Liverpool Banter Archive July 28 2016

28 Jul 2016 22:29:35
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our new left back. James Milner.

28 Jul 2016 23:13:42
Would rather have Milner there then Moreno.

29 Jul 2016 00:20:22
Hasn't Emre Can played there for Germany?

29 Jul 2016 01:08:24
Definitely at his old club Ron, Right back for Germany - not sure if he played at all or it was 1 / part of a game there for germany as well.

I'd prefer him in Midfield.

TBH Milner was playing behind Clyne towards the end of the season / dropping back / tucking in and Clyne was more advanced.

29 Jul 2016 01:26:14
Posted this earlier about Milner, shot down but hey here we are discussing it.

What about Klipperty playing 3-4-3 without wing backs? It's not like we're short of midfield and attackers. Two holding, a right and left in front and then our usual rotating front three.

29 Jul 2016 03:15:18
Both Milner and Can have played there but I hate stop gaps and fill ins. If we just paid the money for Chilwell we wouldn't be having this discussion. LB was a priority area for us yet we pi$$ about and miss our main target again. I'm not sure about Milner playing there as I can't recall how good he was. Can however played LB for Bayer and was the main reason UTD dumped them out of CL, I don't care what people say, he's defensively woeful against any kind of pace or quality. I would be very upset starting the season knowing that Moreno was our only LB when we've known from the start of the window that he's our weak link.

29 Jul 2016 05:13:34
I'd rather have Milner there than Moreno. He'll be a lot more discliplined. Whilst we'd lose some pace and attacking edge at least he wouldn't get caught out half way down the wrong end of the pitch and can bring more defensively. Obviously I'd rather have a dedicated left back that can defend and attack but there aren't too many around it seems!

29 Jul 2016 07:57:38
I can't forget Milner's 25m through ball's for the City strikers when he was playing in midfield for US because he thought unnecessary back passes were a good idea - really not keen on him being put under pressure nearer the goal. I know it is only from one match but just doesn't fill me with confidence.

28 Jul 2016 22:25:03
Looks like Ben Chilwell has signed a new contract with Leicester.

28 Jul 2016 22:40:38
Thank God as this makes no sense getting a player who can't be #1 over Fuchs! we can and must look at better options and i know if he wasn't english he not be so highly rated. would be markovic all over again waste of money.

29 Jul 2016 00:02:11
Y2 ojo can't get in the side past lallana so should we release him now or after the icc? Just checking with your uber scouting player judgement.

29 Jul 2016 07:45:54
The same Fuchs who has a bpl winners medal?

{Ed001's Note - the very same Fuchs who captains his international side and was excellent last season, being the best left back in the Prem by a long way. That one I think he means.}

29 Jul 2016 08:02:17
Still don't understand the logic going on - if he was our first choice to sign which the way we went about this suggests, if we go out and spend more to get an alternative it doesn't make sense. We need a left back, we spend money on players filling positions we have options in and we won't spend a relatively small amount to get someone we really need.

28 Jul 2016 20:56:34
Ed001,when you get the chance to go, do you still enjoy going to games? I do because I get a better understanding of what e players are doing off the ball which on the box is not so easy to see plus having a few drinks and eating what I want without anybody reminding me how unhealthy I'm being is a bonus .

{Ed001's Note - I love watching football live, the atmosphere is what makes it, but even without any, I just love watching it.}

28 Jul 2016 21:20:51
Definitely!

28 Jul 2016 20:10:34
I'm sure Klopp would have stumped up the extra if he truly wanted Chilwell. Hopefully this kid has been a smoke screen for who we are really after.

28 Jul 2016 20:42:50
Thank goodness for that. Chillwell not ready yet and physically way behind Gomez.

28 Jul 2016 20:43:53
No! No, you stop it. Stop it right now. No!

28 Jul 2016 21:17:17
Its not Klopp who stumps up the money.

28 Jul 2016 21:59:08
Obviously TIR, but you know what I mean.

And MKS, is that directed at me?

28 Jul 2016 19:47:18
Evening Eds
SSN just declared that Ben Chilwell has just signed a new contract till June 2021 with the foxes . Who are we going to turn to now as surly the world and it's oyster can see that if we want to really challenge for things then we have to do so without Mereno at LB a liability again last night and he is never going to change unfortunately .

{Ed002's Note - RTFP - i have told you for months where the interest is.}

28 Jul 2016 19:32:55
just a reminder as its fell to the back of the pages. fantasy football Code to join this league: 160919-52411.

