Liverpool Banter Archive July 31 2015

31 Jul 2015 21:28:13
Hey ed's

With Lambert Sealed at West Brom, Good luck to him.

Lucas, Balotelli, Enrique & Borini all left off the tour to Finland. is this goodbye for all of them?

01 Aug 2015 05:11:42
Hopefully not for Lucas but it would not be the end of the world if he was to be loaded off I guess. If we buy Illarramendi we won't need Lucas anymore

01 Aug 2015 06:01:49
Lion red

We won't be buying Illara.

01 Aug 2015 09:11:57
I would say if Balotelli, Borini, Allen, Lucas and Enrique all leave we will see two of Digne, and Kovacic or Illaramendi arrive.

01 Aug 2015 17:04:02
We could call him Lllarramendi

31 Jul 2015 20:55:43
Possible DM trio Allen, Can, Lucas have not travelled to Finland for friendly. Have we a DM in the squad for the game tomorrow? Is BR planning to play some games minus a DM this season? Which roles will Allen, Can, Lucas play on Sunday? Interesting weekend ahead.

01 Aug 2015 01:04:10
I did a breakdown of what I think he's trying to achieve, the ed's posted it on the teams page. Have a read and give me your opinion.

31 Jul 2015 20:43:49
Lambert scored twice for West brom so far this eve lol

{Ed001's Note - I hope it is the first of many for him, he deserved better treatment than he got with us.}

31 Jul 2015 20:52:48
Completely agree ed 100% model professional. We seem to have a reoccurring theme atm of mistreating players.

31 Jul 2015 21:21:26
I think he will score plenty for them he's a very good player that never got the chance to play to his strengths with us.

31 Jul 2015 21:40:23
This has to be a firs:, medical, signing and two goals in the same day. And BR not sure Benteke will be ready for Stoke.

31 Jul 2015 21:42:32
Good luck Rickie.

31 Jul 2015 23:35:44
How comes all these players like Lambert, Borini even Mario, can score for other clubs but not at Liverpool managed by Brendan Rodgers? It's a mystery isn't it

01 Aug 2015 00:52:25
It's a conspiracy

01 Aug 2015 01:42:09
Lambert wasn't really given a chance.

Borini's strike rate over his whole career is less than 1 in 4, so we're hardly missing out on a prolific striker. He scored 10 goals in a season for Sunderland, yes, but about half were penalties and he needed 40 games to amass them.

And Balotelli doesn't apply himself and probably won't score that many goals in a top European League from now on. Reckon he'll be playing in China or the Middle East by the time he's 30.

01 Aug 2015 03:14:00
Even Sherlock would have severe difficulty solving this big mystery

01 Aug 2015 03:46:42
There's a simple reason for most examples. they're actually playing to enable them to score.

Ballo is a different kettle of all together though. Not sure if there's any system developed yet that suits him . many have tried and failed, not just BR

01 Aug 2015 04:27:35
Hi Ed01,

you and Ed02 have mentioned on several occasions that players are mistreated. Promises broken etc.

Exactly who makes these promises and/or talks to player when they are unhappy (i.e. Sakho)?

Thanks in advance!

{Ed001's Note - mostly it is down to the manager. He is the one who has to agree that players will get playing time, then has to decide each week whether or not to pick them.}}

01 Aug 2015 09:45:59
Thanks Ed01.

I've been on here for two years now, and this site is part of around 15 LFC sites I read, mostly for the banter among the fans.

But once every so often, some small bits of info come up. Put together, it paints the picture of a manager overwhelmed by his duties. BR really doesn't seem to have taken a personal 'step up'.

The few forums that have small talk among staff who attend sponsors events with LFC people have a pattern that pre-season last year, BR was rather puffed up with his LMA award. This year, he's more hangdog and has the look of a manager waiting to be sacked.

My question to either Ed01 or Ed02; what's your opinion of why the owners have kept him around?

{Ed002's Note - They took advice which offered up someone else but they decided not to go down that road. It strikes me as a final throw of the dice now - but the owners are continuing to take advice.}

01 Aug 2015 12:43:09
Good post melwood

01 Aug 2015 12:44:12
If it's alright to say here, what are some of the better lfc sites in your opinion?

01 Aug 2015 15:54:28
Thanks Eds02,

A final throw of the dice for BR I can appreciate.

But the numbers are troubling, aren't they? As of end FY2014, the club still had £237M in debt. We are building a new stand that is costing £100M (at least for now), we have spent lavishly on players this season and last.

