille have.
{Ed001's Note - laws regarding alcohol advertising prevent it.}
23 Oct 2014 19:52:57
thanks ed.
23 Oct 2014 17:37:11
I understand that Balotelli isn't in many people's good books at present but I find the BBC's coverage extremely unfair and slightly disrespectful.
He was hardly to blame for last night's performance, yet the BBC now have a video, a feature article and a Balotelli snakes and ladders game on their website!
What does everyone else think?
That's what you get when you buy ballotelli. Lol
It wasn't all his fault. This season isn't all his fault,, but there has to be a scapegoat
23 Oct 2014 19:04:47
He might not have scored. But Certainly not responsible for the 3 we conceded.
Of course he's not responsible for us conceding! He's a damn striker. What he is responsible for, however, is his lazy attitude towards the game, us not being able to score and that incredibly dire choice to swap shirts before half time. Pathetic.
23 Oct 2014 17:26:54
For those of you who haven't seen it yet, a VERY funny snakes and ladders game on the BBC Sport website about Mario Balotelli, lol!
23 Oct 2014 17:23:27
Can someone give rodgers a call and tell him to grow some stones and drop gerrard or play him elsewhere. We have a perfectly good dfm in lucas warming the bench, yeah he is not matic but he is a damned site better than gerrard in that position. And on the showing of the last few games the rationale for picking gerrard in the dfm position is redundant because he offers sweet fa going forward aswell. I won't mention the defensive debacle and inept mismanagement of the squad, i think brendaned is the word. I say again two banks of 4, none of this defence spliting nonsense and two up top. Give it a try brendan, it might surprise you.
Been saying the exact same thing for ages now.
Manage Gerrard properly to get the most out of him and a more conventional formation ie: 2 rows of 4 to at least give the defenders a chance and get the most out of them.
23 Oct 2014 18:45:53
You get the best out of Gerrard as an attacking mid where's not obliged to dictate the play from deep or defend. He just doesn't do either consistently enough, and even at 34, his finishing, movement and passing is lethal in the top third, so you want him there.
Sadly, I expect Rodgers will look at the first half of the QPR game, and take the wrong lesson from it. He'll decide that he should put Gerrard at DM because he didn't get a kick at AM. When the correct lesson is that Gerrard didn't get a kick at AM because our defence and Can had a nightmare and couldn't bring the ball out.
23 Oct 2014 19:05:58
JB2
Play Gerrard up high for 45 mts and take him off.
I am sorry You could never drop a name GERRARD from the Team-sheet.
23 Oct 2014 19:18:09
Something Red
Same my view on Gerrard. Argubly the best ACM we had with the club and on his day He is certainly.
Dock_dock, why is it that Gerrard is undroppable from the team sheet? Based on his form there is no reason, other than having a "C" beside his name, that he shouldn't be dropped.
23 Oct 2014 17:03:24
i wonder if pepe is treated the same way in spain for swapping his shirt at half time
Malta
Just posted the exact same thing before reading your post.
The whole shirt swapping controversy is a bit lost on me if I'm honest, I can see people are upset about it but I really can't see why. I doubt ballo did it to show disrespect to the club even though some people feel his actions have.
His team Wernt losing 3-0 at half time that's the difference
Safe to say that if we were leading RM by 3-0, Pepe would defo NOT have swapped shirts w/ anyone. Swapping shirts is not the issue because players often do it even at half time. It`s WHO did it and WHEN he did it that is issue especially if the player is not playing well to begin with and carrying as much baggage as Balo is atm.
23 Oct 2014 16:07:00
I'm probably late to join this group, but I too am startingto lose patience with BR's statements to the press.
"Whether that best [Balotelli's] is good enough remains to be seen"
Why say that about Balotelli?!
Its blatantly clear that Balotelli's reaction to public criticism from managers is to sulk ad play up, and we can't do anything about him until the January window at the earliest, so why take this step and risk alienating our current preferred striking option when we're still 2.5 months away from the window?!
Is there some secret hidden strategy that I am missing, or is this yet another foot in mouth?
Come on BR, do the talking in the dugout and on the pitch, not to the press!
23 Oct 2014 16:17:19
yet another foot in mouth episode
the media must absolutely love BR's idiocy
23 Oct 2014 16:43:54
How about the 20 mill Markovic??strugling for a place and not a single word.
23 Oct 2014 16:52:48
Knock_Knock
The more he talks about balotelli's shortcomings, the less he has to talk about his own, the wonderful world of having a great scapegoat
BR should just stop giving pressers if he has nothing to say. Giving Balo the needle will only come off as not taking responsibility for our issues and people are starting to see thru that.
24 Oct 2014 10:46:52
Markovic is a kid and, as Ed002 has said repeatedly, isn't quite ready for this level of competition. Anyone who was expecting him to have much of an impact this season might need a rethink.
23 Oct 2014 15:54:05
I'm really not even looking forward to matches anymore,
Ed01, do you think or know if Rodgers is implementing anything to try and resolve our defensive issues, or is it a 'problem will solve itself' scenario?
{Ed001's Note - he is always looking at things to try and resolve it, working on the coaching ground etc, but so far the things he is doing are not solving it.}
23 Oct 2014 15:46:55
The only positive I can think of atm is that the international break has seemed to help Coutinho find his magic again!
23 Oct 2014 15:11:00
Unlucky last night Liverspurs !!
If anyone was unlucky it was Real, they had at least 2-3 shocking misses in front of goal. 3:0 if flattering to our performance yesterday.
23 Oct 2014 14:35:23
Hey guys, I've solved our defensive issues.
BUY MORE PLAYERS! YEAH!
Sigh.
Although this made me chuckle, you are not far wrong. We need a new keeper and a DM at the very least.
Red Rum
23 Oct 2014 16:02:53
Buying is not the answer, we have a decent keeper, at least as good as Forster and we have decent enough defenders , again at least as good as Southamptons. What we need is better system and better coaching, its embarrassing that we can't defend set pieces , it does n't matter whatever big names you have unless you work on set pieces again and again in training you will concede. Most of all we need desire and hunger in the team, look at Arsenal yesterday, they were out of it, but they kept on going till they scored the winner
Spot on, Roy! Coaching and systems are the problem. I`ve never seen a defence that ball-watches as much as ours do. They lack belief and desire and the entality of defending till the very last drop of sweat. That comes from coaching, attitude and determination which we are bereft of at the moment.
23 Oct 2014 14:33:46
Ed001/Lads, i am not in anyway on the Rodgers Out bandwagon, i want nothing but Liverpool to do well regardless of the manager or the players and therefore they'll always have my support, But FSG are ruthless, they've shown it with the red sox, and even with Liverpool when they showed next to no hesitation in sacking a Club legend who had won everything with the club, i am of course talking about the King.
Rodgers spent a lot of money in the summer, and i feel for him to some extent due to the fact he hasn't always got the players he's wanted, forced into taking on players the committee has wanted etc but it doesn't hide the fact that apart from 20 mins yesterday and 30 mins against city we've been poor all season. He has made himself look like a muppet in front of the press many times this season alone, he has shown he is ridiculously stubborn, and it may take time for him to learn his lesson as he is a very young manager - but we aren't a club for that kind of manager.
So if we don't finish in the top 4 this season, we don't get out of the group stages of the champions league - Rodgers will probably be sacked, the question i wanted to ask was who would be your first choice for the job?
I would love Rafa back but its probably just sentiment and i doubt it'll happen.
I'd love simeone personally, Klopp would also be great, but I've a feeling he wouldn't leave. Failing them di matteo possibly?
