Liverpool Banter Archive January 03 2015

03 Jan 2015 23:33:49
It is interesting that Stevie today and Suarez in his book have been
fulsome in there praise of BR;

Despite being a self confessed Rafa man I am beginning to feel BR has had a frankly rubbishty hand to play this year and managing Stevens decline is a particularly acute problem.

He has created a lot of troubles for himself I think by his recruitment and team selection. However now it I decided Steven is leaving hopefully it might help the others (particularly Henderson and Lucas) to step up

I know SG is a multi millionaire but it must be tough for anybody to leave the place the have been for all those years.

SG wanted things we could no longer provide and IMO, he no longer deserves hence, we let him go and a good deal for both parties. BR has created troubes for himself which if the Eds are to be believed and barring a miracle, will be the end of him come this summer.

I just am not understanding why Rodgers has until the summer if he is dead set to go? Surely if the second half of this season is written off, a new coach/manager can use this time to see what he has here already to then use the summer with a direct plan.

Otherwise they arrive in June, have 5 preseason games to view our 1st, U21 and academy players. Poor players that need to move on like Enrique, Allen, Lambert and Mignolet/Jones get another chance ahead of unestablished youth

03 Jan 2015 22:15:04
Love to know what was so controversial about my last post

{Ed002's Note - Nothing, it was just embarrassing.}

Ouch!

03 Jan 2015 19:46:48
I must be one of those fickle fans who has been beside the club since the late 50's and back then through to the digital age fans sat around the pubs discussing the team their players or the manager. Nothing has changed in those 50 years or so for me except thatwe can put these thoughts down and have people around the world engage not just the lads down the local. Obviously some of these people are quite immature but it is wrong to berate them as fickle for having an opinion football is a very emotive subject doesn't matter what team you support. I have had to watch a lot of liverpool greats move on some where right to go others could have stayed but no matter who it was there was always this kind of furore
SG is going move on

{Ed002's Note - You might want to find someone to explain the meaning of the word "fickle" and then read the posts for the past few years.}

03 Jan 2015 18:45:19
Some of you may remember I had been suffering from ligament strains in both ankles. Today, I would like to give everyone some advice. If you are suffering from an injury, and the doctor tells you to rest it for a month, listen to him! I decided that I knew my own body today and went to play an 11 a side game on a full size 3G pitch and I got exactly what I deserved.

I've torn ligaments in my left ankle and now face up to half a year on the sidelines. I'm currently unable to walk or drive which will affect my everyday life and my work. All because I loved football more than I trusted the doctor. Never again. I implore you all, if you're ever in a similar situation, don't take the risk. A&E isn't the best place to spend your Saturday afternoon.

Physio here I come!

Get better soon mate! I would hate to be out for that long; a week is enough for me!

I concur and sorry to hear you are injured afain, i did the same thing with my achilles. I hopevu recover soon mate.

Ouch,

Been there mate, played with a slightly fractured wrist in a cup semi final with a light cast .

Won the game and scored twice but then spent the next 3 months in a full arm cast, with metal pins holding my arm together after finding out I had actually broke it along the bone not across.

The problem is that love of football is able to overcome rational thought every time.

Get well soon mate !

Tut Tut Adam

Statistically speaking, 5 out of 10 Doctors talk bananas

3 out of 10 don't, and the other 4 prefer 3-5-2

Eye for 1 being a cyclops can confirm this.


P.s, Automated vehicles have recently been invented.


YNWA

Good luck mate.

Unlucky EMS, I know how you feel! Was in training a couple of months ago and hyper-extended my ankle on collision after following through from a shot I took. Caught the defenders knee and my foot stretched right back. Went to the doctor and I was told it may be a slight tear in foot/ankle ligaments and I should be out for about 6 weeks. After 6 weeks I went back playing, still felt pain, went for an x-ray and turns out I had broken my talus in my foot. Now I'm out for 5 months! I've only played one game this season, and its the only game we've won all season!

Cheers for the support lads. That sucks ROI. Get well soon mate.

Unlucky EMS I hope you have a good recovery
I never missed a single minute of football through injury then I broke my leg and dislocated my ankle in a friendly when I was 31
Nobody even near me I just rolled on a divot
And that was that, I'm sure you'll he back soon

Hard cheese EMS, hope you get well soon, i hurt myself last week when i broke into a fiver!! LOL, no really mate get well.

Get well soon, man.