28 Jul 2016 22:15:54
Joined the league. Get ready for some serious arse kicking haha. The templates a bit shite don't you think? Anyone else creating a league that I can join?

28 Jul 2016 22:25:19
hey can you provide the link to join or mention which (site) fantasy football league.

29 Jul 2016 00:32:32
Which fantasy football site is it?

29 Jul 2016 10:40:54
Yeah sorry about that, fantasy.premierleague.com

28 Jul 2016 16:02:16
If I was Ojo I would push for loan move. At the moment he is 4th (may be 5th if Benteke stays) in the strikers hierarchy, and it is very crowded on the wings/ behind the strikers as well.

We don't play European football this year, competition will be tough and he will be lucky to get any minutes. Yes I know, 2-3 injuries and things can change, I still don't see him do a Rashford with Klopp still didn't give up on the idea of playing Firmino as a false number 9.

On the other hand, he is clinical enough in my view to be a starter in a championship side or first substitute in weaker PL sides. He is in a stage in his development that he has to play every week in my view.

28 Jul 2016 17:28:51
Thank God you're not Ojo.

He will have plenty of opportunities.

28 Jul 2016 18:23:17
I only see Mane ahead of him in the team in his position.

28 Jul 2016 18:33:04
Well last year Ings was injured all season, Sturridge half a season, Origi and cout missed in total maybe 2 months each. Benteke was benched quite early on, We played the EL all the way, the league cup all the way, went some way in the FA cup, how many games did Ojo play? 3? 4? a bit more? Where will his chances come from?

28 Jul 2016 18:54:02
Faniobip he wasn't even at the club during our injury crisis. He was at Wolves!

You will probably be interested to know he played 11 games in half a season, scoring once and assisting a further 4.

So I really fail to see why he won't get any games when we have already sold Ibe, will probably sell Lallana, and are open to selling Milner, Markovic and Benteke.

28 Jul 2016 19:02:55
Lets talk in 10 games.

28 Jul 2016 19:47:00
Ojo does not play in the same position as ings, Benteke, origi or Sturridge.

28 Jul 2016 22:43:13
Isn't Ojo a winger?

29 Jul 2016 01:15:26
I only see huge potential in Ojo at the moment. I think he could do with a season of cup games and second half appearances and then see if he can nail a first team place come March/ April.

29 Jul 2016 10:45:17
I cannot see Ojo playing in the league this season. He should be allowed to go for a loan. What is the use of waiting on the bench if you are good enough to play elsewhere?

28 Jul 2016 15:47:42
Read an article on Milner as a utility full back. Could see him as LB, can't be worse then Moreno. He can track a player, mark, has stamina and is dependable. He'll do a thankless job if required.

I don't see a place for him in midfield and I'm not a fan that's quick to dump a player unless it's obvious (Balotelli) . Milner was a consistant performer and had a decent assist rate so a little unfair some can't wait to get rid.

Klopp suggested that's it for incoming, so this could be a perfect answer.

28 Jul 2016 18:08:24
I'd rather Wisdom or Gomez played as fullbacks as they'd do a better job, and that way Milner's gratuitous wages could be taken off the books.

Milner is a seemingly decent and honest guy, but he's not even mediocre as a footballer, and therefore it would be better if he left Liverpool.

28 Jul 2016 18:24:46
He's on a lot of money though mate to be just a part timer.

28 Jul 2016 19:35:06
Bloody oath! Milner may be a better option than moreno, hadnt thought of that one! Moreno just gets me in knots these days lol 3 or 4 times in the last couple pre season games he's lunged wildly at nothing or made a rash challenge. Its just aaarrgghhh. lol.

28 Jul 2016 14:08:32
Can I just defend Klopp over the whole Caulker loan?
I'm getting tired of reading posts about how big a mistake signing Caulker was.
He made four appearances for us, 3 in the premiership as a 90th minute substitute and he played one FA Cup game against West Ham (incidentally that ended 0-0)
If Klopp had played him over and over again like say Hodgson did with Poulsen or Konchesky, then yes it would have been a huge mistake as he definitely isn't good enough. But Klopp didn't. He was brought Caulker on as 90th minute striker at the end of 3 games and then he was never seen in a match day squad again.
I remember reading on here that Caulker had been recommended to Klopp by someone who worked with him as a youngster and that was why he was brought in. Klopp obviously assessed him, saw he wasn't good enough and then never let him near the team again.
Why should this be the stick that Klopp is beaten with on here?
I just don't understand it.