Not sure I'd want Rafa as my first choice but I certainly wouldn't begrudge him a second chance. He had one bad season out of 5. He never even got given a chance to fix it. However he is a very defensive manager. My biggest issue was the inflated contracts he gave to squad players though. I think under better owners though he would've taken us to the title. Say what you like about him but he wins trophies at every club he goes to. He is a winner.
Assuming the worst, I'd want a proper, good, experienced DoF first, then let him worry about the managerial appointment second.
23 Oct 2014 15:23:46
Simeone is not going to leave AM.
Klopp is a possibility, Dortmund have been dreadful in the league this year and it wouldn't surprise me if BR was sacked that he'd be the man to come in.
Di matteo just got the schalke job so no chance there.
Rafa won't come back, burnt too many bridges.
Rafa and Di Matteo
Oh my
My god, not the Rafa brigade again, he's long gone, admittedly we had a few great performances under him but a lot more of it was so boring to watch, and he was even more stubborn than Rogers.
We are in 5th place 4 points behind city and ahead of utd, everton, spurs and arsenal. We have a good chance of finishing 2nd in the CL group not sure we should be sack anyone just yet
Why are we talking about sacking BR?He hasn't been brilliant up to now, however he was last season and who's to say he won't again. It's far too early to start talking about sacking the manager who got us back into the CL
Sydney Red
Sturridge, Suarez & Sterling were brilliant last season in their own right, little to do with BR.
All other areas required attention, BR has totally failed despite massive transfer investment and the proof is clear to see for all. He has been found out, out of his depth once his 100+ pge dossier plan started to fail.
Kpm, you are talking silly. BR might be struggling right now but to say these players` perfs last year had little to do with BR is fundamentally dishonest and disingenuous. Who coached them? Who picked the system to allow these players to flourish? Who worked w/ them everyday at Melwood? BR, that`s who. If he had won the PL, would you have said that? NO. So quit acting like a genius because trust me based ont that comment, you lack the talent to pull it off. Criticize him for what he`s doing or not doing this year BUT give him his due for how we wrecked teams last yr. Give to Caesar what is Caesar`s, says the Book Of Life.
24 Oct 2014 17:21:04
redohio, I agree I'm no genius, but unfortunately you don't need to be to see the shortcomings. The impact of Suarez is vastly understated. As you say BR worked with them all [not just the 3] so where are the results of his 'genius' coaching skills now, or was he just a genius coach last year. As I've stated before, proved nothing at Reading or Watford, continued others good work at Swansea who have not suffered from his departure.
23 Oct 2014 14:05:44
To try and add some positivity to the site today, we could be 4th in the league come the end of the weekend if results go our way.
I know football doesn't work like that though, especially with LFC.
BTW, I would be happy to go out of the CL early, if we could guarantee a top 4 place come the end of the season.
Whats the point of finishing in the top 4, qualifying for the champions league, if you're happy to go out at the group stage.
We may as well finish 17th every season, you don't get a trophy for finishing 4th.
Ruthless, what do you mean what's the point of finishing 4th, it is obvious isn't it? to prevent ManU from getting to the CL.
Whilst I agree with the sentiment Ruthless (that is no way to run a club long term) I think the OP was thinking more about short term damage limitation. In short, re-group and go again next season.
Champions league qualification generates huge amounts of money and helps to attract players.we have to try and get progressively stronger to challenge in Europe.i didn't think we'd come near beating Madrid, and found it strange rogers rested Moreno against April, the more important game to win was the qpr game, we certainly aren't going to win champions league and get automatic qualification so the obvious thing is to try get top four.
23 Oct 2014 17:20:00
Ruthless: Of course I don't mean year in year out I'd be happy to do an Arsenal and continually qualify for the CL but get nowhere near winning it!
I simply meant that, as it's our first season back in it, with a squad with very little CL experience, I wouldn't be too down heartened if we didn't qualify for the KO stages, but retained our place for next year.
Qualifying again is massive for the club in terms of finance, something which has a huge impact on everything else associated with a football club. If we don't have CL next season we will struggle to attract top players, and potentially a new top manager.
We need CL every year for the next 5 yrs in order to balance the books due to the debt we have accrued over the past few years caused by player contracts, ground expansion, etc. We`ve won the CL FIVE times and I`m cool with that, TBH. The other clubs (City and Arsenal, for example) have NADA and that won`t change anytime soon based on VERY recent history. CL is a MUST!
23 Oct 2014 13:53:12
As I said yesterday but unfortunately it didn't get posted
Balotelli is not to blame
Liverpool need ATLEAST 3 solid defenders with skrtel and Johnson leaving as it's time.
Defensive midfielders who are quick strong and cut out attacks because
With origi arriving in the summer we need another top striker who can also actually put a shift in
And . Someone to advise Brendan on better tactics defensively in training because we are too open since the start if last season and it has continued
Unless this happens. An experienced manager who can identify the right . Players and not just focus on attacking play
I think that is reasonable enough I'm not going to hammer the players brought in but I don't believe liverpool bought the right players in and there's a lack of quality in certain areas of the field
It's good to see Madrid actually highlight it in just one half in gameplay
Anyway what are your thoughts guys
I totally agree. Balotelli is not to be blamed. A striker is only as good as the service provided to him unless it is Suarez. I believe
even Ronaldo would not be able to score for us as he relies more than 80% on service. We should stop pussy footing around and accept the all the blame lies with Rodgers.
23 Oct 2014 14:33:16
I couldn't agree more best post in a while you managed to address all the issues wrong with the team at the moment and I totally agree with you on the defensive tactics we need to be more COMPACT as Rafa would say. I think we would benefit greatly from a defensive coach to assist Rodgers my pick would be Steve Clarke
I can see the general point about being compact, but most of the time I thin we are?
Look at how many players we had in the box for Benzema's header - more than enough - fact is we are obsessed with "ball players" and we do not have enough grit, people throwing themselves on the line to prevent chances - its why City and Chelsea will finish miles clear of the rest this season - they have the right balance - flair but physical and mental strength to go with it.
23 Oct 2014 13:24:49
I'm not a liverpool fan but can anyone tell me why you let Agger leave for like 3s and 6d when he is/was by far and away your best defender? Now you have only got Kolo the clown to falll back on!
He was not that great at defending, but he is better than some of the others.
We have not replaced Hyypia, that's a big (literally) problem in my opinion.
23 Oct 2014 13:50:35
He certainly wasn''t our best defender by a long way.
BR seems to be completely mishandling the team atm there is no excuse, he's arguably loaned and sold our 2 best centrebacks and loaned out another rightback.
As Ed002 keeps pointing out something has happened with Sakho and BR which means he's not in the team, prior to the injury.
Lovren and sakho should be playing a lot better than they curently are, they both looked great at thier previous clubs and both still look great at international level.
So you have to ask what's going wrong at Liverpool?
Systems, coaching and the like is what`s wrong w/ us at the moment.
23 Oct 2014 13:10:25
Idea for a poll question Eds
Would finishing 3rd in the Champions League group be worse than finishing 4th?
bit pessimistic I know, but I wonder what people would think?
{Ed001's Note - cheers added that for a poll of the day, probably tomorrow.}
Depends. A lot of our squad will benifit playing more European games, especially as we have this larger squad in perpetration for champions league next season, provided we get there.
23 Oct 2014 13:06:27
FSG will remove Rodgers if they don't get Top 4
Probably true. It seems to be the way of the world these days.
