Liverpool Banter Archive July 26 2014

 

Use our rumours form to send us liverpool transfer rumours.

26 Jul 2014 22:16:07
people seem to be talking about right backs - I personally think that Flanno is the answer - but if we were to sign one, I think we could do a lot worse than Burnleys Kieran Trippier. my brother in law is a burnley fan so have seen a few matches with him and SO impressed ***not a rumour***

Believable1 Unbelievable0

He got plenty of assists last season and his stats looked good, but every time I watched him he just kept launching the ball in the box time and time again. I only watched him on a few occasions but he did stand out as one of their better players.

Red Rum

Agree0 Disagree0

Good analysis red-rum, but if those crosses connect, what more do you want from a full back? He is good defensively, dedicated and quick. but like I say: Flanno is the answer. I just can't believe he has not been mentioned when people mention full-backs

Agree0 Disagree0

Yeah definately a good shout. It will be interesting to see how he gets on in the epl this season.

Red Rum

Agree0 Disagree0

Flanno is still learning and very soon, he will be the guy at RB. However, we need a specialist at that position while he hones his trade.

Agree1 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 21:56:31
Hate to say it but I honestly don't think we will be as good this year. I think the squad is better overall but missing a player like luis Suarez is going to be a massive blow. We are missing that star quality stand out player now and I really can't see anyone else currently in the squad that's going to step up and be the next big player for us. I think the likes of arsenal Chelsea and man city will all be to strong for us this year. Tottenham an Manchester United will also be a lot stronger this year. l believe it will be us spurs and utd going for 4th place with Chelsea city and arsenal fighting it out for the top 3 places. I think top 4 will be the aim again but I think our time to win the league was last season and it wasn't to be. I believe it will be a while till we are in touching distance again. I do hope I'm wrong but this is just my honest opinion. However I will be there again as usual in the kop singing my heart out for the redmen like I've done for years.

Believable11 Unbelievable13

Sturridge is the man

Agree7 Disagree0

I agree mate I think we'll be stronger than spurs & utd but I'm just worried about when Sturridge is out injured, it's great to have two world class strikers, not gunna fill me with confidence having remy playing 10 games on the bounce.

Agree2 Disagree2

You are right Benny, it is great to have two world class strikers. But having one is good enough for me. We have a better team behind the strikers now, especially if the defense is sorted.

Agree3 Disagree0

NO team in the PL has a player as influential as LS apart from City w/ Toure, Silva and Aguero. People forget that Suarez was part of the system that played to his strengths and built around him. It is that system that LS thrived on and made him the beast he is today. It is that system that made Hendo, Studge, Sterling Couts and SG prolific and the last time I checked, all these players are still here. Moral of the story? It is the system that made us great and not LS. Will he thrive at Barca where is isn`t the focal point anymore? We will find out soon enough. We have a better squad and players who will thrive under BR`s pattern of play. Will we be better or as good as last year? Nobody knows that and surely, we will find out. I is normal to fear the unknown BUT we must keep the faith. Trust the manager and believe in his ideas as you did last year and all we`ll be well.

Agree3 Disagree2

26 Jul 2014 20:50:33
glad that at least 80% of people think that King Kenny deserves a stand named after himself - I can only assume that the other 20% are trolls and don't support Liverpool. . . have you ever seen him play (makes suarez seem like a schoolboy), or thought about what he has done for our club?

Believable20 Unbelievable11

Or the rest of us want some one to pay tens of millions possibly for the privilege

Agree14 Disagree1

Not the Liverpool way

Agree1 Disagree16

Logic12. I voted against the idea of naming a stand after Kenny. Your assumption that I am a troll who does not support Liverpool is so wide of the mark that I assume that you are only the age of your name. my first game was in 1972. My last game was the season just finished. I must have spent many thousands of pounds following Liverpool home and away, season ticket holder for many years, not a johnny come lately fan. The lesson for you to learn is that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I, personally would rather name a stand after more deserving figures such as Shankly, Paisley, or even the hillsborough stand. Have a think about things before you assume that you are the sole decider of who should vote what and when. Cheers,
I am not Harry

Agree14 Disagree0

I'm with Logic on this one. Or shall we rename the Shankley gates the Golden Archs for a few free cheeseburgers. Sometimes, a little bit of centiment is worth more than a few million quid. I'm all for maximising revenue, but I don't think naming one stand after our greatest ever player is a bad thing. The same as I don't want Anfield renaming. There are other ways to make money through Sponsorship. I wouldn't even care if we had 3/4 on the shirt just so long as it didn't turn into an F1 car. I don't want our stadium being completely commercialised though.