I have no proof or reference, but as a businessman, I'm guessing the owners are making cash available against future income. I'm hoping that unlike Peter Ridsdale, we are not borrowing money on forecasted success!

@spoonlord: Most of the sites carry generic news, but the gold is in the forums. This site is platinum for me as it is 100% forum.

{Ed002's Note - Actually I understand that it is borrowing against future income that is funding purchases and work on the stadium. The business is still intent on selling naming rights and by now they will know that they could get far more for the rights to the stadium that for individual stands - but they will also know that would be unpopular with the fans. The value of the business will increase based on already secured future income (television rights) but a nervousness will still exist as discussions about a breakaway continue unabated - with the next discussions due August 26/27. Those discussions include a proposal from two clubs to accelerate the process citing the FIFA situation as a reason - my gut feeling is that the proposal will not have the backing to make anything significant happen any quicker. But there are owners out there that know that any breakaway will have an impact on the value of the clubs.}

01 Aug 2015 17:13:04
Well, that's a whole new can of worms then!

So the club is balancing their projections based on secured future income which may take a significant hit if any European elite breakaway league transpires - wonderful.

And as you have mentioned, LFC are no longer even invited to these meetings, having embarrassed themselves repeatedly, there's no guarantee we might even be invited to a new party if it takes off.

For what it's worth, I don't think anything immediate will transpire. Globally, finance markets are so volatile. Over in Europe, there's Greece and its tragedy, here in South East Asia, there is growing panic as China is faltering. The effects on Australia are near ridiculous now. With all the investment China has made in last decade, there's talk of them recouping their money. Oil has slumped and the wallahs at City, Monaco and PSG may not be so comfortable going forward.

So if a new super European league is to take off (God knows they've talked about it for more than ten years now, at least) it will be in planning and perhaps, actions to be taken to lay the groundwork. Other than that, it would be some leap of faith.

{Ed002's Note - It is the nature of the game today. Across Europe overall debt has reduced very significantly, but some clubs continue to spend well beyond their means. in England this can be offset against the future earnings from television income, and, if a club is successful on the pitch, the money that comes with that through winning trophies and through additional sponsorship that always follows. As for other matters, there are too many professional clubs in certain countries with England being a prime example. A restructuring will be needed and when a breakaway eventually comes that will happen. Everyone is aware it is only a matter of time. It is perfectly possible that UEFA and FIFA could not live through such events.}

02 Aug 2015 03:44:57
What a wonderful insight! Thanks again Ed02.

31 Jul 2015 19:50:38
so I wondered yesterday why Benteke (and Firmino) don't go to Helsinky and suggested BR may not start with them against Stoke. I got million disagreements and explenations they would probably play against Swindon. I also said a week ago that BS has this obsession with resting players and also got millions of disagreements.

Now BR says (interview today) they will not play over the weekend and that he has doubts if they will be ready for Stoke, saying they won't be 100 per cent and even if they will not play next week they will feature later.

Really strange, this one, especially Benteke. He didn't have any tournament this summer, trained with villa before moving and from then trained with us. Can't see any reason for him not starting against Stoke.

31 Jul 2015 20:09:29
Maybe Rodgers can use this as an excuse? I'm sure he's preparing the excuses early.

31 Jul 2015 20:19:39
Welcome to the curious case of Brendan Rogers and just watch as his mysteries unfold.

31 Jul 2015 20:26:50
I could see a defeat at Stoke.

31 Jul 2015 20:43:38
Some small irony in the aging Lambert transferring clubs and scoring 2 in a friendly on the same day yet our new youngsters can't apparently play weeks later.

31 Jul 2015 20:48:46
I can see us being in the bottom 3 after 10 games. Hopefully I'm wrong

31 Jul 2015 20:51:24
Guys, when he talks too much you complain, when he leaves things vague you speculate and come up with conspiracy theories. How can he win?

31 Jul 2015 21:36:55
He doesn't have to win, the team has to win. That will be a good start.

31 Jul 2015 22:09:50
Brendan's new tactics !!

31 Jul 2015 22:51:44
Could it be that firmino and benteke are not yet ready in terms of understanding and playing br's tactical systems?
Its a big gamble to leave out a £32m proven pl striker against stoke, because we need to get off to a strong start. Every goal and every point gained are going to be critical to this season and br's future at the club. He has to get this one right. Personally I'm not sure he has.

