Liverpool Banter Archive December 30 2014

 

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30 Dec 2014 22:25:55
Hi Eds,

I want to start by wishing you a happy holidays and new year. My question is whether you have heard of any interest that Liverpool may have in any players. Maybe even a baseline as to whether it will be a quiet window or not.

Thanks in advance.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Read the posts please.}

30 Dec 2014 22:19:38
Eds u think Ibe will be given a chance next season ?
After watching tonight the guy is already premier league quality and imo just as good as markovic & lallana.

Really hope we don't see him out on loan again.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

{Ed002's Note - I really don't think we are in a position to sensibly speculate on next season right now. Sorry.}

30 Dec 2014 23:02:21
When has sensibly ever come into it?

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Unlikely. We had several young players on loan last season. Ilori, Borini, Wisdom and Suso all had successful progressive loans.

How have they done back at LFC? What chances have they been given?
Suso played well in preseason when given the chance, a talent noticed by everyone. He will be leaving for free.

Hope this answers your question

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Jordon Ibe is a level above most of the youngsters we have at LFC and above all of them who went on loan last season. I expect LFC to try and keep him but would he want to stay? He would have no doubt seen how Stering and come up and seen how Suso has gone down. He would have noticed how there are 4 players in the first team who are ahead of him and plays in areas where he prefers to play.

It will be a tough call but I think if Ibe came to the club in the summer while we still have Sterling, Markovic, Lallana and Coutinho, he will struggle for game time.

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@the real AG - we could play him as a forward though with Balotelli and Borini seemingly not wanted there would be the availability for him to fill. Not sure he is an out an out goalscorer but from what I have seen looks more natural than Sterling.

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30 Dec 2014 22:04:21
Thought I'd scroll down to read today's posts on the 'banter' forum (or should I say 'fickle moaning glory-hunters' forum'), and surprise surprise, not one criticism of our manager!

Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but probably, say, no more than twenty four hours ago Brendan would have been slagged to high heaven on here, but lo and behold, after a good victory - nothing - not a squeak.

Now, it's all opinions suggesting you were right to recommend this and that, and everything seems rosy.

You know who you all are, and I respect your passion, but your simple fickleness and juvenile knee-jerk reactions are shaming our club and making us look a laughing stock.

By the way, I'm not suggesting this is a post to compare allegiances or anything cheesy, but some people need to take a real hard look at themselves.

Top four all along and never a danger.

Let this be a lesson to you all.

Believable5 Unbelievable18

30 Dec 2014 23:10:41
Davey , did you see my yesterdays post to you. You can see it from the "The more of Today Banter" page. By the way I wouldn't get carried away with 1,2 or 3 wins or decent performances; top 4 is still a tough task

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Lesson about what? The same issues still exist prior to managing wins over Burnley and a very poor Swansea. We still bought badly, our defense is still anemic, etc, etc- there just doesn't happen to be much said about BR this particular game as he appears to have wised up a bit and is letting the players play the way they want instead of batting the ball around the back for 45 minutes. My personal stance hasn't changed a bit, it just makes very little sense to gripe after a 4-1 victory.

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If the team wins and plays well then surely there is no reason to come on and moan.after all that's ultimately what we all want anyway.i think most people who have voiced concerns on how the team has been managed this season have been justified in their critisisms.obviously we all have slightly different options, that's what makes football so great.but how many times this season can you honestly say you have enjoyed watching a good performance and ultimately it is the manager who is responsible for that.for instance I think the only change for the Leicester game should be the one with skrtel being banned, but if rogers makes three or four changes and the team plays poorly again would I not be justified in critisizing him.

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Davey, What the ell are you gloating about? We won a game where we played marginally well and scored goals and as RDL said, the issues are still there and suddenly BR is a genius and above criticism? That`s why Wenger`s still in a job because the Arsenal fans want him gone until he wins the next game and they want him to stay another 10yrs and vice versa. Sorry bro, that won`t fly w/ me. We are winning games we should win and are still in recovery mode. Our probs are still there but winning and staying humble (what you seem to lack based on your post) will help fix that. Many of us want the team to succeed and BR is a very good coach (you don`t come close to winning the PL if you suck) BUT a poor manager who is too arrogant and always wants to show he is in charge by dabbling in things he has no idea of transfers for example). Regardless of what we think, the team comes first and if they are winning then I`m good. So save your trash-talking for those who give a crap because some of us ain`t buying it.

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I think a lot of the posters were happy that Johnson / Allen / Lovren / Gerrard were not in the starting XI - I was at the game yesterday with my lad and the first 30 mins were very dull - Swansea showed us too much respect and we were happy to slip into sideways and backward mode
Lallana and Coutinho were allowed to play their natural game
Henderson came out of Gerrard's shadow and sprinted to every free-kick and corner (only down side was he his two mistakes that led to the Swansea goal and too often he did not close down shelvey
Lucas offered greater protection to the back 3 by ensuring bony and sigurdsson were starved of supply from their midfield
Emre Can showed how much more he can offer us if he was played in a slightly more advanced role
I joked with my son as to how deadly Coutinho would be if he had the strength to shoot with minimal backlift - my son replied "if he could do that he would be playing for Real Madrid or Barca"
Mignolet's kicking kept the crowd entertained as continued to pick out a red shirt
This formation works for now but will have to change once Sturridge returns

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Ahhaa oh wow, a 1-0 win scraped over bloody burnley whem we played diabolically bad against a side that probably costs as much as lovren alone, and solid performance against an awful swansea side with 3 horrendously flukey goals, suddenly top four is never a doubt?

Baha i am sorry, but that is the most deluded thing I've ever seen on this site. And i wouldn't have a go but you've insulted and taken a jab at most people on this site for having a well balanced and sensible opinion when you have got over excited and can't keep it in your trousers.

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{Ed001's Note - did I not read somewhere that Burnley have spent less in their entire history than we spent in the summer alone?}

Did you want people to post negatively after a win? I have been noticing your posts and your gripe is with other posters, and seemingly you have no problem or nothing constructive to say about LFC the team and LFC the organisation.

Actually, you post more moaning about other posters than about football or management related things concerned with LFC. You are a walking contradiction lad, in that you too moan, but about other posters.

Also, you are no model fan yourself as you have chosen to support your favorites, BR, Gerrard etc, and shun others and have not given them a chance to show what they can do. This much is evident from your laughable reason to not even call Mario Balotelli by his name, but you call him the Italian.

This is where I have a problem with you: You have stereotyped every other posters who have been critical of LFC into a group and is only concerned with proving them wrong, mocking them and making yourself come across as a smug dwat.

If you have problems with individual posters, take it out with them but stop behaving like the biggest LFC fan out there because you simply are not.

People have been critical of BR, the Owners, players and the Transfer Committee and for the most part, they have given their reasons. But I wouldn't be one bit surprised if you haven't noticed the reasons because you just want to tell-off other posters.

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Well said Davey. We had a good 2014 but it could have been better. I think most people on here are negative but that it just my opinion. And now Ed01 compares us with Burnley! Wow!

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{Ed002's Note - Like Liverpool, 50 years or so ago Burnley were doing very well. Fortunately their supporters don't go on and on about the past.}

Rdl
How can Swansea become a poor team when we beat them yet the rest of the season they have been doing quite well?

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Davey so you don't moan when we play bad or don't have a go at the othe team or that some player are playing bad week in week out, the fact that they know they can they won't get dropped for making mistakes or playing bad then they won't improve, the same goes for the manager, he is trying to get the team to play a certain way it has nort worked and other fans can see this, most people can see it you don't have to be a liverpool fan to know BR has been stubbourn and would not change anything in trying to prove he is right, the fact he played 2 wing backs in our last game against the swans showed us all that we were right to be critical of BR and the players under performing, against swansea BR played players in their correct positions, he took off the weak links who have been playing poor for whatever reason and played young hungry players who were fast and quick that is why we played so well and won by such a big margin, we put the other team under pressure and the fact BR used players we have had all season in their right positions should show you that BR has been ay fault for playing the wrong tactics and players, as i said there was no new players, just the right players in the right position with gerrard dropped, just maybe the rest and getting dropped might make stevie play better, but what will you say if he plays stevie against leicester and we return to the way we have been playing when we have been bad because other players have to cover gerrard, we will see tomorow if gerrard needs dropping if he plays and we go back to our bad performances and the midfield getting over run and mistakes being made again

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30 Dec 2014 21:53:54
Any news on El Shaarawy ?