It's unlucky, but I have no sympathy for people who go against the Doctors order! Sorry buddy, as you said, you got what you deserved.

03 Jan 2015 22:47:55
Tore my ACL and had cartilage torn over a year ago, had surgery and what not so it's all sorted, it's a long road to get back from any ligament injury so wishing you the best!

03 Jan 2015 22:51:27
Gutted for you lad. Did my ankle last year ligaments like you and it finished me mate.
Swear I was just going to get the call off Brendan aswel ! I'm terrible, even worse than Aspas so I think i had a chance in getting the nod

Is EMS an alias for Daniel Sturridge?

EMS; please forward to Sturridge

Stay strong, EMS! I had a torn patella tendon in my left knee and luckily, I had no setbacks to the point of going back to playing NFL flag football (we pull opposing players` flags instead of inflicting vicious hits which NOBODY is capable of, LOL) and staying active and in great physical condition. Stay Strong, my friend!

I twisted me sock once that ended up in a full ladder.

Dude. Danny Sturridge. You should have known better. It wasn't international duty was it?

03 Jan 2015 18:25:42
Hi eds,

Do you see Rodgers playing Gerrard less and less over the season?

I previously saw that you said about our finances, now I don't want to know the ins and outs but I thought FSG were being sensible and not putting LFC into more debt, but have we gone the way of Leeds etc by investing heavily in the team expecting Champions League football every season?

Cheers
Sean

{Ed002's Note - I suspect SG will be used when required, which won't be every game. I don't want to get in to the money but Liverpool has very significant debt.}

Funny old time for lfc and sg.coming so close last year, I firmly believe that slip was the defining moment despite the fumble by the Sunderland goalie in the man city game, toure's gaff against west brom, sterlings disallowed goal against man city.still, the change this year has been and still is immense.many reasons caused this but Suarez going was main one.I have had kops season ticket 23 years now and last season Suarez took the biscuit.boticelli was an awful replacement lazy, slow and doesn't fit the system in place.for me, cut losses, sell him and boringly for cash and get some pace and finishing and trickery up top.for me i'd go all out although I know chelski wouldn't be keen due to the Moses thing but cech till end season at least.I've been watching EDS replies with interest for a long time and Skytel i agree is a big problem and not good enough so cash in while can, would really like to see what Lori and wisdom could do.Coates could have a chance or be sold, there is sales to be had to get money as EDS says we are losing money so need to sell to buy.like EDS also says, why loan out all these players and keep buying, we have some cracking young talent, let's play them, people like suso, llori, wisdom, rossiter, ibe and on that note recall him straight away.we know sterling can play upfront now so buy a new to supplement studge and have Lambert and sterling to change things.Can't wait for flanno to get back, a proper front footed defender that will get stuck in.we also imp need an enforcer in central midfield, big, strong, pacey and with energy.with sg getting older and now going we have lost pace and power, irreplaceable really but we need to find a new way. Rossiter maybe?i like delli ali and will Hughes, maybe wanyama or de yong, would any big stars come like khedira?i wish. I think we will struggle top 4 this year but then last year I thought 5th or 6th at start.Europa league is probably our best bet as aldo said.sg must hope for trophy and league cup is one we are in touching distance it would be nice to see him lift again if nothing else, and would as always be a good day out.watching with interest EDS views on Brentan and fsg restructuring, dof might be way forward but seems like Br is on borrowed time.big thing I want to say about the new stadium development is do fsg realise what the kop will look like? it will look small, dwarfed and they harp on about it being the showpiece but will seem insignificant to the other stands in a way even the Annie road with a third tier.I know the pillars at end pose problems but architecture is immense these days, they can take the kop higher, there is space to the road, make it steeper and create more leg room and also make the corners with the jaggedy incoming bits into a square and get at least another 5000 seats? don't get me wrong, i like the new plans and they are desperately needed but the kops HAS to have something done to it and soon.great work EDS and love your work, you sure know what's going on.coxxy

03 Jan 2015 17:35:12
I am surprised with some reactions on here when a legend is about to leave our beloved club. I don't understand why in the midst of this surprising news some people questioned his contributions and seems to disrespect or underrate his role in the team.

A lot of people on here seems remember mostly his weaknesses during his twilight years and glad that he will leave instead of remember what he has done for our club for more than a decade. Some people compare him with Souey, the King, and so on and argue that Stevie is not as good as other Liverpool greats.

