Liverpool Banter Archive March 02 2014

02 Mar 2014 22:44:31
Should Sturridge wear the no. 9 shirt next year? (with Aspas' consent)

Sturridge chose the number 15 shirt, why would he change it?

Don't fix something that is not broken.

Aspas won't be here next season mate!

03 Mar 2014 09:56:29
Seems Aspas would be off, Great chance Borini would come back.

02 Mar 2014 20:30:47
Yes I was one. One of those fools who fretted over our lack of a defensive midfield signing. Sleepless nights, work-less days, spent fretting. Yet I was wrong. So naive, so afraid of being hurt I let it cloud my judgement.

I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly atone for my sins. My lack of vocal support. My refusal to believe. False dawns before saw me lock my heart away like a damsel waiting for prince charming. Well I tell you today, I have found my prince. A 5'5'' Northern Irishman with supremely white teeth and a penchant for 9 and a halfs. Gone are the dark days of Hodgson the false dawn of Kenny who took my captured my heart only to leave it stranded.

Yeah but really we're so damn good. He's improved Suarez, Sturridge, Henderson looks worthy of his price tag, Jon Flanagan came out of nowhere and put a shift in. He's managed to reign in Gerrard and get him playing for the team. All this with a few transfer window cock-ups, two Suarez scenarios, a thin and very young squad.

I actually love Liverpool. So, so much.

If I ever need a character reference I am so asking you to write it! man that is poetic and sums up my own feelings, however I am not fully over the last few years and need more from BR before I commit but well said

R u going to name and shame yourself as well then ;-)

We all felt the same mate but right now the reality is the belief is there and that is what gives us the edge. BR has all the team working for and believing in each other. Together that is the difference this year for me and that's why as fans we are daring to believe and loving what we are watching.

Thank you Ozone.

Haha - nice one Dave Demix.

If only you left a name.

02 Mar 2014 18:59:43
I'm still chuffed at yesterdays performance, especially when we were under pressure for 30 mins in the first half and soaked it up. OK, Mignolet had to be sharp, and the post saved us on one occasion, but remember last season when we hit the woodwork more than we scored? That wasn't luck yesterday. That was Karma - those damn goalposts owe us!

02 Mar 2014 17:24:18
Hi Eds, I haven't been able to keep up lately and to be honest I don't know how to search for what I'm looking for. My question is do we have anything in the pipeline in case Suarez moves in the summer? Regardless of the new contract and him saying he's happy if he has a good World Cup surely we are going to be tested by some of the richer clubs. Or are the club of the opinion we simply won't sell after J.W.Henry's recent comments regarding refusal to sell despite Arsenal meeting a clause.

{Ed002's Note - I really don't know.}

02 Mar 2014 16:42:45
This may be of topic here. But I'm just watching the Madrid derby, and it's a total disgrace. The play acting every few seconds, jumping on the floor at every oppurtunity. I can't believe how bad I actually is, the only good thing is the referee letting the game flow. Anyone else watching this madness?

Yeah I'm watching it Benny, the play acting is ridiculous to be honest. Raul Garcia is the worse one. Pepe not far behind him when he threw himself to the turf claiming a head but. Madness. Good to watch though ay?

Good to watch for all the wrong reasons mate aha. Yeah that pepe thing I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I sat wondering, what's going through bales head as he watches all this unfold. Must feel like he's on a different planet!

Turan is some player though

02 Mar 2014 18:43:20
I'm sure none of it is as remarkable as the South American player who grabbed someones hand and hit himself in the face with it to get someone sent off. Just incredible!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjNtdklnxdo

It's been that way for a while actually. What I do like is the refereeing, they do give yellows out if the players are diving around too much.

02 Mar 2014 16:04:36
I feel a little advocacy is in order for Mr Pardew, if my eyes aren't deceiving me didn't the Hull player push him before Pardew nutted him? So in my book there was provocation. Players square up to each other all the time like that and some get sent off but a little relativity and common sense should be shown by the FA. Robbie Mustoe on NBCS saying this akin to the Cantona Kung Fu kick incident absolute bunkum. Ban him for 10 games same as Louis as he has history (pushing a linesman, Pelligrini abuse) and let the man get on with his life and career. I feel sorry for stoke if it wasnt for Pardews head they would be getting the headlines this morning. One more thing I thought Migs was great yesterday. He was more commanding and his distribution was a lot more intelligent. Came for a cross yesterday at 1-0 that would have resulted in a goal had he stayed on his line and who knows how crucial THAT save will be come end of season. i'm 41 today i'm going to get hammered. Can we dream now lads?

