Liverpool Banter Archive October 29 2014

 

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29 Oct 2014 22:31:07
I'm among the few with this, by the looks of the majority of posts.

What is with the Rodgers out calls / talk?
Yes performances haven't been good, barely ok if I'm honest. However, we're within touching distance of 3rd and only 5 points of 2nd. Still in the capital one cup, still have a very decent chance of qualifying for the next round of the champions league.

The most embarrassing thing for me, is if we hadn't of fallen short last season, you posters calling for his head would be asking for him to be inducted into a hall of fame regardless of this season.

There's no two ways about it, we over achieved last season by going as close to winning as we did. This year should be about a top 4 finish, even if that is 4th and decent cup wins, ideally winning one.

Performances will come, but whilst they're so bad and be it fortunate or not, results are working our way.

Yes, Rodgers has is faults, few don't. But why don't we back him and the team, ride out our luck as when the performances click, and they will, the clubs around us will be the ones scrambling around looking for points.

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29 Oct 2014 23:49:21
performances click, and they will, the clubs around us will be the ones scrambling around looking for points
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Agree with most of what you saying Big E, probably the owners will have a different view come end of season. However your comment above can go both ways, its very possible the performance of the teams around us clicks few weeks before us, what do we do then

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30 Oct 2014 00:24:28
Why should we count on the poor performances of others? We haven't played anyone that will challenge this season for top 4 except city. That is what concerns me.

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The concern i have which others seem to share is the inability to score goals, the total lack of cohesion going forward generally and the defence actually reaching new lows in some games this season which considering our defence last season is saying something. Its the feeling that the madrid game is waiting to happen to us match after match because of the problems mentioned previously.

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I don't understand why people say that fsgs expectation is for us to win the leageu this season. I know they've spent money this year but do you guys realise how much city and chelsea spent to get them to where they are? we haven't spent anything near that

From what i understand the owners want to make a long term sustainable structure which does not mean immediate title. From 8th to 7th to overacheiving to 2nd and now this year with the cl to come 4th again and consolidate. If done spend money on one or two quality players next season and challenge for the title

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30 Oct 2014 08:09:39
You need to listen RedPak. Assurances have been made, pressure is on and if everyone else hadn't started the league as badly as us, we would be well off the pace.

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30 Oct 2014 08:16:19
Well of course our goalscoring is a concern atm, we have what is essentially 3 new strikers and our only one from last year (and our best one) out injured. But he'll be back soon, and our players will acclimatize to the team more, so the goals will come

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Listen i want an Aston Martin for Christmas but i certainly don't think i will be getting one even if my wife promised me one. I would be deluded and so is John Henry if he thinks we can out muscle City and Chelsea for the league. To quote John himself, "What are they smoking over there?"

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We have been consistently very poor this season. Hard to watch for very long periods, especially first 60 minutes of every game other than Spurs. We have a really poor defence for the third season running which BR was never able to do anything about and this season we are also very poor going forward. Almost all our players have performed worse than how they did last season for us or in thier previous teams. Until the 86 minute against Swansea this week we were 260 consecutive minutes without a goal, all in home games. We are 7th in the league and based on how we play I cannot see why people think we will finish top 4 other than a fantasy that the magic of the second half of last season will repeat itself. But the porblem is that the magician that created most of the magic (more and more it seems all the magic) has left for Barcelona and it seems that we didn't spend very wisely the money we got for him (and there are all the reasons to believe that ManU and Arsenal will also be much better the second half of the season). 2nd place of last year was a great achievment but first and foremost it had to be a platform to improve and be a regular memebr of the top 4 for years, especially taking advantage on the time it will take ManU to rebuild their team and they will pour all the bilions they have to do this and be there ventually as we know. Not taking advantage of that and not finishing top 4 this season given how Arsenal and ManU (and even City at times) look so far, is a crime because it can take us another 5 years at least before we can go back to top 4. BR talked in the summer about going 1 place better than last year - then about top 4 and now about a season of transition. If I was the owner I would have expected more for the milins I pay him. I don't think every fan who has high expectations is a moaner sorry. It is not one or two games it is 15 games now.

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To the fan saying "we almost won the league". I said that to some random drunk guy at the bar when I was defending Rodgers (not that I do anymore). He said to me: "well I almost won the lottery"

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I agree Fanobip. BR has stuck his foot in his mouth time and again by making promises he might not b able to keep and it will take a miracle to keep his job if he doesn`t turn it around soon.

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30 Oct 2014 12:59:48
A lot of you are correct about the teams around us also starting poorly. And the way I ended my post was just a bit of optimism. But it also can bare truth.

I see that many are set on their way and maybe worry too much about what is said in press conferences, personally it doesn't bother me what is said in front of the press, as the messages behind the scenes are likely different.

