Liverpool Banter Archive October 31 2016

31 Oct 2016 19:33:49
Correct me if I'm wrong but when has Coutinho said he wants to go? Barcelona or Psg may well come in with bids but why does anyone think he will automatically leave? FSG must make sure he is rewarded to stop the trail of top players leaving a large Torres, Suarez and Sterling. If we don't get Champions League next season I could maybe understand it. If we do, just maybe he will want to stay at a club where he is happy and appreciated under one of the best Managers operating in Europe at the moment.

It seems like people are wishing him away and it could become a self-fulfilling profesy. Also, those who think Klopp can just go out and sign someone to replace him are deluded. If it was that easy, why don't Barcelona and PSG just go out and sign them for a lot less money than Coutinho would cost.

31 Oct 2016 19:51:17
It's because Coutinho has told other players in the Brazil side that he would like a move to Barcelona or maybe PSG.

Also his agent is one who likes to do deals.

I don't worry too much though because Klopp does have the ability to bring in new talent and with Champions League football on offer he will get the backing to bring in players who will complement the team.

We are not going to fall apart if Coutinho goes.

Clearly we want our best players to want to stay and play but if they or their agents want to negotiate a transfer then we get the best deal we can and we move on.

Klopp is building a red machine and he will be successful with or without Coutinho.

31 Oct 2016 20:22:38
Tommy

When are you selling Firmino? You seems very confident we are better without him?

31 Oct 2016 20:59:58
I agree that we don't want to be a selling club and the more successful we are on the pitch the less chance of losing players to offers from other sides.

However getting players from Brazil and other South American countries always seems to carry a risk that teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid will come calling.

Klopp had said we will not be a selling club but if a player really does want a move then whoever it is we should look to move him on as the players have to be committed to the club and if they aren't then let them go.

The trick is to get to the position where we have great players and none of them want to leave because there is no where better for them to go to and under Klopp we might just be able to get to that situation. then we can say we are back on our effing perch!

31 Oct 2016 21:27:00
End of the day he's still a Liverpool player, let's enjoy it.

31 Oct 2016 22:52:36
Not bothered about any speculation on the first team players' future, don't see anything happening in January. I suspect that the biggest factor in any potential transfer is what we achieve this season, he's still young and has plenty of time left in his career, and I also feel he would want to represent us in the Champions League if we made it. All conjecture for now though so I wouldn't pay any attention to the rumours.

01 Nov 2016 00:34:09
The difference now is Jurgen won't let anyone go on the cheap if they jockey for a move away. Win win.

01 Nov 2016 01:40:33
If coutinho leaves that's me done with these owners and I will not like any player again . The point is if the big boys come come in for coutinho he will go for big man because fsg has proven it . People will say he wanted to leave but I don't see coutinho as the money person I see him as a person who what's to win trophies and so why can't we do that. Klopp has manger a club before who sell his best players so I would not be worried if he goes but we should say no . I don't care if he what's to leave. He had a great start of the season 6 goals 8 assist we can't lose that leval of player he is only going to get better.

{Ed001's Note - I take it you weren't a fan when Rush was sold to Juve then?}

01 Nov 2016 03:19:42
I really hope we don't sell and also hope if we get CL he'll still be tempted to stay (particularly given his growing partnership with Firmino) . I also expect if Barcelona come calling he'll jump at the chance (as would most) and unfortunately/ fortunately he's also probably doing enough right now to have raised their attention.

If he does go though, it had better be because he wants to himself rather than for any financial reasons. It'll be hard to replace his ability to do the unexpected (even though I feel with Firmino and Mane around we're better placed than ever to cope) .

01 Nov 2016 12:24:27
No ed only 23 . The first player who broke my heart was Owen . Fowler was next then Torres now I don't have a heart so they can't do that lol.

{Ed001's Note - Liverpool have never been the richest club and always been at risk of losing our biggest stars to those that are richer. Our success was built on being the best team, not the best individual players.}

31 Oct 2016 18:12:22
Ed001, looking like this is Coutinhos last season with us then based on what's been said in here, who would you look to replace him with? surely the void left will be to bigger gap to fill with someone we already have?

Quite depressing really how were doing so well and even if we finish top 4 he is as good as off. 😠.