Perhaps I'm just a traditional kind of gut though and need to move on, I don't know.

Agree1 Disagree4

27 Jul 2014 00:47:13
agreed EMS - I don't want to walk through the 'golden arches' on my way to a game at ANFIELD. .

but Robbie77 - in terms of economics:

naming rights to an internationally recognised stadium: quite a lot.

naming rights to a stand: not a lot

recognising your heritage, aknowledging your history and respecting your legends (possibly for the sake of maximising revenue for future investors): Priceless

Agree1 Disagree4

I'm just not a big fan of stands being named after people. quite frankly I think it's dumb.
Build a statue or gates or bridges

Agree3 Disagree0

At the end of the day it's about what happens on the pitch, If selling naming rights brings us the revenue to win then I wouldn't care what the stand/ stadium is called. We're competing with teams that are doing everything to win and we'll fall behind if we don't. I agree paying tribute to legends etc is a good thing but there are plenty of ways to do that and maximize the commercial assess of the club-memorials, statues etc. yes I love anfield but if it's a toss between changing its name or winning the league I know which I would opt for.

Agree0 Disagree1

Give Kenny a bench & a tree in Stanley park! We're losing money here there and everywhere so making money is the way nothing as expensive as a statue of bridge? (bridge? Who even suggest that?)

Agree0 Disagree0

EEZ its was me just as an example of what arsenal did when they built the emirates. they changed the name of the north and south bridges. i'm not saying Liverpool need to build them, they're just another way to honour former players

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 16:34:57
Anyone know where the highly rated young player from MK Dons is going? Delle Ali is it?

Believable0 Unbelievable1

Think he went to Majorca for two weeks but he's back now. .

Agree15 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 17:08:57
Lol that's a crackin one Marsh

Agree3 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 12:20:49
Afternoon all,

Is the Remy medical still on going? I would be really paranoid by now if I was Remy, the longest medical ever! Good player at a good price in my opinion. Some excellent work done already, it's a strong squad when Lovren arrives.

Any update on the departure of Johnson to QPR, Lucas to Napoli, Agger or Skrtle to Napoli and Reina? Do Napoli have the funds to buy more than one of these?

Is £14.2 for Shaqiri a cheeky punt by us? A Journo lacking true stories? Or a fabricated rumour? I would welcome the player at that price, but has it not just been reported he will stay at Bayern!

Ed001 - do you have any news on what is happening with Medel? You are his biggest fan after all. Is he Inter or Gala bound? Why oh why we have not gone for him, Def Mid and Cent Def and accomplished in both areas! Not gifted with looks though - maybe the owners don't want ugly players - hence they want to sell Skrtle! Lol sorry.

Thank you

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - our medicals always take a few days, Remy has a few issues which need close looking at, so just bear with it.

Medel wants Inter, Inter want him, so I would expect him to join them, if they can agree a fee.}

Ed001, thank you for the update. Just read Inter want Medel on the cheap, which was refused by Cardiff! We still have time - keeping the dream alive! Lol. I know we have not shown interest.

Agree1 Disagree0

Medel won`t happen so let it go.

Agree0 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 16:45:06
A quick question based on your reply please Ed001. Do you believe there is any probability that the Remy deal may not go through as the result of these few issues which you mention.
Are they from previous injuries by any chance?
Many thanks.

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure what has caused his issues, it might just be genetic, but I still expect the deal to go through. It is most likely a combination of wear and tear added to injuries, that is what usually causes long term issues. Often a player can play on at a very high level even so, Demba Ba has had knee problems for years now, for instance. He has failed numerous medicals but still manages to play on ok.}

Out of interest Ed, is Remy carrying an injury or something?

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - no, it is a long term thing, he has had a succession of niggles because he carries a longstanding problem. If I remember correctly it is a knee issue. It was not major when he joined QPR, but these things only get worse over time.}

Remy has been locked in a cupboard in Boston with Dr Zaf for 3 days holding his nuts and coughing.Borini did it!

Agree0 Disagree0

Redohio, I know; I wrote we have not shown interest to try and prevent any confusion like yours. It would seem I failed in my efforts!

Agree1 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 15:54:41
Hey Eds -

*This is not a rumour*

I'm wondering your thoughts on Juve's Asamoah (I used the search function and wasn't able to find any thoughts since prior to the transfer window opening)?