{Ed001's Note - if you can't read what you have put and see why it was a mistake, then you really need to go away and have a word with yourself. By the way, it was Alex Inglethorpe who recommended him. Oh and you are forgetting that we didn't need him, obviously as he only made 4 appearances, 3 as a last second sub, so how can you say it was not a huge mistake??}

28 Jul 2016 14:35:23
I don't dispute that it was a mistake. Of course it was.
But what were the implications on the team?
He came on a pointless substitute 3 times and played one full game and
chalked up a clean sheet.
If he'd played game after game scoring own goals, gettng sent off, giving away penalties etc then yes HUGE mistake.
But he came on someone's recommendation (which is the mistake and hopefully that won't be repeated) assessed him and then banished him from the squad.
Yes it's a mistake but a small one.
I know that when we signed Benteke for 32.5 million that Rodgers didn't know if he was the answer (which of course we all know he wasn't) Huge mistake.
Caulker on loan, 4 appearances, 3 as subsitute, a mistake yes but not one to keep bringing up over and over.

{Ed001's Note - we paid a hell of a lot of money and he was a bad egg to have round the squad.}

28 Jul 2016 14:36:41
And please God let that be the biggest mistake he makes!

28 Jul 2016 14:51:13
Oh Ed 001 I didn't know that. How much? (not that it matters) I didn't know he had a bad attitude either.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know the exact figures, but we paid a loan fee and his wages (which are high). As for attitude, that is why he is failing, because he would rather get drunk than work on his game.}

28 Jul 2016 14:59:08
Are you really going to me Klopp would know who caulker was before we got him on loan.

{Ed001's Note - nobody is saying that, I think you need to read it all through again mate.}

28 Jul 2016 15:04:19
Got it. Thanks Ed. Don't want to start a fight. Just wanted to stick up for Klopp a bit.

{Ed001's Note - no worries. I love Klopp, but you have to examine mistakes and learn from them. We will only know if he has learnt from it if he doesn't repeat it again in the future.}

28 Jul 2016 15:27:25
Do any of the guys we've bought fit in to that category? Is there anyone who he's brought in on blind faith?

{Ed001's Note - no. Not this summer so far.}

28 Jul 2016 16:07:34
Fair play for sticking up to Klopp mate.
That list was a bit mental though.

- Krishna.

28 Jul 2016 16:12:36
From what I was getting Ed. GW was a quick decision buy. He hadn't been a target at all and it was decided to go for him?

{Ed001's Note - yes, but it wasn't a player he knew nothing about and took advice over signing. It was a player that was offered to us and Klopp liked.}

28 Jul 2016 16:29:17
Not Inglethorpe then 😂.

{Ed001's Note - nooooo.}

28 Jul 2016 17:48:43
Caulker had a chance to prove himself at a top club and he blew it.

28 Jul 2016 13:18:02
Klopp suggested that Liverpool will make no further signings this summer - with outgoings to more likely scenario.

He told ESPN: "If I had to guess I would say rather no, but I don't know actually because it's a long time until the 31st of August and I have no idea.

"I don't think we'll have a lot. But of course everyone knows about it maybe on the outgoing side will happen a little bit. "YnwaLFC.

28 Jul 2016 15:23:34
surely to god we will be signing a left back.

28 Jul 2016 16:16:49
Yeah he's no the type to put fuel on any rumour fires or even answer questions about signings. Wouldn't pay much attention to it. Everyone and their granny's dog can see we need a left-back. I really hope it's one good enough to improve the 1st team and push Moreno towards the exit next summer.

28 Jul 2016 12:28:40
Ed. With the transfers coming in thick and fast throughout the window and with the sudden GW transfer we acquired.

How far forward do clubs go with their plans of transfers? Would clubs be looking at Jan already or even next summer? I'm thinking they would keep an eye on players who are running down there contracts to pick them up on a free.

If the GW transfer was a shock move by us, is that a regular occurrence with other clubs? I know Klopp has done it twice now. Caulker and GW.

Hope all is well bud.

{Ed002's Note - Clubs are interested in players and if they cannot sign a player in one window that interest will often remain going forward. Typically clubs do not plan at all for January. Caulker was more stupid than a shock.}

28 Jul 2016 11:49:49
Apparently we arw interested in Jordy Gaspar from Lyon. 19 yr old LB who does not get any playtime there. I can only see him as back-up sadly. Any truth?