31 Oct 2016 18:22:28
Or could I be jumping to conclusions?

31 Oct 2016 18:50:34
Ojo 😎.

31 Oct 2016 18:58:37
Cant see us letting Coutinho go in January. If he wants to go in the summer to Barcelona then fine we sell him at a proper price and wish him well. If he wants to go to PSG in the summer we sell him for even more,

if he does not want to continue being part of our club and the red machine that Klopp is building then that is sad but no problem we simply move on.

Klopp will bring in someone else who will fit our style of play and we should not suffer as Klopp knows what he is doing and I suspect we will be in a position to bring in some really exciting talent.

After all there are not too many players that would not relish playing under the lights at Anfield in the Champions League with Klopp in the dugout and the Kop in full voice

YNWA.

31 Oct 2016 19:14:34
If I was Kopp I'd want to keep him. It's the success longer term he should strive for. A proper cycle of success just like we do (or did)
🤔😎🙄 oops.

31 Oct 2016 19:16:35
if we get top 4 or end up challenging for the title I can't see him going anywhere (should i say when), obviously big clubs will be interested in him, it's upto us to keep hold of him unless we have that suitable replacement. Ojo to me is oging to be brilliant, I just hope he recovers from his injury well, there's nobody I want to see more then Ojo get his chance.

31 Oct 2016 21:54:10
If Barcelona make a serious effort to sign Coutinho in the summer, then I think it'll be very hard for us to convince him he's better off here. Imo, we'd have to have won the league to have a chance.

If we finish top 4 but don't win the league and Barcelona come knocking, then we'll either end up selling him, or have a player who wants to be elsewhere if Barcelona don't match our valuation.

31 Oct 2016 23:44:53
If we did sell Coutinho, I'd look at Max Meyer.

01 Nov 2016 01:42:26
Go for Draxler . Should have the money but I would keep coutinho.

01 Nov 2016 06:24:31
Top 4 is not good enough to keep elite players, You need to win league title.

31 Oct 2016 17:01:43
This has been mentioned usually after a game or 2 and so on but never really discussed, Jordan Henderson and his transition from an out and out attacking midfielder to the role of a holding midfielder (within the style of play currently)

He has recovered from his various injuries and fought back hard from a lot of grief here and on and off the pitch to become probably the most important piece of the LFC jigsaw at the moment. I myself have given this guy stick in the past amongst many others but MY GOD! The improvements he has made to his game and his ability to read the game is second to none currently in the premier league. There's plenty of mention about Couthino Mane etc etc regularly but for a player like him at a time in his career when he could have easily taken the soft route and moved for example down south during the summer, to stay work on his game-fitness even his passing and shooting, the difference in him this season is incredible.

Long may it last and you can see that his performances rub off on others on the pitch as well.

Before anyone jumps down my throat and says HEY he's being doing that for the past few seasons etc, NO he has not and was not allowed to play the way he is now and with the freedom he has as well. Some magical performances so far and a lot more to come, long may it last. This man has been a revelation in my mind this season above and beyond any other player in the premier league.

Quick mention in regards to Couts if he does leave either in Jan or the summer,
would it really damage the way we are playing? To me no.
Can we replace him if he does? We don't need to we have plenty of talent in the club.

Just my 2 cents worth, looking forward to Ed001 10 game report when he gets a chance to get it done. 😉

YNWA.

31 Oct 2016 17:50:49
Go for the title, Win it, keep coutinho and add players to built the team we have. We need players and not MONEY:

31 Oct 2016 17:52:24
Pretty sure ed has done the game report, and actually henderson was doing that during the 12/ 13 season when we nearly won it. Its just some people have short memories and jump on the bandwagon when a player starts getting stick. Btw i hold my hands up i did the same with moreno but i never did with hendo as his quality was never in doubt despite his injury years.

{Ed041's Note - I still am amazed how highly ed01 rates Henderson.

31 Oct 2016 18:42:11
Why, do you not rate Hendo, ed041?

{Ed041's Note - not for me mate, hes a headless chicken. I cant see what he does that's 'great'. He's an ok player.

