Liverpool Banter Archive September 03 2017

03 Sep 2017 20:35:12
I might be on my own here, but I hate it when players leave on a free at the end of the contract. I understand that that is the nature of a contract and the player has fulfilled his side of it, but it just doesn't sit well with me. I see it as like they are selling the club short after all the club has done for them. Anyone else see it like this?

03 Sep 2017 20:48:49
Would be a bit miffed if we get absolutely nothing for Can. Personally though, I believe he will never want to leave after the season in store for us ;)

{Ed002's Note - are you miffed about Liverpool not paying a transfer fee for Matip?}

03 Sep 2017 21:08:33
Nope. As long as they've acted professionally during their time at the club and given their all. Its up to the club to reward them with a new contract and if not the player has to look after themselves.

03 Sep 2017 21:20:39
Come on Ed you know that a player coming in on a "free" is completely different, now stop trying to twist things! 🤣.

03 Sep 2017 21:50:38
Ed002 is absolutely correct and it's not just Matip, it's Marcus Babbel and Gary Macca. It's the bizarre double standards of football fans. Players who are not wanted are "dead wood" and fans are desperate for the club to dump them on someone else regardless of the fact that they are contracted employees.

If a player fulfills his contract with LFC and doesn't want to sign a new one, wish them well and move on. They should be judged on what they do on the pitch.

Signing a new contract is not cost neutral for the club. The player gets a signing on fee, the agent gets a fee, the wages go up etc etc.

03 Sep 2017 22:12:56
Not double standards Ron, I believe the same of any player for and club who is offered a new contract by the club they play for and turn it down just to make more money for themselves when they do move on a free. If a player isn't offered a new contract or there is problems with himself and the club then that is different, what I am talking about is greed. Players at top level football earn enough money with out having to deprive a club of a transfer fee just so they can get more money when they move. This is of course my opinion.

03 Sep 2017 22:25:26
Or why don't you assure him some playing time than shouldering blame on him? I would send Hendo back to Sunderland to play Can in that role!

03 Sep 2017 22:32:03
Meant to say "any club" above, not and. A good example is when mcmanaman moved to Real Madrid on a free, he was one of the best players in the world and we got nothing for him. Maybe this is what started this bitterness for me. 🤔.

03 Sep 2017 22:53:21
Nope. Disagree with you on this 5 Gold stars. A contract stipulates the beginning and the end of a employer/ employee relationship with all its terms and conditions (I'm no lawyer but I've signed tons of them) . If there is a renewal it has to be mutual, just like the initial contract, otherwise I don't see how any side owes anything to the other, once the contract is over. Every player has the right to get the highest financial reward for himself, while every club has the right to get the best possible player for the lowest possible reward. Isn't this how the professional football works? Ed002 is right with the Matip example. Matip was offered a new contract which he declined, as Can is doing here. And what about the young kids? A kid like Rossiter who grew up and dreamed of being a a first teamer. He gave enough years trying to develop himself and stayed loyal to the LFC setup. Why didn't anyone force the club to renew his terms instead of letting him join Celtic? The club did not see a need for him so they let him move on. Similarly, Can feels the need to be elsewhere. Once the contract is over, the reasons for non renewal from either side are really of no significance. And in Can's case, the man has fulfilled his obligations either equal to or far above expectations. So why create a situation where he is portrayed as some kind of bad guy?

03 Sep 2017 22:56:49
If Can plays plenty this season and doesn't sign the contract on the table then we know it's more to do with greed than playing time don't we. The move he wanted for his World Cup selection year didn't happen so there is no reason not to sign if he is playing regularly.

03 Sep 2017 23:22:02
It's a tough one. Personally I find it a little sad that we see players as employees who are simply fulfilling a contract rather than footballers who give their heart to play well for the club they love. Sadly those days are long gone (although perhaps not forever) and it is how it is. I agree that can should be given playing time but let's be honest, he has been given it. I find it hard to believe that liverpool will let a player of his quality leave for nothing and I guess we'll know by January.
Of course can has fulfilled his contract and been a pro but I understand fans frustration that the lad isn't dying to sign on the line.

