Liverpool Banter Archive February 03 2014

03 Feb 2014 20:54:28
Hi ed I know it doesn't matter now with january being gone but is it true Liverpool tried to sign the young right back from Atletico Madrid? Do you also expect Glenn Johnson to move on in the summer

{Ed002's Note - No and maybe.}

03 Feb 2014 23:02:38
We have wonderful, wonderful strikers, but how good would we be with midfielders and defenderslike either City or Chelsea.
Truly a joy to watch both sets of defenders be comfortable and pass the ball so well, and midfielders who are quick, agile, pass and all defend well, if only either side had our strikers.

Thar was great football tonight, talent and composure from 1 to 11 on both sides, that is premiership soccer at its best

Really? I was bored

03 Feb 2014 21:35:56
What do people think were missing say full backs like say coleman and baines or sstrength like yaya toure?

Roberto Carlos at Left Back. Cafu at right back. And Zidane in the middle

03 Feb 2014 22:54:37
Defensive midfield is the big area for me. We have no real bite without Lucas. Gerrard can tackle, and covers the gaps it in fits and starts, but I have no confidence in his ability to produce it every match. Look at Villa (poor), Everton (fine), West Brom (not great) for examples, and his work on the ball in that position is also a bit patchy.

I reckon Allen could probably do the on the ball work, ie. starting the attack with simple passes, if brought in, but he's not effective without the ball at all.

So that's where we need someone. I'll put it to you this way, I was holding out faint hopes that we could keep pace with City, Chelsea and Arsenal (all of them have to play at Anfield, remember) before Lucas got injured. Now I'm far more worried about holding onto 4th.

Well realisticly we need both especially with champions league when were in it haha

Our poor display is 'cos we've change our shape.

When one of Sturridge/Suarez was injured we played one up top, 2 wide and three central -

against WBA frequently when an attack broke down we had Coutinho, out of the game, Sturridge out of the game and Suarez throwing his hands up in the air - that leaves Gerrard and Hendo against their midfield and Sterling pegging back as fast as he can

too open.

03 Feb 2014 20:44:13
the only problem I see with Liverpool. is stopping crosses. and having the wingers really work hard defensively to stop crosses and being tight in that sense. because attacking. rodgers has done very well in that side of things.
thats it. that's all that is missing.

Sterling has been much improved in that department. Its Coutinho on that left that, particularly defensively, looks a weak point. Also not helping that he is woefully out of form at present despite his decent derby day showing.

03 Feb 2014 18:36:13
A few posters question whether the team might tire out before the end of season;

We don't have European football so we play less than most of our rivals or as many so that shouldn't be a problem.

Stevie G will be great at his new role when teams attack us and try to put pressure on us. His distribution out of defence was excellent against Everton. But in games where we have to attack and be quick our midfield of Allen, Henderson and Lucas works best. We seem to bamboozle opponents with that three.

Anyway, it's only my humble opinion. Let's take one game at a time and hopefully BR will not come out predict anything and jinx us again.

With the right formation we will give any team a game. top4, here we come.

YNWA

I'm really ambiguous about Allen. He sometimes looks like he fits into the team well, busies himself, contributes with his passing and hassling of opponents. Other times he just fades into the ether, contributes nothing and makes it feel like we're a man down his contribution is so minimal. I hope his injury woes are finally put behind him - as you state when played as a trio with Lucas and Henderson they were a menace. If he stays fit and keeps his confidence up Allen can be an important part of our run-in.

03 Feb 2014 20:53:38
Not Liverpool related, but fair play to Jose so far, no parking the bus, Chelsea much the better team, deserve their 1-0 ht lead, could easily have been more.

03 Feb 2014 22:29:02
Hit the woodwork 3 times too. Hazard is pulling them apart like trees.

03 Feb 2014 23:02:54
City aren't great defensively, ourselves and Arsenal proved they can be got at. Problem is, you go attack them, they'll attack you and probably outscore you, as Arsenal found out.

