Liverpool Banter Archive February 27 2018

27 Feb 2018 23:03:01
I'd like to say to MKS that I really enjoy your articles and posts and think that you have all the qualities and articulacy, and grammar, to realise your ambition to become a football journalist. I also think it's quite brave on a site like this to put your opinions out there, even when they sometimes fly in the face of the norm.

Without trying to be patronising and hopefully offering constructive opinion, I would suggest the following:

- don't refer to your age, it is irrelevant. You have more insight into the game than I have ( and I'm old quite lol) ;
- develop a thick skin ( as a soccer journo you're going to need it! )
- check all of your facts and don't make assumptions
- keep some of your posts shorter, when you have a killer point to make it has more impact if it's to the point!

Keep doing what you're doing and ignore those who have a go, they just don't have your skill!

Yours, a fan!

27 Feb 2018 23:44:27
Cheers mate. Appreciate the constructive feedback, and it's nice to know where my one thumbs up comes from 😉.

28 Feb 2018 00:01:19
Before I start I just want to say a good post overall litmanenfav and I'm not in anyway having a dig but my views are - I don't think he needs to change anything, it really frustrates me in a way at how people can get on at him for having an opinion? you never see him slating other people for their opinions, he respects it and may disagree but never slates them for it.

MK, the knowledge you have is incredible and has always impressed me. Your long posts/ replies are always interesting, whether I agree or not with them, I respect your opinion and your knowledge.

I have learnt a lot from MK since been on this site, knowledge is power, and he has a lot of it why can't people give respect instead of give him hassle for it? We can have banter and disagree with each other but there's no need to go far with it.

People keep bringing up MK's age, why? who really cares? people talk like because he's younger then a lot of us he doesn't know history, you kidding me? he knows probably 10 x more then me and the majority of people on here and the majority of us are older, that to me deserves respect alone.

I really enjoy your input on this site sis whether it be an article, a post or a reply, keep them coming mate, ignore the haters, who don't know how to have a simple discussion/ debate. I think the majority of people do appreciate your time and effort you put in, it's just the odd few people.

28 Feb 2018 00:37:45
I agree with a lot of this. im also with the opinion that a lot of the thumbs down are just because its funny to be belligerent sometimes :) . All in all keep it up la.

28 Feb 2018 00:41:47
I didn't see the thread, but would just like to say I genuinely enjoy your posts and articles MKS. Keep the head up mate.

28 Feb 2018 01:55:12
MKS, Salah, can I be your sister too?

MKS gives it all to this site. Not only have you mentioned your age, over the last few years I've noted your first and last name, town of birth (Lincolnshire I believe? ), university, profession, last two jobs, last two girlfriends' nationality, date of marriage, and even when your wife p****d herself! Adam- you're as much part of this site as the eds. Keep it up please. I just need your mother's maiden name and I'm all set to totally steal your identity :)

28 Feb 2018 05:04:12
give me a hug guys, i don't want to be left alone. i like everyone and respect everyone.

28 Feb 2018 06:42:42
MKS easily my fave poster and has posted recently some really interesting articles for me to read, he puts them up to be read and some agree or not but at least he creates debate which is great for me personally
Top top poster imo.

28 Feb 2018 07:38:55
Sure stoneage, welcome to the sisterhood! lol.

28 Feb 2018 07:42:01
MKS,

I was one of the people who gave my opinion that you exaggerate in your posts a lot to drive your point Home but what you end up doing is diluting your point. That isn’t having a dig, that is constructive criticism too. Whether you choose to take that on board is your porogotive. My post was nothing personal against you, you’re clearly very passionate about football.

Citing the ECL final as a reason for Dudek to be a higher up on an all time list, citing couts attitude towards his exit and hendo’s exemplary attitude only shows that you’re letting emotion override common sense. I hated the way he left our club but the fact remains he had wonderful ability, a player who truly got you off your feet on a regular basis and scored some huge goals for us.

28 Feb 2018 08:33:14
Thank you everyone. This means a lot to me! Iwon't let it stop me from posting, i just wish people would debate my points rather than debate my credibility as a poster! I'm just as happy to see a detailed counter argument than to see someone say they agree. Only on this site do you get the quality of debate.