I think there is no point in doing so. We never knew how good Stevie would if he play in the 70s or 80s and we never know how King Kenny or other previous greats would perform if they play in the Premier League ere and under Hodgson or Rodgers.

It's all speculation. Why can't we just applaud his achievements and remember Gerrard as someone who spent 17 years in our beloved club and won 10 trophies with us?or just like Ed002 said because he's a Liverpool player so he should be slagged?

{Ed002's Note - The world's most fickle "fans" decided after the last game that they wanted him out.}

Totally agree . But ed don't tarnish all LFC fans the same please . Cheers

{Ed002's Note - This is typical of the moron fans who think it smart to say something like this.}

Tbh I think that Liverpool fans look at what's best for the club and team moving forward. There is nothing wrong with opinions.

{Ed002's Note - Right - after the last game they were forming a mob to go and lynch him. A day later they are all in tears. They want the entire team changed every year so they can say it is simply "another year of transition". There seems to be a complete lack of knowledge coming through with this new breed of fans.}

Many of the worlds most fickle fans jumped on the bandwagon when Liverpool were actually winning things.

When they don't win much (which they really don't anymore), the fickle fans question everything down to the cleaning lady.

I suppose it's down to the global game that is football/soccer, and a football fan is becoming a generic fan across the board.

Gone are the days of the true identity of supporting the reds.

They make us a laughing stock, as do many other fans of the big clubs in English football.

Brendan was the messiah, now he's just another football manager who deserves the sack.

Tut tut.

It is now the right time that he leaves, for both himself and the club. Saying this is slagging him or being fickle or being an person how? I have untold happy memories thanks to his contributions the past 16 years and they will always stay with me. Recognising a player is past his best and thus in need of playing less, irrespective of his legend status, is neither fickle nor some sort of terrible reaction as both the OP and the Ed are suggesting. Why can't honest, alternative opinion be shared? Or do we all have to reach an absolute consensus because its Gerrard? Utter nonsense.

It is not worth commenting on this ill thought through statement. Are Liverpool fans any more fickle than other clubs who are under achieving. Remember last season re United, Chelsea with AVB and Benitez. How many world wide fans do LFC have and what percentage comment on this site? Stupid comment.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool fans are the most fickle - and constantly embarrass themselves about trying to make everything about Chelsea.}

I think ................

{Ed002's Note - I can't believe you still want to make this about Chelsea. Let go of it - Gerrard is going for more money - move on.}

I believe it is just this site attracting those "fickle" fans in numbers - more than it is Liverpool fans in general.

{Ed002's Note - Based on what evidence? You appear to be simply making stuff up.}

Not all of us though ed .

{Ed002's Note - No one suggested it was everyone - except those that are not terribly bright.}

Why don't you .....................

{Ed002's Note - Suck it up - Gerrard is leaving for more money. Last week everyone wanted him out - all of the fans were looking to drive the worn out, slow, money sucking leech out of the club. Once he says he is going then he is some sort of god. It is nothing to do with Chelsea. It is simply Gerrard and money - and the fans getting what they want. Then out come the whining little bitches like you who somehow think it is something to do with Chelsea. Embarrassing to the extreme.}

Why do people have to include Chelsea everytime they post on here? It is just pathetic. SG wanted more money and more game time that many in and outside the club including me, don`t think he deserves any more hence, he left and goodluck to him. Fans bitching about him leaving after bitching that he should be gone are doing the very same thing they accuse BR of doing which is, trying to have it both ways. PATHETIC!

{Ed007's Note - Folk need to try and drag Chelsea into things to try and have a pop at Ed002, and I've noticed a lot of LFC supporters are jealous of Chelsea's money/transfers and their consistent(ish) success over recent years.}

04 Jan 2015 00:48:21
I don't think anyone actually wants SG to leave, I think the majority of people wanted him to be used more appropriately ie resting him more often to keep him fresher for bigger games. It's just some people are better at wording it than others. Wanting him to be used appropriately is not the same as wanting him out.

04 Jan 2015 08:01:10
Sorry Ed002, but not all Liverpool fans act like that. It's just like saying "all English people don't brush their teeth" or "all african american men are criminals and in gangs".