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{Ed002's Note - Nothing involving Liverpool.}

30 Dec 2014 19:24:08
Hello Eds. I've just seen that Jonjo Shelvey has been charged by the F.A. For violent conduct but Raheem Sterling was not charged.

After seeing the replay I was sure he would be, so I was wondering if you could explain how they have come to that conclusion. It was still an act of violence after all.

I'm only asking out of curiosity and I'm glad he hasn't been charged as that would be the last thing we need right now!

Thanks.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea, to me they both should be charged. I guess the ref must have seen what Sterling did and thought it was just a push and not worth the 3 match ban.}

The only thing that may have saved Sterling is the fact the Swansea player hit him first if you ask me. Can't believe he got away with that. The ref must've just seen the incident as a petty coming together.

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30 Dec 2014 20:43:45
That was certainly not a push Ed01, And should have been a straight red card, considering Markovic got one for similar

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Could be wrong. But. If the ref 'didn't see' or the linesman then they can retrospectively look, but if it was seen and unpunished they can't.

I think if Shelvey was seen it would have been straight red (ref was 2 yrds away). But Raheem happened in front of the linesman who didn't flag and left it as handbags with both raising hands.

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The ref seen sterling and didn't give a red he didn't see shelvey I guess that's why

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Going to be honest don't give a flying k*te about shelvey Raheem is not banned that's all I'm bothered about honestly.

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30 Dec 2014 21:53:11
Totally agree reusch, why do we Liverpool fans want our player banned?

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Thanks for the edit Ed better than mine.

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The standard of officiating has been very poor in recent years.

It should be a ban for both Sterling and Shelvey and some sort of warning to Fernandez.

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Nice to know you can put all bias aside and have a reasoned debate. Anfield and Reusch

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31 Dec 2014 20:21:11
I actually wanted Sterling to be banned, finally he could get some rest. Lol
But on a serious note, lad's got to keep his composure in the pitch

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30 Dec 2014 19:06:46
AC MILAN have told Stephan El Shaarawy suitors to fork out £11.5m if they want to sign him in January.

Any interest from us?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No.}

30 Dec 2014 20:23:13
dont imagine we are in for him but has played 20 games in the last season and a half and scored 1 goal.

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30 Dec 2014 23:35:30
He's amazing at times but what's the point ? We already have a striker made of tracing paper let's buy a goal scorer

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He`s been injured for most of last season so no point in having 2 injury prone players.

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31 Dec 2014 04:26:22
One of my favourite plsyers who doesn't play for Liverpool. If he signs I'd be over the moon

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He has struggled big time with injury and form issues. But in the long term, he will be good buy if the buying team sticks with him.

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30 Dec 2014 18:37:39
All the rumors regarding keepers for us seem to be more veteran type guys, Cech Ochoa etc. Have there been any rumours of younger keepers from other leagues in Europe that might not be that expensive, ruling out the likes of Ter Stegen etc.?

Thanks and happy new year to all.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No.}

30 Dec 2014 19:04:32
I have heard that we will go back in for Bergovic and also that apparently Stoke are actually looking to move him on.

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{Ed002's Note - Stoke are not trying to "move on" their first choice goalkeeper.}

30 Dec 2014 20:24:06
I'm sorry Ed I was justing saying what a current keeper said to me while discussing the keeper situation after the Man U game. He did say that he was surprised too.

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30 Dec 2014 18:24:07
A question to Ed001 if he is around. Below there is a post about Gerrard and his Liverpool days / months being numbered, which got me thinking with him leaving, that's the last of the Scousers in the team (until Flanno holds a regular spot at least). Looking back over the years, one thing I can't remember, were there any Livepool born players in the 80s ? or during Kenny first era?

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{Ed002's Note - He is not around and this is something you could easily look up.}

Ricky Lambert? Lallana (sort of)

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{Ed002's Note - I think you misunderstood his question.}

80's there was only a few seasons I can't remember a scouser playing as a regular, which were 84/85 & 85/86 up til 85 there was Thompson, Johnson, Case, Lee, Fairclough and Gayle, after 86 Ablett and McMahon stood out.

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John Aldridge - my fave ever !!

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Crikey, forgot Aldo! He was one of the best out and out goalscorers ever. Did it at every level he played at top.

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30 Dec 2014 22:50:43
Have to agree about aldo the man is a legend his support for the club is unbelievable seen on lfc channel last night he said he has to for his new years resolution take defeat a bit better good luck with that and a few of us need follow suit.

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A competitor till the end, Aldo. My kind of guy!

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Was the late Gary Ablett not a scouser? later eighties admittedly.

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30 Dec 2014 17:20:36
what a game lallana had, it was between him and couthino for me for man of the match, what i loved about the way he played was the closing down of the goalie and getting a goal, sherringham and shearer have done the same,

i will hold my hand up and thought lallana was not worth the money we payed for him but after the way he took his 2nd goal then he looks every penny and more of what we spent on him, he is graceful in possession and the way he ran around players and scored reminded me of a player of old a ledgend of our club, i will keep that one to myself as to save myself some abuse, but i can now see he will just get better and better and become one of main players in the years to come, i was wrong about him and hold my hand up

well in adam lallana you will be a key player for us in years to come

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30 Dec 2014 19:57:10
Don't know why everybody was against Adam. He was magical at Southampton. Glad he's finally getting the approval he deserves:).

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Love the guy, hard work, effort and graceful on the ball.

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That reminded me of Kenny too :)

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We can have the debate whether he was needed or not BUT God am I glad he is here. The fee will pay itself out if he comes good. Look at Hendo. Nobody seems to remember the fee we paid because he HAS come good. I wanted Lallana (maybe the fee was to high, I thought) here for one reason only. He is naturally 2-footed. As an old school footballer of a decent level, if you are naturally two-footed, you sir, are the most dangerous player on the field, PERIOD. Why? you are so unpredictable and difficult to defend. W/ Lallana`s silky skills and superb workrate as well as an eye for goal, he will b a beast when he eventual settles in.

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The issue was with the money we spent on him (a little over £27 million); nobody was critical of his ability.

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{Ed001's Note - I think, personally, the issue with him was that we already had a whole host of players who play in his position. Not so much that we spent too much, as that it was money we should have spent on a keeper, which we did, and still do, desperately need.}

30 Dec 2014 16:58:21
(party) just to wish fellow liverpool fans and eds a happy new year and all the very best (party)

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And you too mate. Have a good one!

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30 Dec 2014 15:49:22
Hello lads, hope you're all doing well: Question for ed01, is it fair to say Rodgers has gone back to the high press?

I've been saying for a while that we may not have bought the right players, but we have bought some very very good players - Would love to see Lovren given a chance with Can and Sakho in Defence.

Hendo and Lucas ran the game for us yesterday, so it may well be time for Stevie to actually take the bench role.

Markovic is actually settling in now, and looks a good player - i still would have preferred if Ibe was given the opportunity but its done now.

Lallana is excellent.
Moreno is a little mad ******
Coutinho is actually looking good now that he has a striker with pace to play with.

Hopefully Brenda sticks to the system, and we may still get in the top 4, although if ed001 is right and he did promise the title and a challenge in the champions league then he will probably get sacked anyway.

Praying Sturridge comes back soon

Anyways, onwards and upwards

cheers

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{Ed001's Note - he has certainly moved towards it more, though we are still not applying it in packs like we were last season. It is 1, 2 and sometimes 3 players applying a press right now, which is not ideal and will be a problem when we play a better team. What we have at the moment is some pressing, some dropping and others dithering between the two. Hopefully it will be sorted and we will go full over to the press.}

Couldn't have said it better Edd.