01 Aug 2015 00:01:48
BR is hopeless. hasn't bought one player we will make a profit on to my knowledge or recoup what we payed if we had to move em out. will know more next 3 weeks but don't hold my breath

01 Aug 2015 00:31:56
We'll be 6 points clear at the top after 10 games.

Brendan "nose" what he's doing!

01 Aug 2015 03:18:10
Yes, Ron! The Nose nose.

01 Aug 2015 04:34:57
If it takes that much time for a professional footballer to figure out how to play 'the system' then perhaps it needs to be changed.

01 Aug 2015 12:12:45
This is all a bit of a red herring for me. Surely if a player is unfit the best way to get him fit is to play him. As for not playing firmy or benteke at stoke is also a red herring, they are both professional ballers who have already a good level of fitness and one who recently played in a south american tournament.

No point in second guessing someone who seemingly does not have a clue, i just hope he pulls himself together and delivers a better season than the last one.

31 Jul 2015 19:15:52
Hi all
New to the site
Here's to a great season

{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed mate.}

31 Jul 2015 17:18:13
If Liverpool were to win the league this season would most people here believe it was in spite of or because of our manager?

In other words can we get behind BR please whilst he is our manager

31 Jul 2015 19:12:48
You're dreaming

31 Jul 2015 19:43:52
This can happened only due to some some strange series of plane crashes of at least three-four other teams. I doubt if BR can organise that.

31 Jul 2015 19:45:44
g1dgo if it happenes Ill walk away from this site and never post again

31 Jul 2015 19:48:22
Please don't try and divide the fans on here. There's enough of that already

31 Jul 2015 20:16:34
Come on the Nose!

31 Jul 2015 20:43:01
Whatever floats your boat Ron.

31 Jul 2015 21:30:26
g1dgo - if we can't discuss things on here where can we? This site is where we air our opinions and vent our frustrations. As soon as those guys cross the white line we'll all be behind them.
In the past two seasons there have been periods where we have looked like world beaters and periods where we have looked like relegation fodder. We've addressed the forward line, and partly addressed the defence. Last season we made mistakes in the transfer market, this season we've done better business, but the squad looks unbalanced we seem to have no end of attacking midfielders. Issues I'm concerned about:
- Integrating the new squad members with the old,
- Our very difficult start to the season - and we've started slowly these last two seasons.
- Giving everyone adequate game time
- Tensions arising in the squad from lack of game time - especially if we have a bad run of results.
- Bringing young players on
- Will we play to Benteke's strengths / will he adapt?
- Sorting out the heart of our defence - finding a centreback combination that works.

On the other hand several players and BR have a lot to prove so the motivation is there - and what better way to go than by hitting the ground running and prove the knockers wrong?

But we better had do so, or I suspect BR will be collecting his P45.

31 Jul 2015 22:12:05
Fanobip out of order.

01 Aug 2015 00:29:29
Lol nice one square tomato.

31 Jul 2015 12:42:20
Rodgers and the club knew what they were getting when they bought Mario Balotelli. His troubles are well documented, it isn't like a stalk dropped him outside Melwood in a basket and blanket. Rodgers and the club took a 'calculated gamble' (their words) on a player with a terrible reputation for disrupting camps wherever he's been. Mario is his own man, he is ultimately in charge of his destiny but he's a idiot, we knew that before he signed for us! For me its those who recruited the idiot that should have the finger pointed at them more so than the idiot himself.

Just my opinion

31 Jul 2015 13:13:42
I don't think Mario had many dicipline issues on or off the pitch and no one suggested he had a negative influence in the dressing room. He was just unbelievably poor on the pitch, way worse than anyone could have predicted based on what he did before coming to us in Milan, in the National team or in City when he played. Part of it may have to do with him unsuitable to our style of play. But still given the minutes he got playing no one could have predicted how poor he would end up. not even his greatest criticques. Still a bit of mystery for me. He was just awful.

{Ed002's Note - That is incorrect.}

31 Jul 2015 13:22:02
In his defense every time he was challenged on the pitch in a harsh way, which ore often than not there were players trying to agitate him, he responded calmly. He had the one incident where the Liverpool fans held him back, (and I think he had good reason to be mad), but other times he had been hit hard and he just got right back up. The truth is I think he's a good player. He held the ball up well; he never really got to play with 2 strikers. You don't spend 16 million on one player and get rid in one season. I'm tired of all this bad egg talks. He's done some things off the pitch, as ed002 mentioned, but was his attitude really that disruptive? How can a player who played maybe half of our games be the reason for an entirely dreadful season?