{Ed002's Note - And where did anyone suggest it was "all" Liverpool fans. Find someone to read it to you slowly.}

03 Jan 2015 15:47:03
i watched the interview with BR talking about stevie leaving and reading between the lines he said that because of his age stevie would not be playing as many games has he would like and i think that's the real reason he is leaving because where ever he goes he will play in the position he wants c-a-m and play as much as he wants and i don't think BR was willing to give him that, if we can see he is not a d-m then so can stevie and he knows he is not playing well there so i think he has asked to play further up the field and BR has said no, no matter how slow he becomes he will never lose a step in his brain and that gives him the edge over faster players, that's why the like of lampard and pirlo are still playing so well but its down to BR that stevie is leaving, i don't think its down to the money, i maybe wrong but doubt it after watching that interview, if you get to watch it think about it yourself after it, i will see if i'm right or wrong when he signs for the new team and see what his position is, maybe after the swansea game he realised the team can win without him, plus it must have been a kick in the teeth when he never played against real madrid, believe me when i say its down to BR and the way he is doing things to the club he is going to destry it, all our good young players are getting let go and our older players are leaving . so that agger and stevie, who do you all reckon will be the next top player to go, it would not suprise me if studge and sterling leave in the summer BR is that arrogant

BR is full of crap.

BR was continuously slobbering about how he would keep Gerrard for years - and how he was/is capable of playing every minute of every game.

Now that Gerrad has decided to walk, BR has totally changed his tune.

I can't stand this charlatan. I've never seen an LFC manager lie and contradict himself so much.

BR's already destroyed Gerrard's career prematurely - to the point that Stevie is seen as an awful DM player who is jumping ship, now BR's going to try to spin this as if it's somehow partly his decision.

BR is truly an person. I can't stand the guy tbh. I love LFC too much to stand idly by and keep my mouth shut about it either!

I'm afraid that's how I feel about Rodgers too

03 Jan 2015 17:07:16
ZinedineKilbane you are simply a blert.

Gerrard knew he was going a while back, as did Brendan.

Now, as Brendan sits in Stevie's house (which he moved into as a mutual agreement with both of them knowing the circumstances), he simply had no choice in the matter.

Out of curiosity, if we had lifted the league trophy, would you still blame the manager?

Remember one thing lad, regardless of us winning the league or not, this team would have performed exactly the same.

Stevie's injuries which plagued him in his early career have simply played it's toll on his body.

A good move for Stevie, a good move for our team, a good move for the manager (takes the added stress of him having to play the Captain to keep many fans happy) and a good move for us as fans.

Stop moaning and appreciate that another great is heading out of our club with his head held high.

I'm made up we won't have to sit back and listen to the obsessive songs we hear week in week out.

Beckham had to endure a similar thing and via Spain or wherever, it worked out for him.

Good luck Stevie and enjoy the sun and your freedom.

Daveybootle, before you start calling people names wait for your manager to win something or do something right, last season it was easy for him because of siarez and studge, now it was not easy to replace surez well it was impsossible, but beside sanchez there was other top players out there we could have got with the suarez money, but he got balotelli, and BR is on the recruitment boad who sign players so he would have to give the go ahead to buy Mario so you can't say it was not his signing, all the rest of his signings have not worked out, they are not bad players its just the way they are getting played as in out of position or told their orders before they go out on the pitch, he gets us playing like last season were we win and score 4 goals and play really good, so this really good manager then changes the tactics back to the slow build up of earlier games were we played very poor and without getting penalities we would have got beat by the bottom team, so yea the manager is right and sttevie is wrong, look at the likes of pirlo, lampard, giggs, even scholes, they carried on playing into their late 30s and to a top standard but they were being played in their best position and not out of position, where as stevie is getting played out of position where he is needed to run all game to close down players, something the players i have mentioned never had to do, they were managed better, so when the manager actually does something good off his own back and wins something he is not that good is he

That's ridiculous, davey. Your comments make little-to-no sense. I could swear that you're drunk or something!!

Nothing but platitudes and hypotheticals. Nothing in any way factual. If you're denying that BR said the things I said he did, then you're delusional tbh.

Nevermind that you seem glad to be rid of Gerrard too, so what's your problem?

In relation to your other comments: Last year was last year. This year is this year. Does this confuse you?? Does the concept that without Suarez to inspire the team, we are pretty rubbish confuse you too??

And yes, that is the only major change to the side, also don't forget the money spent on 3-4 strikers to compete with Sturridge (Borini, Lambert, Balotelli, Aspas)- all of whom are not deemed worthy of a place in our team! Instead BR would rather play players out of position!! Try to explain that rationally. These guys cost us millions.

Also - If we had won the league, of course the manager would deserve some praise - but likewise, If he royally f*****d-up the team the next year like a clueless self-contradictory, lying berk - I'd obviously not be happy.

