Liverpool Banter Archive May 28 2016

28 May 2016 23:22:42
Seems UEFA are happy genuine mistake by sakho hence 30 day ban not being increased even rumours drug will be made legal. I always knew sakho would not deliberately cheat. Great guy on and off the pitch. Just hope he didn't read all the slating of him here. Will he now go to euros in your opinion eds?

{Ed091's Note - shall we wait for the verdict first?

29 May 2016 11:40:46
They planning on making it legal is this a joke? After they derailed our season they going to make it legal pfffft of swear but it won't get posted.

28 May 2016 20:45:59
hey, if anybody fancies joining a euro 2016 fantasy league here is the code 61119XJK.

its for the uefa one. thanks.

29 May 2016 09:37:52
Joined.

Baz.

28 May 2016 18:41:52
Eds fellow reds, with this news on Sakho ban . do you see him staying at Liverpool now. or might he still be moved on as mentioned in the week.

28 May 2016 19:49:34
Why would Klopp want to move on his fist choice CB?

28 May 2016 20:22:23
There was talk that Sakho would go, but was that just because of ban or has Kloop got other ideas . that's all I'm asking.

28 May 2016 20:38:31
Sakho, lovren and matip = 3 very good cbs. gomez and hopefully toure would mean no need for another CB which means hopefully more money to strengthen elsewhere.

28 May 2016 20:49:41
Loganlfc

I'd imagine matip will be number 1 next season alongside Lovren.

The lifted ban is good news as now he is able to be sold.

28 May 2016 21:22:57
Rubbish Lavers.

28 May 2016 21:29:17
Sakho is was ahead of lovren even with the improved performances. It will be matip and sakho next year unless someone else gets brought in.

28 May 2016 22:29:11
Karius will be number 1.

{Ed091's Note - you are not wrong rk

29 May 2016 01:01:26
The ban has been lifted and if he`s eligible to play and has been exonerated, why should he be sold, Lavers or is that what you really wanted, ban or no ban?

29 May 2016 06:54:44
Redohio

Off course I wanted the ban lifting, but the talk of klopp after another CB would leave matip, lovren, Gomez, sakho and? . In that position.

The sale of sakho could fund a move for say tah. Correct me if i'm wrong but sakho has already made talk about wanting to leave in the past.

A lot of fans crave plenty of new signings every summer but need to realise players need to leave.

29 May 2016 08:44:02
I've never known sakho to say he wanted to leave.

28 May 2016 17:23:13
Hey Eds, hows the search going finding Ian Ayre replacement? If I remember right, Juve guy was said to be Klopp's choice, has he been sounded out? Any updates on favorites or preferred choices?

{Ed002's Note - Klopp does not get to decide on who the new Chief Exec will be - that is laughable.}

28 May 2016 19:09:22
Maybe they should ask him, he might have more of an idea than fsg.

28 May 2016 16:40:06
Now I'm the first to say that I know squat. I'm just a "since '77" Australian LFC supporter living Italy living their highs and lows with a little too much emotional investment BUT but the voices in my head tell me with good authority that Goetze will play for LFC. He's playing an extraordinary game of brinkmanship with Bayern and will arrive cheaply in Merseyside when Klopp coughs and Rumenigge blinks. As I say, the voices don't lie.

28 May 2016 17:48:19
If there was ever any question of "tapping up" by Klopp, I suppose it doesn't hurt that Bayern have publicly told the player to go.

He could potentially be very good, but I can also see it being a bit of a disaster for the clubs PR if he doesn't rein in the social media stuff.

28 May 2016 18:50:14
Delvevs where you based in italy lad?

29 May 2016 11:42:21
Good God. Why has sandon got 5 disagrees? Lol. OH YOU GUYS!

28 May 2016 16:10:16
Many people that regularly watch the Bundesliga highly rate Joel Matip. I have seen him once or twice and to be honest he never stood out but that could be seen as a good thing as he made no mistakes. Can anybody here answer the following for me please:

Question 1: Has anybody seen regularly him play?

Question 2: Is he an improvement on what we already possess?

Question 3: How is his tactical positioning?

Thanks.

28 May 2016 16:50:58
He's quality lad, big and strong like sakho. Scores a good few headers from set pieces, he brings the ball out like Ferdinand used to. He will be the first defender on the team sheet and signing of the season imo.