31 Oct 2016 18:55:13
I have to respectfully disagree, ed041. Hendo was an amazing box to box midfielder in our title run that year, he really only needed to add goals and he would have been the complete midfielder. This season under Klopp he's morphed into a different kind of midfielder, and he's doing a fantastic job imo. His dirty work usually goes without any praise and he's become a real leader of this side. He's also got incredibly underrated technique and range of passing.

{Ed041's Note - his dirty work, such as what? stopping you leak goals? Driving you forward against teams that sit deep like Burnley and Utd?
Sorry mate as I said hes not for me. But that is just my opinion and the sites would be bloody boring if everyone agreed.

31 Oct 2016 18:56:43
Apart from his passion, unselfishness, commitment, goal scoring, leading and above all heart I see what you mean Ed41's couts, bobby etc can do what they do because of Hendo.

{Ed041's Note - lmfao!!!! how many goals has he got?
Couts and Firmino can do what they do because of henderson? please explain that because im guessing you mean they dont have to worry about the defensive side because henderson stops that. Well excuse me if i call crap on that as you have conceded a goal every game this season apart from one. Unless that his job?

31 Oct 2016 19:18:36
It would be so so boring if everyone on here agreed. Sometimes it's interesting for the sake of this site to have people throw a different opinion out there every once in a while.

Ed041 do you not agree that we need a hendo type player in the team though? We can't have a team full of the flair and attacking mid type players

Red Sandman.

{Ed041's Note - it depends on what 'type' of player Henderson is for you? If its a defensive CM its not working is it?

31 Oct 2016 19:20:20
I personally love Hendo, for him to come out of his injury and to be playing how he is playing is incredible, and is only going to improve! he's a fantastic player.

Each to their own ed41 mate but as we well know, it's not all about goals mate :)

{Ed041's Note - no its not, but as i have said, what is it he does for you though? if hes not scoring, assisting or stopping the goals.

31 Oct 2016 19:40:59
Just because we've been leaking a goal a game doesn't mean it's Hendo's fault. I mean, could he have stopped Leicester's goal? Crystal Palace from scoring when Lovren miscotrolled the ball? But of course, everyone has their own opinion, or as you said, this site would be boring as hell. By the way, just out of curiosity, what team do you support Ed041?

{Ed041's Note - did i say it was his job? I asked if hes not there to create or score what is his job?
I'm not going to get into who i support as it only invites the knuckle draggers to troll mate.

01 Nov 2016 01:46:14
He's playing as a deep playmaker his job to get the ball up to the frout 3 . Did anyone see the ball agaist place for firmino goal that's his job .

01 Nov 2016 05:03:46
Henderson has been doing well for us this season. Don't let the mancs even if its an Ed wind u guys up. If Hendo's and average player as some think, what does that make Pogba? A donkey?

01 Nov 2016 06:32:11
Lol. Instead of replying to a simple question by Ed041. The posters are beating around the bushes and winding up the man. Henderson is a Fernandinho who is asked to play deeper which is not his natural style of play. Since this team is built on attack philosophy we are certain to concede and leak goals. He is often let down by his partners in the middle mainly one a converted CM and the other an ever learning CM.
That's it Ed041

He is no Kante but a good drinkwater who has no Kante to Partner him.

{Ed001's Note - he is nothing like Drinkwater.}

01 Nov 2016 06:39:09
Hendo is critical to our system at the moment, he is a solid tackler, closes down any lose of possession with a surge forward and high press, is good in the air to prevent sides going the aerial route, and yet he's also able to direct play from the back and create opportunities for the front 5. He's also well complemented by Wiji and Llalana who's high energy approach helps close down the passing lanes when Hendo presses.

Crystal Palace was a great example where every time we lost possession, Hendos pressing often won the ball back quickly and in dangerous areas, and his quick release to the forwards made lots of opportunities for the side.

There may be better defensive midfielders in the league but not many that can do the allround job he does, and that Klopp requires to make the system tick.

31 Oct 2016 19:44:06
Ed041's I can only think your missis is out on her annual meeting with her sisterhood tonight and you have the keyboard to yourself for once!

31 Oct 2016 20:12:16
Most of my friends are with Ed41. As much as I love Henderson, I couldn't or not able to argue much on the points to make them think that theirs are wrong in thinking Henderson is not that good.