Is that really so difficult to understand?

Also, if f I want to know 'who is living in who's house?' I'll ask you in future. But I really don't care tbh - doesn't change a thing I said or make you correct about anything.

It made you seem like a little star-struck scouser tbh. The type who probably reads Twitter religiously and who complains about fans that aren't mindless sheep.

As for the small-minded idea that a manager should play a player to 'keep the fans happy', that's pretty ridiculous - (unless you like your managers to have no spine). SG has been one of our worst players this year - it's hardly like Ruud Gullit dropping Shearer in his prime!

The ironic thing is that SG as an att mid is a great player. It's BR who has destroyed him, not me - and as you said yourself - you are happy to see Gso go have a go at him, will you?

Sorry there - The last paragraph should say:

"The ironic thing is that SG as an att mid is a great player. It's BR who has destroyed him, not me -so go have a go at him, will you? - and as you said yourself - you are happy to see Gerrard go. 'Good for the fans' you said, wasn't it?" So chillax, you clearly have issues, man!

03 Jan 2015 14:42:51
It will be next February'. Busy 2015 ahead

{Ed002's Note - Not any February.}

03 Jan 2015 15:14:58
So folks do we all think we will have him comeback during the MLS break next winter?

Think it's a shoe in that he will do a Robbie Keane on it.

I see no point, I think it would be detrimental to the players here and their development, unless we are top of the league and he could do enough sub appearances to get a medal.

Please God no!!

03 Jan 2015
We have posted a new article entitled, Steven Gerrard: Why Liverpool Will Miss The Man But Not The Player

Eds, I think it is the right time for Stevie to move on, but I just wanted to ask, was SG offered a player/coach role as i've seen reported in some of the Press?

{Ed001's Note - not that I am aware of, no. I was told he was offered a role with a reduced playing time, but no one mentioned coaching. I don't believe he has the badges anyway yet does he? I certainly don't remember him getting them, but my memory is not that good.}

Good article.

Thanks Ed001 for the quick reply. I certainly didn't think he had completed all the required things to obtain the badges. I guess, the Press are looking for anything and everything to add to the departure story of SG.

{Ed001's Note - it certainly seems that way.}

Great read. Very much how I feel.

03 Jan 2015 13:29:02
Probably going to get shot down for saying this but I keep reading gerrard won us champions league but I that does the mighty hamman injustice he changed the game in are favour gerrard scored and rallied the troops but hamman made the difference how I'd love to remember I'm 26 have hypia and henchoz at the back with gerrard hamman in midfirld

The Kaiser changed the game in our favour, we were being run through at will by Milan as Gerrard didn't have the discipline to play the position required, Hamann allowed the others to play by tackling and doing the simple things brilliantly, Gerrard played a huge part getting us back in the game, but Hamann changed it in our favour. Plus he (Hamann) took a pen with a broken foot.

{Ed001's Note - personally I think everyone played their part. Carra's firing up of the players and pushing them forward was just as vital too. Alonso getting the rebound etc. They all played their part. It is wrong that certain individuals have been given all the glory for a team performance.}

Agree with both east anglia and ED01, and also with Mr Dennis for a change.

We were getting mullered til the kaiser came on but there were so many little things that added to the result, the point blank save by dudek, smicer's wonderful long range daisy cutter, carra fighting cramp, Traore having the game of his life. What a night.

Agree with Mr Dennis again, something is not right!

03 Jan 2015 12:55:21
Had a big convo about Gerrard last night which led onto Liverpool as a club over the last 25 yrs.
I think next season equals the same amount of time for Liverpool having not won the league as Man Utd had to wait before they won it in 1991?(not 100% but its close)

Since 1990 we have been involved in a title race 4 times.
Under Rafa, Evans, Houllier and Rodgers.
4 times in 25 years is an awful record and I would like some comments as to why people think this has come about?
Even the title races under Evans and Houllier, we were never really in a position to actually win the league.
Only Rafa and Rodgers can claim to have had it in their own hands and then lost the league.
That makes 2 attempts in 25 yrs really.
How bad is that record?
I would really appreciate some reasons why we have a record like that?

Simple really, we have spent a lot of money on the wrong players.

03 Jan 2015 13:30:53
I was thinking that I could spend hours talking about what each manager did wrong, but actually 18and5 has summed it up quite well.

I would say that sometimes the management was constricted in who they could sign which contributed to that.