Imagine the uproar if Rodgers came out and said 'you know what last year we did well, but that's it back to consolidation for us'. Now we all know that's the case with us deep down, but the backlash of the fans would have been huge! Sometimes we need to read between the lines.

As for goals it's no secret we're struggling but you take 60 odd goals out of your side then regardless of replacement it isn't going to be easy.

Balotelli isn't a lone forward, he's trying despite many frustrations, but he's hardly a Voronin and there's plenty to come from him.

It will come, and yes the other 'struggling' clubs will also eventually click into gear. Or the league on the whole has become stronger and barring Chelsea it isn't quite as cut and dry now? It's a long long season and as long as results keep on rolling in, then we're going somewhere. Of course I would like us to play good football, like last season but if we can't but we can still get points then I'll take it.

Many of you clamber if the likes of Klopp, Dortmund sit around 13th in the Bundesliga. He's still a top manager, but surely that form doesn't warrant even his name mentioned if you're considering Rodgers out? Double standards, largely.

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{Ed001's Note - how is one bad season with Klopp comparable to Rodgers, who has had one good half season??? Silly comparison.}

The comparison is with the fans that call for the managers head after a MEDIOCRE start to this season. We're well within touching distance of all but chelsea and in all cup competitions.

Yet, still he's wanted gone. But a manager that steered Dortmund to league glory has now gone so down hill that his Dortmund side sit in midtable? WHERE IS THE DIFFERENCE? I'm not doubting Klopp's managerial prowess, I actually think he's a top manager, but the situation he finds himself in currently is absolutely comparable.

And to say that on the back of one bad season? Has Rodgers not progressed year upon year up to now? But because he hasn't won a league title he's had bad seasons? This is what is wrong with modern day football/fans, very few seem to have realistic expectations and views on the game (Not saying this directly to you 001, but as a generalisation).

I respect your opinions and the knowledge you bring to the table, but if we can't stick by Rodgers, then what happens in 2-3 seasons when our next manager has a poor start, or drops off?

It's genuinely time for fans to realise that until we have CONSISTANT champions league qualification then we are no longer a HUGE club.

Sure we're still big but not what we once were.

Ultimately, football, whether you play it, watch it, coach it. It's a game of opinions, if it wasn't every side would play the same and probably draw each week.

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Ed01, You ar wrong here. Saying BR had a good half a season is being morally dishonest and disingenous. In the past one and a hal season`s, ONLY City amassed more points than us during that span and if we had won the PL, would the fact that the rest of the league was bad be a reason? NO. And if that was the case, then this season is even WORSE and if Chelsea win it would they have benefited from worse league? NO. As a former athlete, I can tell you for a fact that NOTHING is given to you on the field, court or any arena of sport. You have to show up and be ready for a fight, period because regardless of thestandard, you still have to go out there and compete in games and win which is what we did last year and came up short. You can disagree w/ BR on the issues and want him sacked and that`s your opinion. HOWEVER, what I will NOT accept from ANYONE is to minimise hs relative success (success nonetheless) and deny him his due for what he did w/ a small squad due to flimsy excuses of LS made him good, the PL was poor or all that other nonsense. He achieved what he achieved and we should credit him for that and give him is due. Also he should be criticized for what he`s doing or not doing and rightfully so. I`m not going to get into te Klopp debate because IMO, there`s no point comparing both of them.

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{Ed001's Note - get your head out of your backside! It is the truth, we were awful the first season and a half under him. I really don't care what the rest do, that is totally irrelevant. The fact is we were crap until the second half of the season. I really don't care what you 'used' to be, you know nothing if you think we had a good start to last season, a good season the previous one and are playing well now. You are such a sanctimonious 'person' at times. You lecture everyone constantly like you are some kind of expert, when clearly you are not. You talk utter tripe more often than not, like you are now and I will not be lectured to by you. I will criticise him when I feel he deserves it, not when you tell me I can. If you don't like it, try proving me wrong, instead of just trying to shout louder until you drown everyone else out like you normally do. Rodgers has achieved nothing, yet, and it is embarrassing that some saddos are now shouting about him coming second like it is winning something.}

Redohio, It would have been a success last season if he had not mismanaged the team and thrown away the premiership. Tell arsenal fans they have been successful consistently coming 3rd every season. my arsenal supporting friend would laugh in my face.

Prior to that half season of let's be honest very good football we were decidedly average and based on the start of this season we have not moved forward one iota in terms of consistently challenging for top honours in all comps. With regard to klopp there really is no comparison, he has actually won things in his career. What has brendan won so far?

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And before anyone starts banging on about getting rid of brendan, the consensus as far as i can tell on this site is that he should be given more time. But as the eds consistently point out that time is borrowed and he is currently doing himself no favours with his decisions or lack thereof to turn things around.