My points were always the same. Its the manner of him running around all over the pic, his shouting to his mates, his sidepassings that felt like slowing games a bit but more like making the game and his mates relax and calm a bit for me. My points weren't that strong to convince my mates though. But it's enough for me to feel that this lad is really a leader of the team.

31 Oct 2016 20:51:05
You can't blame Hendo alone for all the goals conceded. He is being paired by two players who cannot defend for their life. One is a converted CM ( Wijnaldum ), The other is an ever learning CM ( Can ) .
Unlike Chelsea who plays 2 specialist in the middle Juergen Klopp loves attacking football and he has even said he don't care the no of goals let in if we could outscore every opposition.
Henderson is a victim of this system who has to do everything on his own, Setting up the attack, Stopping the counter attack and sometimes pressing as well.

Pair him with a world class CM am class you ll see what he could bring to any team.

31 Oct 2016 20:53:53
Ed 041
Hope we can keep debate going on Hendo.
When he signed people slated him but I stuck neck out and said he'd be future captain.

Whilst I agree that he doesn't get as many assists as you would expect from a midfield player and he's definitely not a proper defensive midfielder- I really value the tempo he makes us, and indeed England play at.

He's obviously not Gerrard but he seems to make us play quickly which suits Klopps style and the likes of Firmino, Coutinho and Mane.

I honestly think we are less of a team without him.

{Ed041's Note - thats fair enough pal, like i said its just my opinion

01 Nov 2016 09:28:22
In my opinion the moment Hendo got sent off v man city 2014 season is moment I knew we had blown the league, that's the importance of having Hendo do what he does, but like you say Ed it's just an opinion.

01 Nov 2016 10:24:23
Worth pointing out that most of the goals we're conceding at the moment are either individual errors or set pieces,
Nothing Henderson can do to stop Lucas giving away a pen or stop Lovren horribly slicing that ball, it's also difficult to pin the set pieces on him, so I'd argue that the goals conceded aren't his fault. It's not like midfields have been running through us,
Also worth pointing to his goal of the season contender and his defence splitting pass V palace,
He's playing as the deepest midfielder we have and has still chipped in with goals and assists, personally I think he's terrific.

01 Nov 2016 13:52:53
Typical Hendo bashing that we have become accustomed to. Anything bad happens, blame Hendo. Anything great happens, he gets no credit. This is Lucas Leiva all over again. The guy is having a blinder of a season under Klopp`s new system and is learning a new position and actually excelling at it YET he`s still getting unwarranted stick from many on here. Some things never change, I`m afraid.

01 Nov 2016 17:11:53
When i played footie at school or 5 aside there were always two types of players i wanted on my team. The flashy git that could make and score goals out of nothing and the midfield ball carrier that would anticipate, harry, make vital interceptions and assist. We know which one hendo is, he is not flashy but he sure as hell is effective. Headless chicken i think not, but vital to this teams success in its current incarnation, hell yeah.

{Ed001's Note - I doubt anyone could anticipate Harry.......}

31 Oct 2016 13:34:53
hey Ed001, a quick question if you will. I was out Saturday after the game and after a several drinks too many, bought flights to Malaga to see a friend in Granada (who I haven't told yet) and wondered if you had any info to share on the area? Anything that I should definitely see whilst out there?

{Ed001's Note - Alhambra palace is something to see. Not really sure what kind of things you would like to look at though really, as I have barely seen anything here yet. Just not had a proper chance as we have had family visiting that I haven't been out and about at all. My dad tells me there is a book called Driving Over Lemons by a guy who was in Genesis and it is about this area.}

31 Oct 2016 16:48:16
Try to see the Alhambra at night, much more atmospheric and the visitor numbers are restricted.

Night or day, buy tickets in advance to avoid the queues.

31 Oct 2016 14:14:18
Ok Ed nice once, cheers for that. I will have a look at that book too and might even try and get to a Granada game if they're at home when I am there. much appreciated!

{Ed001's Note - there is something about cave houses he was telling me about as well, but I had glazed over by that point after the lecture about the guy who wrote the book and his full history!}

31 Oct 2016 18:08:25
El Torcal and Mirador del Estrecho are 2 beautiful places I used to visit a few times while living in Málaga. You can check them on Wikipedia and see if they are interesting for you.