If they do then FFS sort the replacement out first. let's not have a repeat of the last time we were looking for a manager.
Yeah I think your probably right actually.
24 Oct 2014 10:48:12
FSG ain`t playing and they won`t spare NR especially if what Ed002 said about the promises made to them by BR is true.
Sorry, I meant BR.
23 Oct 2014 11:05:50
Ed2, you said earlier "Rodgers commitments about winning the EPL and challenging for the Champions League are far from the truth"
1) Why is that? Is it because he does not care anymore? If that is a case then maybe he believes his time is running out with us and expects to be sacked or wants to quit and move to Spain sooner rather than later?
2) What are BR relations with the owners right now? Is he on the borrowed time? I think they try to stay away from getting involved in his football coaching methods but in my opinion they have to act quickly to sort this mess out before it is too late. And I am not talking about sacking him, it is more to do with insisting on someone who would look at things from a different perspective (but maybe he is too stubborn to listen?)
I would appreciate your view on that, thank you.
{Ed002's Note - (1) It won't be for the lack of caring, it is the outcome of poor decision making in the transfer market, results not being good enough etc.. His statement about wanting to manage in Spain this week was at the least badly times but in my view just stupid. (2) I don't know what the relationship is right now and JWH avoids discussion about Liverpool in interviews as much as he can. They will no doubt be considering how to turn things around as there are very serious financial implications.}
23 Oct 2014 16:01:33
As a bit of banter, PR, are you from Eastern Europe or are you a clean freak? ;)
23 Oct 2014 12:55:37
So assuming very little improvement from now on in the CL in terms of performance, what is best for us you think - finishing 2nd in the group (still possible especially given the result in the other game yesterday) and probably being knocked out brutally in the last 16, finishing 3rd and going to the Europa league in which, if we improve dramatically, can still be contenders (and the prize for the winner other than a nice trophy is automatic qualification for the CL next year where we hopefully can be more up to standard) or finishing 4th and being able to focus on the league and domestic cups.
23 Oct 2014 13:03:50
I firmly believe that the Europa Cup is, bang for buck, the hardest competition in World Football. Every team is so well matched as soon as the group stages are over, almost none of the teams in there have the resources to properly manage a European campaign and it is so, so many games. I'd rather be 4th than 3rd and focus on the league, as sad as that is. Of course the best case scenario is qualifying second
We won't win the Europa so rule that out.
Finish second in CL and you never know.
2005, we struggled against some Austrian joiners in the qualifiers, then we needed 3 goals in the second half against Olympiakos with Mellor and Sinama-Pongolle up front in the last group game to finish second.
We would get a lot of confidence from getting into the last 16, then there is a long break away from Europe when a lot can change.
I'd rather finish 4th than 3rd in the group. We won't win the Europa, there are too many games and we'd have more chance finishing 4th in the premiership if you take Europe out.
23 Oct 2014 19:02:34
At least Mellor knew where the goal was; who wouldn't swap Ballo for him right now ( time travel permitting ).
23 Oct 2014 12:36:35
We all know that if we defend like last night and Sunday then Hull are going to have field day on Saturday. They'll swing crosses in and Lovren and Skrtel will be useless. So would you drop either of those and play Toure or go with a 3-5-2 system? More of a presence at the back where hopefully Toure can provide us with some leadership and give Mario a role up front he is more comfortable/confident with?
23 Oct 2014 13:04:35
I've wanted to play Toure for a while. The only person still being a leader at the back when he plays, and Mingolet looked at his best behind him
I would start with Toure and Lovren. Manquillo in for Johnson. Can for Gerrard with Henderson and Lallana either side of him. Coutinho and Sterling either side of Lambert. I think he would do great holding it up giving that midfield 5 time to join him.
Oh plus give Jones a chance as to be honest can he do any worse than mignolet. He may shine at being given the chance instead of being thrown in with a makeshift team in the cup
For the love of god don't give Jones a ''chance''
23 Oct 2014 12:06:10
Ed001, do you know of any definitive changes in tactics that Rodgers has enforced on the team this season from last season? Or were we just bailed out by our efficiency in front of the net?
Cheers
{Ed001's Note - they are obvious to see. The team have gone from swift attacks to aiming to keep possession. They have gone from a high press to a drop and fill spaces defensive system. I can only think that he felt we suffered at the end of last season from a lack of energy and that was what caused our end of season collapse. Personally I would have thought that all the new additions would have allowed him to rotate players to stop that happening anyway.}
Surely Rodgers will soon realise that we are more effective with a high pressing system?
In terms of a 'to-do' list, what would be on there for you Ed?
Personally, I think our squad needs trimming, we revert back to last years tactics whilst somehow learning to defend set pieces, find a defensive coach and a new keeper.
Cheers
If Brendan is worried about a burnout in the last few games when we are only 8 games into the season he is a moron!
I do't care if we crumble in the last few games, hell, i don't care if we lose the last 6 games without scoring, if we are secured a top 4 finish before then it is job done!
I just don't understand why you change a winning formula, beggars belief!
23 Oct 2014 12:05:44
OK Mr Rodgers it's time to stop the poor performances. Change things up as what we have isn't working. We lost 1 player who was world class, but had he stayed wouldn't of been playing, so why has the rhythm, free flowing & flair of the team gone from last year? Surely 1 player didn't do it all. 1st & foremost get out there & hire a very good defensive coach to sort out the shambles change them as it isn't working. 2nd the Ballotelli gamble isn't working, give Lambert a run out Though not a Borini fan, a run too. Sturridge is not the saviour.
3rd, I think Stevie G's confidence has suffered since last season's slip, showed in the world cup & since, maybe it's time for to start giving the like's of Can & Lucas more game time, save him for a 2nd half run out playing further up front.
But do something as we as supporters can see the problems.
But do some thing.
I'm still backing the manager & team to turn thing's around but realistically if we finish to 6 I think it will be a good season.
YNWA
23 Oct 2014 12:44:12
finishing 5th or 6th is a disastrous season, it completely negates all the work done and all the money spent over the last couple of years. It would render the Rodgers era pointless, as we will have advanced nowhere since he came in if 5th or 6th is the outcome.
Champions league is an absolute must and if BR lasts till the end of the season (at this point, rather unlikely) then a finish of 5th or 6th will result in sacking anyway
He`d better get started because time will start running out for him.
23 Oct 2014 11:38:46
Well, at least Brendan will have plenty of time to work on his Spanish. The way he was going on about that before the game, I thought he was going to sign his contract with Real at half-time.
AG, what's wrong with you lately? I can feel your hate towards BR, but does he not deserve time to put things right?
The way I see it is this. He set himself a high standard with what we achieved last season and any thing less would put him under great pressure, but we know he is a good manager and he is in unknown territory at the moment. He will make mistakes, but he will get it right in time.
Red Rum
Do real need a new kit man?
I doubt they will be offering him any other job after last night.
23 Oct 2014 12:45:56
Red-Rum
Hes had two years and four months
Is that not ample time?
Protecting him by saying he brought us from 7th to 2nd is redundant as he's taking us straight back to 7th
We`re 5th w/ a home game v Hull on Sat so if we somehow win, we`ll be fine for a few more games. As for last night, RM were better and deserved to win. We played well for 20mins BUT their quality showed so no qualms there. BUT he better start sorting out the issues or the results won`t b enuff to save his job, IMO.
We have had an awful defence since he took over and have spend a fortune on players to improve the squad. at the end of the day br has to stand acountable. last season it was masked by our huge goal threat which has now also gone thanks to loss of suarez and sturidge injury.