Time will tell, i never wish someone out of a job if i can help it but if one is clearly not up to the job it is doing the employer a disservice to keep that person in place if it is detrimental to the business.

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Personally i measure how we are doing by the points on the board. Its nice, or glamorous to play free flowing football but i will always take the points. Now i'm not saying i want to waych Fat Sam style of football but i'm willing to sacrifice some style for more points. I also think that 2nd place in the league is a success of sorts. It did get us into the Cl and only the 3rd? time we have reached that spot in 20+ plus years if my memory serves me right(getting old). We all want to win the league of course but its been so long we are hardly used to being in the mix come the business end. It was also Rodgers second season, so it was certainly no bad effort, although it might be his undoing. I want us to win everything, all the time but i'm realistic to know that we are potentially the 5th biggest team in the league in terms of financial muscle (wages, transfer fees and attracting players). A deal of luck would need to come our way, as it did last season for us to win the league. Just my opinion mind! Cheers.

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Well said ED001, don't let these posters bully you, the majority of them can't see the wood for the tree's, there turning into RAFAPOLOGISTS. . keep up the good work EDD'S.

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Wembley, FYI I was ecstatic when Rafa left and will NEVER want him back hence, your RAFAPOLOGIST comment is silly at best. Also, I can see very well thru the trees so don`t need your help. I have criticized BR and am in fact concerned that he could lose his job if he doesn`t change things. You can check my posts. I`m not bullying anyone because I HATE them to begin with. I had a disagreement with the ED and I`m cool with that because that`s why we have this forum. However unlike you, I have the right to disagree w/ ANYONE including the Eds and will be more than happy to have a debate with them on the merits and the issues. You should try that sometime instead swallowing whatever you`re told w/o reflecting on it which is what your riculous post shows.

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31 Oct 2014 00:36:27
Good to see plenty of opinions amongst this debate, although a shame there is a little hostility flying about!

As I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Which I think everyone should also appreciate rather than attempting to belittle other posters, I personally feel it is those who 'cant see the wood for the trees' for being so close minded.

Back to it; top 4 and a cup win for me would spell success in terms of this season and were I think we are as a club, some will disagree due to last season and probably understandably so.

Progression leading to consistent success rather than a one off would be better in my opinion! Back to dominance, as we once had.

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31 Oct 2014 10:23:31
Why do people feel the need to write certain words in capitals Eds? Lol

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Hellloooo REDOHIO, you sensitive soul, whether people like yourself like it or not it's certainly looking like LS made RODGERS look good because at this moment in time we are struggling for goals big-time. . also we have only played well for half a season but when our moment arrived we blew it.

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If you think I`m sensitive then that`s your opinion because in the end, I don`t really care. Hoever, still don't know how a player can make a coach look good especially when said-player had his best season after said-coach built his whole system around said-player, a system that brought the best out of said player which led to a near flawless season. Coaches coach players and not the other way around BUT if that`s your opinion and you are entitled to it. It is not my job to prove you wrong or right because in the end, it`s just banter. Cheers, mate!

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Hellloooo REDOHIO, point taken, we lose LS in the summer and suddenly were on a major rebuilding job, if RODGERS was so good how come were not playing in the same style. Or was it because of LUIS, did we really need a major rebuilding job or could we have integrated some of the youth, to me it's looking more and more like luis had a major say in how good RODGERS was.

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29 Oct 2014 20:10:27
Title: The reason we've been playing much slower this season to last season.
The problem is both Henderson and Gerrard are negative when receiving the ball, their first touch is almost always facing the centre backs and doesn't allow them to see what's ahead in play which slows down our game. Players like Lucas, Coutinho, Allen, Lallana & Can all try to receive the ball is a positive way by taking their first touch with a turn facing away from our CBs (when possible). This allows them to see players who are open and even if closed down can get their passes off with their second touch = faster play & encourages movements from those is forward positions which then causes the defensive team to be on the back foot as we apply pressure, instead of calming watching us play slow & unconvincingly and then calling it "possession play".
The End.

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Got to disagree here; it will some times depend on if you are being marked / closed down; open your body and then the opposition can nick the ball and be through on goal.

We have slowed our play down; have full backs ahead of most of our midfield and allowing one or two opposition players to basically null 4 of 5 of our players.

If Gerrard dropping deep causes this then no more splitting of the center backs and let the CB's have the ball.