03 Jan 2015 13:40:25
We have spent a lot of money on average players :-)

Plus the teams above us have always spent more on fewer players of better quality :-)

03 Jan 2015 13:42:25
We've never had a plan. Sold world class players and bought terribly also

We come close and then seem to shoot ourselves in the foot
The time under Rafa we did not invest the following season in order to, push on
This season we have lost world class striker and re-built the whole squad.

However, I keep hearing football is different now to the 80's
It's not - it's fans expectations of immediate success asa result of the society we live in that has changed

Look at Fergie's record - United came 2nd i think and then 11th the following season whilst he built his side. Then came high up and dipped again - and since his first 4years in charge he never finished outside the top 3!

Patience and a lack of knee-jerk reaction is the key to successful long-term development of a football club -especially one that isn't backed by a money-bags owner.

I believe some of the buys we have made set us up long term, bit like when I was sticking up for Henderson when he signed and stated he would be a future captain.

Once this season is out of the way I think we will challenge again.

It is the money that has come into the game that has changed football. You spend £50 million you don't get 3 seasons to get it right. This is the reality of todays game.

Souness. I don't think we ever recovered from his dismantling of a good squad and replacing them with fairly average thugs.

Think AggerDo has hit the nail on the head - when we've been close we've failed to strengthen the following season and in fact have often weakened ourselves. Inability to keep quality players has been the biggest issue as its always meant that we have never had the quality in depth to win it. Rafa is the perfect example of this - if we could have kept that team together who finished 2nd and added say 2 more quality signings we would have been close. We never seem to have enough quality and, more worryingly, we seem really bad at replacing the quality we lose.

To summarise we simply are not run, as a club, in a very good way compared to others.

Thanks for the comments.
My summary is that something is not right off the pitch for this abysmal record to have continued for so long.
Hopefully, FSG are understanding why we have failed for so long in winning the league despite being in the top 6 for pretty much the whole 25 odd years.

03 Jan 2015 11:18:59
hello ed, please please, can you clear it for me, 2 month ago gerrard said that he want to stay and its up to liverpool, than the offer came, so what's happend than? the offer wasnt good? did he pushed out? did liverpool realy didn't want him that much ?
thank you ed !

{Ed001's Note - it was a combination. He was offered reduced wages, for reduced playing time over a short period. He wanted a longer contract, more money and didn't want to have his playing time limited. There was no common ground so he is leaving. Right decision for me.}

03 Jan 2015 13:47:09
A players time has to come to an end, the club has to move on and will do. Why pay a fortune on wages for a player who will just decline as time goes on (SG will always be a lengend for our club). I think it's great that he is going to get one more massive pay day and the chance to prolong his career a few more years by playing less than in the PL.

I reckon he would have taken a pay cut if we were competing like last year, but clearly we are no closer than we were a few years ago.

How could he dare ask for more money? He knows the club is in debt, he is getting older and needs to play less to allow younger members the chance. easy to forget your roots. I love Stevie and what he has done for the club on the playing front but he should take a leave from king Kenny that the club's is always bigger.

Baz

03 Jan 2015 11:07:30
What would people think of Defoe coming to Lfc this month us he is old but is better suited to our pay then some players at the club and can finish

I suggested it many transfer windows ago and was roundly criticised on here by posters and Eds alike
Do I think we should sign him now?
Actually not a bad call, if it's because the owners don't want to give a manager who they are going to replace any more money then a short term deal is probably the best we can hope for

{Ed001's Note - he wasn't good enough for Spurs, he isn't good enough for us.}

I agree he isn't any more Ed and he's not a player I would now sign however if we assume there will be next to no money spent in January wouldn't you take him instead of having no-one?

{Ed001's Note - no, I would rather take a chance on a youngster who might have a surprise element to his game. You never know, he might just step up and turn out to be good enough, whereas we already know Defoe isn't and never has been.}

I would rather a young gun myself but I don't see that happening for some reason

But we don't have a striker young or otherwise bar Sturridge at the club who will come close to being as good a finisher as Defoe
Maybe Yesil but I'm constantly told his injuries have ruined him

03 Jan 2015 10:44:51
There are eyes shrouded by the mists of time.
Ok, so Stevie has had a hard time off some fans, in some quarters, in the past 3 or 4 seasons.
But he's 34 for gods sake.
Cast your minds back, did age and injury not catch up with past legends ?