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We are in recovery mode hence, a slowly BUT surely approach is always the norm. BR has been the one dithering and has finally gone back to what the players are comfortable with. It took over 25 games (all comps) for that to happen. All that time just to find out that his failed system well. Failed. Total frustration! Hopefully, he has learnt and will continue to do what is right based on the players he himself bought.

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30 Dec 2014 16:47:01
Although Mignolet is poor for us, many due to his woeful distribution, he is a quality shot stopper and still every game makes at least one outstanding save.

What teams have shown interest in him

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{Ed002's Note - Mignolet is not for sale and no teams have shown an interest in him.}

30 Dec 2014 17:39:38
I'm actually sick of people saying Mignolet is a good shot stopper. he's a keeper, we take that as read. Modern day keepers need to have a lot more in their arsenal than being able to deflect a ball shot directly at them.

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He does make some real quality saves each game, not all at directly at him either.

You know what would save him (and us) is being allowed to just roll the ball out or throw. We play out from the back so I have no idea what this plan of kicking it towards the dug out is all about? Anyone know why he has to play it on the ground? We play to the strengths of outfield players don't we? We bought him after a couple of great seasons at Sunderland, did he play as a sweeper there?

It's like buying Balotelli and expecting him to run around across the front like Suarez. you scout a player you should be buying on what he can do not what he might be able to

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30 Dec 2014 21:55:43
Yes, why does he kick it out wide to the bench? Just thump it forward or hit it to the dm.

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30 Dec 2014 23:41:25
His confidence is on the floor. Makes this fragile defence nervous. Makes the fans nervous which gives confidence to the other team. He desperately needs a few clean sheets and a penalty save or something

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Coach him or make things simpler for him and have him focus on the basics. As Ed01 said, Mingo was the only available keeper out there because Pepe`s position had become untanable due to his appalling behavior. Mingo was not what we wanted nor needed but was available so we had to move.

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30 Dec 2014 16:35:24
Ed, trying to decypher wonderdogsparky messages. In English, what's he saying.

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{Ed002's Note - To the best of my knowledge everything said by and about WonderDogSparky on Twitter is 100% true and in English. I suspect that one of his new lodgers will be telling us about Liverpool's transfer plans during January.}

30 Dec 2014 22:03:00
Thanks ed. Appreciate your time.

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30 Dec 2014 16:26:45
Can anyone, EDs as well please clarify for me why Skrtel gets so much abuse from our 'fans'?

This guy has been our best defender for the past three seasons. Changing his style to make sure he can continue to play for LFC. Last season was the top scoring defender in the Premier League, out scoring some forwards! This season scored important goals already and played on with a head injury.

'Fans' give Lovren a break, cause we don't have a DM that he was used to having. Sahko is let off cause it's not his fault he dosent have a strong CB partner. Both given a break cause we have such a shocking weak GK. But dosent these problems affect Skrtel as well?

We've got players like Mario and Johnson who don't seem to care, but Skrtel plays on a la Terry Butcher with blood flowing. Neither of those mentioned would. Doubt Martin is paid half what Mario gets.

Allen has yet to register a single assist, let alone goal or even a half decent performance, yet plenty rate him.

Did he moan and whine as much as Agger when he was dropped? Or did he change his game to what BR wants?

So as at the start of this rant, why is Skrtel hated so much?

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{Ed002's Note - He is a Liverpool player.}

Good post

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Totally agree with you emrecando . I couldn't believe what I was reading . And I still think SG gets abused harshly too . People wanting him gone but I bet he would still attract all the top teams if he did leave . I do think he should be playing a more attacking roll and have less game time to prolong his career bit honestly he is still quality at what he does .

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I defended skrtel for most of last year thinking he was really that good.now without suarez and sturridge scoring goals for fun this season I won't mind if he gets sold in january

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The word "abuse" gets tossed around far too often on this site. Fans asking for players to be dropped is not abuse, people disagreeing with other peoples posts is not abuse.
I want him to be dropped because he is always dropping too deep, which screws up our defensive line and doesn't help our pressing. He is regularly caught out of position and strikers regularly are able to lose him without doing any complex movement. Our defensive record is a shambles and it is always Toure, Lovren or Sakho who gets dropped. I reckon that giving him a bit of time out of the team could help our record.

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I don't hate Skrtel. I love him almost as much as I love Agger, Gerrard, Sturridge etc.

There is absolutely no faulting his effort, dedication and passion.

You can't let your judgement be clouded by your heart though. I've never once used the excuse about Lovren having 2 defensive midfielders in front of him. Skrtel is very prone to lapses in concentration though, doesn't seem to communicate very well with others, drops off to quickly and makes rash decisionsfar too often.

Love his attitude to the game. He is a modern legend in terms of his do or due approach and sheer dedication. I just don't like the chaos he seems to cause.

He is obviously still a good defender. But we need more than just good defenders. We need top quality defenders if we are too progress. I don't think the coaching has helped Skrtel to be fair though. He looked class under Rafa and Kenny/Clarke because they coached him properly and his rash decisions were kept to a minimum.

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I am not a Skertel fan but every time he scores I go beserk.
There is no contradiction in that.
I just don't rate him.
When he has played well I have said so.
He got dropped by Rodgers and then produced a good spell of form after being re-introduced but he has always been dodgy.
Why have we signed Llori, Toure, Lovren and Sahko if Skrtel is that good.
Either he is really good and we have completely messed up in the transfer market by buying centre halves we did not need or he is actually a dodgy centre half who for some reason keeps getting a game under Rodgers?
Which is it?

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That's a brilliant post Emre, and a good, shame enhancing answer, by ed2

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Put Skrtl behind a good midfield to give him fair protection and a keeper who wouldny give any reasonable defender the jitters and you'll see the colossus that turns out for Slovakia. don't hate the bloke.

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It doesn't matter who plays with Skertel, its always a disaster. Remember all the head clashes with Carra? Or how Agger went from being great with Carra to being average next to Skertel?
I get the felling its the same with Sako and Lovren. He just seems imposible to play with.

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30 Dec 2014 23:47:15
Well said,, I don't think fans hate him. I just don't think he's that good of a defender mate. You make great points all of the good side if Skirts. But you forgot the problems.
He's easily bullied off the ball, prone to a mistake or two, and basically he's not the leader we so desperately need. But I will agree on you with all your points, Allen, Lovren, Balo. They're all no better

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Skrtel is a brave defender but his errors and faults are just too much for those brave qualities to overome and that is the reality. Another reality? Skrtel got benched for a 35yr old, semi-retired Jaime Carragher in the final months of 12/13 season due to poor perfs. Case closed!

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A little stat I saw might explain this: Skrtel has the record for most number of own-goals given in a PL season history. Some maybe not his fault, but most of the time, it is his fault.

He is a little silly sometimes isn't he?

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{Ed001's Note - Skrtel is an awful defender, he has no idea about positioning, he can't work with the players around him as he just does his thing, he lacks pace, he is not particularly good at heading the ball defensively (though excellent at attacking the ball in the other box), he is weak despite looking hard and gets bullied by anyone who actually has physical strength. That is not to mention his rash challenges, his all in wrestling in the box, his poor attitude trying to force a move from the club as soon as someone showed interest and waved money under his nose.

He doesn't deserve abuse, but he is simply just not good enough and deserves criticism.}

30 Dec 2014 16:21:51
Eds fellow reds,, watched the game last night thought we were better going forward, and still shakey at the back .the one thing I did pick up on last night is how many of our players can only play with one foot . Sakho, can .lucas, hendo, all struggle with this and that's one reason why we get cought in possession .but not as bad as mignelot he can't use either foot .

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As a general question when you have 'two left feet' you are clueless and unable to trap wind, yet having one decent left foot is known as ' cultured', but a good right foot is never described as cultured.