Seems to check the 'versatility' box - and would provide depth in several positions - including LB.

Any thoughts at all are appreciated -

Thanks

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - I have no thoughts about him. Neither does Liverpool.}

26 Jul 2014 15:54:38
Hi Eds,

With Lovren and Sakho presumably our starting choice, will either of Agger/Skrtel be likely to stay; what will happen with Illori, Coates and is Toure off to Turkey?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - See previous answers about centre backs.}

Coates and Toure will most likely leave one of Agger/Skrtel will probably leave aswell Ilori will get a few chances

Agree2 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 15:49:28
Anybody else a little bothered that if the lovren, remy and Origi deals go through we would have spend over 100m,
And with lallana out injured I can only see lovren and maybe remy starting opening day.

For me that's just not good enough, I fail to see how we are stronger now?
Look at Chelsea they've spent 80m on three players who are really going to improve there team.

I like our signings but 100m and only really lallana and lovren will be certain starters.

Hope the club has something up there sleeve because we've pretty much replaced Suarez with a strong bench.

Believable11 Unbelievable5

26 Jul 2014 16:26:43
Sooooo they get 3 starters and we get two and their transfer business is better. Hmm. Stop stressing man we had a great team last season. It's always going to be hard to find something better.

Agree3 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 16:39:39
I can't actually help but agree with what you are saying. However, I have great faith that Can, Markovic and Origi will go on to do very well for us. I still dream of Reus also.

Agree3 Disagree2

26 Jul 2014 17:05:56
You guys are also forgetting:

if anyone can, emre CAN!

Agree2 Disagree6

26 Jul 2014 21:59:35
nah - not bothered - we won our first three of the season without suarez (including the ''mighty'' manutd). .we have an incredibly young team with so much in the locker, who are only going to get better. . . . if dodgy rumours are to be believed, we where offered 25 mill for sterling (he is a kid). When we are offered £50 mill next year will he be good enough for you?

Agree2 Disagree1

What are you talking about sterling for? I never even mentioned him, my point is we've spent more money than Chelsea and only 2 maybe 3 of them are going to start for us.

I think we've got a great team but it was obvious last season when Sturridge was missing for the city & Chelsea away games that we lacked that extra quality to finish off the game.
Now Suarez is gone its going to be even harder!

Agree0 Disagree3

You dream about Reus?

I dream about Kelly Brook ;)

Agree6 Disagree0

We needed additional depth so couldn't afford to blow £80m on three players. £100m on 8 is far better business for us. Lallana, Lovren, Bertrand and occasionally Can, Markovic and Remy will be starters for sure. The only players we've signed as purely back ups in my opinion is Lambert and Manquillo. The rest will all be competing for starting roles with at least 3 players being show ins. I think you are being over critical and are worrying about nothing. We came second ahead of Chelsea. There isn't a lot wrong with our starting XI. We just needed additional depth to cope with the extra games and to mount a stronger title challenge. Even if we'd stopped our business at selling Suarez and signing Lallana I believe we'd have done just as well as last season. Johnson, Skrtel and Mingolet would struggle to deliberately make as many mistakes as they did last season and they'd all get a year of extra chemistry and in Flanno, Sakho and Mingolets cases a year more experience of Prem football at a top club. Hendo, Sterling and Sturridge would all be a year older and that little bit better. Gerrard would be more accustomed to his new role. Lallana would add more balance to the side and allow us to regain a better shape improving overall team play despite the loss of individual brilliance.

However, we haven't just stopped at one transfer in, one out. We've sold off players who weren't quite offering adequate back up/competition and replaced them with players who will. We are replacing the first team under performers in Skrtel and Johnson. We will be far stronger next year and the only people who can't see that are Suarez-hero-worshippers and hopeful-opposition-fans. We may not do as well, because we'll have extra games and other teams might strengthen so much they over take us. Whilst we will improve as a team, we may not improve our league positioning. That's just a fact of football. Everyone is looking to get stronger which is why the league gets harder every year. Just try not to be so dramatic though mate. I like where this team is going. Just enjoy the ride!

Agree2 Disagree0

BennyC - my point, unless you totally missed it (like Soldado with an open net in front of him), is that: we didn't come second in the league because of Suraez. We came second in the league because we have a great TEAM - and we have, so far, held on to the majority of that team. Like you, I would like Reus, Sanchez, Messi and Ronaldo. but then on the other hand, ''top'' teams would like Sterling, Gerard and Sturridge - but, quite simply, they ain't for sale.thank god!