I appreciate that 87red, but i interpreted the question as the 20 best players for Liverpool. Not the 20 best individuals. Therefore i considered things like attitude, importance to the team, longevity, trophies won, contribution in big games and individual ability.

Dudek kept us in the game with the best double save i have ever seen, and then won us the shoot out. A couple of Liverpool players missed their penalties so if Dudek hadn't made those saves, we wouldn't be 5 times winners. That last save against Shevchenko is the most iconic moment in my lifetime as a Liverpool fan.

How can we not let emotion play a part when picking the best players for Liverpool in our history? Football is just a game without the emotion. Coutinho had a poor attitude in the end and won nothing, and our team was always just as good without him in the side despite his individual brilliance. When he had the chance to make a name for himself in European final, he went missing.

It's fine if you disagree, but you didn't need to make out it was a ridiculous statement for me to say Dudek did more for Liverpool than Coutinho. Coutinho was a better individual player, but he wasn't better for Liverpool in my opinion.

28 Feb 2018 10:17:19
MK is a first class poster who at times goes over the top. But that is normal as we are all normal people. I don’t blindly agree with him and had someone cracking debates in the past. Is he getting some stick lately? Quite normal and that is a part of this group! There are no permanent emtoions or favorites.

28 Feb 2018 11:07:38
I disagree on the favourites part Harry! You are one of my favourite posters because you always have an opinion and when you vehemently disagree, you at least have the balls to put your head on the chopping block too and write out a detailed reply or explanation. I sometimes disagree with you, but i think you are a huge part of why this site is so good. You are prepared to be a subject of ridicule in order to stay true to yourself and give your honest opinion.

Everyone will go overboard from time to time if they are passionate about something, me and you included. I don't mind being told if I'm going overboard in an isolated debate. It is when people dismiss your opinion with phrases like "once again" or "as usual" or "every post" etc. That's just rude and it implies that it is a characteristic unique to me and that all of my posts can't be taken seriously. As you've just explained though Harry, it is part of being a passionate fan of football to sometimes go over the top. I'd question you if you went OTT, but I'd never ridicule you or accuse you of being a bad player because of it.

28 Feb 2018 12:36:09
MKS you need to not take it so personally if you’re going to put your “against the grain” opinions out there. Opinions that are different to my own are obviously fine and in some most instances you can understand where someone is coming from even if you disagree. I cannot accept that Dudek or sterling come above couts in a greatest Liverpool player in any world. You absolutely can’t let emotion overrule common sense if you’re to five an unbiased view on something, that is fact.

To be clear, you do exaggerate your point on a regular basis hence why people said what they did on your last thread. Some of the toughest feedback I’ve received in my career has been the most useful so don’t dismiss it because it’s hard to swallow.

To reiterate, your posts can often have good points but you then go to far to male your point and it dilutes it. When you do this on a number occasion, people will begin the dismiss your opinion whether you like it or not.

Like you say it’s any opinions game and my opinion about some of the players you rated above couts were simply outrageous.

28 Feb 2018 13:24:09
I agree MK. I have taken the most amount of sticks on this site after the Editors. I know how it feels. But over the time you'll get used to it. I know you from the days of YNWA Adam. We have had countless arguments and debates over the years. As long as you are true to yourself in what you say and believe you don’t need to worry about anything else. Just ask an editor how he feels when he is being constantly abused for speaking truth!

Our opinions are our perception! It need not be same with the next person. And we can’t control their actions.
If everyone have the same view then this site would be damn boring!

{Ed033's Note - Yes, but what have you done with all of the sticks?

28 Feb 2018 15:13:37
87red, writing with passion and emotion is just my style. Anybody who doesn't like it or finds it over powering can just do what TaffyTel said and skip it? I'm not asking you to read it. But nobody has the right to tell me to change who i am as a person.

I take the point on board about the length occassionally diluting my point and i will try and improve in that aspect, but i only go into so much length because i feel as though i have to cover every bit of ground, because of how often people pick out one line of my posts that was barely relevant. I'll just let people question it in future though and then explain if it is wanted. I also take your point about thick skin. I had a bad day yesterday though as my childhood family dog of 14 years died, and i lost it a little bit! You guys were just there for me to vent at 😂

You won't catch me leaving passion and emotion out of anything to do with football though! Playing it, discussing it, watching it etc. Football would be nothing without them. I regard myself as a fan of Kyle Edmund, Anthony Joshua, Lewis Hamilton, Justin Rose etc. It doesn't ruin my day when they lose, like it does with Liverpool though. Because I'm not emotionally involved and therefore I'm not as passionate or interested. I'm sorry if you don't like my style, but i won't change because some people do and it's who I am.