01 Nov 2016 19:25:54
You can actually stay in the cave houses in Granada. I did it years ago, certainly different, lovely and cool in summer! They're all over AirBnB these days.

Somewhere else I can't easily get to any more since Ryanair fell out with the airport there!

31 Oct 2016 11:43:03
Was just thinking about Moreno, thought he was a lot better Saturday. The second goal, the pundits said he should have closed him down, but me personally, that is much better than being reckless and charging in. Maybe he could have been 2/ 3 yards closer, but I'd still rather he thinks more than dives in. Also, a cross from there, you'd back lovren and matip to beat MacArthur in the air. Think Moreno can't win with some people, his crossing was also much better, aimed rather than just kicked into the box.

31 Oct 2016 12:04:24
We as a group of fans need to be less knee jerk, me included!

Two recent examples are Lucas and Hendo, both of whom didn't immediately grab the fans support, for different reasons.

However, Lucas for a good few years became one of the first names on the teamsheet (albeit less so in the last couple of years, but age gets to everyone) and in the last 3 years, Hendo has been invaluable to us.

Yes, there will always be a handful of fans who maintain their position, but the majority are open to having their opinions swayed by repeated good performances.

Much as I have been (and to a large extent still am) wary of Moreno being one rash decision away from giving away a goal, I would be delighted if he proved that we don't need another left back. He at least deserves a chance to build on Saturday's performance, which was very good.

31 Oct 2016 12:11:33
The pass to can for the goal was superb. He knew exactly what he was doing. He provides with width unlike Milner who needs to shift to his right side to even attempt a cross. Blaming Moreno for not closing down and then loosing to MacArthur on a simple ball to the box.

Moreno will floursih under a 3-4-3 with an aditional holding mid in the center and 3 at the back. Unfortunately he would caught at the back during counter.

31 Oct 2016 14:49:16
Fence, I agree he was much better on Saturday and he should be applauded for that. But he also needs to do more to be good enough to nail down the left back spot. The fact that Milner is more accomplished in that position even without any pace would personally embarrass me.
His 1st responsibility is to defend and he stI'll struggles with the basics. He needs to narrow the angles much quicker than he does and then compose himself before getting tight so that he is ready to either challenge or react to the opponet. He does it the other way round. he saunters over which gives the attacker the time to set himself and weigh up his options. Moreno then stops or dives in from a few yards away, resulting in a free cross or a foul.
The cross for the 2nd goal was a very good cross. But from that position he should never have been allowed to put in such a hard n flat cross. Simply shifting his body position would have made it impossible. This is the same issue as last year and it shouldn't be.
I'll continue to support him and hope he learns. But my gut thinks he just doesn't seem to think he's capable!
But then again, I'm one of the minority on here who thinks Clyne does a decent job at right back. so what do I know?!

31 Oct 2016 15:57:51
He will flourish in a 3-4-3? Shame we will never play that though.

31 Oct 2016 16:24:08
I think second goal if u look closely it was Lovlen fault.
He was waiting for the ball to come to him then MacArthur interfered and score.
Lovlen should have been quicker to follow the ball instead of waiting the ball to come to him.
I don't think it is Moleno's fault.

01 Nov 2016 01:01:57
Harry if he wants too flourish in a 3-4-3, he will not be doing it here under Klopp. Maybe at Chelsea under Conte. Moreno to me, is still a work in progress because I still saw some headless defending vs Palace and by the way had Milner been fit, Moreno would have been on the bench because Milner is better defensively and more intelligent positional lay. He is also decent defensively as he can cross with both feet even tho, he's predominantly right footed.

01 Nov 2016 06:11:28
Hamiton

Hence he wouldn't cut it at Liverpool. He needs that Luxury of that third CB behind him to cover his back side when he is caught up the pitch.
Milner us just a stop gap for the time being. We need one top class to play in the CL.

31 Oct 2016 07:39:18
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Swansea City Premier League season so far

31 Oct 2016 17:43:53
good review, its no coincidence that Leroy fer plays for them as he has already been relegated with qpr and Norwich! the guy is a magnet for relegation strife, whilst I agree there are 3 worst teams than them I think there chances depend on how well bob Bradley does.