Agree1 Disagree0

Adam. I think Lambert will surprise everyone.
He is far more than a bit part player.
I would not be at all surprised if by midway through the season Lambert and Sturridge are playing up front together due to Lambert forcing his way into the team.

Agree1 Disagree0

He is good enough John. His chronic back injury might restrict his game time though.

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 15:47:55
QPR striker Loic Remy has agreed a four-year deal with Liverpool. According to reports, the France striker agreed an £80-000-a-week deal with the Reds after passing a medical in Boston yesterday.

The Reds are set to pay the Hoops £8.5m for Remy, who scored 14 goals last season whilst on loan at Newcastle.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

26 Jul 2014 18:39:18
Anyone else see what the spuds done last year after selling Bale and what we have done this after the sale of Suares.

Agree1 Disagree4

Spurs had a bad manager they will improve this season fact

Agree2 Disagree0

I saw a Spurs team with major managerial problems and many underperforming new signings finish with 3 points less and one position lower then they did the season before. What did you see?

Agree3 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 13:57:18
Markovic(20, lallana(25), lambert(4), remy, (8.5)origi(10), lovren(20), can(10). That's 100 plus million give or take' with agent.fees. that's seven new players with possibly a LB and RB( marquino). We could possibly integrateing 9 new players into the squad. that's alarming to me. Spurs are a.perfect example of too may players too soon and even if most are not first team, what chaces are the youngsters going to get who are very promising?
BR said at the beginning of the window quailty over quantity but looking at the numbers.coming in I beg to differ.
Some players need to be.loaned and moved on now

Believable5 Unbelievable4

26 Jul 2014 16:27:30
I can see where you are coming from my friend but Lallana and Lovren are both quality. Can, Origi and Markovic are signed for the future. However, they are still good enough to make an impression now as well.
It's only Lambert and Remy I don't really understand in terms of world class quality. But we still needed depth because I still can't believe we got away with playing only 15/16 players throughout the whole of last season.

Agree5 Disagree1

We are not rebuilding our squad. We are adding depth.

Spurs without Bale (struggle) is not going to be the same as LFC without Suarez (moving forward).

Agree4 Disagree2

I am all for players being loaned out. If we can get good Spanish, Italian or Premier League teams for the younger players then it can only improve their development for Liverpool in the future or a revenue stream if Liverpool deem them not good enough for the team. Putting them in the shop window so to speak.

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 16:38:09
I disagree, I don't think all the new signings will be on the pitch at the same time. We need strength in depth. We have also bought 3 players from Southampton who have premier league experience and who play a similar style to us. I think maybe lovren and marcovich will be in the starting 11 for the first game of the season.

Agree3 Disagree0

No doubht there's quailty, buttheres.questionable signings iomo

Agree1 Disagree1

Spurs were a ONE-MAN team with an incompetent manager while LFC were a TEAM with very good individuals and two deadly finishers brought together thru a great system by a brilliant manager. BR is proving himself in the PL at the moment while AVB was a joke, a fake and a failure. Spurs`signings where predominantly second rate (Chadli, Chiriches) over paid (Paulinho, Soldado) or overrated (Eriksen). Our signings are either promising (Markovic, Origi ) or proven in the PL (Remy, Lallana, Lambert, and Loveren). So for those saying we are doing a Spurs, I suggest you go revise ue statements because U`re all talking crap.

Agree4 Disagree1

Erikson is a great player redohio, not overrated and would suit any pl top team

Agree1 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 12:01:50
Hey ed - is it true that we were also after Chambers, or was that merely the media pulling out names of clubs interested? Also, any updates on Manquillo?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No and there is no update.}

26 Jul 2014 14:12:40
Ed's as a Liverpool supporter I'm more than concerned with our transfer activity. It seems to have little logic in filling the positions that need filled. Is only focused on depth. And has been the purchasing of players that will only inhibit our youths development (sterling, coutinho, Ibe etc). Unless we sell some players I fear we're going to have a very unsettled squad by Christmas. That aside, with the arrival of lovren, do you see skrtel or agger leaving? Surely we cannot accommodate skrtel sakho lovren and agger. Also, who would you prefer as our starting back pair? For me, I'm unconvinced by all 4. Skrtel is a no nonsense defenders but commits some silly and reckless challenges. Agger is injury prone and can be poor. Sakho is young and makes the mistakes of youth. Lovren I feel has the better technical ability and ball control but I believe lacks the positional awareness and vision to defend against top forwards. Maybe our best option is to pair either sakho and lovren or agger and skrtel as they both have strengths and weaknesses that complement each other. But it also leave our defense extremely suspect, especially if we play a high pressing game. This problem is onky intensified if we sell agger or skrtel because then we have a back line that is new and it takes a while to form a bond and understanding with each other. Just wanted your and our fellow supporters thoughts on this crisis.