28 Feb 2018 15:17:57
Don't worry Harry 😉 In 30 years when this place is a ghost town me and you will still be in heated debate, and Ed001 will still be sat somewhere in the UAE shaking his head in disbelief at what we're saying!

{Ed001's Note - I couldn't cope with 30 years of Harry hankering after Kovacic as manager following his retirement from playing.....}

28 Feb 2018 16:02:40
Gutted that MK about your dog mate, bloody brutal isn't it, they become such a part of your life/ family.

Harry, I very rarely agree with you but that doesn't matter, you bring something most don't, another top top poster!
'If everyone have the same view then this site would be damn boring! ' - Exactly!

28 Feb 2018 16:41:48
Jorginho as his assistant, right Harry? 😉

You'd miss Harry if he left Ed. Don't lie to yourself!

{Ed001's Note - hmmmm.}

28 Feb 2018 17:47:49
MK, star in his own right. You know your football and although I don't always agree with you 9 times out of 10 I do. I always give your argument decent thought. Good man. Most of the posters are pretty cool imo. Negative red gets on my tits sometimes, whinning after a 5 1 win, "lovren is awful, his mistake led to the goal" but your pessimism is quite refreshing.

27 Feb 2018 21:13:17
Read reports of a new contract for salah? I know he is playing well but surely he's on a long term deal anyway? Or is it just better terms for him as a reward for his form? Our front 3 is so special if we can keep them together for the next few years I'm positive we will win silverware. I've even had a cheeky outside bet on us for the CL this year 😎.

27 Feb 2018 21:58:36
Yeah but van Dijk coming in on 170 000 a week will make the best players at the club look for the same wages i would've thought.
Lets hope the reports are true because we need to keep the front 3 together for a long time at all costs.

27 Feb 2018 19:16:37
Seen a post down the page that Hendo and Sterling are better than Coutinho.
Cmon I respect Hendo but I don't think even he would agree.

27 Feb 2018 19:38:13
For loyalty and being what Liverpool stands for, He is head and shoulders ahead of coutinho.

27 Feb 2018 19:53:48
Spot on, mad max. Cou could have done this another way, one that would keep him warm in our hearts as NOBODY begrudged him wanting to go to Barca. We just said "Stay till the end of the season and you can go" BUT he did not wanna do that and that is fine. He will have to live with his choices and frankly, I'm glad he's gone and Klopp and his x-team-mates have shown that we are better w/ o him.

27 Feb 2018 21:53:26
I know he left us on middle of season but he did wanna go in the summer but we didn't let him. I think if we were in with a chance of winning the title then he would have stayed. Unusually for January but the the title is all but sealed.

I don't blame Him, come on. Look at the pay rise he was offered by barca.

When he was here he was put on a pedestal by lfc fans. We were all calling him the best player in the world etc. Don't deny it. Its crazy how your opinions of him have changed just coz he has moved clubs.

It not like he left us in the lurch, he must have known we had a decent squad without him.

When he was here, I think we played by giving him the ball whenever we could. We tried to play everything through him. So if coutinio was having a good game we won, if he is not having such a good game we didn't have such a good game.

Now he has gone and now we play more free flowing as the targets for the ball are all three musketeers. If I'm honest I think Firmino is the better number 10, he is a cleverer footballer, quicker and has showed his decision making is spot on. But coutinio's accuracy was amazing, the way he kicked the ball was very David Beckham'ish. There is no one else in the wold who I would rather have taking a free kick for my team.

Come on guys he was great and you all know it. He loved liverpool, his kids have scouse accents. I don't think he would have left for any other team but he is Brazilian/ spainish and Barcelona is the dream. He was here for ages, we developed him to the player he is, he WILL have a big love for this team and I think we should show him some love.

Saying "he isn't world class, not yet" what a ridiculous Statement. When he was here I never saw anyone here say he isn't anything but world class. We debate this all the time how to define world class and when asking how many World class players do we have, the first name on Everybody's list was coutinio.