Kenny was 27 when he joined. He missed matches by 84 on. The double year, I think he hardly played before the Xmas of that season. And he virtually never kicked a ball in anger after 86. So, as good as he was, Liverpool did well to get 9 years of excellence from him.

Johnny Barnes was the barn-storming winger we all remember for 3 seasons before injury forced him to completely change his game. Still brilliant but nothing like he was.

By 88 on, there was a collective drawing of breath from all Liverpool fans every time a high ball was lobbed into the Liverpool penalty area with the goalie and centre backs. It was panic stations, but you don't see that on the highlights videos anymore.

All the great players faltered as they got older. How could they not, it happens to everyone ?
But they never got shredded on social media every week, so we remember the good times they bestowed on us.

Steve Gerrard has given 17 years, and I'll say that again so that you can take it in, 17 !
It's momentous.
Yes fitness, diet, recovery techniques have leapt forward. But the player had everything - athleticism, aggression, could tackle, heading ability, set pieces, skill, technique, shoot from anywhere.
He should be remembered as a great.
But, if moaning is your thing, remember back or ask your dad, about the latter years of all the other greats.

You're missing everyones point mate. Nobodys denying Gerrard Is a legend or one of our best ever players. People are just saying that it's the right time for him to go and that it won't affect our team as badly as others are making out.

When all the legends you have mentioned called it time, I'm sure nobody was begging them to stay to collect a massive wage for costing us points ir sitting on the bench.

The problem is, Gerrard has been our best player and fan favourite for so long that people can't let go and still think Gerrard is the same player. Most people, includi g yourself have recognised his decline. Shankley and Paisley wouldn't have even harboured Gerrard for as long as we have. He'd have been gone in 2011/12 when it became obvious he wasn't as good as he once was so that a new crop of talent could come through.

I think that we as a club are so insecure that we don't want to let go of the past for fear there is nothing in the future.

Agree with all your post Juicer, we all know time has caught up with Gerrard but its the people who for some reason play down how good/important he has been for the club and compare some players from the past and current teams to him who in truth can't hold a candle to him.
I am thankful that we have had him in out team rather than having to play against him for all these years.

On field, good decision to let him go
Off field, terrible, he could have stayed bled in new youngsters, offered a helping hand to newbies and become an inspirational figure to rally the players.

{Ed001's Note - Gerrard didn't want that mate. He wanted to make his presence felt on the field, which he can do in a slower league.}

Spot on again EMS

Shankly and Paisley wouldn't have had to hold onto Gerrard. We were winners back then. A team full of winners all over the pitch. Loosing a good player was usually replaced by a better one. Completely different to now. Adam you say the club is insecure of the past yet you bring up managers from 40 years ago that have no relevance with todays game.

03 Jan 2015 09:30:32
Morning Ed

The fact we are after Shaqiri, is this based on us shifting either Balo or Borini or not linked at all please?

{Ed002's Note - If Liverpool were to buy Shaqiri it would be as a replacement for someone like Coutinho, Lallana, Markovic or Sterling.}

Not sure why Shaqiri would want to join LFC to sit on the bench.

Well it don't look like any if those 4 are leaving does it mate? A strange one then unless there is no truth in it.

Well who out of that 4 is likely to go Ed? Strange one as i don't see any of them leaving?

{Ed002's Note - I don't see any leaving in January.}

03 Jan 2015 08:35:29
Just seen that Jordan Ibe's contract expires end of the season. Surely we need to renew it as soon as possible?

03 Jan 2015 05:19:46
I posted at the end of last season when people were discussing whether SG was the best ever. I said then that for me it was Dalglish, but SG was running a close second. I stand by that but it might just be a generational thing.
Having said that, on the pitch he has been a legend and deserves to be spoken about with the same respect given to Dagger et al. I am really disappointed to see posts saying good riddance, or what a load of garbage? I thought we as fans were better than that!
I have to agree though, his performances this season have not been to standard and constantly playing him has held us back as a team. Age has caught up with him and playing him out of position (and 3-4 other players every game) has hurt us. Hopefully SG will be used as an impact player from the bench in an AM role for the rest of the season, and started in a few cup games where experience is needed. I think Jordan Henderson will make a great captain and deserves to be playing back in his natural CM role. We look so much more comfortable with him in there and Lucas sat in front of the defence. All in all I wish Stevie the best of luck for the future and thanks for giving us your best years and all the fantastic highs. I for one will never forget him lifting the European cup in Istanbul. Great memories!