Believable1 Unbelievable10

{Ed002's Note - The club need to shed some CBs.}

Skrtel will probably go as there is interest from a side that can actually afford him, its Galatasaray right ed? Agger will stay as i'm pretty sure Napoli will not pay the asking price. Lovren is the only new arrival, so we will be fine mate.

Agree1 Disagree1

Lovren and Sakho will compliment each other perfectly. Lovren (the leader) with his pace and Sakho with his ability to read the game.

Skrtel may not go this season but he will not last after that. Agger has already indicated he is looking elsewhere. Maybe Kelly will be moved to CB? Many have written Kelly off but he is a damn fine defender and built for a CB!

Agree2 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 17:01:08
Is anybody showing interest in any of LFC's CBs Ed002?

Agree1 Disagree0

{Ed002's Note - Gala has shown an interest in Skrtel. Napoli are interested in Agger.}

26 Jul 2014 14:07:04
hello eds,
according to u how did lfc fared in this transfer window? pragmatically can Liverpool be in top 4 this season?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - See previous answers.}

26 Jul 2014 14:23:58
We will challenge for the title again. We have the best manager in Europe.

Agree8 Disagree14

Best manager in Europe? Based on what?

Agree5 Disagree1

^ Have we appointed Carlo Ancelotti as our manager, must have missed it?

Agree1 Disagree5

26 Jul 2014 16:25:46
Nothing like Liverpool fans to look on the positive fans. Rodgers in my eyes is the best in Europe. let's support the bloke. He deserves it and will lead us to the title this year.

Agree2 Disagree4

26 Jul 2014 18:05:40
Rodgers is one of the most PROMISING coaches in Europe but certainly not the best (yet)

Agree3 Disagree0

Best British manager in the world

Agree3 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 11:20:29
ed if psg get di maria do u no what mite happen with lucas moura are any teams interested thanks

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - There is no interest from Liverpool.}

Not many clubs would be willing to pay the ammount required.

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 07:19:39
I just wanted to make a quick post to say I've been out on a stag do in Liverpool tonight (feeling a bit rough now) and one if the party was an ex Reds super subs son! Not in the know ny any means, but And I just wanted to let fellow reds know what he said and also a common talking points in the bars. Vidal rumour is gathering some substance and weight. He is not saying it will happen but there is a chance and it is growing.

I also want to make another point about bulking up. Why is everybody obsessed with young Nippy wingers are bulking up! Did Steve McManaman or Ryan Giggs ever bulk up. No. They were just great. If a players bulks up, he might likely lose pace and that is not something we need from my young wingers like sterling. Stay as they are just work and focus on final ball!

Anyway, here's to a great season all the best you'll never walk alone.

Ps. Eds. Thanks for the updates.
Pps. Noticed Ed002 has been quite angry/upset/etc recently, hope the frog a signing has cheered her up? (I think Ed002 is a she?)

Believable1 Unbelievable1

26 Jul 2014 17:00:52
Ed002's sex has been an enigmatic topic here for quite some time.

Agree1 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 12:55:58
Only three weeks tomorrow til Soton - can't wait for this season.

Also Ojo scored twice in a 4-0 win against Brugge. One for the not too distant future.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

26 Jul 2014 11:42:23
Seeing posts about can in as a defensive midfielder but I think this would just restrict his abilities! He's incredibly powerful and his first touch is always forward with his head up. he's much more suited to a box to box role similar to yaya or Vidal imo and he will be competing with Henderson or will play with Henderson and Stevie in tough games where we need more strength and defensive capabilities in midfield!
Just my thoughts lads

Believable5 Unbelievable1

26 Jul 2014 12:10:23
Why can't he be both? Holding mids can join the play and pass the ball upfield, they don't have to be carbon copies of Momo Sissoko

Agree3 Disagree2

I think BR sees Hendo and Can as the rocks in our midfield for years to come when Stevie's legs go!

I think he will like to play an almost 4-2-4, with 4 attacking players all shifting positions and moving with Can and Hendo providing the ammo.