28 May 2016 17:27:27
I can give some information on him that I came across.

Strengths:
WIthout a doubt, Matip is a unique central defender. While he possesses several positive attributes including frightening length, tremendous passing abilities, great anticipation skills (averaging just under four interceptions per match) and outstanding pace, Matip’s most coveted skill might be his ability to win the ball, especially in the air.

According to Squwaka, Matip has won 56% of all duels this season. More importantly, the Cameroonian has come out of aerial duels with a success rate of 75% (60/ 81). To add some perspective to this statistic, Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho have won 67% and 65% of their aerial duels respectively while Croatian international Dejan Lovren has won an astounding 80% of his aerial duels this season.
In regards to his passing abilities, Matip holds the fourth highest passing rate in Schalke’s current squad at 84%, and the second highest for defenders only trailing Howedes (86% accuracy) . His versatility has played quite a role in his impressive passing statistics and technical abilities. While having to adjust to playing as a deep lying midfielder along with learning the ways of central defense, Matip was forced to hone his raw football skills which transformed him into the unique player he is today. As a defender that possesses midfield-like skills, Matip has the opportunity to cause havoc for opposing clubs every match.

Finally, his experience in the Bundesliga and European competition is impressive to say the least. At just 24 years old, Matip has tallied nearly 250 appearances for Schalke’s senior team, including just under 50 appearances in European competition.

Weaknesses:

Like all footballers, Matip has his weaknesses even though they are not glaring. At points, his lack of patience and control sees him lunge into tackles, something Liverpool supporters are no strangers to. Although he hasn’t put his team in any terrible danger in 2015-16 with these challenges, these very rare, cringe-worthy moments would not be appreciated by the Kop.
Matip also exhibits an ambition that is envious at times, however this ambition can be a negative for the defender. As we already know, Matip has the confidence and skill set of both a defensive mid and a center back. This confidence can get the better of him at times and hinder his decision making in defense. If Matip can eliminate desperately lunging at the ball and become in control when going into tackles

28 May 2016 18:05:45
Frightening length lol brilliant.

28 May 2016 17:32:28
Redmax,
Matip lacks pace which is not included in your weakness.

28 May 2016 18:42:41
Not sure what his frightening length has to do with his footballing skills. Could be a bit of a bust up in the showers though as I've heard Joe Allen's member slaps his ankles as he scrubs his hair. Not sure he will be pleased with the competition.

28 May 2016 20:15:23
Harry, have you ever seen Matip play? You feel like you've said this a few times when the simple fact is you're just wrong. His pace is not an issue.

28 May 2016 20:26:26
Does Matip have a more frightening length than sakho?

28 May 2016 23:10:42
Thanks for all of your responses.
Does he tuck his frightening length into his socks and does he get booked when it slaps other players haha!

28 May 2016 16:04:24
If this is correct and Mamadou Sakho is proved to have done nothing wrong then I hope that he starts legal proceedings against UEFA. Not only has his reputation been tarnished he also missed a European final due to the testing policy being flawed. We all know that this will not happen as Liverpool FC would be placed in an uncomfortable position but it did then this could be the catalyst for the break away league that has been predicted for many years.

28 May 2016 16:07:42
We were that rubbish against Sevilla mate it would not have mattered much I doubt.

28 May 2016 16:22:47
I was on about from his personal stand point but I suppose he missed being apart of that shambolic performance.

28 May 2016 16:46:58
Combination of fumes mori on origi and uefa on sakho did us in for EL final.

28 May 2016 16:48:37
Kolo played instead an had hell of a game, shame he was the only one.

28 May 2016 16:58:04
Let's not count our chickens.

28 May 2016 17:05:43
Don't worry Kurtz is on day release.

28 May 2016 14:27:33
Just like to point out to everyone that klopp never has went out and bought superstars but the lads we got in are top talents already look at Matip in the team of the season and the he keeper was voted 2nd best after one of the world's best yes they may not the superstars we crave but you only have to look at what he done with Dortmund turning not really known players into superstars in klopp I trust and i am excited about every signing we make just for the fact I know he knows what he doing and is making signings where I think we need them. don't get me wrong I was excited when we bought the likes of llalana and that but always thought we where going too over pack our forwards and leave us a bit vulnerable at the back which what I think thought let us down at the end of the season when sakho got banned such a shame but it shows we are close to the finished article and teams are starting to panic it's a shame it's on a international tournament this summer because if he had the full summer we could have been electric from start to finish can't wait for the beginning of the season screw the euros!