Think I need a lie down.

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30 Dec 2014 18:27:40
Marshy, that was funny. I guess for a ' cultured' player ; having 'two left feet' will be a good thing.

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30 Dec 2014 15:51:10
Any update on Sturridge injury?

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{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

30 Dec 2014 18:16:44
Indian Red , we expect him to be back by end of January

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30 Dec 2014 14:51:07
Eds

Just seen the transfer ban against Barcelona has been upheld.

What impact do you think this will have on the European transfers?

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{Ed002's Note - It will make absolutely no difference at all.}

If they would have imposed it 6 months ago it could have make a big impact on LFC's 2014-2015 season, though.

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Great point that fanobip.

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30 Dec 2014 14:35:10
Ed001/02

We have had posts about Our fave Ed on this site but i'd like to know who you fave posters are. Ones that are controvercial like Waro, Ozone, Ones that have huge opinions and stick to those beliefs no matter how much criticism EMS, Funny/Annoying - Harry, Ones that constantly ask about transfers - Dezyboy.

So eds who is your fave poster ?

Cheers all.

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{Ed002's Note - You are my favourite.}

30 Dec 2014 14:44:27
I thought it would be Harry ed.

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I thought I would be Ed, I have that impact on people :)

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Not cool man. Harry will be very disappointed. Liam must have been a close contender too.

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I've a lot of time for waro. harry makes interesting points as well. i'd say one of them.

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30 Dec 2014 22:35:48
Its like asking the Eds who their favourite child is.
It would not be right:)
I like this site because no matter what the opinion is or whether I agree or disagree.
It is nice to know that other people are as passionate about Liverpool as I am.
We all want the same thing.
Well Ed002 probably not so much.

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{Ed002's Note - The younger one. I am scared of the other one.}

Want to reconsider ed? I still have those photos!

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30 Dec 2014 14:25:25
Hi Eds, do we still hold any interest in Juan Iturbe? I know he only moved to Roma in the summer but as he's only played half a dozen times I hear he's unsettled. Thanks.

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{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has never had any interest in him.}

30 Dec 2014 13:53:04
Instead of moaning about how poor Gerrard has been, let's consider that he is 34 years old, nearing the end of his career and just enjoy what we can of him, because as soon as he retires that's another legend gone. He will never play for Liverpool again. I guarantee that when he does retire the moment we hit a bad patch, a lot will be calling for him to come out of retirement (as they do).

Red Rum

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And another thing, I don't know about you but I'd hate to see Gerrard in City colours, performing as well as Lampard has done since he was deemed not good enough for Chelsea. Played in his best position I feel Gerrard still has something to offer.

Red Rum

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{Ed002's Note - There has never been a suggestion that Lampard was "not good enough" for Chelsea.}

I agree but I still want the best team on the field and so should he. I still love him being involved but we have been shocking most of the season and he has barely been dropped despite being 34 years old like you said. He should be doing what lamps is doing for city.

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We all love Stevie G just wish he and Rogers would agree the frank lampard role suit the team better as its about the team nobody else

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What makes people think Stevie would suddenly become and play like Lampard? Lampard has always played the same, he's like the third all time EPL goal scorer. Gerrard hasn't been that player since Torres left.

People want to remember Gerrard as a great, so they should. I'd be happy if we turn things around, finish top four and win a cup, then Gerrard can retire cause if he continues to drop at the speed he has done and carry on another season most will remember him as average.

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30 Dec 2014 16:57:26
EmreCanDo true fans will never remember Stevie G as average as he will be remembered as the best Liverpool player in the BPL era.

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30 Dec 2014 23:57:27
Gerrards better than Lampard. Always has been

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He is the greatest LFC player I have ever watched and always be in my heart, PERIOD! However, that should not cloud the evidence b4 my eyes which states that he is past it and the end is near, as hard as that sounds. The end is near for him as an everyday starter. For every great athlete (Ali, Zidane, Pele and the like), the end is always hard to accept because your whole life you have never backed down from a battle. For SG I`m afraid the time is nearly here for us to ove on from him and for him to move on from us either by accepting a minimal role (like Gigs and Scholes at UTD) or elsewhere if he still wants to play.

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30 Dec 2014 13:20:45
Thought the team played so much more like we've been hoping for all season last night. I thought pretty much everyone had a good game, especially the likes of Cout, Lallana, Hendo & Lucas.

I just wondered on how you guys felt Manquillo played? i haven't seen him mentioned once since the game but i think he deserves more credit than he got for yesterday's performance, i've noticed his touch and overall link-up play is looking a lot better.

Also for the Leicester game, With Gerrard an option again and with Skrtel and potentially Sterling banned, who would you choose to play?

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Sterling can only be banned if the officials say they didn't see the incident in their match report. Since the linesman was so close he nearly got slapped with the follow through I doubt they will say it wasn't seen. They made a mistake and it looks like sterling has been very lucky.

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Both full backs played very well both deserve to keep there place if you ask me

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Les82 did that Massadio Haidara challenge not change anything then? I seem to remember a certain Ben Thatcher decision being changed too.

Personally I think Sterling was lucky (fernandez, I think) was honest.

I think the FA changed the rules so they could take retrospective action if they wished. Regardless if the officials saw it.

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Manquilio was rarely noticeable during the game and as a defender, that is generally a good sign (if you win and don't concede.)

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I thought Manquillo did alright last night.
Overall I think he has been like Arbeloa in that he is a steady eddy and more often than not you get a 7 out of ten from him.
I would be happy from what I have seen of him to let Johnson go, sign Manquillo and have Wisdom, Flanno and Manquillo as the Rb's.

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If I could pay GJ off and release us of the shambolic defender, I would. Wisdom, manquillo and Flanno should battle it out for the RB position, IMO.

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30 Dec 2014 13:20:42
been an avid reader for a couple of years now and finally signed up
gotta ask who do people think ( not want )will leave and come in if any this jan and that includes rogers

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Dude, if you have been reading for long, you will know where to find the answers.

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30 Dec 2014 12:51:39
1st January 2015

Liverpool v Leicester
Start of Transfer window

Ed002 thoughts - Please let Liverpool win 5-0 and sign a world class GK, CB and Striker otherwise there will be too much stuff for one day.

Take the day off mate lol.

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{Ed002's Note - I have given my thought about the transfers. It will be 5-1 not 5-0.}

30 Dec 2014 12:57:41
It seems BR wants to play this new 3-4-3 formation but doesn't seem to want to play Gerrard and Lucas in the middle, perhaps he thinks Lucas is a safe pair of hands and better defensively. Do you think he is on the way out and who do you think could replace him? I like the look of Schneiderlin, he wanted out in the summer.

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Everytime Lucas and Gerrard have played next to each other we have looked awful. Gerrard to be used as an impact player. Lucas seems to be finding form of old so keep him there and let it happen. If we were to spend 25 mil on schneidelin BR will use him as a wing back or a striker.

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Schneiderlin for me too, but I'd also like to keep Lucas. Allen is one midfielder we should be looking to move on.

Red Rum

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According to Ed1, Schneiderlein is NOT a DM. At Southampton, he plays ahead of Wanyaa who is a true DM.

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30 Dec 2014 12:52:46
Good game last night and a few good positives for us all take from it. For me, Can was magnificent and reminded me a lot of Souness in his heyday, very good on the ball, strong and aggresive, and he managed to get his own back after the elbow in the face from shelvey, very impressed!
I am still getting up to speed with the site and some of the new posters who frequent it. I noticed a response from redohio to one of my posts and would just like to say that his response was very considered, honest and on most points i agreed with him. Clearly a very strong supporter, please accept my apologies if any way my initial response displeased you. We all have views and i respect yours sir. Happy new year to everyone !

Ps Ed002 humour just cracks me up, and i remember when he was a woman too, and Ed001 offers real sanity in this crazy supporters world we live in. Top top site

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Welcome to the site from one newbie to another. Much the same as you I visit this site often but only recently officially joined so I could contribute to the debate!