What Chelsea have done really well is to keep control of the game and restrict City's attack whilst getting still at their defense. You won't see that again at the Etihad this season.

03 Feb 2014 17:29:23
Hey ed can u please give me an answer just based on your view. according to you which club has the best and perfect owners in world football?

{Ed002's Note - Vendée Luçon.}

03 Feb 2014 21:20:44
I would have though ES Uz�s Pont du Gard would be a better choice.

Don't seem to be doing well eh Ed. do you think they are gone.

{Ed002's Note - Different question man.}

Hey Ed 02, hasn't one of our defenders played at their ground if I'm right.

{Ed002's Note - They all will one day.}

03 Feb 2014 21:04:51
Michel Reculeau? Reasons Ed?
Jack!

{Ed002's Note - There is around zero point explaining.}

Michel Receleau Ed what's the connection?

{Ed002's Note - That you really don't want to know man.}

Understood Ed!

03 Feb 2014 16:17:06
I feel the main threats to a top 4 challenge (based upon recent performances) will be:
1. Poor Keeper distribution
2. Inconsistent centre back pairing
3. Injured/sub-standard fullbacks (i.e cissoko)
4.Lucas injury
5. Gerrard re-positioning (Will it work?)
6.Sterling and Countiho goal scoring
7. Substitute impact (Where? Who?)
8.Fatigue, can suarez, gerrard, henderson, skrtyl etc maintain perfromances when always playing entire 90mins?

Spot on mate.

I see the main strengths for a top 4 finish as:
1) Motivated young goalkeeper, good shot stopper.
2) Hungry CB's on a mission to get it right.
3) Great young full backs fighting for a regular 1st team start. Regular RB for England.
4) England Captain and one of the world's best players pulling the strings from the back and determined to show that he can adapt to his new position.
5) Fantastic young players in Sterling and Coutinho still finding their feet, so when they do there could be fireworks!
6) New signings on the bench wanting to show what they can do and fighting for a regular start.
7) No CL or Europa so great opportunity to focus on the PL.

Mignolet has won us more games than loss if kolo hit it back to him there's no problem

Nice one Suffolk Red ;)

03 Feb 2014 14:12:00
I believe 10 more wins out of 14 will assure us of Champions League qualification. What do you think?

No chance because you are still too inconsistent. There will be more of the Villa and Stoke results which many of you have disregarded looking at the home teams from the top four who've still to come to Anfield.
Everton are breathing down your necks.
Despite last week's result in the derby, you are only 2 points above us and with players coming back from injury, we will be stronger. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Think 8 wins is plenty honestly. 3 draws 3 losses and we'd been in the hunt for sure. Daveyboy why would I be worried about a team that's carried by a loan signing. Also, your depth is worse than ours. We are missing just as many players as you.

To the clueless above poster. We beat stoke 1-0 home and 5 3 away. I'll just let are football do the rest of the talking.

03 Feb 2014 13:19:27
Plain and simple our home form is amazing but away isn't we have played 12 away picked up 16 points any toughts why? Possibly tough away matches or wrong tactics

03 Feb 2014 13:40:00
Show me a team with a perfect away record. Maybe because we have played city, chelsea, arsenal, everton, tottenham? All away. We have actually played all the top 10 away from home
apart from Saints and Utd. It will definitely pick up! We actually have 4 more away points from the same fixtures as last season.

Or just something to complain about?

Btw, people before you post weird stuff.
Both everton and spuds will drop points as early as next game, atleast 1 of them will. United play Arsenal away then welcome City after fulham.
We do have the best set of fixtures and it's completely down to us where we will finish. Let's go!