If your transfer fee is £140.000.000, you are world class. Simple as that.

28 Feb 2018 00:19:58
Shame his attitude towards the end of his time at Liverpool wasn't world class SS, I can't show a player love who acted the way he did, it was unprofessional and damn right disrespectful to us as a club who like you say developed him into the player he is today, he deserves no respect in my opinion, great player no doubt but as far as respect goes you get respect if you give it, he didn't know the meaning of the word, he wanted out and did anything he could to make that happen without hiding the fact. Sure if you want out go through the right channels and be professional about it, he wasn't.

28 Feb 2018 06:05:39
It wasnt just that he wanted to leave, he could of informed the club in january and given us ample time for a replacement. Instead he left it til 3 weeks of the window to go, at the first notice of barcelona publicly opening their mouths about him. How on earth did he just expect us to let him go? And then he followed that up by throwing a huge strop. He is one of the best players to have played for us in the premier league era yes but for me, he was always a very selfish player who never fulfilled his full potential as a playmaker because he was always too busy trying to shoot from 50 yards.

28 Feb 2018 09:43:43
How is sterling loyal?

28 Feb 2018 09:47:35
We don’t like phil coz he handed a TR at the wrong time. This page loved him more than their partners. I know that! I don’t know why people pretend!

28 Feb 2018 22:11:46
Again, Harry. Speak for yourself and stop making pathetic, blanket statements cos you sure don't speak for us all.

27 Feb 2018 14:09:22
Hi Ed

Can you please clarify the Champ league rule for me having read different articles.

Now 4 prem team go straight into group no qualifying stages. CL winner get a place and EL winner gets a place.

But I've read that if TWO English teams outside of the top four win the Europa or CL then 4th will drop out.

BUT ALSO READ THAT IF either Arsenal or Chelsea win (other fails) 4th drop into Europa and no 5th team As Manu will be added

so is it both Ars and Che will have to win for the 4th team to drop out or just 1 of the two.

Cant see Chelsea winning but Arsenal have a chance as the quality is low.

this will make a very nervy 3/ 4 place battle.

{Ed002's Note - a. If no CL or EL winners then four sides in no qual. b. If two sides out of top four winCL and EL then fourth goes to EL. c. Two clubs outside of top four need to win, not one.}

27 Feb 2018 21:00:53
So, does that mean if 5th place finish wins Champions league and 6th place wins Europa league, that 6th place get in and 5th doesn't?

27 Feb 2018 21:35:59
🙈😳 If 5th AND 6th (or lower) BOTH win the CL and EL, 4th drops out.

27 Feb 2018 13:51:27
If we really get Jorginho we will fight for the tittle. period. he would bring balance and help with the teams that sit deep as his passing range is amazing. he is picking runners in behind the defence for joke. imagine salah and mane running in behind the defence and keita and jorginho feeding them. our defence will be much more solid next season and we would have 2 brilant players in every line. he is the playeri would chose over any other player bcos he solves half of our problems!

27 Feb 2018 14:06:57
Couldn’t agree more!

27 Feb 2018 15:11:00
He's a great player, but i really think it's being over done a bit now 😂 how can you say signing one player will make us a title challenger, and state it as fact? Aquilani was a good playmaker in Serie A. Midfielders from Serie A don't adapt well historically to the Premier league because the tempo is much higher.

Everyone is completely ignoring his weaknesses. Jorginho played against Man City for Napoli and his team lost 2-4 and had City not taken their foot off the gas it would've been worse as the score line flattered Napoli. Emre Can shut City out almost completely for 75 minutes until he was hooked for Milner and we conceded 2 late consolation goals. Can had De Bruyne in his pocket, and Jorginho had his pants pulled down! So whilst he's a great player, he's not the messiah who will save us from any future defeat. He's one player. An extremely talented one, but he still has a blind spot.

I think Jorginho will help us massively at beating teams who sit deep, because he has a lot of quality offensively and his vision is sublime. But to say he will definitely make us title challengers on his own when he got his backside handed to him on a silver platter by our No. 1 premier league rivals less than 4 months ago, is just hyperbole. He has a skillset we lack in midfield and that makes him a good option who would be really exciting if he signed, but let's not go overboard.