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Hoola is right. The system we play leaves us exposed and it DOESN`T matter how many DM`s u have, there are too many gaps to fill as soon as one of the FB`s lose the ball or get caught out. The reason we are slower is because we don`t have the personel we had last year (SAS) with Raheem and Couts feeding them that made life miserable for opposing teams who were too busy trying to nullify them instead of presuring us. Teams worried about us and we NEVER worried about them which is the BEST advantage to have. Not so much this year. That`s why we have become slower. Also, this "splitting of CB`s" BS is causing us probs and unfortunately, nothing will change. That is why opposing teams put someone on SG which has caused issues this season. What stops SG coming deep to pick up the ball and dictate from there? Other teams do it. That will leave us less exposed and more compact until we get Studge, Raheem, Couts and Balo get going again.

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29 Oct 2014 23:26:50
Disagree. Both Lucas and Coutinho featured in our midfield against Swansea and I saw no discernible difference in the speed of our play.

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Completely disagree with u there. I don't know why but Its the tactic we are adobting this year not because of SG or JH. We had SG and JH last season when we played fast and aggressive football. Don't make every player a scapegoat. BR is trying to play possession football, that's it

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29 Oct 2014 23:53:00
Disagree. Both Lucas and Coutinho featured in our midfield against Swansea and I saw no discernible difference in the speed of our play.
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Was about to post the same thing . To me the problem is the runners. Last year as soon as we got possession (spelling?) , Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling will start to make their runs, giving the man with ball forward options. This year , no one willing to make the run, Sterling will try but because he is the only one, he gets marked and the ball won't even get to him.

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I've noticed an awful lot of times when the CDM will receive the ball from the CB and immediately give it back to the CB, even when there is tonnes of space to turn into. Are they not talking to each other? I've played CB for years and I'm always talking to the player I'm passing to. It's either a "turn and Go', or "man on" etc, it's not hard. I must admit I've seen it more from Gerrard this season than in previous.

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29 Oct 2014 18:40:06
i have been told that the reason Brad Smith returned to liverpool was that he was offered a new contract but refused as he he wanted more. I beleive it was approx 5 grand a week. As he refused what was offered liverpool called him back and told him he's not playing again until this is resolved.
He did ok at swindon and was improving as he played more. don't know if he was setting the world alight though. if i find out any more i will let you know, cheers all

Believable0 Unbelievable1

29 Oct 2014 21:01:50
Don't let EMS read this he'll go insane that his boy is being a pain! I think he'd gladly give him 50k a week and play him at lb

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Already looking greedy and doesn`t have all his teeth yet literally, physically and football-wise. If true then footballers have become useless and his career will b over even before it starts.

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Hold your horses boys, we don't know whether this is true or not do we.

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Well said Kaizer.

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I was told by someone who works with the first team at swindon. apparently Liverpool were not expecting him to turn it down and got the right hump so won't let him play.

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29 Oct 2014 17:46:03
4 strikers but only 1 goal scorer. And he's always injured so that's the main problem.
Midfield is at sea, because Coutinho Sterling Lallana, all play their best football at the tip of the diamond and are almost ineffective in other positions.
Defence is unsettled, because he chops n changes it every match with our centre backs and full backs always making mistakes.
And Migs is average, probably doesn't help having no competition.

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29 Oct 2014 21:03:45
Coutinho had by far his best 6 months for us playing left wing and hasn't been half as effective through the middle but I agree with the other two

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Over the past few games, he`s been briliant at the playmaker position, IMO. He is wasted out wide because he`s an old school number 10 who needs movement off the ball to b effective. The prob is that he doesn`t have players making clever runs off the ball like SASAS did last year. That was evident last night when NOBODY made runs off the ball whenever he had it.

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29 Oct 2014 23:27:56
What?! He had his best 6 months playing in the hole behind Sturridge.

Anyone on this site could tell you that, mate.

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29 Oct 2014 15:09:34
Has anyone noticed how Pascoe has started doing a lot more interviews? Is this eds anything to do with the owners being fed up of rodgers putting his foot in his mouth repeatedly?

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{Ed002's Note - No, it was him running a League Cup game.}

Any particular reason for Pascoe running the game? isn't it unusual, Ed?

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{Ed002's Note - No, it is not uncommon at all.}

Does that mean he picks the team and makes the substitutions for the game?

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{Ed002's Note - He will have his input.}

30 Oct 2014 13:13:47
Ed, surely he has his input in all games, as what's the point of being an assistant manager if you don't?

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{Ed002's Note - This is going nowhere.}

29 Oct 2014 13:28:17
I've been working a lot recently so haven't had the time to comment on my post from the other day, but from what I gathered most of us are willing to give BR a chance to turn things around and rightly so in my opinion. However we have all acknowledged the need for changes in the transfer market.

For me this is the best way to go forward:

1) Let Rodgers assemble the team he needs to challenge. The owners need to stop forcing players on him as It only creates more problems especially if they don't fit into Rodgers' system.