Malak

It's a mix of both we all know we've got all the team's in the top 8 apart from 1 to play at home showing our away games have been tough add to that where there's been a few games we've got the tactics wrong & had a few unfortunate decisions BR is correct if we average 2 points a game we'll finish in the top four

There are no such things as best fixtures at this stage of the season.
Also, the team have showed they cannot win the so-called easy games on paper (Villa home and West Brom away) and I think BR needs to work on them mentally. They seem to be up for the big games but don't turn up for the teams lower down the league. It has got to be a mentality thing

I think our intensity away from home has been poor. Our ball retention and work rate doesn't seem as high (goodison park excluded) and as a result it allows teams to get at us. There are no "easy" games in this league and so chances presented have to be taken. Teams down the bottom don't lie down and if we expect to walk over them like we do at home we will be dropping more points. This season has a long way to go, the team needs to focus and make sure their intensity is spot on for every remaining game.

03 Feb 2014 12:05:28
Hi All,

I love Mignolet but does anyone else think he needs to seriously work on taking Goal Kicks?

For some reason he always kicks the ball towards the right byline around the halfway mark and we are almost always second to win the aerial challenge.

Thoughts Ed (especilay 01)

{Ed001's Note - yes, his kicking is terrible, no accuracy at all. His throwing is poor too. It is very worrying that a keeper with such poor distribution is being asked to keep possession and play it out from the back.}

It's also our tactic we play the ball to the advanced full back in the second sector of the pitch obviously the idea is our generally tall full backs win our 'long ball' rather than the forwards who are small and generally won't win it. It is hopefully what gets us out of the high press people put us under obviously it's better if the keeper finds the man but failing that a throw in on halfway ish isn't as bad as what kolo did mainly through lack of concentration probably due to tiredness

As part of the tactic it's to ensure that if we don't win the header; likelihood is that the ball goes out of play and we can regain our defensive shape

however, if we do win the header it leaves us with very little chance of gaining the 2nd ball - it's like we are happy to give possession to the opposition

In fairness to Kolo he made a big mistake - seen plenty of players makes them, including Gerrard. What is concerning is that Mignolet could see 2 players close to him, one already looking to close him from behind, and he still gave him the ball. That is pure footballing stupidity - why would you put your own defender in such a pressurised position? Worryingly he was doing similar things all game.

I like that we pass it out from the back but the players need to be smart about it.

Give him time lads. This is his first year playing the way BR has asked him to. I think this time next year we will all be able to judge whether he can adapt or not. Cheers

Dodgy keeper. He still makes too many mistakes from set pieces and doesn't command his back four in front of him. Bring back Pepe.

03 Feb 2014 11:58:36
Question more than a rumour, as u ed seem to know alot, what is exactly wrong when Glen Johnson and when do u think Jose Enrique will be back?

{Ed001's Note - he has an ankle injury, also sports hernia and other niggles that needed sorting. Johnson himself expects to be back soon, within the next couple of weeks in fact. By the way, regarding his contract, he said this in a recent interview with a UAE newspaper: “I would like to stay,” he said, accepting it is out of his hands. “I have not heard anything from the club.”
I have no idea when Enrique will be back, he was due back before the Derby initially, but the setback has meant it could be a month, or even longer, before he is back now.}

Would there be any other fullbacks you'd give the nod to ed as Cissokho seems to be struggling a bit? I was trying to think about this the other day but John is injured, Kelly looks well short of the level required at the moment so it means we are left with Flanagan, Cissokho. that's it? Would Rodgers consider giving Brad Smith another go or is he too raw for first team football proper?

I believe he has two serious inuries that will probably require some surgery - which is probably the ankle and the hernia, and several other minor injuries. I have been told that he will almost certainly not start again this side of Easter and that his main personal concern is the World Cup and he does not want to risk not being selected for it.

03 Feb 2014 11:21:24
Ed001, I might be alone in this thought, but the first thing I shouted at the TV when West Brom scored was "what are you playing at Mingolet!". He rolled it to Toure in a position where it was 3 on 3 with 2 attackers flying at him. Toure then panicked and tried to move the ball on and if you look at the players positions, Skrtel was completely blocking Anichibe from Toure's view (not deliberately of course). For me, Mingolet should of used his intelligence and rolled the ball out to Flanagan on the right or just booted it. Toure is getting all the stick for this but for me, Mingolet was the biggest culprit. I'm not having a pop at Migs though, he made some game saving stops. I just don't think Toure deserves that black mark over his head when he's not even close to being one hundred percent accountable.