Keita and Henderson will support Jorginho better defensively than Allan or Hamsik do, but we can only speculate as to whether it will work well as a midfield. Football is not an exact science. I rather think people are building themselves up for disappointment anyway. Ceballos looks far more likely right now. Maybe we should start a joint hate mob for Ceballos and Navas until we get Alisson and Jorginho?

I think Jorginho is an excellent choice who would improve our squad massively, but he's not Lionel Messi. Come on lads, you don't seriously believe he could single handedly transform us into title winners? Do you?

A little bit of perspective and realism wouldn't go amiss on here at times.

{Ed001's Note - ah come on MKS we all know one player can turn any team into title contenders, just look at when Arsenal signed their missing piece, Petr Cech, and now they are dominati.....oh wait...}

27 Feb 2018 15:24:16
I think you'll find that Xhaka was the missing pie- oh wait. No. It was actually Lacazette who was the missing pi- oh wait. No. It was actually Aubameyang who was the missing p- youvknow what? never mind 😂

Just to reiterate i do genuinely rate Jorginho as a playmaker, and he would be a class signing in general. But i can't see us pulling it off for one, and for two, he certainly isn't so unbelievably good that we'll be transformed by his signing over night! People just need to calm down a tad and not build it up so much, because they might be disappointed. It's only February! I saw him play for Hellas Verona back when we were linked under Rodgers and you could see then he was a talent. I bet a lot of people had forgotten about him until this link popped up a couple of days ago though. Yet now, he is the one player everyone wanted? But they just decided not to mention it? 🤔.

{Ed001's Note - you forgot about Mkhitaryan....}

27 Feb 2018 15:41:22
Mkhitaryan would have won them the Carabao cup if he hadn't been cup tied. That's what I've genuinely been told today 😂.

{Ed001's Note - one day someone will open their eyes and realise how entirely terrible he is.}

27 Feb 2018 16:05:33
I like mkhitaryan. I think he went to the wrong club. Should have come here.

27 Feb 2018 18:11:48
Ed001, You being knowledgeable and calling Mkhitaryan terrible is ridiculous, Obviously you are biased against him.
2015-16 Season was voted player of the year in the Bundesliga,
And if you want to point towards his Man United experience, well he is not the first player in history that JM destroys, he might not be world class or top player in the world, but to call him terrible is nothing but laughable.

{Ed001's Note - if you say so, but I don't base my view on bias or an idiotic vote. He has poor control, lacks vision, can't pass but is lightning quick and can score because he makes decent runs forward. Only if the team is set up around him though as he is simply not a good player. I don't care that he played for United, that makes no difference to my view that a player who has had a few good months in his entire career is not a very good player. I would stop trying to be a smartarse and try watching the player before you try and call my opinion laughable. Laughable is suggesting a crappy vote makes a player great!}

27 Feb 2018 18:15:55
We've had our own missing pieces, Ince and Kewel cine to mind. Just thinking of Glass houses and all that.

{Ed001's Note - I am sorry but I don't see the relevance to a bit of banter.}

27 Feb 2018 19:11:11
Jorginho does a lot of defensive work that you have not seen MK. So it’s pointless saying he is pants against tough opposition. Our entire team were pants against City at Ethihad! There is absolutely no need to agree with you!
Just coz you rate Ceballos there is no necessity the entire web page should agree with you!

27 Feb 2018 19:30:46
One player can make a huge difference though:
Kante (Leicester and Chelsea)
Suarez (Liverpool)

27 Feb 2018 20:01:12
Ron, only that at Chelsea, that team was already great and Kante just made them better. As for LC, I agree with you that Kante was a beast there BUT so was Mahrez, Drinkwater, and Vardy. LC caught lightning in a bottle and Ranieri was humble in public and they held their nerve and got it done. So in the end, one player cannot do it all as he needs help as well.

We caught lightning in a bottle as well in the final 6 months of 13/ 14 where we won 12 in a row with LS and Studge along side Hendo, Cou and Sterling who were all on fire at the time BUT there were still defensive holes in that team and instead of BR being humble and calm and trying to make us better, he kept being arrogant and believing in his own hype and the rest is history. Like I said in the end, one player cannot do it all as he needs help as well.