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{Ed001's Note - Tel is far from a noob, the 1949 is the date he signed up for the site......}

Never been called a Noob before ed001. . is it newspeak ? Ps. anyone can guess what my picture is, they can have a lollipop !

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{Ed002's Note - I suspect it was a typo Tel.}

Mount Ai-Petry, Crimea

I claim my lollipop!

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What's a *noob without its pair.

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30 Dec 2014 20:17:56
Ed002's home?
Harry and Suarez's Love Nest?
Where Enrique goes for his holidays during international breaks?

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30 Dec 2014 20:18:32
It means the same as newbie. Need to get down with the kids Ed002 and tel.

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{Ed002's Note - There is a court order stopping me getting down with the kids.}

Tel, I am heartened by your post. Please, do not apologize because you have nothing to apologize for. You have your views and I have mine and that is the beauty of a healthy debate. It breeds mutual respect which is what I have for you. Looking forward to doing some fun banter with you in the New Year. Happy New Year, bro!

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30 Dec 2014 12:46:46
Absolutely fantastic much better déjà by to last season the is an excellent platform now build on this the passing was tidy the pressing was impressive and the attack was well planned. We still need to get Czech and a striker I know the owners will hate hearing this but if Sturridge remains injured we are weak. I do wish all of you and the eds especially ed001 and Ed002 a Happy New Year(party)

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30 Dec 2014 12:10:04
Some interesting posts considering Rodgers. Ems I believe you will forgive him if he manages top 4.
It was a good performance last night but regardless that does not change the performances and selections for half a season. Even if we make top 4, the targets at the start of the season have been ablitorated. The problems last week are still going to be the problems next week. I hope we do make top 4 and I will be headed over to Liverpool to watch a few games in the new year but make no mistake, we have been managed appallingly. I support only the club in the long term, not Rodgers. I'm not blindsided like many over one performance

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I'd argue its the last few games not just last nights performance though you are correct to reserve judgement just yet. Rodger's has his short comings but if it gets results (much like a certain Uraguain) and is good for the long term future of the club I'd take it. It's not a popularity contest at the end of the day.

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To achieve top 4 BR will have to average 2.5 points a game going by previous 4th place points tallys(roughly) He can afford to lose 3 games and no draws. Given the spending, promises, sales, and extremely poor management in a multitude of situations. I very much doubt he will be getting anything other than the p45 at the end of the season, if he makes it that long.

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Look if we get top 4 and win a cup he will stay I think !!
And he deserves to if he realises
1. The pressing game is best suited to our team
2. Agrees to take help in the defensive side of things and transfer side of things

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30 Dec 2014 11:30:36
eds, quick question, skyrtle is banned for next game due to stupid booking last night. who will partner sakho against leicester? i ask as i am led to believe lovren is injured. please correct me if i'm wrong on this. thanks

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{Ed002's Note - I am planning on playing Toure there.}

I actually thought he was injured as well, that is why i hadnt mentioned him. thanks anyway

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{Ed002's Note - Kolo Toure is in fine fettle.}

Kolo the wall??

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Maybe a petty comment here but I actually thought this was a wise decision by Skrtel. They countered, we were exposed at the back and if the guy passes him he can run all the way on the sideline, give a decent cross and against our defence is a very high probablity to be a goal in a bad timing (just after we scored the first). Sometimes you have to take one for the team.

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30 Dec 2014 14:20:55
spot on. This we need to do more when being countered. We are too honest.

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30 Dec 2014 10:41:24
Ed001 can I get your opinion on Sakho?

Quite a few silly flicks and passes last night but I like seeing him actually pass forward from defence, looks a bit lost when marking but that's a running theme with whoever we put in the defence

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{Ed001's Note - he is quick and strong but the most worrying thing for me is his heading. It is utterly woeful. He just shuts his eyes and hopes it goes in the general direction he wants. Sometimes I wonder if he is heading the ball or it is just hitting him and pinging off. I would like to see him work on that side of the game, as it really needs to be improved if he is to have a long term future in the English Prem. He does look clumsy with the ball at his feet, but he is not as bad as he looks, though he is never going to be a ball playing centre half like Agger.

I would say that putting him alongside a ball player like Can is the best way to use him, he needs someone like that to force opposing attackers to drop back and give him time and space on the ball. They can afford to press him alongside Skrtel, as they know that giving him the option to play it across still leaves us in trouble, as Skrtel is not that good on the ball either. Put a ball playing centre half in there and it becomes more difficult for them to press as the ball player can make use of the space left behind the press.

As a partner for Skrtel, I would not be happy with Sakho, it is either/or for me of those two, and I would take him over Skrtel. He offers more pace and more power to make up for the rash decisions the two of them are prone to and the lapses in concentration. For me though, he is not the ideal defender for our way of playing.}

Thanks for the reply ed, still don't know why we shipped agger out

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{Ed001's Note - Rodgers didn't rate him.}

Throw lovren in the mix ed??

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{Ed001's Note - the pair both speak French, so it made sense to put them together. In fact I was told that was one of the reasons behind the arrival of Lovren in the first place, which I agreed was a good idea.}

Agger was also injury prone unfortunately as good a cb as he was.

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Agree ed communication is huge when playing center half

Does Skrtel speak his own language as i'm yet to see him have a understanding with anybody

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30 Dec 2014 16:35:21
He looks like bambi in ice but Sakho actually plays some really effective forward passes. I think with a better keeper behind and partner to the right of him, he could have a long term future in our defence. I'd quite like to see him and Can paired together. What do you guys think?

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Head what you see, see what you head. That is the fundamentals of heading a ball and if Sahko doesn`t have these, then God help us. Seriously, I`m a big fan of his and in spite of his seeming awkwardness, he is a very good CB. Deaschamps (French coach) knows a thing or two about CB`s because he played with one of the best CB pairings in WC history in Laurent Blanc-Marcel Desailly and if Sahko is not only first choice (keeping Mangala and Koscielny out of the team) but captain along with Lloris then I`m good with that even though he still needs improvement in areas and adapt quicker to the PL game.

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30 Dec 2014 10:51:43
I saw enough last night to confirm my assumption that Can should be used as our DM, some will still argue how good Lucas is but I don't believe he is good enough
I said a long time ago that Gerrard should be used sparingly and only in an advanced midfield role, we've still to see if this will happen or if Brendan still believes he can turn him into a DM
I would still be looking to replace Skrtel
I said last season that we should go after Berahino, what a shame we didn't do it then when we could have got him for under 10 million. The asking price is now too high especially with him having a particularly poor attitude, however he does have the tools to be a very good striker.
On another note my nephew has just signed for Redditch United in the Evo Southern league prem, he's only 19 and was physically a late developer fingers crossed he can impress at that level as his words to me yesterday were "I've just made my first step to Anfield"

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{Ed002's Note - Good luck to your nephew Chris.}

30 Dec 2014 11:43:28
I don't really feel like Can's positioning and defensive play has been tested enough at CB to really make a determination that he'll be okay in a defensive role for the medium term. I'm okay with him there at the moment because we need two CBs who are decent on the ball when we're playing with three. Long term though, I honestly think that either CB or DM would be a waste of his ability. I think he has the capacity to hurt teams by breaking from midfield and the job of protecting the defense and taking the ball off them and moving it forward could be done by someone who's not capable of being a threat in the top third, like Lucas, or whoever we end up spending £12m on to do the same job as Lucas when he leaves.

I agree with you about Gerrard moving to an attacking role. I'd say he's good enough to be used more than 'sparingly', but he faces a lot of competition from Coutinho & Lallana, and will face more from Sterling when Sturridge comes back into the team.

Also agree that Skrtel should be offloaded.

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Something Red
I agree, I actually mean Can as a DM in the short term I see him more box to box when we get a genuine DM

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Chris and somethingred could he be a patrik viera type player

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30 Dec 2014 10:06:45
Does anyone think that Can will be moved into the centre of the defence, with Sakho and Skrtel/lovers either side of him. Can will then play the Gerrard role from last year and act as a defensive midfielder, giving us a back 4 but with the ability to change to a back 5 when we are under pressure etc.

