Liverpool Banter Archive October 26 2016

26 Oct 2016 22:20:31
Leeds at home I'll take that 👍🏻.

26 Oct 2016 22:16:53
Arsenal away next round
Utd v Hull
Leeds v west ham
Southampton v newcastle.

26 Oct 2016 22:40:44
Glad I was wrong on that.

26 Oct 2016 22:44:41
Close.

26 Oct 2016 23:36:44
I guessed correctly, standard.

26 Oct 2016 18:02:12
Just a though from last night origi and sturridge worked well together could that be our plan b?

26 Oct 2016 18:43:00
The 4-4-2 diamond we played last night is a good plan B to have as we have used it to great success under Klopp last season. See the 6-1 thumping of the Saints for evidence.

27 Oct 2016 02:00:17
Sorry, I meant Mike Dean.

27 Oct 2016 08:39:04
Sturridge played well with Suarez, and he'll play well with Origi.
IMO, he plays better when he has another striker with him to press, move around and create space than he does as a lone striker.

27 Oct 2016 10:04:28
Agree 100% realtofel, Sturridge thrives with another striker to link play and distract/ create space for him to exploit. Sturridge and Origi upfront as a pair should definitely be a plan B for a twin striker setup and if we put Firmino in behind at no.10 it would be a killer combo.

26 Oct 2016 14:49:33
Anyone else notice when Trent Alexander Arnold was subbed off, klopp went to shake his hand and Arnold went straight in for hug, tbh he deserved a klopp hug for his performance.

26 Oct 2016 15:35:20
Was a great moment.

26 Oct 2016 17:42:09
I thought TAA was never going to let go :D.

26 Oct 2016 18:44:12
I saw that as well, mate. It looked like a son who was just happy to see his dad watch him play. That was just priceless.

26 Oct 2016 19:31:35
I like what he did when Sturridge scored his first goal.

26 Oct 2016 14:33:25
I was listening to Stewart Robson on ESPNFC - who I often agree with - and he said Liverpool won't win the title because they "can't break down stubborn defences", and noted Burnley and United as examples. He then said that West Brom was different because our first goal was a counter attack. How is that relevant? We needed to find a way to beat West Brom and we did. Is counter-attacking not a legitimate avenue of scoring goals against stubborn defences?

I'd like to see more evidence than just Burnley and United. Burnley was arguably just a bad day at the office. United, as solid defensively as they were, were aided by an utterly poor Liverpool side who for too long lacked form on the ball. Against West Brom, we managed to bring West Ham out of their deep formation so we could quickly hit them on the counter. What's wrong with that? Or do we only prove ourselves as contenders if we easily needle through all defences like Barcelona?

26 Oct 2016 14:58:57
We had 26 shots against Burnley. Guy is a flake. How is 26 shots a side struggling to get through a defence? It was our finishing that let us down.

As for United, well there is stubborn defences and then there is playing against a back 6 with 2 key players missing from our midfield!

The team with the best defense this season is Spurs and we've put 3 past them already!

This is why I do not value the opinions of many people in the media. They are utterly clueless.

26 Oct 2016 15:15:08
If you want evidence then look at the table.
All teams have weaknesses, bus parking and set pieces are ours.
If all the teams played like United against us we would likely still win most of them, United where really well set up by a manager who is really good at bus parking when he wants to be, not all teams will be as successful as them though.
We have a good chance this year but so do a few teams.

26 Oct 2016 15:27:29
He's wrong, but we will have to wait for April before it's confirmed 😎.

26 Oct 2016 16:33:54
Ron that's a bit pessimistic for you, reckon we can prove him wrong by having it sewn up by March ;)

26 Oct 2016 19:11:57
Back 6 MK? Thought the Man Utd formation was 8-1-1!

26 Oct 2016 10:17:56
Hi eds

Swedish newspapers are raving about 17 year old AIK Stockholm talent Alexander Isak at the moment, saying no less than 69 scouts were watching him monday night. Liverpool is, according to a number of swedish newspapers, very keen on signing him. Newspaper Aftonbladet even claim that Isak is supposed to train with the senior squad.

Any truth in this? And what's your opinion on Isak?

Danny.

{Ed002's Note - He is a kiddie who is well thought of. There are plenty of kids being looked at by many, many clubs are looking at.}

26 Oct 2016 13:18:24
Thanks ed. It's just funny how lfc has been singled out as "the most interested club". Probably because lfc is such a popular club in scandinavia, Again, thanks. And keep up the good work!

26 Oct 2016 08:26:46
Question for anyone who wishes to answer. I was thinking of getting the Liverpool membership to increase my chances of getting tickets for a game. Does this make it a lot easier or shall I not bother? Not entirely sure how it all works so any info would be well recieved.