YNWAdam

{Ed001's Note - I think everyone was at fault there, but in particular that was the fault of the manager, sorry for saying it, for the way he sets us up when the goalkeeper has the ball. The fullbacks had pushed forward and so were not providing an option for the pass. Gerrard was dropping back, so blocking Toure's view and cutting off an option, also allowing the opposition to press high. Skrtel was not moving into a space to receive a pass at all. Mignolet should never have passed him the ball, then, when he did, he should have been screaming at Kolo to play it back to him. Kolo is at fault for not just playing it straight back to the keeper, as there was no option available for a pass.}

03 Feb 2014 12:08:50
A very good analysis of their goal Ed. I know its against Rodgers philosophy, but for me, when we are only leading by one goal that late into the game, the odd route one clearance is not a problem. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the goal wasn't 100% Toure's fault though. Every single post and news article I've read blames Kolo and only Kolo. He panicked horribly, but he should not have been put in that position by his team mates as you say.

Cheers for the reply.

YNWAdam

{Ed001's Note - people like to find a scapegoat, rather than analysing the issue from afar and trying to correct it. We need to stop this splitting of the centre backs with a DM dropping between them, it invites pressure. The DM should be in the space ahead of the centre backs, level with the full backs, so he can provide an option for the centre backs and the fullbacks too. Immediately a full back gets the ball in our half, one of our midfield should be getting within 5-10 yards to provide a simple inside pass option for him. Flanno was left high and dry a few times, at one point he had 3 West Brom players hemming him in and Gerrard was walking away and Sterling was just stood a couple of yards ahead of him, tightly marked with an Albion player between them. No one was showing for the ball within 20 yards of him. He ended up booting it aimlessly up the field and losing possession. That can't be allowed to happen, but most people would immediately be blaming Flanno for not passing, when it was the fault of his teammates for not giving him an option to pass to.}

03 Feb 2014 13:15:51
I agree again Ed. I hate the way Gerrard and Lucas do it, but know its Rodgers telling them to. It's based on the 7 zone formula devised in the 70's. You may have heard about it. When we are in possession the full backs are supposed to go forward, forcing the wide forwards to come narrower and break into the box, but to make up for the lack of numbers at the back, a midfielder drops in between the centre backs to make a back 3. Its ridiculously complex and leaves a massive hole in midfield which, as you say, reduces passing options for other players. It's the biggest flaw in Rodgers' philosophy. I'm pretty sure it was invented by Ajax though when they were the best team around so if the squad perfected it, perhaps it'd work. I think Rodgers needs to get them to walk before he asks them to run though.

YNWAdam

{Ed001's Note - the high pressing game wasn't much used back then. The players need to adjust to that, if the opposition press, the DM shouldn't drop back and the full backs shouldn't advance as far.}

I have seen Pep use this sort of tactic at Bayern (and previously Barca I believe).

When in possession the 2 full backs get forward, Ribery and Robben tuck in like forwards and Javi Martinez or whoever playing the role drops in between the 2 CBs.

Sort of changes the formation when attacking from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3, which is very hard to deal with for the opposition, as it happens so naturally and quickly.

The downsides are as ed stated, room for errors and harder passing options if pressed.

When watching it, I didn't feel toure passing it back would have been the best option, mignolet would have been under immediate pressure, which is what skrtel has done to him all season. Toure had plenty of time to pick out a more forward pass, going by the camera angles, at any point he could have lumped it up, but he didn't. Skrtel didn't move, but for me as an experienced CB he should know when to just hoof it.

So your defence is a shambles. At least you're now admitting it.