Just my thought anyway

Agree0 Disagree5

Because we can't afford to have our defence completely exposed! At the moment if we're playing someone in the holding mid role we need them to stay there and protect that back four! We have enough threat going forward

Agree5 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 15:42:05
That's rubbish mate. As long as the holding mid has the legs and intelligence to get back where they need to be, they can go with the game. There is no point playing a dedicated player sitting in front of the defense when 75% of the time they are just hanging around doing nothing

Agree0 Disagree2

No that's rubbish. our goals were mainly conceded from set pieces and counter attacks encouraging our dm to move up with the play along with the full backs midfielders and strikers is what leads to counter attacks. why if we are pushing 7 forward would you want another they would just get in the way and leave us exposed. absolutely nothing gained

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 11:17:54
After signing Markovic, Remy, Lallana, & Lambert, and if the Shaqiri rumours do actually materialize, then I suspect one of Coutinho, or Sterling to leave. Regardless of whether Borini stays or leaves. Would be a colossal mistake!

Believable0 Unbelievable34

26 Jul 2014 11:44:12
Ridiculous statement.

Agree19 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 12:10:56
Well then you're in for a pleasant surprise

Agree15 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 13:07:32
The modern day Columbo.

Agree5 Disagree0

87red. What is ridiculous? My thought on what may happen? Or that my thought that it would be a mistake if it happened?

Agree0 Disagree4

26 Jul 2014 18:13:12
Bar a couple of players, sterling and coutinho are the least likely departures especially sterling. Another winger signing would mean we would have sterling, markovic, and the new arrival as natural widemen. Lambert is a striker and we are happy to offload borini. Ibe I suspect will go on loan as he isn't ready for much 1st team football yet. Given you have 25 disagrees and I have several agrees I think the majority concur it was a ridiculous statement to make

Agree3 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 10:53:44
Hey eds, not exactly LFC related, but can u tell me what exactly is going on at Southampton? It looks like they are selling nearly the entire first team, and have only brought in Tadic and Pelle. They could not even hold on to Chambers, a local lad. Is it something to with Koeman wanting funds to build his own team from scratch or are the owners just asset stripping the club? Feel really sorry for their fans. They invested so much of their energy and time into supporting their club, they deserve better than this.

Believable10 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - it is neither. They had a sugar daddy who put a chief exec, Cortese, in place with a remit to run the club with the aim of achieving European football. It was almost an open cheque book, with the club spending a lot of money on infrastructure, including an excellent training ground, players' wages and bonuses etc.

Unfortunately Markus Liebherr died, leaving the club to a foundation which is in the hands of his children. They want to run the club as a business, and are not willing to sink their own money into something they have no interest in. Initially they just left it to Cortese to run while they sorted out their dad's affairs. Then they started to look into the club, they found that Cortese was spending far more than the club was making, plus making verbal promises on bonuses that would mean the club's debt would increase etc.

So they removed him from his position and started to cut back on spending, including player bonuses, in an attempt to set the club back on track. The lack of bonuses upset the players, hence senior ones being desperate to leave, the lack of ambition compounded the problem. They have brought in a manager who is happy to run the club on a tight budget and try to utilise the youth academy players as much as possible.

Now they are just selling up those who are unhappy to reduce the debt, provide funds for spending and to put towards future expansion of the ground. I am not sure if their long term plan is to set the club straight and then sell, or if they just want to run it as a long term stable business. Either way, they have decided to take the short term route to financial stability and hope that it doesn't lead to relegation.}

26 Jul 2014 11:13:44
Superb bit of work there Ed. Really good insight as to what can happen if a change of club ownership goes the wrong way, in terms of footballing kudos anyway, although the changes make better business sense. Fortunately for Liverpool our change went well for footballing ambition, we should still strive to run a sustainable model though.

Agree7 Disagree1

Thanks for the quick reply ed001. Just hope Saints stay up next season. They are a great team to watch with one of the best youth academies in the country. don't wanna see a club like that go down.

Agree9 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 11:51:27
Great reply! Tbh had no idea anything of that nature was going on at Southampton! Sorry to brown nose but very interesting and clears up a lot of what went is going on at Southampton!

Agree6 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 13:40:57
I have friends who live in and go to saints matches. At the end of the season with the Initial Lallana and Lovern interest and lambert on his way to us I was talkng to them and they didn't care who left from the squad as long as Katherine Liebherr stayed, there words where's he may not be pretty to look after but when you put her billions next to her she soon is'

Agree0 Disagree0

Nice reply Ed001. Very interesting reading.