23 Oct 2014 11:06:39
Good morning everyone, to start I am not upset at yesterday's result because i thought everybody played alright except for Balotelli who was rubbish.
I am very concerned about balotelli he looked out of his depth and could not score to save his life he does not help pressing and just stands about, and looks uninterested.
We have to make a priority at the moment to find a striker, this is a pressing issue because we are creating chances but there is no one to put the ball in the net.
It is vital at this critical stage to back the team and the manager, but Balotelli needs sorting out quick.
Ed002 was correct in that balotelli is not who we need and the money was not spent in the right way.
{Ed001's Note - seriously? You only saw Balotelli play poor last night? Did you not notice how the defence played? Or the way the midfield allowed runners to go past them all night long? The whole team was poor, it was a poor team defence.}
23 Oct 2014 11:17:45
Have to say take the blinkers off ed is right we seem to be all over the place at the moment just like the last 3 times we come 2nd in the premiership it's not built on properly and if Brendan can't get this sorted soon we will be out of everything soon the whole spine of the team is out of form.ck, cbs, midfie, c.f.
Agree with ED here. Personally i felt it was one of Marios better 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt (still not up to the standard we would like yet). But the way the media has jumped on the half time shirt swap incident makes me sick - Pepe asked for the swap not the other way round.
All it's done is deflect the attention away from our abysmal defence and the fact we continue to concede sloppy goals continuously. That third goal was comical to say the least.
No harm in getting beat by Madrid but boy did we make it easy for them at times.
Brendan has his work cut out this season - he should concentrate on the league.
Balotelli was crap and the defence was crap. simple as that!
Red Rum
All those going on about Mario are right he is not good enough but he is not the biggest problem we have, the defence is and until that is sorted we are always going to struggle.
Can't defend Mario after the shirt swap.
Do you think any of the team at Istanbul in 2005 swapped shirts at half time?
You have to earn the right to wear that shirt and if you are happy to let it go so easily at half time in a match it shows you don't give a toss.
For that incident I'd be on the phone to his agent and tell him to start looking for another club for Mario.
It shows a complete lack of desire and lack of respect to the clubs fans.
{Ed001's Note - for me it is a sackable offence. It shows complete disrespect to the club and the fans who paid to see him stroll around the pitch putting little effort in each week.}
Thank you ed001 i like most fans will stand by any of our players when they are strugling through form, injury or lack of goals. total laziness and disrespect are grounds for the sack
23 Oct 2014 10:58:34
Awful at the back again last night, not one clean sheet in 18 games! I think that by changing Mingolet (who is getting worse by the week) for Jones we will instantly remove the biggest issue. SM gives our defensive players no confidence at all, panic has set in and it's getting worse. He game has gone to bits, can't kick well, can't position himself properly, doesn't anticipate at all, and is horrendous at crosses of any sort. Jones I believe will at least be better for now and remove the air of panic we currently have. Johnson just has to go, this guy can't defend at all. swap him for Manquillo and ask the boys at the back to be a little less keen to bomb forward for a couple games. We should have enough up front (less Balotelli) to create chances without leaving ourselves open.
Maybe just maybe we can get a couple clean sheets and pick up a couple wins, confidence will rise and we can move forward, at the moment we are going backwards fast!
The defenders are all low on confidence and the defending is non-existent. Maybe what is needed is to take out a couple of those players and give some others such as Toure, Jones and Manquilio a go, atleast until other can recover.
Just give Sakho a run ahead of Lovren. Sakho can be awkward on the ball but his job is to defend and from what I've seen, he can do that well. Lovren's decision making and the way he wants to get first to every ball baffles me - some amateur stuff from him this season. As for Mignolet, we have to stick with him I guess.
On another note I thought Emre showed us a glimpse of what he's about last night.
23 Oct 2014 10:50:24
I think people need to get this into perspective, yes we lost, but it was real madrid. They are an incredible team and were brilliant in possession yesterday. I know it's disappointing, especially with all the hype pre-match, but sometimes you have to just step back and realize that you've been beaten by a better team. We were all hoping for a result, but you shouldn't have been expecting one.
I wasn't expecting a result, But I NEVER expect to be embarrassed by anyone at Anfield.
This is the kind of attitude our players showed last night: They are Real, let's forget trying to win a game.
23 Oct 2014 11:08:14
To be fair i wasnt hedging my bets on a result but i certainly expecting a good performance but unfortunatley certain re offenders let us down again. Main offenders being Johnson, Mingolet and balo-i-play-for-myself!
AG I thought we played well and looked like our team from last season up until they got the first goal. Balotelli was shocking though and really slowed the game down when in possession.
Red Rum
They were average, on average. What irritated me was the lack of steel and robustness in midfield. Ronaldo and co. easily got behind a passive midfield who were chasing shadows the whole game. They should have put a couple of strong challenges in, at least to show they mean business.
Red Rum - maybe in midfield but not going forward. We never looked like scoring, not in the first 20 mins and not at any other time. And it is not just Balo. The players who take the ball forward just don't know what to do with it. There is hardly any movement, no wing play and no crossing, people dribble themselves to death or giving poor passes trying to go beyond 4 defenders on the ground. Last year we already won many games after 25 minutes. This year I don't think we scored more than 3-4 first half goals in all our games.
Yes I agree fanobip, but let's say for instance we had Sturridge playing instead of Balo. Would Sturridge have put Sterling through when Balo had the opportunity? Would Sturridge be making runs in behind and have that pace and trickery to make things happen. If sturridge got forced out wide would he know how to be effective from that position? The answer is yes to all 3.
Balo doesn't offer creativity, pace or an end product. Should we play to his strengths and lump the ball in the box? It didn't work with Carroll and that's why we sold him. He is why we aren't creating a threat going forward and the sooner BR figures this out the better.
As for the defense, we were shambolic. I hope BR starts to play Toure and Sakho from now on, but I can't see it tbh.
Red Rum
Don't think we were embarrassed at all, before that first goal I thought we were on top, and again in parts of the 2nd half. Thought Mignolet was decent and made some good saves, johnson wasn't great, but definitely not as bad as people are making out. Balotelli was very poor, but I don't think sterling should play up front. Give Lambert a good run till Christmas, then look at bringing in another striker in the next window.
{Ed001's Note - in parts of the second half? You mean when they had the game won and were just playing out time we managed to look good? Wow, so impressive!}
Last night was a free game. No-one expected a result last night so there was zero pressure on the players.
It was a fabulous opportunity to show what you can do and all the players let themselves down.
23 Oct 2014 13:37:54
ken obviously there was pressure on the players if everybody feels they let themselves down?
Ed, towards the end of the 2nd half yes, but we came out well after half time, and should have scored one or two. Remember allen and lallana both had good opportunities. After Ronaldo came on though, you'd be right in saying that.
23 Oct 2014 15:21:48
Jay, Ken's point is that they had the opportunity to really go for it. If they had, and conceded breakaway goals, so be it, at least they tried.
The first goal was forgiveable, but the second and third, when we weren't even attacking with effect, were not.