03 Feb 2014 10:05:44
It only seems like it's myself and Big red FSG that seems to agree on Hendersons abilty. I have been watching for the last couple of games specificaly at what he brings to the table. This is what I have seen for the last 3 games. He can't tackle and just shadows players. 50/50 challengers he shy's away from it. He can't read the game to move move in better positions when we are attacking. Loses the ball more often than not when we attack. Given he works his socks of on the pitch running around shadowing people. Surely a midfielder should be able to do more than that. The few times I have seen Joe Allen play he has a lot more to give than hendo. Make no mistake I am not saying he is bad but imo I think he is just average and we need to get better midfielders that can boss that area on the pitch.

No, there's more than you two with the same opinion on Henderson. There is no questioning his work rate, but his ability especially when attacking is pretty weak.

While I agree in some respect you have to remember our midfield 3 of allen lucas and hendo was out standing so ya must give him a break if rogers wanted him to tackle i'm sure he would

Pass completion rate =87%, forward passes =28%, chances created =28, 2.3 tackles per game, dispossessed 0.7 tmes per game, assists =6.

I'm not a fan of stats myself they can be manipulated, but a great many of those stats exceed many other midfielders in the prem.

Jordan has had to cope playing multiple roles this year, rwb, am, dm etc. He's done really well considering. his vision is what's really impressed me, going forward he's seeing through balls better, playing the 40 yard diagonals brilliantly, harrying the midfield /forward line of the opposition. I haven't seen him shy away from any 50/50's.

I've no idea what you're on about to be honest.

03 Feb 2014 11:01:53
Is this for real?
You both know absolutely nothing about football then.
Henderson is a brilliant player, it's not his fault he has to run twice as much to cover up for Gerrard's lack of pace and energy! I can guarantee if Jordan Henderson was available some top clubs would be interested.
Absolutely clueless post am afraid. The only player to play every single minute of the PL along Mignolet. Quiet frankly I don't care at all what anyone thinks about any player we have. As long as they wear the shirt and BR obviously rates him the good enough for me. In buck I trust.
for all the fickle negative clueless fifa generation, we have taken +14 points from the exact same fixtures as last season. These 5 PL games starting with Stoke away, we took 1 point last season. 1 point, we have 8 with Arsenal to come.
I can almost guarantee Henderson will become a world-class player when he is 25-26, there is no one who works harder in the whole PL and those stats are available if you bother. Hendo doesn't tackle? Haha. How come he has over 40 successful tackles.
Not creative? Weird. Last I checked he had created 44 chances the 3rd highest in the PL. Hmm. Their are numbers and facts who prove everything you say is wrong.
Now try to be a better 'fan' and get behind the players specially those who give their all.

Malak

Brilliant, and very accurate reply Malak - sadly the " modern " Liverpool fan seems to take pleasure in berating our better players, only complaint about Jordan from me is he needs to maybe score a few more.
The lads ability is unquestioned.

Has a great attitude, fantastic work rate, great team player but surely that's a prerequasit for any player playing top level football. a great squad player at best but he wouldn't start for any other top 6 side and that should be quite telling!

03 Feb 2014 12:24:17
Compeltely agree John B. Hendos only flaw is his composure in front of goal. If he can start scoring 10 goals a season from his position he will soon prove the doubters wrong. A lot of people don't realise that he is second only to Wayne Rooney when it comes to open play assists this season (Gerrard and Ozil create a large chunk of their chances from set pieces). I have absolutely no problem with Hendo. In fact I'd say after SAS he has been our best player this season. I sometimes wonder what he'll have to do before people will cut him some slack. Perhaps it'll be when he gets injured and our midfield gets bypassed by every team in the league? His so called shadowing is more often referred to as pressing. If he was to dive in and miss the tackle then he is taken out of the game and has allowed the opposition to advance. By 'shadowing' them he stops them moving forward and simply waits for them to make a mistake or try something ambitious (In fact if you watch Barcelona/Bayern, its what their entire teams do and it's why they are so hard to break down despite being considered a very attacking team). Of course its nice to have a couple of players with some bite (Lucas, Gerrard etc) but without the pressing players like Allen and Hendo our system would be god awful.

YNWAdam

People just don't seem to realize that Henderson has been playing a different role in the last few matches, operating far deeper than usual.