Thanks.

26 Oct 2016 10:01:30
Put it this way if you don't get one, you don't get tickets.

26 Oct 2016 10:09:35
It's still quite difficult.
I have a membership and I get the chance to go to the odd game. Auto cup schemes are good.
But to go to the top games or away games you need to build a collection of games from the season before. It takes a while but is worth it. I'd get the membership just for the auto cup scheme alone.
I rely on family and friends to keep a look out for spares when I can't get the game through the membership.

26 Oct 2016 10:03:55
I have got the membership and it is good to have but you have to keep it up in the sense of making up the numbers with it. For example when buying the tickets they usually say people with 8 or more premiership matches get the first pick and so on. I used mine a lot last season hope this helps.

26 Oct 2016 12:08:55
It depends really on whether you are happy to waste the money should you not be able to pick up tickets.

The auto cup scheme is fantastic and I have benefitted from it hugely the last few years but there is always a chance you get an away game first and get knocked out.

It is more difficult to get tickets to prem games as the queue for the members sale is always horrific. You need to be realistic though and go into it knowing you won't be going to any of the main games for a season or two until you can build up the stubs on your card.

26 Oct 2016 12:32:50
Ok thanks for all the replies. Guess I'll be getting one then and take my chances!

26 Oct 2016 13:23:27
I got one for the sole purpose of helping to get tickets. Couldn't get a single one.

26 Oct 2016 19:02:54
If I lived in Belgium for example and wanted tickets without being a member, how can I get one?

25 Oct 2016 22:51:01
Eagerly anticipating Ed001s thoughts on the midfield, youngsters and Studge. ;)

{Ed001's Note - Last night showed a major difference between us and Spurs - strength in depth. Both teams were reserve teams, but ours looked good enough to compete in the Prem, while theirs looked like a ressie team. We looked capable of scoring on every attack, while they looked utterly toothless and the only way they were going to score is if the ref helped them out, like he did. That is why they failed to win the league last season and why they need to invest in January if they are not going to fade again this season.

On the other hand, that Liverpool side would not win the league, but it would remain competitive on a week by week basis, and so we can be confident that we have players to step in if injuries or loss of form call for it. It was good to see our players all looked like they were playing for a place in the first team, rather than just playing to get through to the next round. Each player looked like they genuinely believed that playing well gave them a chance to get in the team for the next game. I will do a player by player now:

Simon Mignolet - had little to do, caught one cross really well, then flapped at the next but got a foul so it didn't matter. Still unconvincing on the ball, but a much more assured performance, though he had so little to do it is impossible to judge him.

Terence Trent from Derby - his first team debut but you would never know. He was excellent, looked physically capable as well as technically adept. Got forward well in support of the attack but also kept the highly rated Nkoudou quiet. He defo deserves more of a chance.

Lucas Leiva - as ever he looked assured and comfortable even though he was playing out of position at centre half. Apart from an extremely harsh penalty decision, I think he might have coughed a little hard and blown the forward over, he was excellent. Played some cutting throughballs at times from the back.

Ragnar Klavan - I have to be honest and say he does not convince me at all. While he didn't get caught out on the ball last night, mainly due to being able to use his body to protect the ball against a weaker opponent, he does have a tendency to dally on the ball. His positioning is suspect as well. Luckily Spurs were so poor last night when coming forward he was never tested, but he is no more than a back up, that is clear.

Alberto Moreno - as ever, bombed forward at every opportunity but, and it is a big step forward, he looked much better when he did get forward last night. Still has a tendency to make tackles from the wrong side of a player, rather than getting back goalside to make them, but he looked a much better player than he had done last season.

Gino Wijnaldum - quietly effective, though completely overshadowed by the rest of the side. It is difficult to see what he offers, because he fits in so well into the side without picking up the goals and assists or last-ditch tackles to make him stand out. Totally different from how he has played in the past, where his goals and assists were what he was known for.

Kevin Stewart - playing against his previous team and had, at times, an outstanding game, breaking up play and playing some excellent passes. He did make a few mistakes though, mainly due to a lack of concentration, which he will need to cut out if he is to push his way into the first team. Overall he showed why he got a new contract.

Marko Grujic - showed some flashes of ability, but needs to do more. Had a good solid game, but failed to get involved enough to really push his case for a first team place.

Ovie Ejaria - looked a player, but a bit on the lightweight side. He was fully involved and put himself about well. Against a first choice side, his lack of strength would have meant he could have been held off, as Wanyama showed late in the game. However, on the ball he has plenty of quality and did enough to put himself into the fringes of the first team.