Agree0 Disagree0

Really interesting read, Ed. Thanks for posting OP and replying Ed

Agree0 Disagree0

Hadn't heard about Chambers as well. Good player, surprised Soton didn't keep him another season or two.

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 13:08:04
Eds summary should clear up a few points, but you also need to consider in more detail the individual situations like Chambers.
You will appreciate the current RB situation for England is woeful and Saints have two young RBs who many feel will be competing to play that position. So, without European football, how do you hold on to both, because one will be on the bench for a long time and this will squash such ambitions. Equally, do you pay them both top rate although one is a back-up? Fantasy Football would say change one to another position, but that ignores the players own wishes, so RK looks at both, decides which one will play his system better in the short term and let's the other one go.

It is frustrating for Saints supporters but there is no point having the strongest bench in the league if they sit on the bench all season.

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - I hate to say this, but I wouldn't be so sure Koeman had any say in this transfer mate. He wanted to keep Chambers to cover centre back and right back.}

26 Jul 2014 10:31:17
Morning all fellow Reds fans,

What a sad start to the weekend hearing Lallana will be out for up to six weeks. Poor lad. It got me thinking though and I was wondering if anyone can give am experienced view on the following:

With no pre-season, post World Cup, up to six weeks out with an injury. how long would you anticipate it being before Lallana is back playing at full match fitness? Surely more than a few matches post return from injury before he gets his fitness and form back?

Cheers

Believable0 Unbelievable1

26 Jul 2014 12:12:52
He should be fine by mid september. Remember, he knows a lot of the squad and has had a type of pre-season with them in England

Agree1 Disagree0

Thanks for replying, fingers crossed your right. I was looking forward to seeing him in a LFC shirt tomorrow

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 09:45:21
Remember when Skrtle was our most expensive defender. Its unreal how the prices being paid for the players have sky rocketed.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

I was thinking the same before actually. Most players would be moving between mid and top teams for less than 10m withe the odd one being higher. Now you are paying 27m for shaw, our 2 central defenders will be the best part of 40m, even origi will cost more than 10m. Makes you wonder when the bubble will burst.

Agree4 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 08:13:05
Gutted lallana is injured for the start of the season. On the bright side, someone on the fringes will get a chance to step up to the plate. Who do we think it will be? Markovic? Ibe? Suso?

Believable4 Unbelievable0

Allen maybe? We are not short these days thankfully.

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 12:15:06
Options for the potential players that Lallana could play, without any new signings being announced before the end of the window, are:

Gerrard, Hendo, Allen, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic, Suso, Ibe, Texiera, Lambert, Rossiter, Coady

We may also add Remy there who can play wide

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 03:14:50
Was thinking why not trying 3-4-3 against certain team or team that like attacking through the middle.

We are having a full back problem now bar flanna, and we have lots of midfielder.

I would play skrtel-lovren-sakho at the back with gerrard sittting infront of them. Lallana on left center and handsomeson on the right. Coutinho tip of the diamond. Sterling-sturridge-markovic in the front.

With the legs of henderson and lallana covering up the ground, I don't think it's too unbalanced.

Last season we have seen how flexible we can be. Be it 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 diamond. I'm just really excited to see what brenden got under his sleeve this season! Just giving my opinion with this formation though! don't need to bash me aye.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

I don't think BR would go for it. Not a bad idea though mate but Teams would smash us too easily on the wings and overlapping wingbacks would destroy us.
He sets up for Gerrard slotting in between the CB's, they split and the fullbacks attack.
I can't see us ever playing Lallana Sterling Coutinho and Lazar ALL on the pitch together at the same time,, although it'd be great to see

Agree0 Disagree0

I think that could work except, I'd replace Gerrard in that DM position with Can or even Lucas. I think as good as he is at dictating the game, I'm not overly impressed at his defensive capabilities and I wouldn't trust him to be the lone protector of a back four, let alone three. I'm one of those who wouldn't entirely blame our defense last season for conceding the number of goals that we did. I think if they had had a solid DM in front of them, we would end up with a much better GD.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning any of our skippers midfield attributes, just his defensive ones. While I'd still love him to be in the starting XI, I'd like to see him taking a more central position, with Can in the holding role. Or, if he doesn't have the legs for that anymore, he should have a partner in the DM role. but again, that limits the number of attacking players we can start with.