I also agree that he is crazy for wanting to leave, LFC is one of the most exciting projects around.

On the other side of the coin he is a Rodgers player (I think) and not a klopp buy, maybe if he doesn't start it's coz he isn't what klopp has in mind. If cout's leaves next year I have faith that FSG will front the money for a decent replacement and if Can leaves then ce la vie we have kieta.

03 Sep 2017 23:38:43
I take it you meant to say you hate seeing the 'successful players' leave on a free? Lots of unsuccessful players are left go. It's an equal two way street.

03 Sep 2017 23:40:05
Fair enough 5GS, I appreciate your point of view.

Mine is aligned more with ra1969.

It seems to me we want players who are playing well for the team to commit their undying loyalty to the club whereas players who are struggling are draining the club and should go forth and multiply.

At the end of the day it's their career, can't blame them for wanting to get the best deal for themselves.

04 Sep 2017 01:12:37
Its what the bosnan ruling was about (I think)

Before clubs had nearly all the power over players, They owned the regestration of the player or something to that effect.

Maybe the Eds could help out on this please?

04 Sep 2017 02:56:52
Don't begrudge Can a move to Juve if the opportunity comes along. He signed a 4 year contract, will fulfill it and leave on a high after giving his all on the pitch. What more do u expect from him?
You want him to sign a new contract just so the club can make money at his expense? What if Can does sign a new contract and Juve then decide to go for a cheaper option? That leaves the player in a precarious position.
Can wants assurances Klopp cannot give so moving elsewhere is the best option for him. I for one accept his decision to leave as Keita and AOC arriving is a clear indication that can has already been replaced and the player was kind enough to give Klopp a one year notice.

04 Sep 2017 03:05:14
No one likes it but that's football. You can't begrudge a player being willing to run down his contract, he is also taking a risk, he could suffer a career ending injury in November and then no club would offer him a contract. If this is a problem for you consider how many other players who would like to stay have their contracts expire without being offered a new one, it works both ways.

04 Sep 2017 03:24:05
Double standards and hypocrisy? Are you lot mental? You don't need to be a hypocrite to be miffed by Can leaving for free. What next? We're hyprocrital for being miffed by conceding goals because we also score goals against opponents? Criticising fellow reds fans just for the sake of it has become somewhat of a sport in here.

04 Sep 2017 05:55:59
Absolutely agree with Robin in the Hood. I am miffed every time a Liverpool player leaves for free and delighted when we sign a good player for free. That is not hypocrisy. I am Liverpool fan, not the Secretary General of the UN.

04 Sep 2017 06:21:14
I'm not sure you can point to greed if he plays a lot this year 5GS. He knows Naby is coming in next year still and wants to play first team footy. Now if I was him I would consider my competition and be positive I. e. Hendo's injury, Couts likely to leave, Lallana nearly 30, Grujic and Woodbury not starters (yet), Gini is the only real issue for him as he seems to play every minute of every game but a mid if Can, Gini and Keita sounds pretty boss to me. Shame if he does leave because I could see him taking over captaincy from Hendo if he did stay and I don't see any other real candidates. Joe Gomez maybe?

04 Sep 2017 06:29:51
Gutted yes perhaps, but certainly not at Can. He's entirely within his rights to run down his contract, just as we are to not renew it if we don't want to. Why should he be obliged to sign a new one just so Liverpool can make some money on a sale? What happens if we then hold him to that new contract and not sell him?

I hope he does sign one, but only because I want him to stay.

04 Sep 2017 08:45:20
Yeah 5 GOLD, it is only you. You may not remember BUT this has already been litigated in the courts 20 yrs ago by a certain Jean Marc Bosman who is the reason players have the freedom to run down their contracts and make the money they feel they deserve and better their own lives.