2) If the owners want to make low cost gambles on youngsters, why not buy them and loan them back to their current club until they are ready to come into the side? If that means (for example) keeping Origi at Lille for 3 seasons until he is ready then so be it. There is no point bringing players in that aren't ready as it will only halt their development.

Red Rum

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Can't let that happen mate. We'll get more players like Aspas, Ilori, Alberto, Sahin, moses, etc. He is burning FSG's money which can be better utlilised elsewhere.

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29 Oct 2014 14:11:47
1. no players have been "forced" on Rodgers, he gets the final say on signing them

2. Because no club would agree to that, say we bought origi for 10 mill and loaned him back for three seasons, he may end up being worth over 30m therefore representing a huge loss to the selling club, the selling club just would not agree to selling their youngster and simply keep hold of him till his value increases further

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1. The owners are not forcing anything on Rodgers. It is BR who is wasting the money being made available to him.

2. That is just naive. Spend money on a player and then let that player spend 65% of his contract away at another club? Then when he comes back, some people will still say, guve him a year to settle, by which time the player would have run out of contract. Naive.

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All the players brought this summer are BR's choice so I don't know what you want from the owners. The only exception is maybe Mario and I am not sure that BR's option which was Bony would have made any difference. Regarding giving BR a chance I think you at least have to define what would consist a failure at the end of the season. For me given how Arsenal and ManU are doing and where we were last year and the money we spent in the summer non top 4 finish mean he did not deliver.

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29 Oct 2014 15:16:26
To be fair to RR's second point, this technique is well utilised by other clubs, Chelsea being a prime example. It has enabled them to get one of the world's finest goalkeepers for a relatively low sum (£8m, less than we paid for Migs) and develop him in a first team setting. I know they didn't loan Courtois back to the club that they bought him from, but the principle still stands that long term loans, as long as the parties all understand the rationale, can work very well for buying players at a much lower price.

Re the first point I don't know enough about who's choice each transfer was to comment, and most of the other comments on this are pure speculation too.

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Does anyone on here actually know how our transfer committee works and who sits on it? Eds? You would presume BR has a lot of influence but does he have the final say on who comes and goes? Is it done on a majority vote? I would not have thought BR would have players forced upon him that he had no interest in what so ever but with how he favours some players over others it does make you wonder. It would be interesting to find out exactly how the committee does work as it could certainly do with some fine tuning.

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{Ed002's Note - Ian Ayre, Dave Fallows (Head of Recruitment), Barry Hunter (Chief Scout), Brendan Rodgers, Director of Performance Michael Edwards (Director of Performance). I am not going to explain how it works as people seem intent on apportioning blame.

If anyone is to be blamed it will be Rodgers. If you are not happy, the tried and trusted ways used by Liverpool supporters will no doubt work again - daub abuse on the stadium and get the flags up at home games.}

Thanks for the info Ed. I'm not looking to blame anyone I was just genuinely interested in the set up.

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{Ed002's Note - Ok, but others are.}

Let me ask you something. Do you agree with the way that the youngsters have been treat over the past few seasons? Do you agree that we should bring in players that will struggle to even make the bench?

As Zeddicus pointed out it doesn't have to be their current club, it could be any club in a top league willing to give young players a chance.

Courtois was bought from Genk and immediately sent out on loan to Athletico Madrid. Chelsea will have assessed his progress over each individual season and only brought him to Chelsea when he was good enough. Athletico was happy to have a player of his quality on loan, Chelsea were happy to have him there to develop and Courtois was happy to be getting regular game time in a top league.

We should do the exact same thing with our youngsters. Assess Origi at the end of the season, if he's not yet ready and everyone is happy to renew the loan deal for another season then what is the problem? Let's say we bring him back next season and he struggles to get in the team. Then what?

But before we even contemplate signing youngsters and loaning them out we need to ensure that the current team is up to scratch.

Red Rum

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{Ed002's Note - I am not sure Chelsea is the best comparison. Chelsea have been aware they need to do more to bring youngsters through the academy (Ake, Boga, Solanke, Brown et al are doing well right now but many will have a career elsewhere) and are also aware that they cannot continue to spend large amounts on first team players. They needed to find a way to balance the books, which they have been doing. As such they have been looking to bring in 18-20 year olds for which they can build a development plan for - and this may (as in the case of Courtois), see them on loan for several years. Such an approach has been shown to provide a better return than the academy and right now there are several players on loan who will come through in to the first team squad in coming years (Kalas, Traore, Piazon, Perica, Hazard are good examples). Others won't make it - everyone is aware of that.

Chelsea has also built relationships with other teams and in some cases have provided training facilities and advice, and in some cases staff at those clubs. They have a support network where every player out on loan has an allocated liaison office (in most cases these are ex players) who are constantly available. It doesn't mean that they won't continue to bring through a couple or three first team squad players a year, they know that. Drogba for instance is a stop gap that needs replacing in the summer.