Daniel Sturridge - he missed a few chances, but overall he was excellent and denied by a few good stops by Vorm from getting a hat-trick. Still not looking like himself, in terms of mobility, lacking that flash of acceleration no one can compare to, but his quality on the ball is still there.

Divock Origi - until he was taken off after suffering from what looked like cramp worryingly early in the match, Origi was absolutely outstanding. Possibly the best player on the pitch for the first hour. Pace, power and skill, the lad is special.

Subs:
Nathaniel Clyne - came on for Alexander-Arnold and did well.
Danny Ings - replaced Origi and played in the wholehearted way we have come to expect. It just didn't quite happen for him last night.
Emre Can - only played the dying embers of the match so had little impact.

26 Oct 2016 07:19:59
Would you play any of the new comers on saturday against Palace? We know how they play.
Stewart may be? He would bring a lot more stability in that midfield.

{Ed001's Note - why would anyone want to break up the team while it is doing so well?}

26 Oct 2016 07:24:56
May be because Palace is so physical and All they would do is pass to Zaha / Punheon and lump it to Benteke. May be a bit more steel in the middle. No clue who misses out though.

26 Oct 2016 07:37:56
Why steel in the middle if it is just going to get lumped over them? Matip v Ben will be the key battle. After that, the wing backs. There's more of a case for Alexander Arnold than there is for stewart.

26 Oct 2016 07:52:26
I said this last night. Replace players if they are injured, tired or out of form. Over the period of a long season these things will happen and other players will get their chance.

26 Oct 2016 07:53:31
Wasn't it Wijnaldum who put Sturridge through for his 2nd goal with a really good pass?
Am away with work and listened to the game on the radio the watched the highlights. Couldn't believe the moaning Liverpool fans who called up after the game to have a pop at Sturridge because he didn't score 5.

{Ed001's Note - I can't remember now, it could well have been, I would have to watch it again or check the stats.}

26 Oct 2016 07:54:26
Oh, and great review ed001 thanks.

{Ed001's Note - you are very welcome.}

26 Oct 2016 08:12:38
Excellent review.

{Ed001's Note - thank you.}

26 Oct 2016 08:34:02
Sturridge has either lost his pace through injuries and the op he had or he doesn't keep himself as fit/ sharp as he use to in order to be injured the majority of the season.

My fear is if you watch him he actually looks like he runs with a slight limp on his left side. Not horrendous but like he goes to go full power and maybe feels twinges and has to pull back.

He has all the quality inside the box, think he would be phenominal uo tip in peps team.

26 Oct 2016 08:41:14
Harry, if you don't have a clue as to who to change then why even suggest it? Change for the sake of change? Come on, even you, can't believe that. It's like posting on here, just for the sake of posting. Much ado about nothing.

26 Oct 2016 08:50:57
Can vs Stewart vs Wijjy, who toffer partner Hendo?

26 Oct 2016 10:24:44
I've said for a few months now, Origi is going to be some player for us.
Personally I believe playing him as a lone striker works better than playing Sturridge, who benefits from a partner, up top on his own: agree Ed1?

{Ed001's Note - I think every striker works better with a partner personally.}

26 Oct 2016 10:26:37
And Ed02 are you beginning to change your opinion that Origi would make Rodgers live to regret 'putting him and world class in the same sentence'?

{Ed002's Note - No, Origi is not and never will be "world class". If you were to put together a 23 man world class squad with, say, four strikers - would Origi be there?}

26 Oct 2016 11:02:29
No, obviously he wouldn't. But if it were a 23 man "Under-23 world class squad" I would say few players his age are as well rounded for the central striking role, and I would definitely put him in there.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot imagine anyone else would.}

26 Oct 2016 11:38:23
Good old Terrence Trent from Derby, we wishing well and hope he signs his name across a new contract soon 😂😂.

26 Oct 2016 11:43:52
Have to say I thought Wijnaldum's assist was pure class last night. Deserves a mention IMO.

26 Oct 2016 12:09:47
Does he want you to be his baby Ron?

26 Oct 2016 13:13:34
Origi ain't world class, but I don't see why he can't be. How many people would have said, "yep, this Lewandowski kid will be world class" when he was 20?

26 Oct 2016 14:44:48
Love that song, Ron.

26 Oct 2016 11:46:48
Origi is excellent but world class he is not (not yet) . If he plays like he did last night every time he gets chance he'll be really challenging for a starting place in time, he played immense last night. He's young and still needs time and with that time I think he will end up really important for us. I think if anybody can make him, Klopp will, he could make him into a real star in my opinion, but i also think the same about Ings, biggest problem is them getting time on the pitch. Both showed incredible passion last night let's hope we see more of them as time goes on. Be all and end all in my opinion is both Origi and Ings are incredible options to have as cover, patient as hell and damn good players.