28 May 2016 15:56:00
I'll say it for the millionth time its about the right players not the most expensive. People just see clubs like city, chelsea, united, bayern etc linked with players in the papers and spending big on them and they get jealous. Reality is all that paper talk is mostly rubbish and a lot of these big transfers don't work out.

Never heard of grujic but i'll trust klopp on that one. I've never seen matip or karius play but they're both highly rated in the bundesliga above many players who people would be salivating over if we splashed 35 million on them. We've brought them in on a free and under 5 million. Seems like good business to me.

28 May 2016 15:57:11
Was Matip in the team of the season? I think he might have been in the running for it but from the one I've looked at on the Bundesliga website it was Boateng and Hummels as the centre backs.

28 May 2016 16:17:58
Bit of a contradiction Woolback! You have named 4 teams who do spend big and are a lot more successful than Liverpool of late. I don't think the issue is spending big but more who you spend big on. Benteke, Carroll are massive purchases and bigger mistakes for Liverpool. I have always had the feeling that wages is as big an issue, location of Liverpool and off course a lack of Champions League football. I hope Klopp can work wonders with these "bargain" players but a miracle os required.

28 May 2016 19:05:50
Sorry irish rover but you know exactly what i mean.

Otamendi for 32 million? Sterling for 50 million? Schneiderlin? Schweinsteiger? Blind? Rojo? Falcao? Filipe luis? Willian? Cuadrado?

Theres a few examples i could think of. Those teams have had more success but by and large with players who proved everyone wrong and never were the big 'i am's'. Most of the big signings in recent times have flopped. I think this is to do with inflated prices and an ever increasing ridiculous hype around transfers which see's clubs spending big on players who have one decent season based off the reccomendations of mugs like Guillem Balague and your standard know it all UK pundits.

28 May 2016 14:21:08
French media are saying Sakho will face no ban. Is this true ed.

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what French media are saying.}

28 May 2016 15:34:34
Uefa saying the substance sakho was accused of taking, wasn't even on their list! So why suspend him in the first place? Looks like sakho could take uefa to the cleaners! Uefa are corrupt as!

28 May 2016 14:13:54
According to French media Sakho looks like he's going to be cleared of doping. Have the Eds heard anything?

{Ed091's Note - early June 002 has said

28 May 2016 15:35:44
Sorry but ed002 wrong on this one! Sakho was innocent all along!

{Ed091's Note - think you need to use your eyes and read the posts. A decision will be made early June.

28 May 2016 16:00:06
Why? Did ed002 ban Sakho?

{Ed002's Note - The deciusion has been made - Liverpool will be informed next week. So what is the problem that "firmino11" has - what am I wrong about?}

28 May 2016 17:06:40
Ed never speculated any length of ban or anything, he's simply said we would know at the start of June's and he's been an solutely spot on again. Legend.

28 May 2016 13:47:42
Just wanted to say this the most amazing site on t'Internet. have a lot of love for both ed001 and I have a soft spot for Ed002.was wondering if you want to go out on a date?

{Ed091's Note - I don't think my partner will want that killerpool

28 May 2016 14:58:04
Im not sure that your partner was invited, Ed.

28 May 2016 11:51:46
I wonder what the thoughts of FSG will be IF Jurgen fails to bring in the players who could make a real difference to us. OK we already have Grujic, Matic and Karius, but can anyone tell me if we had much competition for these signings?

Klopp's reputation is awesome, and I think our owners would have been thinking this would be a big pull in attracting 'better' players.

Jurgen may just be beginning to understand now how difficult it is for LFC to convince top talent to join the club.

Of course the transfer window isn't even officially open yet, but there have already been some major signings by clubs who are already ahead of us in the league.

We don't have access to who JK is hoping to bring in, but our current standing and no European football make us a lot less attractive.

It may be that all our summer business is already done.

28 May 2016 12:06:09
IT appears FSG are supporting Klopp, he is moving in on players he wants and signed up a few really early.

The press want to sell papers, click links etc. We might be linked to 50 players during the next 12 weeks, but maybe only 5 are actually real targets and without European football and the usual competition from Spurs etc who scout our scouts that can offer more then us.

Not getting these will not be FSGs fault or not supporting Klopp. Giving no money, selling players he wants to keep will be unsupportive. They're not doing that. Leave them alone.