23 Oct 2014 10:49:57
I may get slated for saying this but I'm of the opinion Brendan's ambition to play football was probably the reason we lost last night. Over commitment from our wing backs and midfielders and too much intricate passing, its apparent we tried to play them at their own game. That isn't going to work as Real Madrid are better than us, & probably most teams in Europe at playing the game in this way. My opinion is we should have started the game with a flat four at the back, Johnson and Moreno need to stay in position, a deep flat four in midfield with in my opinion Henderson playing deep wide right, lallana playing deep wide left with Lucas & Gerrard playing in the middle who both have Champions League experience. I would have played Coutinho just in front and Sterling up top on his own. Might sound slightly negative but there is more control in the midfield and defence & a greater physical aspect in the midfield. I am all for positive attacking football but it has to be implied in the right games. I admire Rodgers for the positive team he put out and has shown signs of being a good manager but the signs of a great manager is someone who will revert from the philosophy from time to time based on the team your up against. he's young though as is our squad and the lessons taken from playing the best team in the world are invaluable! Only my opinion anyway
Can't imagine Rodger Learning a lesson.
I think someone might need to explain it to him.
Good post Anfield Apple. We cannot play the same way against every team out there, Madrid are a class above right now and picked us off with ease. Even last season against Chelsea, BR was a little naive. He has to be prepared to play a different way according to certain opposition but with a defence like ours what can we do?
Anfield Apple
completely agree. It's like he wants us to play a certain way but we haven't got the players to be able to do it - this is what will lead to Brendan's downfall ( which will be a pity) and he really needs to change the way we play and quickly
How though I don't know as we haven't got the pain-in-the-ar$£ forward we had last year and the press just isn't there.
23 Oct 2014 10:41:11
The only players who particularly dissapointed me last night were Markovic, Johnson and Balotelli. I thought everyone else played pretty well and we just got beaten by a better team. Also thought our tactics were better. We pressed much higher. It wasn't perfect, but it was a step in the right direction.
We need to sort out our defending from crosses though!
So you didn't see Skrtel tackling imaginary players and setting a record for back-tracking?
I'm Skrtels biggest critic but sometimes, you just have to appreciate good attacking play. I was annoyed about the 2nd and 3rd goals tbf. But I thought we did well overall. With Sturridge back and a few more players settled in and hopefully Rodgers sorting himself out; Ifancy us to nick sonething at their place.
23 Oct 2014 10:35:34
On another note, Dortmund have arguably sold some of their best talent over the past seasons but Klopp still has them replaced with gooduns and they play good football, and win most games.
Soton sold half the first team didn't they but Koemans bought well and has them playing at a good tempo at present.
So I would put what's going wrong at LFC firmly at BR`s feet i'm afraid, and the excuses that he comes up with are now laughable.
To quote I think Clint Eastwood in dirty harry, EVERY MAN HAS TO KNOW HIS LIMITATIONS,
I think BR has surpassed his and failed.
FSG must be cringing, we will be lucky to achieve CL next season at this rate, and we will never win the PL with this set up.
I would agree that there are plenty of excellent young managers around and that what BR has done with LFC has been exaggerated by the supporters.
23 Oct 2014 11:16:14
I'm not sure you can say they win most games when they are fourteenth in the league this season and have only won 2 out of 8, losing 5
Yes they've been brilliant in Europe, but dismal at home
AG, nothing is being exaggerated, IMO. We were second and one mistake away from winning the PL. BR won Manager of the Year due to that achievement. Those are the facts, not exaggerations. Some might want to overblow them or minimise them which is morally dishonest either way. N BTW, had we won the PL, would you have said the same thing? Didn`t think so because you`re a pretty smart guy.
23 Oct 2014 10:18:26
A whole new team that is struggling to bed in.
.Oh wait, Skrtel and Johnson have been much of the problem for years.
BR identified Mignolet as a weak link in the summer - can't believe he didn't replace him! Let Pepe go instead?!
Sahko and Lovren bought (and the rest) but Skrtel still starts?! Yeah, get rid of Agger?!
Talk of getting wages off the books why on earth is GJ still collecting £?
Mignolet needs help, Balo has never been a lone striker etc etc
But GJ and Skrtel are a joke that I'm getting very tired of.
I don't blame managers for making mistakes, I blame them for not identifying obvious issues.
I'll stand behind BR until the next team sheet is announced.
How can you stand by a man who knows/ identifies a problem but does jack rubbish to resolve it?
If in any other workplace/organization that was happening on a weekly basis the owners would bin him off pronto.
23 Oct 2014 10:16:14
Just like to say good luck to liverpool striker divock origi tonight.
23 Oct 2014 10:10:28
it seems that fans are giving up, I don't blame them, i'm leaning towards giving up as well. just when you think the club has learned from the past it seems it hasn't. is this what's going to be happening with our club now? every time we finish second the next year is going to be 7th?
maybe we should accept the fact that we cannot compete with the big guns anymore. just like Ed002 said, when discussions among clubs are held about a breakaway league, we are not involved. perhaps they know more that us fans
Its just miss management at the highest level.
Im confused at how FSG have not responded yet.
Dortmund are as good a business model you will see in Football these days.
Nearly broke, employ a good forward thinking manager who delivers.
Play great attacking football, keep 80k+ fans happy, sell most of your stars season after season, replace with cheaper versions who can play at high level and turn out to be just as good.
Do well in their respective league, always seem to do well in Europe now.
Were did it all go wrong Brenda?
23 Oct 2014 11:19:01
People keep using Dortmund as a good example
They are 14th, 2 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses.
24 Oct 2014 10:47:07
Maybe there could be a league set for all the billionaires who are wrecking football imo inflating wages and transfer fees but I will get a nasty response from Ed002 whose club r at the forefront of the problem let city Chelsea utd go play in the billionaires league.
{Ed001's Note - it is not the billionaires that are wrecking football. They are not the problem. The problem is those that want to make money out of football, the ones that make it all about fleecing the fans out of everything they can. The billionaires are the ones being blocked from spending their money to compete with the real problem in the game. The Real Madrid and Barcelonas of this world are the problem. The teams that want to stop small clubs becoming big and challenging their hegemony. That is the issue in the game, along with greedy agents and players.}
Well said, Ed! I`m a an RM fan as well BUT what they and Barca have been doing to smaller clubs in la Liga is shameful and outright disgusting.
23 Oct 2014 10:04:47
Liverpool need to sit back and play a nice counter-attacking game.
This defence needs confidence and I don't see any other alternative as they will always concede as they are.
Back to basics without the Italian.
23 Oct 2014 10:13:04
Sit back and invite pressure onto our calamitous defence and expect no goals?
Not a 'calamitous' defence when you have many behind a ball, is it?
{Ed001's Note - it doesn't matter how many we have behind the ball if they are all stood around watching like they were while Traore was ball juggling with his head in the penalty box. We are already sitting back and teams are ripping them to shreds because no one was doing anything.}
Our defenders are man watchers with lead boots because I don't see any of them look at the ball and jump to clear it when crossed.
It does matter. There is no-one on the bench to improve the defence.
Morale is low and this all out attack attitude will simply continue to expose them.
We need to keep it tight, and that includes all players and win the way we did throughout the decades.
Let us start expressing ourselves after we've got the fundamentals of defending on track.
If we win by a goal, in the last five minutes for example, then so be it.
{Ed001's Note - what all out attack attitude?}
Ed 1, the reason is that an attacking mentality has been instilled in the players, and is not necessarily a good thing considering the circumstances.
Chelsea were slated for playing a similar defensive game last season yet it nearly paid off.
I'm all for the action and goals but it won't work at the moment.
The players are 'flat footed' as morale is low. They know they're shabite at the moment, and it clearly shows on the pitch.
We all know the cheesy cliché of building-from-the-back, and unfortunately, we have to start again - quickly!