BigRedF actually ;) But yes, if you brought people in with no preconceived opinions on Hendo and made them watch him, they would find him a very average player. He just doesn't do anything. He doesn't lose the ball that much, but he doesn't tackle much, he hardly scores and he hardly ever goes for headers.

Hendo has been excellent this season, despite having been moved around constantly, if played down the middle constantly you would see the best of him

03 Feb 2014 04:52:12
i began following Liverpool about only 3 years ago and the club has really grown on me. The fans are top notch, the history of the club really gives it an identity. I guess since I havnt been a fan for so long I can't really understand the frustration of fans who have been following Liverpool for the last 15 or 20 years. Against west brom, it just looked like everyone was tired. I don't think it was their mindset that cost us the game but just fatigue. at this point in the season I think is when club depth really helps as players can be rotated and fresh legs can be chosen for games. obviously we don't have that luxury and I think everton on tuesday and about 3 to 4 days of training wasnt enough. when suarez looks tired, I think u can assume the whole team will be tired. we are still in 4th place and I think with a solid week of training and at home to arsenal next week we will definitly put in a good performance. I just think that whether we do or don't get champions league football next season, Liverpool will always be Liverpool, and the years will go by where this season will be a blur. we just have to keep supporting the club and hoping for the best.what makes a good season is great competition, and Liverpool certainly have that right now. although I think the only real threats right now are everton and tottenham. I think we will get 4th place and cl football. hopefully fans who have been waiting years for cl football won't be discouraged if Liverpool don't make all the way to the cl final next season. YNWA let's get behind the team.

Probably the best post I have read on this site in a long, long time. A pleasant read my friend - well done!

What made you support us then? We been crap. Your the opposite of a glory fan. Fair doos lad

Good post that. My only comment would be that Everton had a day less to recover and didn't look at all tired against Villa.

On Wednesday morning we were 4 points ahead of them, which is now reduced to just 2 points.

Liverpool know how to keep us fans on the edge of heart attacks!

KBL

03 Feb 2014 17:50:42
great post fanatic! thanks for the positive attitude and a true fan you are with that kind of mindset! keep it cool and support LFC :)

You said it . Only two points behind you.

03 Feb 2014 00:52:54
In the interests of CL qualification I have decided to offer my services to the reds as a free agent. Apart from a dodgy ankle And asthma I think i'm a more than adequate alternative to salah or kono as my deflected goal for the cubs in 1983 undoubtably proves. No need to thank me guys I will take this one for the team.
Brendan, I await your call.

Good luck!

I scored an own goal in 1990 for my class team. Puts me on par with kolo surely

02 Feb 2014 23:57:32
Forget the Toure error, we got what we deserved from this game, one point. After the Everton game it was going to be hard to back up with anything near that quality and energy levels. It's not like we could inject fresh legs from the start.

03 Feb 2014 00:50:26
manu 1 wba 2 spurs1 wba 1 chelsea 2 wba 2 everton1 wba1 arsenal1 wba 1 man city3 wba 2 west brom are no mugs . it was frustating the way we dropped the points however mistakes happen. don't forget mingolet also made an unbelievable save earlier. we got what we deserved ahard earned point.

02 Feb 2014 23:30:50
Just about to watch the Superbowl and I remember when Liverpool fans were worthy enough to be called the 12th man, ah good times. I think Bellamy had a point in his interview yesterday, hate is just the way football is going these days.

As for the game today i'm not one for slating players or the manager but that performance was not worthy of Liverpool football club, sure some days you'll get beat by better players or the ref might just be against you but today West Brom were done after the opening goal, truly there for the taking and no Liverpool player seemed willing to grab the game by the scruff of the neck a push on.

It looks like if we are going to get top four its going to be done the hard way, three points today and we were two games clear of fifth but now if we lose to Arsenal we'd be lucky to stay in that champions league spot.

Right enough of moaning and on to supporting Liverpool football club, my brother is a gunner so its going to be an interesting couple of weeks!

And come on you broncos.