Liverpool has a well known academy that has had great success over the years but that is pretty much where it ends. The players out on loan look like they are there because other options were not available - there certainly seems to be no planned development process, and I understand from what one has said, only contact with the club via SMS. So there is a lot of difference in the processes. Liverpool still seems to be looking to try and spend money in the hope of success as far as I can tell. To me it looks like action is required, as I have explained on plenty of occasions. Else, it looks like a hole - and a hole that is getting bigger.}

In my view, They`re all to blame. BR is ineffective in the TW while the shambolic commitee is just making things worse by getting players who (according to Ed01/02) are not his choice like Markovic, Ilori, Sahko, Balo etc. We cannot blame one w/o the other. A DOF is the way to go or someone who is well-versed in the players we need and who fit what we are trying to do. It works in other countries where w/ clubs who are well-structured and where everyone knows his/her job and NOBODY`s encroaching on anyone`s space. If BR refuses to work with such an expert or atmosphere, then he should get the sack, IMO.

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29 Oct 2014 13:18:08
Eds 001. Your opinion is highly valued on this site so my questions to you are, do you think Rogers should be sacked? And apart from Biesla who I don't think would leave Marseille mid season who do you think should replace BR?

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{Ed001's Note - if he would accept help on the defensive side, I would keep him, oh and brings in a new goalie coach. Otherwise, I think the only thing that really justifies him staying is that there is no replacement for him. Unless the club is willing to take a risk on De Boer, I just don't see any one out there to replace him.}

Speaking only from a gut feeling, I can see Klopp becoming the next manager of Liveprool in a couple of years time with Gerrard possibly as assistant. Only my opinion

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Spot on, Ed! A man should recognize when he is deficient in certain aeas of life and accept albeit reluctantly, to get some help in these areas. The contrary is just STUPIDITY and FALSE PRIDE.

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Why do you think De Boer would be a risk ed001? I don't know anything about De Boer tbh.

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{Ed001's Note - because he has little experience other than running Ajax in a league with little real competition.}

29 Oct 2014 11:02:50
Ed001, with Suso's injury, do you think its too late for him at Liverpool?

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{Ed001's Note - sadly, yes.}

Do you think he'll sign a pre-contract in January then? Appalled by BR's handling of him, completely destroying a great young player who could have been brilliant for us. Why on earth has he done this?

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{Ed001's Note - it is expected he will sign one, yes.}

Absolutely gutted we've failed this lad. At 18 years old he had the world at his feet. Rodgers' complete lack of trust in him has stopped him from developing into the player he should have become (Silva-esque). Mark my words, Suso will play for one of Real Madrid or Barcelona before his career is finished. I just hope Coutinho ends up the better player so that Brendans decision to exile Suso is vindicated.

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29 Oct 2014 17:37:26
Isn't Coutinho's contract up at the end of the season or did I hallucinate that after sniffing some dodgy plant life?

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Cheers for the reply ed001

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29 Oct 2014 08:39:32
Im just happy to win. Maybe another clean sheet would have been nice but Mario scored. Concentrate on the next game now.

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Well said Rover. People seem to forget that this is the same Swansea team who have already claimed Man United and Evertons scalps this season.

It wasn't pretty, but we won. Move on lads. Really hoping we stick with the diamond this weekend. Balo and Borini up top, with Coutinho in behind (the lad's on form and Sterling will burn out if we keep overplaying him like we are).

Hopefully the team starts to play with some confidence! We are 3 points off 3rd place, in the quarter finals of the Capital one cup, still have control of our own destiny in Europe and still have the FA cup to come. I've been critical of our form this year and still believe it's down to tactics, but somehow, we're actually not doing that bad!

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4 of those players played against a quite frankly terrible UTD team.
There was also a significant and unfair sending off in the liverpool game. Please don't even begin to think that these games were comparable in any way.

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The horrible word burn out hate it if Terry is able to play a full season at thirty three then Sterling is able to play a full season at nineteen

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Terry`s body is already used to that type of rythm every year while Raheem is just a child. Terrible analogy!

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29 Oct 2014 08:32:44
borini need to start up front wit balotelli, cod he was sharp from start to finish, markovic hvnt convince me yet, he never play a match dat wil convince me dat he wil stil b gud

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Can you do that post again in english please?

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29 Oct 2014 08:43:01
I was just about to post regarding Mario and Borini playing up front together. Many of us have been saying for ages that MB needs a strike partner, and last night proved that. Do you think this was a sign that BR will finally adopt the 4-4-2 approach that many of us have been crying out for, or do you think last night was a one off?

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We did play with both of them upfront at West Ham.