Agree0 Disagree0

Hendo is a bit handsome isn't he haha

Agree4 Disagree1

26 Jul 2014 12:52:25
Dbol yeah I understand what you talking about. But we should only try this against team that play without traditional winger. Of course not against the likes of Bayern!

Redlion tbh I would replace can with gerrard too for the exact same reason as yours. Not enough protection from gerrard.

Mikey! That's been how me and my friend refer him as. With his perfect hair that never move despite all the running and his body and everything. so we just refer him as handsomeson

Agree0 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 00:23:07
Hi reds,
gutted Lallana missing pre season and first few games. was really looking 4ward to seeing him in the next few weeks. oh well. I hope this doesn't turn into a regular thing. Eds is he injury prone?
thanks again

Believable9 Unbelievable2

Lallana career history,

2008/09 Lallana played in 40 games
2009/10 Lallana played in 56 games
2010/11 Lallana played in 41 games
2011/12 Lallana played in 46 games
2012/13 Lallana played in 30 games
2013/14 Lallana played in 42 games
(All competition)

I don't think he's 'injury prone' going on the amount of games he's featured for Southampton (262 games since 2008/09), he's been an ever present solid guy for the Saints until his injury the season before last.

The physioroom have an injury record for Lallana.

LCL Knee Ligament Liverpool 2014 July 25th
Groin/Pelvis Southampton 2013 November 23rd
Groin/Pelvis Southampton 2013 March 16th
Concussion Southampton 2013 March 2nd
Knee Injury Southampton 2012 December 8th

Hope this helps.

Agree7 Disagree0

He played 60 out of 68 games in the last two seasons. sh*t happens

Agree4 Disagree0

Correction 68 out of 76 prem games

Agree5 Disagree0

Dude, players get hurt. Get over it and move on.

Agree3 Disagree0

26 Jul 2014 00:21:27
With Lallana out for up to six weeks, does anyone else feel we might have got ourselves another Aquilani? :s
I definitely hope I'm wrong, but our dreaded luck with expensive Englishmen (ref. £35M flop) in the past, I just can't help but feel we've got another 'ten game a season' player. :/

Believable1 Unbelievable36

All you have to do is look back to last season to see how many games he can play over the 8/9 months.

Agree12 Disagree0

Lallana has played 262 games for Southampton since 2008.

Aquilani never played for Southampton, he was from AS Roma. ;)

Agree7 Disagree1

Redlion. He's only missing 5 games fella.

Agree4 Disagree0

I'm sorry if this sounds a bit harsh but you need to stop overreacting and get a grip mate. His injury record is not bad, and its not in need of surgery apparently.
The eventual problem with aquilani wasnt really injuries but the fact that he didn't want to play in england at all after his first season.
Lallana is bursting for a chance at champoions league footie, his heart is totally in it.
Carroll was already injured when we signed him- that shouldve been a warning, but we felt desperate for a striker in that window. One reason why fsg don't rush into these deals

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - Aquilani was a joke, he would cry off training because it was too hard for him, faking injuries etc. Then, when he did have to do something, he would pick up a real injury because he was so out of shape. He was a pathetic waste of space.}

I would not say Superlan(see what I did there(very proud of myself(only taken me five week))) is injury prone, however he didn't play a substantial amount of 90 minute games last season as was often subbed. Bit odd for your captain and wondering if any Ed's know if he has a stamina issue?
Come on the reds!
p.s. come on da Eds111

Agree1 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - he does a hell of a lot of running in the time he is on the pitch, so not sure if it is a stamina issue in real terms. The distance he covers is extremely high in the 65min or so he tends to do. I seem to remember reading somewhere that he was right up there in distance covered per game, despite most of the players playing a full 90. He certainly does tend to fade, but it is a matter of opinion as to whether it is a stamina issue or if he just works too much in the first hour really. I do understand what you are saying, he was subbed off to protect him from injury, but again it is subjective as to whether that is purely because he just worked too hard for the first hour or whether he is lacking stamina. Many players in English football have suffered injuries at the end of the season purely down to needing a rest, but still being asked to play 90mins every match.}

Lallana injured for the Southampton match after playing 68 out of last 76 games?

Coincidence?

Agree0 Disagree0

Aquilani is the worst player ever in Liverpool history.

Agree6 Disagree1

You can thank Rafa "the Genius", for the transfer of that dreadful player.

Agree2 Disagree2

All managers make bad signings to be fair. Very clear you never liked Rafa but name one manager who never made a bad signing.

Agree0 Disagree0

 
Change Consent