27 Feb 2018 21:35:50
Wow, guy isn’t signed and so many are complaining and bitching, rather sad reading if I’m honest. I remember when there was excitement and hope when we were linked to very good players.
So some posters HOPE he’ll be a huge success. Is that any different than the daily posts HOPING Karius has a great season and proves the doubters Wrong? Or the HOPE that Gomez improves a lot and becomes first choice CB next season! Or the HOPE that Hendo gets over his injuries. Or the hope the front 3 stay and continue their amazing form? Or the hope Keita is as amazing as some think and he dominates midfield next season and stops the silly bookings? Or the hope that Robertson and TAA fix their faults and become great fullbacks?
You see we are a team of lots of hopes, I’m ok with Jorginho being another otherwise we being biased as we have so many other hopes why not him too!

27 Feb 2018 23:35:17
BRover - I said one player can make a huge difference and sited Kante and Suarez!

What’s your beef with that?

28 Feb 2018 08:00:08
Salah has made a pretty huge difference to Liverpool?

28 Feb 2018 09:41:21
of course there can be a missing piece, but that analogy does forget that there is the rest of the jigsaw that took years to put together!

I don't know much about Jorginho to be honest, but like I've said on other occasions any deep lying playmaker that comes in and allows hendo, gini, milner, ox and co to play their natural games will be a much better balance for us.

27 Feb 2018 10:50:17
Reading between the lines, Klopp has basically says Gomez will play centre back next year. Has anyone else noticed the lack of good right backs though?

Chelsea use Moses, Juventus use Lichsteiner, Roma use Florezi, United use Valencia, Liverpool use Gomez, Bayern use Kimmich, Barcelona use Sergi, PSG use Meunier etc. All of those players are naturally Wingers, midfielders or centre backs.

Aside from Walker, Hysaj, Carvajal, Aurier, Bellerin, Juanfran, Pisczek, Pereira and Alves most other top sides are playing someone out of position to make do. The shortage of quality right backs is starting because none if the options i just listed are at the same level as the likes of Lahm, Cafu, Neville or Zanetti were at. The best right back in the world right now is Azpilicueta, and he's been converted to a centre back!

The problem is, the lack of quality puts these right backs in high demand, hence why Walker cost £50m!

If we move Gomez to centre back, i think we should just try and sign Ola Aina from Chelsea. He's a very good young player who is playing regular senior football and starring, and could solve a problem position for a decade. He wouldn't be the first of their star young players to leave to come to Anfield (Sturridge, Brewster, Solanke etc) .

27 Feb 2018 11:40:55
Such a shame Lahm retired at a younger age, was stoll the best RB in the world when he did so. Can't think of any quality RB's either, maybe Carvajal?

27 Feb 2018 11:42:06
There is a huge lack of good FB's, period. Either they are athletes who are not good footballers in Walker, Aurier, Clyne etc or mids like Sergi, Valencia, Alexs Vidal etc. I agree that Azpi is the best RB around (to me, the best all round defender in the PL, hands down) and the fact that we are using a mid in TAA and a CB in Gomez at RB (both very solid btw) then yeah, there are no RB's out there, really.

As for Aina, I have not seen him play a lot so can't say how good he could be even tho he is part of the Nigerian setup for the WC and was highly thought of at Chelsea.

{Ed025's Note - how about seamus coleman?

27 Feb 2018 11:42:14
Pretty sure we already have a very good young right back in TAA.

27 Feb 2018 12:05:52
Benjamin Henrichs, young right back at Bayer looks a good prospect.

Vrsaljko looks quite handy for Athletico.

27 Feb 2018 11:53:31
Unless you don’t play a 4-4-2, your right back is always exposed at the back! Simple. Most of them have become wing backs. Ryan Sessegnon is an example. They just don’t care about defending these days. In fact the game has become offensive by nature!

The real question is about the system! Jose would want a defender first and then an offender in his RB while pep and Klopp would buy an offender first and then a defender with their choice.

Most of the players are mouled by the way a manager plays his style. A lot of old school full backs would struggle under Klopp!

27 Feb 2018 12:18:08
I think it's less of a lack of quality fullbacks and more that football has moved to where it's trendy to have the "wing back" which is basically a failed winger who's half decent in the tackle.