I genuinely think the squad we have is good but just need that little bit extra is some locations, more noticeably gk, cb and attack.

Mignolet has to be benched and a top keeper needs to come in. Cech is available and still has another 4 years in him. I don't see chelsea standing in his way due to the loyal service he has given them over the last decade.

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30 Dec 2014 09:57:15
Coutinho is far better when playing from the sides than through the middle. He's so much more effective there last night he was magical playing from the left and right of the three his best 6 months for us were also when he played from the left when he first joined. Lallana is a beautiful footballer I don't care that we didn't need him it's an absolute pleasure to watch him play. Credit to BR were playing good football and getting results personally if we play like that to the end of the season and he gets sacked I won't be happy at all.

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I think he, together with Lallana was on a free roam role, they just interchange between each other, with Sterling staying more to the middle, although still interchanging between the 3.

Coutinho is better when we have movement and pace. We have that now with Lallana and Sterling. He had that last season with Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling.

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30 Dec 2014 11:06:51
Lallana understandably won plaudits and man of the match, but I thought Coutinho was the outstanding player on the pitch last night. He seems to go through phases of brilliance and mediocrity, but when he's on it he is one of the top creative players in the game. Long may his good form continue. Looking forward immensely to seeing Daniel Sturridge back too. Come on you red men.

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30 Dec 2014 09:52:37
Found some real positives in last night's game and was actually against a decent side as well as previously Burnley and Bournemouth had been tests for us.
Can't believe people are still suggesting we sign benzema, or cavani etc. If we bring in th st kind of player what happens to sturridge? Or do we play them both, one slightly out of position and drop sterling, lallana or coutinho?
We don't need a top quality centre forward, we have sturridge who has missed more time than normal through injury and when he returns I think having Lambert, balottelli, borini, sterling, markovic, ojo and ibe on loan should be more than enough for back up without plunging ourselves into huge debts. we only need a big money striker if we sold sturridge due to injuries etc.
Also think it is clear from last night th st although he may have communication issues with skrtel as does everyone, can needs to be in our side as does sakho, both have clear talent and a power we have been missing.
Think it also highlighted the need for a defensive coach and a keeper which should be priority signings in my opinion.

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Sami Hypia is available and would be the perfect defensive coach that we need. He could teach them all to head a ball and read the game, as he did for us so gracefully. He is also a die hard red ! c'mon Brendan give him a call NOW!

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30 Dec 2014 12:18:32
I'm just wondering, at which point will we start considering the possibility that Sturridge may never actually return. Or he returns for a game, and then gets injured again for couple of months, etc. Or he never returns to the same level.
He is a glass cannon, and it is worrying.

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30 Dec 2014 12:48:25
Would love big Sami to return to the club but not sure he would take a step back from manager to defensive coach, but if he would I would snap him up in a heart beat

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30 Dec 2014 13:53:30
I feel the same about sturridge, I am concerned he may never return for decent periods, but for now we will just have to stick with him and assess it at the end of the season based on how much he has played

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Used to love hearing kop sing ' oh Sammy Sammy. . .Sammy Sammy Sammy, Sammy Hypia'
What a great player

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We do need a top class centre forward because we cannot rely on sturridge to stay fit. Borini isn't good enough, he just doesn't have the arrogance and instinct of a striker, never makes a real impact. Balotelli is woeful and doesn't fit our fast, high pressing system at all, lambert is just too slow and methodical on the ball.

So really what we still need is to off load them, buy a similar forward to suarez, buy a forward similar to sturridge to cover while he is out and bring back origi, ibe, teixeira and alberto from loan and play the academy kids more, then we are sorted going forward.

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30 Dec 2014 16:24:40
Yes I agree if people leave we may need a forward but there seems to be some opinion on here that we can just sell balotelli, Lambert and borini when at the moment I can't see anyone paying anything half decent for any except possibly borini.
We do not need two more forward, even if we offload all three of them we play with one out and out striker right now and for next season would have sturridge, origi, one new forward, sterling, ojo and ibe, definitely no need for two more even if we did let all three go.
We aren't short on numbers for forwards just possibly a lack of quality

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30 Dec 2014 09:00:20
Well, what a night! I would lay money on Rodgers reading this forum as he seems to have done the three main things that most people continually complain about. And it worked! No Gerrard, playing Manquillo and Moreno, playing Lallana and Can. Whatever, this is a sudden and major change so he's either a devotee of Ed001, or the owners are and have given him a boot up the hoop. That Moreno has a blistering turn of pace and can really motor. Despite Lallana netting twice, the real power in the team last night was Lucas and Henderson - as a pair they ran the middle of the park for viryually the entire game. Maybe the belief Henderson plays better without Gerrard is true - certainly on last nights appearance it seems to be. Sakho had a bit of a wobble, but other than that it was a very very impressive performance.

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This forum is entirely responsible for our upturn in form.

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30 Dec 2014 10:38:57
I'm quite excited too see our defence without skirtle then It really would be what most of this forum want.

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30 Dec 2014 11:04:08
Marioantle - "This forum is entirely responsible for our upturn in form." - Well I don't think it was Rodgers of his own bat.

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{Ed002's Note - My understanding is that the credit rests with his new landlord #WonderDogSparky who he moved in with recently.}

Here's an idea! Why not give the credit to Rodgers? If not him what about Loius Van Gaal? doesn't he play the same way? Maybe Rodgers picked his brain over a glass of wine a few weeks back?

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30 Dec 2014 08:39:14
Ed001

watched the match yesterday mate? Just wanted to ask your opinion on Can at cb and Lallana?

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{Ed001's Note - Can is having the same struggles everyone else does when teamed up with Skrtel, he is struggling to build a partnership. He looks good on the ball, especially when given the chance to bring it out from the back, but he is not meshing well defensively. The defence still looks like a bunch of strangers when under any kind of pressure.

Lallana is an excellent player, skilful, creative and a real focal point for our attack. The most impressive thing about him is his work rate though. If he had real pace, he would be incredible.}

30 Dec 2014 09:04:18
I think Can looked good tonight and on the basis of him struggling with Skrtel it was only the second time together so hopefully Rodgers will let them settle.

As for Lallana him and Coutinho were excellent, two footed and although he lacks real pace he is much quicker in the brain department like top players are so he doesn't suffer

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Lallana has been excellent.

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30 Dec 2014 07:57:16
BR deserves a bit of credit for finally finding a system that works. Sterling, Coutinho and Lallana give us that pace and flair in a more dynamic attack which we don't have when playing Balo or Lambert. Henderson and Lucas held it together nicely in midfield and despite a few shaky moments Sakho and Can have strengthened our defence significantly. If we can bring in a top class striker, a top class defensive midfielder and a top class goalkeeper then I think we could get back to our best.

Red Rum

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As a point of interest, if you brought in those three who would you get rid of?

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Jones, gerrard and borini would go, keep Lucas, lambert and mignolet as backup

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30 Dec 2014 09:59:14
Let Jones and Mignolet go, promote Ward to understudy Cech.

Let Gerrard and Allen go. Promote the likes of Rossiter to plug gaps.

Sell Balotelli (if anyone will buy him).

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30 Dec 2014 07:41:53
Anyone else think Sterling is looking at a ban for the slap.

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A one or two match ban would be fine. Anything more than that would be just unfair. The kid desperately needs a rest anyways and would give Markovic a chance to show his skills as a forward. Sterling should be back for Matchday 21 while either Balo or Markovic play against leicester and Wimbledon.

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Shelvey will also need to be banned for the elbow if that is to happen. You can't ban one and let the other one go.

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Sterling, by all rights, should have been straight red carded and be looking at a 3 match ban.