As a result, players have no further obligation to do jack for a club anymore as the agreement has been fulfilled on both sides and if one side wants out, said party is free to do that. If the club wants to let Can go on a free, they are free to do that BUT Can is not allowed to move on as a free agent? Utter nonsense. This is professional football, my friend.

Can is free to do what he wants and it should not be a problem and never has been until you brought it up. He respected his contract, played his heart out for us, played thru injury to help get us top 4. What else do you want?

03 Sep 2017 18:47:23
Be interesting to see if Liverpool have figured out a way to beat teams that stick 10 men behind the ball this season.

03 Sep 2017 20:08:45
That's they key isn't it, we can beat anyone on our day, especially those teams that try to play against us, our issue is trying to break down those defensive teams, it'll be interesting to see if we can do it this season.

03 Sep 2017 20:13:06
I think we will do better against those defencively teams this term. All new signings seem to be geared toward breaking down stubborn defences. Be that great crosses from robertson and the Ariel threat of dom solanke to the speed and tight movement of salah and the sheer pace, power and trickery of AOC. It's a shame saints wouldn't flog vvd but at the same time we have pc on board again. Our weakness is in the heart of defence and gk znd if we played like we did under rafa I'd be worried but I'm really not fussed if we concede in every game as long as we score twice. I think we'll average over two goals a game, nearer three and our defence isn't really that bad. Pundits have to be critical and with liverpool there really is only 1/ 2 positions that can be flagged up as slightly weak. Gerrard speaks a lot of sense when he says "I wouldn't want to play them" I honestly fancy us to beat anyone. The better the opposition the better for liverpool as the top teams try to play football with us and that's not recommended.

The big test isn't city or chelsea, it's Burnley and Swansea.

03 Sep 2017 20:19:01
Fast pressing football doesn't work on teams like that and there didn't seem to be a plan b.

03 Sep 2017 21:14:16
Completely agree Supered. Said the same the other day. Klopp seems to have addressed our inability to break down the deeper teams. Palace came to spoil the other week and we just wore them down until big Solanke was sent on, he bullied them into a mistake, and Mane profited.

It all looks very positive right now in my opinion!

03 Sep 2017 21:43:37
I guess we will find out the next time we play United! 😆.

03 Sep 2017 21:53:45
Salah is the difference.

Salah has the pace to get behind any defence.

03 Sep 2017 22:04:52
One win against palace isn't proof, we need to win these games consistently, don't forget how angry everyone was after the Watford game.

03 Sep 2017 22:13:20
What will be more interesting is to see if the bigger teams start playing with 10 behind the ball playing on the counter rather than playing their usual game against us. That's what I would do if I was manager of any team in the prem coming up against us. In an open game we nearly always just blow opponents out the water. Personally I fancy our chances more against Real Madrid than I would Athletico Mardrid.

03 Sep 2017 22:30:01
Did someone mention ". Pace and trickery of AOC. " lol. Chamberlin reminds me of Sissokho at Spurs. A sprinter who use his upper body and strength to get past players than SKILL! It's laughable how suddenly AOC has become a marvelous player, he got dog abuse here last year lol!

03 Sep 2017 23:15:57
Irish, that was exactly my thought.

03 Sep 2017 23:46:29
Very early days but I like the way Solanke played when he came on against Palace. Not the type of player to look for room out on the wings. Stays in the middle and makes little runs between the centre halves or drops a yard to lay a ball off, strong in the air and up against a centre half. Could be a very interesting sub like when he came on against Palace.

04 Sep 2017 01:23:47
The team last year imroved towards the end of last season in getting the ugly win.
The first leg against Hoffenheim was another example of improvement.

The danger is when we are trying for the win with the 2 full backs up the pitch that the holding midfielder is diciplined enough not to be drawn into the attack.

Can and Hendo both have the instinct to get forward and that leaves tweedle dee and tweedle dum exposed to a counter attack.

04 Sep 2017 07:58:09
The only way to break these teams down is to be more direct in our play. By moving the ball side to side, to which we were guilty of last season, is far to easy for the opposition to defend against.