27 Feb 2018 12:19:52
I like the young kid at real madrid Achraf Hakimi.
Have not seen a lot of him but when he has played has looked very good i must admit.

27 Feb 2018 12:43:32
Agree with 87 red and Baby D 👍.

27 Feb 2018 12:50:05
good post, full back is the toughest position on the pitch, requires a lot of concentration and stamina.

27 Feb 2018 12:53:33
Porto have two fantastic Full backs in Alex Telles, Ricardo Pereira if I remember correctly Klopp wanted Ricardo, both look like they will go onto have fantastic careers.

27 Feb 2018 13:05:26
Aina has played virtually every game this season for Hull and been their best player by far. He is very quick and good in the final third, but aloud enough defensively that he can also play centre back. Very good player and only 21. Won literally everything there is to win at youth level alongside Dom Solanke. I'm sure Dom could put a good word in and convince him to jump ship. He's way too good for the Championship. I doubt Chelsea would want to sell but they are very respectful towards their players and don't block them from moving if that is what they want.

27 Feb 2018 13:28:36
TAA will do me for another year, give him more first team experience at RB, Gomez at CB, after a season they'll be beasts and well experienced, then move TAA upto the midfield and get a RB in summer of 19.

27 Feb 2018 14:05:23
I'd be happy to do that too Salah. Klopp might want to start using Trent further forward though or just not think he's ready to play every week (he's only 19 still), in which case my vote for a new right back goes to Aina! Aina is 21 a ready physically to play every game. He's a huge talent. I expect he's in Chelsea's plans though long term, unfortunately for anyone who did want to buy him. I doubt Liverpool are even interested. He's just one who stands out to me as a bright young talent. Him and Jonjoe Kenny, who is a no go for obvious reasons.

27 Feb 2018 14:28:47
Everytime I've watched Kimmich I've been somewhat impressed. Surprised he isn't rated a little more by people.

27 Feb 2018 15:05:41
It's one of them isn't it MK mate, it all goes on what Klopps plans are I suppose. I forget at times exactly how young TAA is, maybe he should be rotated with a top RB this coming year? or move forward or even he could rotate both positions if absolutely needed. I genuinely believe he'll be a beast in the midfield, I'm talking next kind of Gerrard level but as you say he's only 19, I'm thinking about how he can be without thinking about these things taking time. Good future for him either way though, future captain in my opinion.

I completely agree about Aina, he is the next big thing, problem is getting him, unfortunately I don't think we or any other team would stand a chance right now. They'll want to keep hold of him, or one would've thought atleast. I must admit I've only seen him a handful of times but from what I have seen, he's exceptional and I can't say that about many these days.

27 Feb 2018 15:14:19
I rate him Jack. I think he could be the best right back in the world one day, which is even more impressive considering he is actually an even better centre midfielder.

27 Feb 2018 15:38:11
I can see Arnold as a future captain too! Unless Bobby dazzler gets it first!

27 Feb 2018 15:40:08
We have 2/ 3 rbs. Taa 1st choice Clyne back up and gomez on emergency. No need to go and spend money there. Worry about the positions we are lacking rather than having pointless debates over positions we have plenty of cover for.

27 Feb 2018 07:31:41
{Ed's Note - Tris Burke has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 27th February 2018

27 Feb 2018 09:19:59
lovren and matip in the top 10 list, haha what a joke.

not slagging our players bt if there is a list of 10 best CB in the world right now they both won't be in it.

{Ed001's Note - exactly mate, and people wonder why I don't like stats being used on their own.}

27 Feb 2018 09:38:06
Lukaku wanting an all star 11 from the north vs South. Great idea. Unfortunately lukaku you wouldn't be picked. Haha. Id pick Ashley Barnes ahead of him.

27 Feb 2018 10:02:27
All star North vs South? So basically Liverpool with De Gea in goal vs Tottenham with Kante in midfield 👀.

27 Feb 2018 21:38:43
Tris - I saw the incident where Neymar got injured and it looked pretty innocuous. He was actually behind the player and they banged legs which caused him to fall. Im not sure we could blame the player for that.
Have to say Im a bit biased - when I played if an opposing player was suspected of diving then he got extra attention. No leg breakers but along with a few words in his ear he received special treatment to see if he really was faking.