{Ed002's Note - He doesn't get playing time as he is an academy member of the club.}

28 Jul 2016 14:12:08
Thanks for the reply Ed.
If he does join, do you see him playing as a starter or as back-up to Moreno. Klopp is unpredictable so having Moreno as first choice next season won't surprise me.
Q.

{Ed002's Note - I would not think there is any chance at all of him starting.}

28 Jul 2016 11:06:48
Hi Eds

Any truth in the Balotelli and Lucas rumours? Are the players open to moving to Galatasary?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - RTP.}

28 Jul 2016 10:40:04
Am I reading too much into this, but club website states that our third kit to be revealed by milner llalana and karius tonight but then it says, players subject to change. Does this mean that either or both of Millie and Adam could be on way out soon. Why put an out going player in a new kit launch. PS, I quite like the third kit. Hopefully, training kit will be available soon too, besides the new black one.

{Ed002's Note - The club are not sending secret messages to you.}

28 Jul 2016 11:13:22
Or perhaps Karius will return to the Mother Ship? Has he been summoned by the hive again!

28 Jul 2016 11:22:18
Be sure to look out for any irregular blinking patterns during interviews. Could be a code for who we will be selling and buying over the next five windows.

28 Jul 2016 15:05:41
Lfc do Morse code to me who's coming and going lol.

28 Jul 2016 09:01:39
So new season, first friendly match against a decent opposition and our same old problems see us dominating the match for most and yet loosing. finger crossed this doesn't become the theme for yet another season. Yet again good performance or somewhat there but negative result. we still lack some thing exciting i guess. Grujic injury didn't look good . i hope the lad recovers. from looks of it he was in Trauma.

28 Jul 2016 09:29:27
Shouldn't look too much into any friendlies. Pretty much the same issue, Unable to break down teams who sit back and make a good shape. We need to figure it out a plan against such teams. There could be many who comes to Anfield to sit back.

28 Jul 2016 10:44:08
Typical Chelsea performance. Defend 'en mass' and hope to grab a goal from a set piece. which they did.
I just feel we need to break out of defence much quicker than we did today. Especially with the speed of Mane up front. He never really got a decent ball played to him . And though he tried hard to make something happen it was difficult with the Chelsea defensive set up.
The tackle on Klaven by Fabregas was horrendous. and thoroughly deserved a straight red.
Poor Grujic was head butted in the face and looked really groggy before having to go off.
Not a bad performance but could have been better.

28 Jul 2016 08:10:08
Marko Grujic has gone to hospital for a scan after suffering suspected concussion v Chelsea.
Klopp: Grujic injury doesn't look good. He can't remember anything.

28 Jul 2016 09:47:07
It wasn't exactly a memorable match though. Kidding aside, I hope the lad pulls up ok.

28 Jul 2016 08:01:19
Eds
The commentator suggested that Liverpool are only loaning players to clubs where they are guarenteed appearances in 75% of first team games. Does this sound correct? If so, its a big step forward for our policy of loaning players.

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

28 Jul 2016 17:00:12
That is really really welcome change!

28 Jul 2016 07:09:49
First pre-season loss. Did anyone watch the game? How did we play? What was our line up?

28 Jul 2016 07:18:05
Both teams played decent to bad. Chelsea created more chances in the first half. Liverpool made a lot of subs after 65 mins and after fabregas was sent off we had most off the possesion but created nothing. Regret that i went up so early on my vacay.

28 Jul 2016 07:28:19
We played fine. Apart from that one set piece through which we conceded. Plenty of possession and some good link up play between firmino, mane and coutinho. Everyone was solid if not spectacular. Definitely missed a finisher up front. Was quite impressed by grujic and Stewart. Both were neat and tidy in the middle of the park against the likes of matic, willian and fabregas.

28 Jul 2016 07:30:41
As a cfc fan you played alright even game really.

28 Jul 2016 07:35:10
Not a great game of football even though it got firey at times. We gave away a soft goal again from a set piece which is worrying for the season ahead. We had 70% possession and could not break Chelsea down (they played very defensive) We had a Firmino goal disallowed for offside (Marginal) . Ejaria looks a real talent. Grujic (clash of heads) and Lovern went off injured. Fabergas got sent off for a stud showing tackle. TEAM:Karius, Randall, Lovern, Klavan, Moreno, Stewart, Ejaria, Grujic, Mane, Countinho and Firmino.