28 May 2016 12:58:34
Who are these players that have signed for other clubs ahead of us?

28 May 2016 13:09:59
No Europe and clubs with more money, it will be difficult.

28 May 2016 13:27:07
KBL, who exactly are you referring to? I'm not sure who we've allegedly missed out on.

Of course having champions league football would have helped but we don't have it so let's stop banging on about it.

28 May 2016 13:45:19
"It may be that all our summer business is already done"

Really? Do you know how many players still need to be moved on? We cannot just keep adding players to a squad which is already filled to the brim.

More players will arrive, the window has not even opened yet and pretty sure many will still go too.

28 May 2016 09:32:18
We should have signed Bertrand last Summer. Wouldn't be in this left back mess now if we did.

Right back doesn't appear to be being looked at all. Is Jurgen fixed on Clyne with Flanno/ Gomez as cover Ed's? For the amount of ball Clyne gets he does v little with it and yet he is also quite poor defensively and positionally.

{Ed001's Note - actually he was hopeful of Flanno replacing Clyne.}

28 May 2016 09:56:32
Agree re Clyne. he is not a hopeless case but for an attacking fullback offers just about nothing. Defensively he is caught out of possession more than often too.

Flanagan is rock solid when it comes to defending and will go forward when he needs to. His fitness unfortunately is a massive problem. Clyne is not going to be the long term solution but he will do for now.

28 May 2016 11:00:01
Flannagan will go the same way has Jim Beglin I'm afraid. Beglin would have been lfc left back for a decade if it wasn't for the horrific injury he suffered at Goodison Park.
I know the injuies were different but the time they both spent out they missed a most important development stage and will for me stop him becoming a regular.
I also think he turns slower than a cruise liner and that doesn't help playing in a Klopp side.
I hope I am wrong, because I like the committed attitude he shows.

28 May 2016 14:12:08
Are people seriously questioning Clyne? He was the player of the season for me. Rarely gets beaten, one of the most consistent players for us. As much as I like flanno, he is half the player Clyne is in terms of ability.

{Ed091's Note - I think clyne has been consistent and with flanno there we don't need a rb right now. However I do propose eventually we need better quality in there, unless flanno can find his form.

28 May 2016 14:13:26
Flanno would not be rated as highly if he weren't scouse.
Sure he's still coming back from injury but if you are claiming Clyne's delivery is poor.

{Ed091's Note - you seem to have a short memory tod. The year Lfc came second, I had flanno down as the best full back in the league, left and right side.

28 May 2016 14:16:50
I have no problem with flanno being first choice, I still think full backs should be defensive minded first with an option to attack rather than an attacking player who can defend a bit.
But, flanno wasn't picked a lot and Randall was given some games. Again, while o have no issues with Randall playing, considering Clyne was playing all the other games, was there a reason Randall was used over flanno. Hoping it was because he wasn't 100% fit really.

28 May 2016 20:59:24
Clyne is a bad right-back man he is nowhere near the required standard. Defensively he is ok, has good pace and unlike Moreno does track back - but he is still positionally poor, not great in the tackle and, to sum it up, just not that good. Offensively he is arguably the worst player in the squad. Never have I seen so many aimless, poor crosses in my life until we signed Clyne. He never gets his head up, his passing is dreadful and, though he finds himself in really good attacking positions, does nothing when given the ball in said positions. Flanno should be first choice, unequivocally, he does everything better - if Clyne were sold i'd be ok with it.

29 May 2016 10:56:05
Ed091 he was great defensively that season, but not offensively. He scored his one goal against Spurs but I still don't remember him putting in a decent delivery, albeit playing on his weaker side.
Furthermore it's only natural after a long injury but he hasn't looked anywhere like as assured defensively since returning.

28 May 2016 08:27:10
Hi eds, Toulon tournament is under way in France for under 19 teams. Anyone who impressed to be shortlisted as Liverpool targets? Wss watching Jap vs England, John Swift looks speedy winger/ RB to have. Japan's no.10 Yajima looks like young David Silva and their Striker Onaiwu ( nigerian father jap mother) looks powerfully built like Drogba. Any interest from clubs in these tournament?

{Ed001's Note - every club will have scouts there. I have not seen much of it though myself. Watched a couple of games but not seen anyone stand out personally.}

28 May 2016 09:43:06
Hopefully our scouts had it broadcast on a big screen at St Mary's so they could watch it.

{Ed001's Note - lmfao.}