27 Feb 2018 07:07:24
Hey Ed001. As usual just interested to hear your thoughts, and those of others on here.
On our midfield, it looks like Emre is leaving and Keita coming in, perhaps also someone like Cabellos. However how do you think Klopp sees our holding/ more defensive MF role? I think Hendo is the best we have at this, although arguably more effective further up the pitch, but all our other MF's, including those incoming above aren't really defensively apt. Could this point to another incoming such as the Jorginho links and if so surely someone has to leave but I can't see who Klopp would want to let go, as he loves Gini, Lallana is important and we only just got Ox. Perhaps Grujic can play there as he certainly has the talent and energy? Also a little concerned that Hendo isn't a given on the team sheet anymore? Is he injured again, being fazed out or just that Klopp prefers Can?
I know your not a mind reader but appreciate any thoughts or insight!

{Ed001's Note - as I have repeatedly said, Hendo's injury problems are a concern and it may well be that he is phased out over the next year or two. Klopp does not play with a defensive mid, he wants a playmaker to sit deep instead. Someone like Jorginho would be his ideal.}

27 Feb 2018 08:19:25
It does look like Klopp wants a more creative player rather than a destroyer, to play alongside Keita and one of the current options (Hendo, Gini, Ox) . Ceballos, Demirbay and Jorginho are the confirmed interest, and are all excellent at striding forwards and opening up a defence, but leave gaps behind them in doing so. Demirbay is the best defensively in that list and he'd offer the most steel in the centre, but Jorginho is by far the best creatively which may be what Klopp prioritises. Ceballos is more of a prospect still in my eyes so he'll probably be the one we end up with 😂

It isn't what I'd do, but if it is what Klopp wants i will put my faith in his decision. We all know Klopp likes to swarm the midfield with high energy rather than control it with discipline, so it's not a surprise really that we've shown no interest in a proper defensively minded player.

27 Feb 2018 08:49:44
We know one midfielder will be Keita who I think will be top class. Then only Klopp can decide how to balance the other 2 players. I agree with a playmaker in most games but agains't the better teams we could get over run. The club has had plenty of time to address this issue so I am excited to see our new look midfield next year.

27 Feb 2018 09:15:25
It is Jorginho that Klopp wants and he will get his man.

27 Feb 2018 10:06:51
Fingers crossed Harry, but don't get your hopes up too much. He's one of Napoli's key players and they don't sell their players cheap. Plus we offended them very recently by offering about half of what they wanted for Koulibaly!

27 Feb 2018 10:37:08
Napoli are impossible sometimes, if we thought RB Leipzig was tough just wait! But if the player is looking to move and Manchester United doesn't bid Pogba money for him we might have a tiny tiny chance even though personally i doubt it a bit.

27 Feb 2018 11:50:04
MK,

They will have to sell him if they lure Torriera from Sampdoria. He would cost big money and Napoli will sacrifice one of their star player. Jorginho has not signed new contract. He won’t be cheap but you don’t get good players for cheap! Do you?

27 Feb 2018 12:55:05
Harry, Jorginho is a fine player, no doubt BUT as Nostradamus has said, good luck dealing with the notorious Napoli owner De Laurentis. The guy is a head case and does NOT sell any of his players esp. his key players if you don't meet his release clause (if there is one) like he did w/ Juve and PSG when they sold Higuiain and Cavani for a pot of gold in both instances. Even if you met it, he still may not sell esp. now that they are on the brink of winning the Serie A and becoming a force under the ever-impressive Sarri. Not sure about this one.

27 Feb 2018 16:31:23
BRover,
Are there any good, humble, kind hearted owners out there mate 😁😁😁. Nobody would want to sell their star player for a less sum. Ask Barcelona about FSG over Coutinho! We made them sweat blood 😁😁😁. Pay the price and sign the player!

27 Feb 2018 21:19:05
We’ve lost Coutinho, losing Can and as above Henderson’s injuries are a issue and we could see Milner leave also.

That could leave Henderson (albeit with the injury issues), Wijnaldum, Lallana, Chamberlain and Keita. Big call, but ideally I’d like to see Lemar, Jorghino and Meyer or Brandt.

Both Brandt and Lemar can cover forward positions if needed too. I think Ings is likely to leave too which only leaves Solanke as cover.