31 Jul 2015 14:30:23
Anfield.

I am sorry, But Suarez was also a trouble maker thrughout, The fact remains, Given you score goals, everything is fine and perfect. Else no matter how good you are ( lambert ), you are off.
Not a single Red card whole last season for Balo

31 Jul 2015 15:12:36
European glory

Balo got no reds because he never played lol.

31 Jul 2015 15:15:12
Fanobip, are you being serious?

He's a renowned clown who is shabite at football.

He pays too much attention to his hair and social media comments.

And before anyone starts, he hasn't shown any ability in a number of seasons, especially in the EPL.

It's Lambert I feel sorry for in having to wait for his chance while that clown was given game time.

Lambert wouldbhave won us many more games than him given the chance.

31 Jul 2015 15:39:07
Lavers

Well If he has never played, On what ground are you pushing him out?

31 Jul 2015 15:41:45
Lambert got more chances last year then he could have hoped fot. he never came as a first striker. he did very little with minute he got. Re Mario I agree he has a tons of attituded issues but before coming to us he also had a lot of football. We all saw him in City. he did some great things there football wise despite all the issues. for us it was nothing.

31 Jul 2015 16:47:31
Suarez put a shift in for the team every time he played, can you say the same for Balotelli?

31 Jul 2015 17:34:26
I can't really say balotelli didn't put a shift in. Watch the games. He had some poor games but he did usually work hard, especially more than I expected.

31 Jul 2015 19:05:39
Lambert is a better player and would have been more effective than the Italian.

Clubs can purchase the Italian for just double the amount of what Lambert is valued at, but do you see any takers?

No.

Says it all really - seven million and clubs don't want to go near him, and it's not just his personality either, it's because he can't play football and hasn't got the brain to play football.

31 Jul 2015 22:42:40
I have to say, any time I watched mario play he really put a shift in. Genuinely. The only thing is that although he chased a lot of things down and actually, did a lot of "donkey work" he just never made the "smart" runs. Was a bit of a headless chicken,
But he actually did work hard.
Still believe that him and sturridge up front together for a full season would bang in a loada goals.
His best game was his first against Spurs (when he played beside sturridge).

01 Aug 2015 00:12:57
my whole problem you wouldn't eat soup with a fork? so why have strikers scratching there arses when we not scoring goals? we will never know if they would of come good because unfortunately they had some big boots to fill

31 Jul 2015 10:52:19
dont shoot me down for this.

With Sturridge out until september and benteke injury record not the greatest does anyone else think it could be a mistake to let Balotelli go?

Just want your thoughts LFC Fans

{Ed001's Note - it would be far more of a mistake to keep an overpaid troublemaker who doesn't try at the club, in my opinion.}

31 Jul 2015 11:51:54
We have Ings, Origi, Sinclair for the moment and Firmino has played up top for the Brazilian national team, I doubt there'll be a point where all 5 are unavailable and we find ourselves in desperate need of a man we pay £90,000 to every week

31 Jul 2015 12:51:58
Balotelli should go!!! Period!!!

31 Jul 2015 13:16:21
We had him last year when Sturridge got injured. Didn't help us much did it?

31 Jul 2015 13:23:31
Ed001 I think it was a greater mistake signing all the strikers that we did to be honest. Origi and Ings both want game time and I can hardly see them getting it.

31 Jul 2015 14:30:22
Balotelli is a disgrace to professional sport , he was before he came and he dragged the club's reputation through the dirt as most people thought he would .

We will probably have to pay another club to take him just as we did with Joe Cole and Aquilani .

31 Jul 2015 14:34:46
TJRed

dont you know about the injuries that sturridge and benteke pick up throughout the season , don't worry my friend there will be plenty of chances for Ings and Origi to play in games and we have plenty of games coming up , studge comes back in september with having no pre - season so it will take him time to get up to match fitness ,

31 Jul 2015 14:35:14
Where did this thing about Benteke's injury record come from, he played in almost 80% of Villa's league games in the last 3 seasons, that's hardly a terrible record is it???

31 Jul 2015 15:15:08
Given we've got 900 midfielders to play and usually only use one striker, surely one of benteke and sturridge are going to be fit. I'm just saying, one of them was not needed.