Though I am finding it amusing that this incident seems to be getting glossed over a little. If it was one Luis Suarez that did it, these forums and others would be in meltdown calling for his sacking. Yet, seeing as Raheem has been anointed the second coming of god by some on the forums, a few are writing it off as him just needing to be rested or frustration that he wasn't playing well. I find that amusing to say the least.

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I don't see how a slap in the face can lead to the same game ban as someone who elbows someone in the face!
I would be happy to see a sliding scale for these incidents.
Ban both of them if the rules are there but how can slapping someone in the face warrant the same punishment as a deliberate elbow.
I think a 3 game ban for Jonjo and 1 game ban for Sterling is fair.

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I can't see either getting a ban as the officials clearly saw both incidents. There's no way they will say the didn't see what happened, the sterling slap was about 40 cm from the linesmans face.

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30 Dec 2014 10:59:05
Plus Sterling was provoked as the Swansea player gave him a clip round the ear. Agree with Les

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30 Dec 2014 07:25:06
I'm not to excited atall with this 25m link to Berahino, I've watched him a lot this season and he's just not good enough.
He's a good finisher but he has trouble beating his man and is not what we need specially with Origi coming.

It's obvious we need a striker of quality who works his arse off, Levezzi has stated he's not happy and would suit our style to a tee. Would be cheeper aswell.

I'd rather we go for Dybala, I know wishful thinking!
You can tell this guy is going to be world class and very soon would love to see him at Liverpool.

Thoughts?

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I would rather pay 25 million for Lacazette than Berahino or Dybala. Berahino is not prolific while Dybala plays in a physically slow and weak league. Lacazette meanwhile is scoring at more than one goal a game in a more competitive league and is the best fit of the 3 for partnering Sterling/Sturridge.

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30 Dec 2014 09:52:08
If we buy dybala now in 3 years he will be the best striker in the world imo.

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Dybala is in a different league the guy is class, you can just tell with some players that there going to be world class.
If u actually watch him his game is similar to aguero, beats men with ease and his powerful finishing is just awesome, like the above poster said 2/3 years he's gunna be the next big striker.

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30 Dec 2014 06:58:22
What I liked most about last night was the solidarity of our midfield. You can't have players in every position that shine in an attacking sense, you need players to just do there job and allow others to shine. Lucas and hendo provided us with an excellent platform. Lucas being understated and good positionally and hendo being everything he was last season. The number of times he broke play up in there half to pile pressure back on them was awesome. Take away his assist and I thought he and lucas were fantastic, you add his assists in to the mix and that's why he was wearing the armband yesterday and deservedly. It wasn't really mentioned because of Lallana's goals but it was a complete performance for me as our new skipper.
Lucas wanting to leave is starting to worry me in terms of how the team will play without him. I know Can is class and maybe he would form a good partnership with Hendo in central midfield but he also likes to drive forward which removes the disciplined holding midfielder from that set up we had yesterday. That DM allows hendo to roam about pressing and getting involved in assists, it may seem strange but there is almost more freedom to attack from the position he played last night because we have 2 players available to cover in manquillo and lucas. Technical over analysis maybe but i'm trying to see the shape of the team for the next half of the season.
Finally up front, sterling was getting pelter's for how he played but I would add a word of caution for people who think Sturridge goes straight into that team and we play better. Sterling tried to play a number nine role and lead the line, he tried to stay strong and come to meet balls and lay them off which he managed on occasions. He did a team role and not surprisingly he wasn't quite up to it in terms of hold up play. You put Sturridge into that team and he's not going to lead the line in that way, he will drop out wide looking for space and looking to run the defence. You also then have to ask who sits out if/when sturridge returns. Lallana is class - should be starting, coutinho is class - should be starting, sterling is class (although not in a number nine role) - should be starting. Sturridge surly must play for his goals and would expect to start.
Soooo what do you do. Play a 3-3-4 and drop manquillo?
It will be interesting.

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30 Dec 2014 06:43:45
If it's true that Rogers wants to spend 20mil on berahino he needs to give his head a wobble

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Prices for these players who have done nothing atall is getting silly now, just because the market for top players is huge doesn't mean clubs should expect 25m for a nobody who runs fast.

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30 Dec 2014 05:00:50
I have avoided posting for the first half of this season, mainly because I didn't want to jump the gun and criticise anyone unfairly.
I like to get behind the team and the manager. I have desperately been trying to do that since the season kicked off.
I have read through posts and tend to agree with the majority on this site. IMHO managing LFC has gone to Brenda's head. First he dumps his wife for a younger upgrade, whitens his teeth and starts dressing in designer labels. Now he seems to think that he can do no wrong. His team selection and set up has at times been woeful this season. I look at the players we have, and I can see a top 4 challenge. I look at how they are set up and their body language and I see top 8! This is a coaching and management issue. Why not play Sakho and Lovren together? Why the fear of dropping Skrtl or resting Stevie? Outside of his injury, why hasn't Can had more game time? Coutinho has looked lost at times this season, for such a gifted player this is a crime; is it confidence or coaching? I have tried to keep the faith but tbh if the owners decide to move Brenda on, I will not be too sorry.
Last night was a complete turnaround. We actually started to play a bit of football and keep possession! It was fun to watch and I can't say I have had much of that this season. As many others have stated Brenda simply did what most of us have been clamouring for all season. Therefore he doesn't deserve credit, the team do.If he can lose the attitude and this ridiculous stubborn streak then maybe he can save his job and win over the doubters. For the sake of LFC I genuinely hope he can. It is always better to have continuity, than to chop and change management. If he doesn't change then I don't think there will be too much of an outcry if he is moved on at the end of the season. As it stands only time will tell so I will back BR and the team and see where we stand at the end of the season!

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Hats off to u Sir. What a brilliant post!

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What a ridiculous post. We play badly its Brendan's fault, nothing to do with the players. We play well it's nothing to do with Brendan its down to the players. Utter rubbish.

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NRed, when we play badly it is Brendan's fault because he imposes a slow ineffective system of sideways passing that the players are not comfortable with. Unfortunately apart from the last couple of weeks, the team has struggled because of Brendan's stubborness. A top manager would have corrected his mistakes months ago, not midway through the season.

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I would leave personal life aside and try to avoid personal lifestyle analysis. There isn't a necessary correlation between personal life and performance as a manager. I also agree with NRed that as much as BR should be blamed for how awful we were earlier he should credit to performances like yesterday. If we will be able to maintain this I admit I will be impressed, because we did look totally lost, the pressure was huge, he was all but gone for many of us and turning the ship under this pressure is not an easy task. Saying this, it is only one game against a team that played a very open game and was quite poor and we got extremely lucky with two goals. If we finish trophyless and out of the top4 it will be a big dissapointment even if we play better from now on.

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If you are a Rodgers Out fan but don't have the humility to accept that we played well last night then you need to give your head a wobble.
Best performance of the season apart from Spurs.
You can want Rodgers out and still give credit where credit is due.
We have lost 1 match in 10 games.
After getting absolutely slated by everyone (including me) our manager has found a solution to our problems, or at least it seems like he has.
If it's the manager's fault when we lose then it's his fault when we win.
Fair is fair.

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30 Dec 2014 10:15:55
This is ridiculous - Seen so many people wishing for Rodgers to get the sack which makes me think how long have people really supported Liverpool for - Look at the past 5 years 2nd,7th,8th,6th,7th - It was down to Brendans way of playing that he excites us all last year which resulted in us finishing 2nd in the league - Then people are deluded and say it was Suarez so look at his goals for the last 4 seasons with us 31,23,11,4 - So Suarez was made good under Brendan also with him building a system around him - Give the guy time and we shall return!!! Weve lost 2 of our strikers this year which will hurt but we will turn it around and we will return back there - Weve had the worst 6 months and we are 5 points off top 4 - 5 points that's all so now we are starting to gel and DS back we can begin to mount a challenge on the CL spots so everyone get behind the team not be like other teams fans calling for sacking or think we can do better jobs

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NRED- I specifically said I have not posted all season due to avoiding unnecessary criticism of the manager or the team. However why is it ridiculous to say BR is at fault for his tactics and team selection? (looking back throughout this part of the season).
Jonny and cialbray- note I said I genuinely hope BR can turn it round now. I also believe I said I will support the team AND the manager throughout the rest of the season. I hardly think that is jumping on a bandwagon or calling for his head! I standby my comment that on the first half season performance I would not be overly upset if BR is replaced. I also stand by my comment that only time will tell what is going to happen and if he can turn things around for us. This is just my opinion and I am entitled to it!