Good post. Well reasoned.
Happy Birthday JL!

I don't like pardew since he scored against us in a semi final for palace years ago [ never forget ] but in fairness that was not a loaf in my book. he was stupid yes but violent I think not.

How many times have Pardew done something of this sort?

He definitely won't get any sympathy from me.

02 Mar 2014 15:01:50
Hi Eds hope you're doing ok
Silly question it might be but i'm just curious whether finishing 1st or 2nd could help get higher caliber players than finishing 4th ( and having the obvious lure of champions league football). Go easy on me haha. Thanks and salute to fellow Reds!

{Ed002's Note - Getting in to the Champions League will help.}

Ed with the BBC website covering an running an article yesterday about UEFA scrutinising 76 clubs over the FFP rules with the possibility of sanctions, do you believe Liverpool have done enough over the last couple of years to feel safe that they will make the criteria?
I know earlier in the season you mentioned we were one of 2 clubs failing, but that there were other things pending at that time.

{Ed002's Note - I don't want to get in to this too much but there was always going to be an issue with certain clubs (notably PSG and Manchester City) but is it how UEFA decide to address the issues that matters and we won't know that for some time yet. Another club has said it will take legal action if UEFA attempts to sanction it any way - and UEFA don't want that.}

Is that club Barcelona ed?

{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant who it is.}

02 Mar 2014 14:15:59
Borini is looking good. don't think he fits our way to play, but his value grows.

Of course he fits our playing style, but unfortunately for him at Liverpool we have 2 world class strikers ahead of him. I would be more than happy with him back for next season though.

Red Rum

He definitely fits our style of play. I think he would be an important squad player if/when he returns next year.

02 Mar 2014 13:59:53
My prediction is Sunderland 2, City 1.

Borini and Ki to score for Sunderland & Nasri to score for City.

Red Rum

Quality finish Fabio lad!

02 Mar 2014 13:34:50
Just a quick message to say a massive thanks to every1s support, u are all amazing people and all the messages of support from fans across the boards have been such a help in this time. Once I feel confident about my boy I will post an update on him, but I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank u from the bottom of my heart. U are all such amazing people x

Hope he gets better. my thoughts are with you.

Thoughts and prayers to you in a difficult time x YNWA

Don't you worry mate he will pull through! The more prayers he's in the better! Good luck to you and your family in what is obviously a tough time.
Cheers,

03 Mar 2014 12:59:44
hope the wee man gets well soon I will pray for him until you get the good news mate.

Sure aren't we all brothers in football Chris? Please add my prayers to the list. C'mon the wee felly!

02 Mar 2014 13:29:54
Borini starts for Sunderland! Hope he gets on the score sheet, he runs his socks off and I'm hoping he gets something today. Hope Sunderland win, just to prove money doesn't win you everything. Could also be demoralising for City in the run in (if we keep the run going).

Still can't believe we're into March and we're still unbeaten this year! 7 wins and 2 draws, including big wins against Everton and Arsenal! If you had said we would be second in the league with ten games to go I would have bitten your hand off. We can't stop here though. There is still 30 points up for grabs and we're not even mathematically guaranteed a top 10 finish. Obviously we will finish top 10 but just giving an idea of how much work there is left to do. We are temporarily nine points clear of fifth but United were that far ahead of City at the top 2 years ago and look what happened. It's a very dangerous game to say we're finishing top 4 and now it's a challenge for the title. One loss and it's all to play for again. Great win yesterday, but at the end of the day its only 3 points like any other game.
Cheers,
ROI.

02 Mar 2014 13:20:28
i would say there is a few players prob some we don't know about have turned Liverpool down in the last 18 months r prob regretting it now siggurdsson did say he would be better off at spurs to get cl football he he he.

02 Mar 2014 13:11:11
I think chambers was excellent yesterday as well as shaw and lallanna but ramirez and cork are decent players too. I don't think lallanna or shaw are slighty plausible for the summer but what about cork or chambers?

02 Mar 2014 13:08:56
Looking at the top four teams next six games, f**k top four, Stevie G may get that medal around his neck yet!

02 Mar 2014 11:44:38
Hats have got to go off to brendan Rogers he didn't have the team he wanted going into last year league and the europa league was a bit to much for such a small squad but with no distraction apart from the cups he has got it absolutely spot on win the league or a champions league place the lad deserve the lma

02 Mar 2014 10:28:11
Hi Eds and Fellow Reds

It was 12 games, now it's 10 games left. One game at a time is taken we are told. Great display yesterday at one of the hardest venues to visit. 10 games. top4 is the prime objective but fans are beginning to dream. I, 42 years a Red am too fearful to dream, trying to erase the memories of long ago seasons passed, where a point or two dropped ruined a dream seasons.
One game at a time, the boys fear no one, objective is top4. Reds all over the world are holding their breath. Thank you BR and The Boys, you are doing us proud!