{Ed001's Note - attacking mentality? What on earth? They are dropping deep and defending deep, what is attacking about that? The attacking mentality has been thrown out, for reasons only Rodgers can explain.}
The all out attack attitude that scored as many goals as it did last season.
Only difference is is that we've signed strikers that don't run.
{Ed001's Note - that was last season. It has not been there this season at all.}
Ok.
Name me (apart from our two centre backs and Lucas (who doesn't really play), out-and-out defensive minded players?
Everything that runs through midfield is attack minded.
Stevie still hasn't learned his new role.
The problem is, we are attack minded, but when we require our players to defend, we crumble because we're creating a squad of attacking players who don't know what to do.
None of our players in front of the two centre-backs are true defenders. Johnson can't defend, the two Spanish lads love to bomb it forward but are young and need experience, Lucas doesn't get game time, Caan is young and needs to adjust Gerrard still doesn't know his role, Henderson has been encouraged by Brendan to get forward more, Stirling is now playing as a striker at times, Coutinho will never tackle, Llalana creates etc etc, and all this with the signing of forwards who don't make the runs.
We are bound to be exposed and concede goals.
A lack of confidence is contributing to our defensive frailties yet it's the defenders themselves who are exposed as a consequence of inappropriate signings.
We need a consistent team with Lucas playing more game time, and the wing-backs to play as a flat back four.
{Ed001's Note - so what you are saying is that Rodgers is not suiting the players to the roles he is asking them to do? Only he is not asking them to go out there and attack while completely forgetting their defensive duties.}
Agree with Ed, there is no attacking attitude this season unless you are talking about the opponents attacking our defence.
Without Suarez, opponents have the confidence to attack us because they have no fear. When we had Suarez we had the confidence to attack. We basically said "we will outscore you because we have Suarez and Sturridge".
That was our tactic last season and it damned near worked.
That's why Mario was the wrong signing. We needed a pacey, hard working tricky replacement, like Alexis Sanchez.
Counter attacking football? No thanks. We tried that with GED and Hodgson. Boring football with no better results.
We need to do a lot of work with the team about positioning when the opponents have the ball. We need a decent goal keeper. We need to work on our set piece defending. Brendan needs to tell his full backs that they need to defend and then attack when it's appropriate.
If BR can only coach attacking football then he is in big trouble. Our defense shows that they don`t have the right attitude to defend and the mentality to stop the opposition from scoring. That I think, is mirrored in BR`s inbility to sort out the defence. He just seems not too bothered with the defensive part of the game of football which explains why we haven`t defended well since he`s been here.
23 Oct 2014 10:00:23
What a strange position the club is in! Twelve incredulously poor matches played and still in contention in four competitions. 1)Premier League - The first four places are important and we are 5th on goal difference. It would be nice to be Champions but these days that is merely a bonus and has only a slight advantage on the team finishing 4th. 2) F.A.Cup - The best case scenario at the moment is a Home match kicking off at Anfield at 3pm on 3rd January. 3) We have a Home tie with Swansea City next Tuesday. 4) Champions League - There is no doubt about the number one in our group but if we beat the other two teams we will join Real in the Last 32. We only have one really big problem at the moment and that is that we have too many problems! I think that it is about time that Rodgers started throwing a few hair-dryers around. If Mignolet is not going to be good enough in January he is not good enough now (and he isn't!). If Brad Jones is not a good replacement then Danny Ward should be given a chance to be the first home-developed player to appear since the "Flying Pig" in 1962 - over FIFTY years ago. I can't think of a good word to describe Glen Johnson (actually I can!). I think Martin Skrtel is the first name on the team-sheet, it should be the first name on the bench. I know we gave Jordan Henderson a few years to develop (successfully) but it is a luxury we can't afford with Joe Allen. We all take gambles in life and often fail but there is no life whatsoever in Mario Balotelli . Philipe Countinho hit the post last evening and we could all see the frustration etched on his face. Balotelli had only one expression and it is disinterest. All good things come to an end and as I am now over seventy one of the best of those things is not as good as it used to be. Sometimes it works and sometimes it's just hard work and all that describes Steven Gerrard. He has had his day and I think that it's time for him to spend more time on the bench. We all know that this Liverpool team is basically a good team and let's face it it took a really magical goal to open us up against Real but once open we could (and should) have conceded more. The players step on to the pitch knowing that they are going to conced at least one goal so why bother with a defensive approach. We don't need DMs we need AMs who can score goals. Let's get rid of the previously named rubbish (SG excused) in January and give a chance to the other players that we have bought like Lallana, Can and Manquillo, and let's also look at some of the younger players that we have - those that managed to beat Real Madrid yesterday. I believe that it will all come good but it is so frustrating waiting for things to get better.
Spot on pape
23 Oct 2014 09:46:57
Saw jamie carragher was talking about balotelli futre and he said i don't think he will be here next season what's your view ed
{Ed002's Note - The same as the day Liverpool signed him. It will all end in tears. The good things to come out of last night is (a) the result of the other game which really helps LFC out, and (b) it must now be crystal clear to the owners that Rodgers commitments about winning the EPL and challenging for the Champions League are far from the truth. They need to act to help resolve this.
The bad things are Rodgers washing the dirty linen in public yet again over Sterling and Balotelli. Rodgers telling the world how good Real Madrid are. Rodgers saying that Liverpool are a "young side". I could go on, but won't.
As I have suggested before, FSG need someone independent to look at coaching techniques and man-management issues. And the take it from there.}
Whoever sanctioned the purchase of Balo needs the tin tack.
Id sooner of had Remy with the heart bypass for 8 mil all day long.
FSG should write and title a book on how to waste millions, employ BR and his staff.
23 Oct 2014 11:11:58
In response to the editor's comment, if coaching techniques and man-management issues were removed from the manager's hands, it doesn't appear to leave him with a lot all else to do.
23 Oct 2014 11:38:18
Ed002 hope you are well. Would you keep Br or not, and what would be a priority now in the team for you to change or sell?
{Ed002's Note - I think he needs help in terms of an experienced general manager or director of football. I would look to have someone come in overseeing the footballing side of the club, I would have the coaching side independently assessed and changed as necessary, I would look at the way transfers are carried out, I would have someone work the man management side including talking to all of the loanees about their future. Anyone not committed to the club for whatever reason (and I suspect Rodgers has created a number of them) should be moved on as soon as possible. The gaps should be assessed, minimum changes should be made, the playing side settled and moved on.
From the outside it looks a mess. Rodgers has to stop with repeatedly talking with the press - but I have said before, he is always good for a statement and the press will feed off that.}
23 Oct 2014 09:45:32
My main concerns are:
1) Defending set pieces.
2) Lack of a goalscorer.
3) The goalkeeper.
Last night would have suited Toure and Sakho. We conceded 2 goals by not dealing with set pieces. Skrtel and Lovren are not aggressive enough to dominate and attack the ball. To fix this we need to start playing Toure and Sakho.
Up front we haven't got a goalscorer. Balotelli is a selfish player who doesn't play for the team. It's ok being selfish if you have the ability to create something. Look at Hazard the other night, the pundits mentioned how greedy he was but he backed himself up by creating and scoring goals. Sturridge and Suarez last season also proved that they can back up their greediness. Balotelli just hasn't got the ability to warrant his greediness and needs to be dropped. If we are going to rely on our midfielders for goals we need to put someone in who can hold the ball up and create chances for them. Lambert did this excellently for Southampton last season and is more worthy of a starting place than Balotelli.