28 Jul 2016 07:39:26
Decent run-out from either side, was impressed most by Aina and Grujic respectively. Referee was poor for both sides- all too often cards were shown uneccessarily. Did struggle to break us down though.

28 Jul 2016 07:41:31
Yup. Karius, Randall, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Stewart, Grujic, Ejaria, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino. 4-3-3

They played okay. Moreno set the tone for a game filled with fouls with a ridiculous unnecessary lunge after two minutes. I really hope we buy a top-class left-back. It took a while for our youngsters to get to grips with the game against a very experienced Chelsea lineup. Once they did, Liverpool dominated possession but couldn't break down a stubborn Chelsea defense despite some slick passing moves. Mane looked our most creative player until Coutinho woke up after about half an hour. Chelsea's goal was from a corner when Grujic failed to attack the ball and Cahill got the jump on him. Let's hope we sort that crap out sharpish!

Ejaria showed a few nice touches and Firmino had a goal disallowed. Our defense looked ok (except Moreno the Muppet) although Chelsea didn't put them under sustained pressure at any point. The substitutions in the second half did more to blunt our momentum than inspire us and after Fabregas was deservedly sent off, Chelsea parked the bus and we couldn't get good enough penetration with a whistle-happy referee disrupting the game's flow every 5 seconds.

Chelsea fans have a nice season of negative Italian tactics and 1-0 wins to look forward to. Liverpool will get a lot better. But, we really need a left-back with half a brain. I wouldn't mind at all if Klopp actually decided to go big and spend whatever we have to in order to get the best possible one we can get. I think it could be the final piece to a pretty decent puzzle he's putting together.

28 Jul 2016 07:41:00
Granted it was a trial game, but I don't think we played all that great to be honest. Glimpses of class in there but a fair few sloppy and poor decisions. Rash challenges (moreno klavan and lovren all culprits) with some sloppy play in the forwards, however it's just a trial game and no one was too badly injured/ if at all (depending on grujic) and that's all we can hope for.

28 Jul 2016 08:20:51
It was boring. Chelsea were very organized defensively and played with two banks of four behind the ball most of the game. We hardly threatened at all and had one shot on target as I recall. Chelsea had a couple of decent breaks forward, but didn't do much otherwise. Hopefully games in the league will be better.

28 Jul 2016 08:46:42
Games in the league against Chelsea (and probably Man United) won't be any better. I'm looking forward to the Arsenal, Man City and Spurs games for open play and goals goals goals. :)

28 Jul 2016 08:51:09
Watched the 2nd half. Our quality is average and that was visible and was there to see.

Chelsea under Konte will play on the counter and were very well organized defensively with 2 lines of 4's when he had possession most of the times.

We could not do anything with so much possession and even after they being one man down. Looks like another long season of .

Not jumping the gun, just my initial thoughts .

Cheers.

28 Jul 2016 09:34:25
Can't judge our quality on one pre-season friendly against a bus.

28 Jul 2016 09:56:36
Completely and utterly pole-vaulting the gun imo.

28 Jul 2016 10:08:59
Chelsea will be very, very difficult to beat this season. Potential champions.

LFC? Too many changes to make too many judgements about the LFC team performance. Many of them looked like they had never played together before.

Obviously we lacked a cutting edge in final third. Two thirds of the possession and managed three shots on goal. Need Sturridge fit this season to have a shot (unless we buy another striker)

Karius could have come out for the corner. Otherwise looks comfortable in his position.

Wisdom looks clearly out of his depth.

28 Jul 2016 12:46:59
Can't judge our quality when our 2 most exciting forwards haven't been played yet. Most of the other internationals are only back toon and only got their first game time. It takes a a few weeks for touch and sharpness to return. Sturridge, Origi, Wijnaldum, Can, Clyne not even played yet.

28 Jul 2016 12:51:31
Was just going to add Ojo looked bright again. Though he is just back from England duty so not surprised hos touch was up to scratch as soon as he came on. Compared to the senior lads just back.

28 Jul 2016 05:04:36
ejaria is class. I hope klopp rates him.

28 Jul 2016 03:30:49
are we going to have the live chat for todays game? due to the timing, ill be at work, was hoping i could follow the game from the chat.

{Ed001's Note - should be running, I will check with Ed033 and see.}

28 Jul 2016 04:29:30
thanks mate.

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