03 Jan 2015 04:52:03
hello eds.

1.who was responsible for tactical changes under the tenure of rafa benitez?

2. it is sad that we won't have Gerrard next season, what is u r opinion on how Liverpool should proceed for next season.

3. and does the present crop of players has potential inspire the club to great heights?

thanks.

{Ed001's Note - 1. Depends. Rafa chose the tactics, but sometimes he made changes because of the input from his fitness coaches.
2. Get a proper DM and stop messing about forcing players with no defensive nous to play there.
3. With the right leadership, yes.}

02 Jan 2015 23:52:34
Funny but I can't recall too many complaints about Stevie last season whilst we were flying. truth is he hasn't played well but who has this season.He isn't the player he once was but I'm sorry but if there are many better in our current midfield I've missed them. most aren't fit to lace his boots even now and he's still the player most likely to make things happen.
Let's just remember the many fabulous moments capt fantastic has given our club over the years and good luck to him.who cares where he fits into the top 10 !

But he isn't a defensive midfielder, his age has caught up with him and he doesn't merit an automatic start. Gerrard at 25 was great Gerrard at 35 has been poor except in flashes.

I always had him following the path lothar matthaus of Germany took, namely moving to a sweeper roll. How ironic now that we could move to play such a system that he calls time on his Liverpool career. I would love to see it tried out before the season end, as he and matthaus were very similar in their approach and ability.

I know it won't happen now, as BR is a bit of a person, but it didn't do matthaus any harm in fact he went on to play another 5 years and two world cups in that position.

Never mind, good luck SG in everything you do. You've deserved the option to choose and will go with the blessing of all no doubt. hopefully

We were flying because we had Suarez and Sturridge outscoring most teams, not because of Gerrard.

He played a part yes, but we would probably still be outscoring teams if we had the both of them without Gerrard.

Look i'm a big Gerrard fan, grew up watching him getting into our team. But he is no longer the same person, and shouldev been used like Lampard. Lampard is still scoring because the manager knows his qualities, when and how to use em. Lampard was not put as a defensive mid because he was getting old.

There was plenty of people moaning about him last year actually.
Changing his position got about 10 good performances from him though, but he got found out in the end, unfortunately.

Every team in the league now knows that when gerrard plays everything goes through him. They put a man on him and we lose the game. Lucas moves the ball on quicker, keeps us fluid and stays in position. We conceded an awful lot of goals with SG in the DM role.

03 Jan 2015 09:43:08
Found out for what.?.still being easily our best midfield player despite the turning circle of the titanic. I agree with others that the club is more important and shouldn't be held to ransom. but honestly believe SG still has plenty to offer when used correctly.Mikey1985. there are some supporters on here who would twist on 21!!!

You can't have seen any of my posts then lol.

Swishcleaner.
I think its called the superman effect.
We have a player who has bailed the team out for so long that it has become a team habit to rely on Gerrard when the shi. hits the fan.
The difference between the Swansea game without Gerrard and the game against Leicester was stark.
When Gerrard is not playing everyone else plays differently.
The other players assume responsibilities that they don't when he is playing.
That is a consequence of the "superman" effect.
It has everything to do with how other players play around Gerrard when he is in the team.
Having Superman in your team is great but having Clark Kent in your team isn't so great.
That in my opinion is what has happened.
I just hope if he does go and play in a competitive league to win a couple of titles that he does not choose the premiership.
My other issue with this announcement is that it has offered the players an excuse for things not working out in the 2nd half of the season.
I think Gerrard will play really well now and the pressure is off but I don't know whether his team mates see it that way.
Players don't need much to look for an excuse as to why they are not performing.
Gerrard's announcement offers up a great excuse now.
Still gutted he is leaving though.

I agree to some extent Jonnybarnes but it's also the fact that Brendan wants them to play through him which is predictable for teams to counter. Instead of taking the best option it often goes back to Gerrard which slows play up. He demands the ball and you can't argue with the Captain. I would have liked to him to have stayed another year albeit as an impact player.

Stan theman

There weren't any complaints about stevie, cus we were playing a different style of football. He allowed us to peg back defenses. as they'd play deeper due to SaSaS pace, and Gerrards constant over the top balls. Go watch some of last years football again. As it stand we are playing just Sterling up there, who hasn't a clue how to play the long striker role, and we've switched to a more posession rather than pressing and counter style of play. Stevies ball playing talents, are thus wasted on the team this year.