Finally, despite some good saves, Mignolet has been awful. His distribution makes me cringe and he doesn't have any sense of when to hit it long or play out from the back, nor does he dominate his area. Get Brad Jones in until January, He can't do any worse.
Red Rum
My main concern is: Defending all over, not just set-pieces.
23 Oct 2014 09:41:18
Despite being unhappy with the situation, I still would be sad if Rodgers get the sack. Just when it looked like we will finally be enjoying some managerial stability, he is proving us wrong. I really hope he turns it around & gets us into top 4. No point aiming for the title or CL knockout stages.
Managerial stability is a bit overrated in my view. Look at Chelsea, few PL teams have swapped more managers than them in the last 10 years, did them no wrong. Same with Man City. Of course no point in sacking a manager who lost the plot just in order to bring another average one. And of course a change of managers is not always helpful. But if I am the owners and I know there is a top class manager available, Klopp or the kind (which I am not sure there is) I wouldn't think twice. After the first two consecutive wins, no one will remember or care that you switched managers. And managers who are doing poorly and aren't able to improve their team over 2-3 months very rarely are able to do it later.
23 Oct 2014 10:16:51
I rather think klopp would be interested at the moment, his dortmund team can't put 1 and 1 together at the moment in the league
Thank god you are not the owner.
Be careful of what you wish for.
23 Oct 2014 08:57:16
Ed01 do you think a vocal keeper with good organisation ability would sort out a lot of defensive problems or is the problem much more than that?
{Ed001's Note - much more than that I am afraid. That would help, but that wouldn't change the clueless set up and defending from set pieces.}
A new keeper is a start. Then we need to replace Gerrard with an actual holding midfielder. Then we need to stop making two of the slowest centre backs in the league split wide. Then we need to stop telling the full backs to push so high. Then finally we need to ask the midfield to press higher and pull our defensive line 20 yards further up. Arguably, if that happens, we need to replace Skrtel and Lovren with quicker centre backs. That Sakho and Ilori look good. We should buy them.
I agree with most of that EMS. A lot of us recognized that we needed a defensive midfielder and a keeper in summer, but obviously the club didn't think it was necessary. I think Lovren will come good but I'd play Sakho ahead of him without a doubt. I also think we need a goalscorer to compete with Sturridge in January.
Red Rum
It's incredible how many armchair world class football coaches we have on this site. The funny thing is that most like EMS spent the whole of last season waxing lyrical about BR and you couldn't prise their rose tints off. Talk about fair weather fans.
Because last season Rodgers tactics were working. He has completely let things slip to to his own arrogance and complacency.
Anyway, if you'd read my posts properly last season you'd still have seen how critical I was of our defensive set up. My opinion hasn't changed at all so it's hardly fickle. Last season, we were good enough going forward to accept a bit of dodgy defending. This season we're average all over the pitch and it's not down to individual ability!
I think Rodgers can and will fix this if we give him time. I just don't think the owners will afford him that liberty unless things improve very soon.
Oh and by the way NRed, you don't have to be a pro manager to understand football basics and see where a team is going wrong. The skill in management is deciding how to fix a problem and translating that onto the pitch. Spotting the issues is childs play.
What would of been a good shout for me was keeping Agger and turning him into the DM role.
Reasonable defender, good ball player and not the slowest over 10 yards.
Just a thought
Spotting the issue is child's play! You're wasted on here EMS you should be getting your CV in to Birmingham City they are looking for a new manager.
Give it a rest NRed. There is nothing wrong his assessment.
Red Rum
I wouldn't say there is nothing wrong with his assessment but everyone is entitled to an opinion and it would be a boring world and site if we all agreed.
EMS and Nred ar both right to some extent. However EMS, the basics of football look simple while watching on TV BUT very hard to execute atimes especially when there is a distinct lack of confidence. What we have here is a situation where it seems BR was trying to be too cute in his coaching methods and has succeeded in outsmarting nobody else BUT himself. As a result, he has made his mistakes and is trying to fix them but from the outside, it looks like a real mess.
23 Oct 2014 08:40:09
Lets all forget about last night and concentrate on the next game which is hull, I believe we need to take the pressure of balo a bit by not playing him against hull and maybe starting him in the cup.
I would definitely want to try both lambert and borini. Lambert is a goof player and needs to be played, he got lots of goals and assists last season and all he needs is playing time.
I would play last seasons diamond midfield with gerrard hendo, allen and sterling up top with borini and lambert as the strikers,
Also suso needs to play, he has the quality he needs games.
No Coutinho? For me he was our best player last night and should be started for the next game.
Red Rum
Yes that is a bit tricky as i believe lallana and couthino both did well over the last few games and warrant a starting place.
Maybe drop one of the strikers for one of the above but i don't know i just want us to play with two uptop.
Maybe couthino for allen? but you have to remember that last season apart from the sas we won that stretch of 14 games with the midfield diamond of gerrard-hendo-allen with sterling on tip of the diamond
Suso I believe, is injured.
I think it's probably best to go on current form rather than last season's but I know what you mean. I would definitely have Lambert in there though, as he is unselfish and will create chances for our midfielders. It seems we are going to have to rely heavily on our midfielders until Sturridge returns.
Red Rum
The Hull game actually frightens me the way we are at mo.
Borini won't be starting, BR wants him gone along with Suso, Sakho and Lucas.
Lambert will get the start on Sat w/ Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling either side and behind him.
23 Oct 2014 06:49:12
Ed002, I know you don't like to discuss money, but could you tell me how much more it would have cost to keep Origi from the summer? (Not that I'm jumping on the Balotelli hate bandwagon, I just don't really see it working out.)
{Ed002's Note - There is no amount "more" as part of the deal was always going to be him staying at Lille this season. Add to that he is young and unproven at this level, I cannot see him being immediately ready for the first team.}
23 Oct 2014 08:19:52
Hi eds and reds - do people here honestly think BR can turn things around still (both our defence and going forward and I really am not sure which one is worse, we are so awful in both departments)? It is not a rhetoric question, I am interested to hear if people think that it is possible and how and when in the past managers whose team were consistently so poor for 2-3 months dramatically changed things. I admit I don't see it happens, not even with Sturridge whenever he is back.
23 Oct 2014 08:49:42
Rodgers can do it by going back to the system we used last year, go for the jugular in every game. Will Rodgers do that? No, not in my opinion. I'm losing patience very quickly with him as he has not fixed some of the pretty obvious (even to me) problems that we have. FSG need to be ruthless here, a complete overhaul of staff is needed if Rodgers continues to be stubborn about his tactics that just don't work. The problem they have is, who's available? I'd move heaven and earth to bring Klopp or Simeone in and I know that Ed001 would do the same for Bielsa (whom I know little about in all honesty). Would they come to us though?
He can and IA will get it right. We have to trust the manager
Here's my response to this question:
It depends on how patient the board are. History would suggest 'not very' after the culling of 2011.
He is going to need time. We all know the defence is garbage. The best defensive coaches of all time could not turn it around overnight. I see no merit in repeating the mantra game after game.
Up front I think we are struggling with a complete lack of confidence and new players. It is hard for new players to settle in to a team lacking in confidence and trying to change it's 'identity'.
Next I come to Mario. I'm disgusted at his antics last night, swapping shirts at half time. When we were linked to his signing I said he won't fit in to our team ethic. Last season we were a team of battlers everyone giving 100# from the first whistle. Mario is a great player but he is like a queen bee. He sends his worker bees out to do his work for him. That doesn't fit our identity last season. I think if it's a question of someone going then it should be Mario, not Brendan.