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Scouse Tommy I didn't say it is ridiculous to blame BR if we play badly, after all he picks the team and the tactics. What I said is it is ridiculous to blame him when we lose but give him no credit when we win. He struggled badly at the start of the season to find a way of playing without Luis and Studge that suited the rest of our players. He has now come up with a formation and style of play that is working and long may it continue. We have played well for the last 6 games or so, with the exception of Burnley, although we haven't always got the wins we have deserved. I genuinely think we have turned a corner and BR deserves credit for that. He is a young and relatively inexperienced manager but I for one think he has the potential to take us back to being a top club competing on a consistent basis, and we haven't been close to that in a long time.

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To be fair Scouse Tommy I am not a million miles from your way of thinking.
I was totally behind the manager at the start of the season.
I first wanted him gone about a month ago and now I am in the "see how the next few games pan out" camp but you have to admit that the manager has obviously been working on the problems and has come up with a solution.
It may only be short term and it may soon be found out.
But at least he is trying things.
We looked more solid with natural wing backs last night I think.
Maybe we just had loads of players who had a lack of form at the same time.
It can happen.
If Balotelli can improve.
If Sturridge comes back and plays the rest of the season.
If Markovic and Lallana continue to improve.
If Lovren returns to any kind of form.
We would not look a bad side if all of the above comes to pass.
Lots of if's but last night was a positive performance.

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30 Dec 2014 04:58:45
At last a convincing win from the lads. I think Coutinho and Lallana were outstanding in the game and are must starters for the future games. However, Sterling for me should not be used as a lone striker because he can't cope with more than one defender and loses too many balls.

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It will be interesting to see what BR does when Studge is back. The current formation is working well but can he tweak it to get Sturridge, Raheem, Lallana and Coutinho all in the starting IX and still manage to keep a solid defence? We have the players for a 4-2-3-1 formation as used so well by Chelsea? Those 4 up front would give opposition defences nightmares.

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30 Dec 2014 09:11:27
NRed, it's a 4-2-3-1 we've played unsuccessfully all season,
For me, 4-4-2 diamond or Stick with the 3-4-3, drop Sturridge in, and Sterling can play in the attacking role or behind the striker, with one of Lallana/Coutinho/Henderson coming out or filling in for him.

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Welsh boy it's about playing the right players in any formation. I would like to see Sturridge, Sterling, Lallana and Coutinho all play in the same team which they haven't done yet. you could accommodate them in the diamond but this would leave our defence very exposed as it was last season. Playing 4-2-3-1 with Studge upfront supported by Raheem, Lallana and Coutinho in a fluid attacking formation with provide us with a massive threat and plenty of goals. We could do this and still protect our back 4 by plaing Hendo with either Can or Lucas as the more defensive midfielders, much like Chelsea do with Matic and Mikel or Ramires.

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30 Dec 2014 03:22:35
Great win, finally!!!! I noticed we haven't played the ball out from the back so much, which I think was a source of unnecessary pressure on the keeper and the cb's all season so far. They obviously feel uncomfortable playing like that. Emre Can made a huge difference, his composure and calmness what our defense needed, and he's not even necessarily a cb. Coutinho was brilliant, along with Hendo and Lallana! Also glad Moreno scored again! Promising end of this year, let's hope comes 2015 we can climb up on that table!!!

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30 Dec 2014 03:04:05
Tonight showed many positives as Rodgers seems to have reverted back to the pressing style that we played last season Swansea were chased the whole 90 minutes which is what I like to see. But we do need a another striker hopefully it is Sturridge or origi that will take over because sterling isn't fit for that position Fernandez muscled him off ever touch he got as for stand out performers Lallana obviously was master class proving his worth every match and Emre can is a must start next game he brings calmness and stability in the back three he was my motm tbh.

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Can for me is wasted at CB because this guy is a fighter and his best place is DM and will become a hell of a player in the future but BR should play him regularly.

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30 Dec 2014 06:40:35
Not sure how Can is wasted at CB - the team needs a composed ball player in there and, as we've seen over the last few games, he can give us that.

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30 Dec 2014 02:01:14
Hi Ed001,

I saw your post that Lovren was brought in as a left sided centre back. Is it only me who think we should've dropped Skrtel and play Lovren at right centre back with Sakho at left centre back? He is two footed, isn't he? Honestly, I would like us to give this partnership a try. What do you think Ed001?

Thanks

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{Ed001's Note - I would have done that, he was brought to cover both positions, for me it would have been Skrtel out.}

Another mistake by Skrtel Ed001. How many goals is he going to cost us before Brendan dumps him? He never marks the opposition CF instead opting to stand with his hands behind his back in no man's land. His poor positioning and lack of awareness is hurting the club. let's just hope the club sells him in the summer with only a year left on his contract rather than give him a new one. Would rather see Ilori get a chance to challenge Lovren and Sakho for a first team spot.

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{Ed001's Note - I would like to see what Ilori could do as well. Skrtel is a major weakness in my opinion.}

Indian buzzer ed01 agree totally. Skretel again, pointing, telling someone what to do and stands, going from foot to foot and does nothing!!, I would try lovren in the centre he doesn't look comfortable out in the full back zones, or, if he can do the right side can in the centre to dictate things, he looks a player. Where does this leave sg? Bench impact sub like lampard at city.

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29 Dec 2014 23:58:04
"( If we beat Swansea then i shall don a pink tutu and change my name to Daisy )

sivy1001"

________________________________________

Make sure you post a picture to the Liverpool Sightings page mate ;)

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30 Dec 2014 00:12:50
When I saw the team. I thought, that's more like it !

Lucas, Can, Lallana and Coutinho.

Plus Sterling etc.

As I have said on numerous occasions.

We have the players.

I don't like the coach.

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29 Dec 2014 23:45:27
Nice to see a few goals tonight. I thought Fernandez did well against Sterling. For a big guy, he is mobile and if he wasn't so honest Sterling could have seen red. Lallana best on the pitch, Coutinho not far behind. I was wondering who would make way if Gerrard was to come on? Hendo centrally was much better, has been lost out wide. Glad to see Lucas' terrible passing from the Burnley game didn't resurface.
I know it may seem a bit old fashioned, but as a youngster I was taught the "hard 5" rule. After scoring, a team works very hard behind the ball for 5 minutes. Stats show you're more likely to concede just after scoring, than you are to score again yourself. It's something I still use as a coach, particularly if you've scored against the run of play or it's a tight game. There are times I'll urge the team on if the opposition looks flat, but generally I like to protect what I have for a "hard 5".

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30 Dec 2014 09:56:33
Have to say the pressing the players done last night was very impressive reminded me of the arsenal game at anfield in Feb so for commitment the players were faultless.

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29 Dec 2014 23:40:42
Delighted for all the BR haters haha

Great win 2nite from the lads, people have to give Rogers some credit having the balls to changing the formation around to get us creating chances and scoring goals. We only have to look at the stats of the last 5 matches. It's working for us. Keep the fate people :) YNWA

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Im willing to give him the credit, but he needs to return and maintain this, and not revert it back anytime soon.

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29 Dec 2014 23:35:25
Very pleasing to watch! Okay we had 21 shots and only scored 2 proper goals, but they were both excellent! If coutinho and sterling improved their end product it could be the start of something excellent! Sturridge should slot straight into that formation! Can was so much easier to watch than the other centre halves in previous games many less heart attacks! I think I'd like to see markovic instead of manquillo at leicester, offers more in attack! But hopefully, good things to come!

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