26 Oct 2016 12:20:00
You are right ED002 he isn't world class now but I think its a bit harsh to say he could never be world class. The kid is only 21. Nobody knows what level he could reach over the next 5-10 years. Although I do appreciate he was terrible at Lille and he hasn't broken through with us yet. For the record I am not by any means saying he will be I just think its a bit harsh to dismiss any potential progress he could make to such a high level.

I don't suppose anybody would have ever said Suarez would be world class when he was at Ajax or Aubameyang at Saint-Etienne.

26 Oct 2016 12:34:22
Out of interest Ed2, who would be your 4 strikers? Dybala I assume is a certainty, but other than that?

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to get in to that Toddy but if you want to have a separate thread that will be just fine on the teams page.}

26 Oct 2016 19:28:58
Origi is not world class, he's in 'transition'

26 Oct 2016 19:20:18
Thank you Ed great summary and very promising for the future. 👍🏻.

26 Oct 2016 05:03:46
I would have no problem with Trent Alexander-Arnold deputising for Clyne, very solid debut, he didn't let himself down at all, was tenacious, didn't shirk a tackle, looked fast and comfortable on the ball too. He even has a unique name too and would be the only player in football with 2 first names for a surname and a last name for a first name. Great future ahead of him. Ejaria had a good game too and looked energetic and very comfortable on the ball. Nice to see Danny Ings make his return and get some first team minutes under his belt too. Grujic looked very promising, had a fantastic passing range, an imposing presence, looked mobile and very good on the ball, made one sumptuous turn in particular which left the opposition midfielder flat footed.

26 Oct 2016 04:52:35
Lucas is very underrated, despite the soft penalty given against him he was brilliant today, he made a number of key interceptions, was a real leader at the back and always first to every ball. His reading of the game, football intelligence, tackling, tenacity and passing of the ball is excellent and he made one delightful pass to release Origi down the right wing. He is also good in the air despite his lack of height and moving into centre back masks his lack of pace. He is a very good player, who you'd always trust to do a job for you and not let you down.

26 Oct 2016 07:21:40
If not his pace he is the best in the team by a mile. Reading excellent. He moves the ball quick.
If he had the pace of Fernandinho this guy would have been better than anyone on his position.

26 Oct 2016 10:28:42
That's his problem though, fantastic for the entire match then makes a serious blunder. His normal one is the free-kick right on the edge of the area (see Dortmund last season) . Why he felt the need to keep kicking Lamela last night was a head scratcher.

26 Oct 2016 18:36:34
JH, that was the head-scratcher for me as well. If you see it again, he had FIVE bites at Lamela in the box. What did he think Lamela would? Keep standing there and absorbing contact? It may have looked soft but Lucas was asking for it, really. A part from that, he was having a flawless performance and this brain fart, should not define his overall performance which was as mentioned earlier, flawless.

{Ed001's Note - I am not convinced he was kicking him, I think Lamela does what Lamela does - threw himself to the floor looking for a foul that never happened. Lucas was flicking his foot at the ball, but it looked like no to minimal contact, nowhere near enough to go down. I think it is about time we stopped blaming defenders for things like that, and instead starting being honest, whether it is Sturridge or Lamela doing it, it is cheating. Diving.}

26 Oct 2016 19:09:09
I agree with you Ed. not blaming Lucas because another ref prolly would not have given the penalty. I was just saying that knowing who Lamella is and how he falls over when you even breathe on him or sneeze next to him, Lucas should not have given him that opportunity to go down as Lamela always does, that`s all. I do see/ agree why you think it was a soft penalty because Lamela threw himself down again vs Moreno in the box and the ref waved play on. Maybe that was the ref learning his lesson. Either way, we won and Lucas even with the penalty (soft or harsh), was flawless in his performance.

26 Oct 2016 04:25:05
ed001 can I request one of your legendary match summaries please for those of us who work nights, also I see branagan did not get a game, is he going down the same road as rossiter ie he will need to leave Liverpool to get regular 1st team football?, if so it will be a shame but sooner or later he will come to that point in his career when he has to make that decision, you mentioned that klopp likes to work with a smaller squad than he has now so I guess some players will move on to reduce those numbers further.

{Ed001's Note - Klopp likes Brannagan, but there are so many players ahead of him it does look like he will have to leave. He does still have time, 20 is not really that old, but young players these days no longer have the patience they had in the past.

I am just about to do the match summary now.}