02 Mar 2014 09:29:34
Ed's hypothetically if we were to make the ucl next season, what pot would we be in for the group draw?

{Ed002's Note - Four.}

02 Mar 2014 03:40:27
Hey Eds and Reds, my question purely for banters sake is, who do you guys believe is a better finisher out of Suarez and Sturridge, taking all other attributes out of the equation just pure finishing ability who do you think is better. It would be interesting to see the Eds opinions as opposed to the rest of the fans

Finishing wise, sturridge. Instinct finishing however, Suarez.

I still think Suarez is the better finisher. What I've noticed with Sturridge is that he toe punts it a lot of the time, which if done wrong, can end up by the corner flag. He seems to rely more on power than placement, where as Suarez is all finesse.

That's how I see it anyway.

02 Mar 2014 06:22:13
Is their any suggestion that we are interested in Lovren? I think him and Sakho would be a great partnership that would complement each other well. Also, What about Medel and Bony? These guys are all proven premiership players who are performing well with smaller clubs and think they would fit into Rodgers system. Adding borini, illori and suso to the squad gives me great optimism for and the future. Also thought that Cissoskho has done well recently but then gets dropped for the last 2 games to accomodate Johnson. Cissoskho will never be a world beater, but gives his all and concentrates on defending only. When he gets the ball his first thought is to play it back. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as we need defenders who defend (instead of bombing forward at every opportunity) as the attackers we have will score against anyone.

02 Mar 2014 01:56:51
Ed001, thought's on today's match? I think most people here enjoy your little reviews.

{Ed001's Note - it is a tough one to review, again we got a lead then just let the opposition come on to us so we could counter them at pace. It was hearts in the mouths time while 1-0 and they were pushing forward, but it was clearly a specific gameplan. Rodgers had clearly assessed their play and how they push up high, and he had set us up to take advantage of that by pulling them in. Bringing in Allen for Sterling gave us a little more solidity, and also allowed us to bring him on late against tiring legs to add even more pace. The defence still worry me, they don't seem to play as a unit still, at one point Johnson came in narrow to hold up a player that Agger was facing up and left acres of space down the flank. Skrtel still has a tendency to drop deeper than everyone else, it was particularly noticeable during the attack that led to them hitting the post, he had dropped behind everyone else meaning he was unable to get to the ball. The worrying thing is that the full backs are not reacting to it, which shows a lack of communication is still an issue. But, and it is a huge but, the midfield did a much better job of protecting them today, they were operating as a good unit. They were covering each other, filling in gaps etc, which is needed against a team with Southampton's workrate.
Overall, it was a good performance, against a team we usually struggle against and yet more evidence that Rodgers is learning and improving the team. That is the most important thing of all, the improvement. There is absolutely no doubt that this season the team has taken their game to a whole new level.}

Personally, I think Rodgers knows of Skrtel's weakness. but with the squad available there are more pros than cons in playing Skrtel. I think he'll let the season finish before handling the problem, do you feel the same ed001?

Appreciated Ed

Very good summary that, and fair.
I went down there last year and we got murdered with that pressing game.
What I liked about yesterday was the long, quick out-ball.
Their full backs push on, and there was space left in behind.
Their centre backs were in all kinds of trouble.
I don't know about Lovren, he looked poor yesterday.
You know who has impressed me, every time we've played them - Ashley Williams. Quick, combative, got an edge about him.
But we're over-loaded with centre halves. In fact we need to trim down and get some of the younger ones in.

I love the way we're finally grinding out the results. I feared this game more than united away . Getting that 2005 feeling all over again #dare2believe

02 Mar 2014 01:15:34
Girl bet me at the start of the season that she'd sleep with me if Liverpool win the league.

Bout to eat her words, no pun intended.

I would totally sacrifice it and say she's off the hook if it meant we definitely won it, that's taking one for the team.

That you Peter Beardsley?

Sounds classy :-P

What did she promise if we win the cup? Blowy? Maybe if we win Champions league next year you might get to visit her Narnia.

Sounds like a keeper.

Haha she's a pool fan too so it was more of a celebratory thing.

Sounds like she's far too easy. May want to get tested after.

02 Mar 2014 00:31:23
No game for united this weekend means no dropped points, Moyes is hiring the open topped bus as we speak.