31 Jul 2015 15:16:28
Ings is more than adequate as back up.

31 Jul 2015 17:35:55
Ings is a lot better than many on here give him credit for. I think he'll get his fair share of game time this season.

31 Jul 2015 17:49:14
All red was about to write a post and got his period oops. fitting name too.

Did I go to far lol

31 Jul 2015 18:18:29
No I don't think it would be a mistake

31 Jul 2015 09:19:10
Rumours in some papers that we are being linked to Ashley young. Please NO!!!

31 Jul 2015 09:42:51
Well we do need cover in those positions.

31 Jul 2015 10:31:05
Well he would join Muller, Reus and Lacazzate 😄😄

31 Jul 2015 11:14:36
I wouldn't mind him now compared to the previous time we were linked with him , he has shown certain qualities now that makes me believe that he is not a bad player . He has shown that he is willing to listen to instructions, he has shown tactical awareness. And most importantly he has shown willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of the team. But we are already overrun with players and we don't need him at this time .

31 Jul 2015 11:45:25
He has expierence playing wing back, this could be true!

31 Jul 2015 11:50:55
For the last three years. Our buying, selling and loaning has been a joke.

Disastrous.

It reminds me of someone trying to be a chef. He throws every ingredient he can find into the pot. With no thought of blending the right flavours or cooking anything properly.

31 Jul 2015 13:42:03
He`ll be in the stands with Digne, Pedro, Kovacic and Kjaer

31 Jul 2015 07:09:21
Eds I know you keep stating we have an abundance of CBs but are you confident of us having a good campaign top 4 finish with the current CBs.
If so who are your preferred first choice pairing.

{Ed001's Note - no I am not confident because I know Rodgers will play Skrtel as first choice and he is the major issue with our defence. For me it should Sakho and Ilori.}

31 Jul 2015 07:54:34
I love the excitement towards llori, Who has not kicked a ball in the league. It would be a massive pressure on the lad to delive from the word go.
Such shame, we got tonz of CB and yet none would be a regular starter.

31 Jul 2015 08:10:50
I don't think it would be a pressure situation,quite frankly there's no way he can perform worse than Skrtel. Our defense has been embarrassing for 3 years.

31 Jul 2015 07:53:18
Ed001
When is ilori supposed to be back. I haven't seen him in the squad pics on the official site

{Ed001's Note - he should be back now.}

31 Jul 2015 09:39:10
He was another promised a 'chance' by the Nose and this doesn't seem to have materialised. Was Rodgers one of the very few who thought The Office was a documentary and that David Brent was a 'guru'?

31 Jul 2015 09:42:58
I don't think ilori could be thrown straight into playing, but he definitely needs bringing in over the course of the season so he's ready to go next season.

31 Jul 2015 09:54:18
No one's kicked a ball in the league until they've kicked a ball in the league you can't base him not deserving a chance off the fact he hasn't had a chance it's just rediculous

31 Jul 2015 10:39:34
Shanek

Llori like any youngster should be eased into the first team. It would take time for the kid to feel the heat and intensity of the league.
And certainly not against Stoke to begin with.

31 Jul 2015 11:11:36
Ilori has been back for a while, but he has a small injury and is working his way back to fitness.

31 Jul 2015 12:29:55
What constitutes a youngster in football?!?!?Ilori is 22 and played 30 pro games. Skrtel was only 1 year older when he came and played 14 games in his first season for us,Agger was the same age and played almost a whole season.

31 Jul 2015 14:01:01
Exactly, Shanek and Boba! This idea that a player is too young to play is just rubbish. What people forget is that most the stars and legends of the game all got their chances at 16/17/18yrs old. If the coaches gave the pathetic excuses for them not being played as many do on here, we would NEVER see said legends dazzle us at an early age. Ilory has played many pro games and is 22 as well as on the cusp of the national team in Portugal. If I were him, I`m not going on any more loans because I have nothing to prove anymore so either play me or sell me. He has shown the potential to be a very good player when given a chance to play globally so I ask these fans with their excuses, "At what point do you think he and many others, should get their chances or do you throw up these baseless excuses to absorb BR of any blame in his outright inability and incompetence in this area?" I`ll wait for you to answer that simple question.

31 Jul 2015 15:18:56
European glory is spot on there.

Our fans pile pressure on players to perform and considering his circumstances, it could have a detrimental effect.

31 Jul 2015 18:21:59
EG would have been correct except he is talking about
"Llori" and not Ilori.

Llori would make a good username.