That ended well.

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So are we just jibbing Lambert off after he made a direct impact when coming on vs hull?

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Borini was not playing up top with balotelli . For anyone who actually watched the game would know he continued in the wide role hence the cross for balotelli . Hisgoal was about actually making a run towards the goal and not coming back into midfield . Nothing to do with a partner

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Brilliant Adrianp74, just brilliant!

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29 Oct 2014 12:21:06
Bobatron - for our current need I'd say that's Lamberts best role, coming off the bench and causing absolute havock. I think he doesn't quite have the fitness to be mobile enough in our team for an extended period of time and would rather see 30 great minutes from him than 60-90 okay minutes

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So after Borinin puts in one half decent performance vs a reserve team. After people clamouring for a month the play lambet and Balotelli up front together, we finally see what that's like for 30 minutes during the Hull game, where it looks different and Lamber actually looks really good, then we say, Lambert is an impact player, even though in both his performances he's shown more than balotelli ever did in about 800 minutes.
Should we maybe not think about playing lamber up front with borini if that's the case, I mean Balotelli, came on as a sub for his goal.

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{Ed001's Note - Swansea had their first choice defence out and most of their first choice midfield, so it is unfair to suggest Borini was playing against a reserve side. I do agree though, Lambert and Borini looked far better together than Balotelli has done alongside anyone, so far, other than Sturridge.}

"borini need to start up front wit balotelli, cod he was sharp from start to finish, markovic hvnt convince me yet, he never play a match dat wil convince me dat he wil stil b gud"

(translation for Adrian)

"Borini played well enough last night to warrant a start up front with Balotelli against Newcastle this weekend. Markovic has yet to convince me he was worth the money we paid for him as he seems to lack the skill and speed of thought required to cope at the top end of the Premier League."

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I will agree the defense was 1st choice, but not the mdifield, not even in the slightest ed001.
No ki, Routledge came on for dyer, when they both start, even then it was an earlyish sub, no sigurdson, and then upfront no bony.
Sorry but they've started sigs, routledge, dyer ki and shelvey in the middle of the park, almost every prem game, only 2 of them started the carling cup.They were missing a midfielder for an extra attacker and 3 regular mids from the prem. Not close for me that.

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{Ed001's Note - Montero started the previous game as well, he is pushing Routledge out.}

Bobatron, Swansea played no less of their first team than we played of ours.

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It`s funny. When we don`t win its because we`re terrible BUT when we DO win, it`s because the opposition made it easy or the ref made a decision or the other team fielded it`s high school team. So regardless of outcome, the club CAN`t win. PATHETIC! Swansea and LFC had a mixed team out there so no need minimising the victory because the boys fought hard to get a win in a game we would have lost 2-3 wks ago.

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The other team fielded a much weaker side as did we, I'm not arguing we didn't field a weaker side, I'm saying I wouldn't compare this side to the 1 that beat United.
And I certainly wouldn't harp on about balotelli when Lambert is provig a better forward atm in terms of spreading the play and making runs and holding it up.
Also they were missing a central defneder who most likely would have been marking lovren, instead it was (routledge I think.)
Don't get me wrong I'm glad we won, but the comaprisons and hype for mario after this are way over the top.
Ed I can't say I know the ins and out of swanseas dressing room, so I don't know if Montero is pushing out routledge, but he's certainyl started in more of their games this season.

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29 Oct 2014 07:15:04
good win, thought the boys had a bit more zip on the ball. Sharper movement, we looked like a team, and dare I say borini looked really sharp for a guywhi hasn't been played this long a time. Happy for balotelli. Hope net match he comes on sooner. But I like him coming on after borini and co have worn out the defence that's just me anyways. I hope Rodgers has a change of heart over Borini, he looked up for it yesterday. And he seems like another Henderson. He is here to fight. Gerard not playing was also great for the team I feel. Rest for two more games at least BR.

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29 Oct 2014 06:44:26
Well, I am posting after quite a long time( previous posts under name "Indian with a Red Heart"). However, reading the posts religiously on a daily basis. Just like most of the reds, I am a frustrated figure watching our team play flat football after last season's adventure. I won't dwell into the reasons and departures and transfers etc but on the debate of Youth players Vs BR subject, I would like to ask couple of questions and would welcome all opinions:

1) Considering the weight of expectations of last season heroics and CL football back after 5 years at Anfield, do you guys really think that BR would or should had played likes of Rossiter/Ibe/Texeira in any of PL/CL games thus far?

2) Will we be having this debate and not criticizing BR and the purchases, had the results gone our way till to-date?

3)Sterling, Flanno, Coutinho, Markovic, Can, Moreno, Rossiter, Manquillo are all equal or below 21 years. How many youth players do we expect in a 25 member squad?