So back to the manager: whenever things start to go wrong and the knives come out, the most popular tactic is to lay in to the manager's signings. However, this "transfer committee" muddies the water in my opinion. I don't think Rodgers really wanted Mario, before he'd kicked a ball he was saying it was a risk and weeks earlier he had said Mario will not be signing for LFC.
This season is a rebuild. We have taken a huge step back. Sack the manager and we will take another huge step back. At the moment, we are level with 4th place in the premier league and level with 2nd place in the champions league group. Act in haste and repent at leisure. Now is not the time to panic. Brendan needs time but we are still keeping our heads above water.
I see a dramatic improvement when Sturridge is back, which isn't difficult to be fair. Offensively his movement and pace occupies defenders and will give our midfield more options on the ball.
I'd like to see him and Balo given a chance together up top.
We simply can't defend so we need to be as offensive as possible!
In answer to your question, I do think BR can turn it around offensively, but defensively I don't think he can. So the question is, will this be good enough?
I hope it will be enough to get into top 4 this year.
If he does then I hope he's given some help as I wouldn't expect us to next year based utd's spending.
I agree, Managers are constantly blamed when teams don't perform. Can BR be blamed for Mario hoofing the ball over an empty goal for instance? What managers can be blamed for is poor tactical choices and team selections. It's difficult to even know if we can blame BR for some of the summer signings. We all know Sanchez was the preference but we ended up with Balo. But what of the other signings over the past 4 windows? People say there's 1 success, Sturridge. I say 2, Coutinho. All the rest? Time will tell with Can, Moreno, Lallana and Lovren I suppose, but you have to put a X next to Borini, Alberto, Mignolet, Aspas etc etc. I just worry that if BR/ the committee identify a player in Jan that we need, the owners may baulk at forking out more cash, can't blame em'.
Despite being unhappy with the situation, I still would be sad if Rodgers get the sack. Just when it looked like we will finally be enjoying some managerial stability, he is proving us wrong. I really hope he turns it around & gets us into top 4. No point aiming for the title or CL knockout stages.
But managers can be rightly blamed for not dealing with a persistent and inherent issue, such as our defending, which has been carp from the time he took over as the manager.
Rodgers out!
Simples. He is not benching Gerard.
Team selections are questionable at best.
DM and defence in shambles.
We are not scoring, not pressing
not defending.
Dont really know what we do anymore.
He is not going to change from the looks of it so, let's save ourselves the embarassment and let the man go before we lose pace with the peliton
Ron, thank God you`re not the owners, then.
23 Oct 2014 08:11:04
Rodgers out. ha ha.
Behave. people.
Perspective is needed.
We got spanked by a team with unlimited resources and breathtaking quality.
They have showed us that we are not the best team in Europe and what we need to do to be that best team.
Lets climb the mountain rather than bitch about who's got the compass!
ha ha I don't know what that last bit means. but it felt good!
I wouldn't use the resources argument.
(Sorry eds, some figures talk, but these are all approximations taken from other sites)
Since 2010 Liverpool have had a net transfer spend of £158million.
Since 2010 Real have had a net transfer spend of £138million.
The only Liverpool signings in this period that can be called a success at this point are Suarez, Hendo, Allen, Sturridge and Coutinho.
In the same period Real have signed Khedira, Carbalho, Ozil, Coentrao, Varane, Modric, Isco, Bale, Kroos and James.
Madrid were also in the Champions league the entire time, won the Champions league, won La Liga, won the Copa del Rey twice, won the Spanish super cup, while Liverpool won the League Cup.
Liverpool had the resources and wasted them.
You cannot use the resources argument to excuse being beaten by Madrid, sorry.
23 Oct 2014 08:52:00
Jonny, I agree to an extent but it isn't just this performance that has people, including myself, thinking maybe BR isn't the man to take us that extra step up. I'm not one to call for his head yet, but if he doesn't show he has flexibility and changes this system he's trying to force, then he is very naïve and doesn't deserve to be at the helm of this great club. Like I said, I'm not calling for his head yet, but things need to change, and fast.
Perspective is needed.
We're not the best club in Europe. Yeah, we all know that.
Well let's put this into perspective, shall we? Ludogorets put up a great fight against Real and gave them a run for their money. But came up just short with a 2-1 defeat. We got thrashed 3-0 at home. Tbh if they did not have the classico we would have been drubbed 5/6/7-0. So, where does that put us? It's not always about being the best side. Chelsea had the worst PL season in 2012 but they still beat the then champions Barca & in the final Bayern who beat Real in the semis. There is something very wrong with this team and it is mostly Brendina's fault.
I agree with your comment right up until the Bredina comment. That was funny BUT uncalled for.
23 Oct 2014 08:09:27
Am I the only one who thought as a whole we played quite well yesterday? The formation looked good, the midfield particularly worked well with each other, Sterling ahead of Coutinho looks like it has potential, Monero and Allen were working 1-2's well etc. We have our usual mare with a corner and a looping cross but aside from that I thought we were very good, offered Real very little to work with and with a little more firepower or running up front from Balotelli, could definitely have got on the scoresheet. Not to mention little Phil's very impressive rocket shot, he's turning into a real big game player! Mingolet, Johnson, Skrtel and Lovren were all poor, but I think we should be playing Manquillo, Toure and Sakho anyway - wouldn't cry seeing Jones out there either. Everyone else I think can take some measure of pride out of this game - tactically we did well and if the defense could deal with the simplest of balls, it would have been a very respectable score (and with a bit more motivation with them not being out of sight, perhaps something could even have been pulled out up front).
Since Spurs I think this has been our first match where that back group has been the only real concern for me.
Yes mate I am afraid you are the only one. Beyond our poor (but routine) defensive performance we were terrible going forward and wouldn't score even if played another 1000 minutes against them. Yes we weren't too bad in midfield and possession wise but for me it only stressed how poor we are in the final third - other than Coutinho's shot I don't think we had one shot on target let alone a decent cross or a header. Nothing. And as much as they are fantastic team Real, they don't close you down like Barcelona used to do, they let you play a bit. Both Basel and Ludocretz scored 1 against them. Not us. At the moment we are a very easy team to defend against.
You must have turned the TV off after 20 mins, as last 70 odd mins we were woeful matey.
23 Oct 2014 11:56:29
I agree that from 20 minutes to 45 we were dominated. After that I really thought we came back into it - Coutinho's shot reminded us a little that they weren't infallible. Lallana added a lot of energy as well which I thought balanced it out. After they took off Ronaldo they just sort of kept the ball but that is over half the match were against Real we weren't dominant as such, but were definitely in there. Defense aside (not Monero so much) if we do what we did against Hull, we can get a good win
23 Oct 2014 07:33:37
The fact of the matter is we've in recent times always had a top class striker be it keegan, dalglish, Rush, Aldridge, Beardsley, fowler, Owen, Torres, Suarez at the moment we have no-one up front that can score 20 goals in a season
I do rate Sturridge but he was intended as a support striker to the main man Suarez, while Lambert may not be the long term answer until January surely a striker who scored 20+ goals last years deserves regular starts
As for the defence there's no obvious leader Skyrtel still gets picked despite his errors while Sakho who most fans agree should partner Lovren seems out of favour and I'm sure 99% of fans agree Johnson has no place in our team
The other hard truth that Brendan seems to ignore is Stevie G great servant to the club and legend is at the end of his career is ineffective in his current position if we're going to have a season of blooding new players surely it's time for us to play Emre Can or Joe Allen in his place allowing Coutinho and Lallana to play in the starting line up