4) Many of us are questioning BR's decision about the youth players. But honestly give your opinion- Why had BR introduced more youth players last season when we were winning games and why should he do it now in PL/CL games when there is immense pressure to deliver results and his job is under threat?

5) We have known this for years now that youth players get their chances in cup games then why this hue and cry now. Every team competing in the top end does it which is to add squad depth and mix it up. So why should Liverpool be different?

It can be a very long post but will restrict it to this point. Please share your opinions because that's what makes this site a must activity daily.

Cheers and YNWA!

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{Ed001's Note - 1. Of course he should have, silly question. What is the point of them being at a club and never playing for it? They would have offered at least as much, probably far more, than the players chosen in front of them.

2. Even more of a silly question. Though I am sure a lot of us would still have been critical of the purchases and the lack of use of youth academy players.

3. I expect the club to not buy in youth players when it already has a great crop of them and they are just as good as those bought in. Why not save the money spent on those and buy a couple of ready made players who could have made a difference?

4. He should do it because it is best for the future of the club.

5. Because the one year they were given a chance in the team they made a difference and improved us and immediately they are abandoned. It will destroy the future for the academy if they continue to be ignored.}

30 Oct 2014 07:55:31
With all respect Ed, its not a silly question. It is easier to sit on fence and slate decisions when team is not performing well but for a moment let's be in BR shoes. Where will I play Rossiter when Lucas is not getting games? Ibe is only 18 and its not like his career will sink or swim if he doesn't gets his chances this season. Texeira- aren't there enough players to compete for midfield places?

Its logical to criticize him for team formations,substitutions or style of play or even Brendaning of certain players but not for Youth Players exclusion from first team.

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{Ed001's Note - so you are saying it is right for him to not have any bottle and make brave decisions? Sorry but I disagree, if he hasn't got the bottle to make those decisions, then he doesn't deserve a job that involves making tough calls like that.}

30 Oct 2014 08:11:47
All I am saying is that it can easily backfire and blow him up considering millions of pounds worth players on bench or out of squad and playing academy youngsters and ultimately not getting the result. I don't think its that easy a risk to take as stated by us sitting behind desk. After all its only 10 players that he can tinker with and half of them are auto starters.

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{Ed001's Note - no player should be an auto starter for one. For two, there are 11 players he can tinker with if he chooses. For three, if he as good as he claims to be, he should be able to incorporate them into the side without it affecting our results. Finally, he was brought in partly to bring the youth players into the team, so not doing so is failure on his part. As for it backfiring, it is his job to ensure it doesn't, so he deserves to be slated when he doesn't even try.}

29 Oct 2014 01:39:42
my views on the match
well 1st half we were easily the better side all we missed was goals!which happen to be important in football!
second half kicked of well but still no venom in front of goal as a result swansea scored a cracking goal (imo)
to go in front, then. mario came on and did the job expected of him!

its simple brendan the fans see it why don't you? stop playing mario as a lone striker its personic!
I'm also dissapointed with the fans who boo'ed mario when he came on, there's just no need and i hope he makes a point by getting a goal or 2 against the geordies!

coutiniho for MOTM well done lad and a shout out to borini hope u start alongside mario in the future

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29 Oct 2014 00:08:32
An awful lot of negativity on here tonight.

Having only just got back i haven't had a chance to rewatch any of the game but my initial thoughts would be thus.

Overall a decent performance. Swansea never really threatened over a prolonged period and by and large the defence did well. The swansea lad took his goal very well. People are being critical of jones but i would just say good finish. That was my initial reaction from where i was sat and i stand by it. Gomis had a free header (i think it was him anyway) but that was about it.

Midfield were okay. Henderson was quiet actually. Lucas the same, one or two sloppy errors but both worked hard and easily found plenty of space to operate. Coutinho played well for me. People can go on all night about his shooting but without his creativity ot would have been a struggle tonight.

Lambert held the ball up well but doesn't get in the box enough imo. he's picking it up far too deep. Borini was excellent. Created a goal, had two decent efforts and generally made himself a pain in the arse. Good job.

Markovic is a concern for me. It looks like a confidence issue. He rarely sizes up a man and does them for pace, which he clearly doesn't lack.

Overall good comeback. Good win. let's hope it kickstarts the season for us. Onwards to newcastle.

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28 Oct 2014 23:45:26
Start borini this weekend! He needs matches, and he showed glimpses of what he can do today! A bit more sharpness and fitness and he can perform! He will cover the running and hassling up front we've been lacking and hopefully balo will support him. After a run of games last year he was key to sunderland, albeit a much different side and style, but he can score and offers more than just goals. I know he was far from great tonight, but there were glimpses like I said, great turn and shot in the fist half and great ball for balos goal!

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