We need to give them something to think about and hopefully with the introduction of Salah and indeed Solanke this gives us a different option.

Salah linked extremely well with Couts in pre season ( only preseason I know ) so if klopp can get Couts's head right, for me, that could be the combination.

04 Sep 2017 08:37:14
What we needed more of, where players who are not afraid to RUN direct at defenders, we really only had Mane who likes a direct run but now we have Salah and AOC (the latter who loves to try long shots too) and next season Keita who also loves to run at players and dribble through.

Running at players makes them panic and ala Suarez (and even Manes goal against Palace) you can get some very lucky ricochets which work perfectly in your favorite to get through and confuse defenders to no ends.

Breaking down defensive teams is all about either a long ball over the top (which we won’t do and doesn't work if they never come forward far enough) or just running directly at them. Deflections and tricky 1-2s with great awareness of where the ball may end up are absolute key.

04 Sep 2017 09:04:40
Putting the word "Trickery" to describe the Ox is the biggest oxymoron in football as none of it is true. But seriously tho, I think Klopp addressed our issues with parked buses in the TW and even tho we only beat CP 1-0, we really should have been 2 up at half time with the misses from Mane and Matip so the progress is there.

It is consistency that we need on this front and having the likes of Salah and Mane on the flanks will help. Another thing I saw vs CP was how our heads did not drop when things were not going our way. We kept going and going and the break through happened.

His is what cost us last Jan and Feb more than Mane's absence. When things weren't happening, we would just start passing sideways out of frustration. We just need to keep going in these games and we will wear the oppo down cos we have diff options and ways to attack them now.

{Ed025's Note - you do paint a very rosy picture bingo..

03 Sep 2017 18:27:36
Can any of the eds shed some light on the emre can situation? If we being honest it looks like he won't be signing a new contract and u would imagine a pre-contract agreement agreed in jan (if not verbialy agreed now) can I ask what age can signed for lfc and if he was to leave on a free transfer would lfc be entitled to any compensation at all or us that for academy only players? Many thanks.

{Ed001's Note - he looks set to leave on a free. He was 20 when he signed but I don't believe we are entitled to any compensation.}

03 Sep 2017 18:55:32
I believe Emre would have to have spent some time in our youth system for us to receive any compensation. As he did not, Emre leaves on a free and can sign a pre-contract in January.

03 Sep 2017 19:32:56
Cheers ed001, I thought that was the case regarding compensation. He seems like a lad that just wants to play and if he playing well then get paid what is right. I just think with all the talk of midfielders arriving and with coutinho dropping to cm and Keita arriving in summer I think he thinks he will be a stop gap if he signs now and will be left stuck in contract with ourselves and maybe fighting a loosing battle to get into our regular starting 11. I will be gutted to see him leave on a free but I think it's inevitable now.

{Ed001's Note - exactly what he is thinking.}

03 Sep 2017 20:27:29
Does he not have confidence in himself enough to see himself partnering Keita ahead of Hendo next year? i like Hendo, top man but Can is imoroving all the time and if he keeps getting better i'd fancy him to surpass Hendo. Does Emre honestly think he's not going to have competition at Juve? some top midfielders there.

03 Sep 2017 21:07:39
I'd take can over Henderson any day of the week, I appreciate what he does but I don't see him like some untouchable figure that some on here do.

03 Sep 2017 22:31:08
Can over Henderson any day of the week! But don't happen as Hendo is the baby face and captain!

03 Sep 2017 22:41:17
Just such a shame if he leaves, from my name its obvious im a fan. Since he joined i thought he'd be a top player and he seems to be on the verge of that now. He's played at least 40 times a season, over 130 games at 23 years of age. With Keita coming in we could, along with Can and Couts (or his replacement), have one of the best midfields in Europe.

04 Sep 2017 01:38:23
You can't knock him for effort while all this contract talk is going on.

It would have been easy for Can to have signed a 5 year contract, on huge money, only to try and manipulate a move 6 months later by feigning injury and bursting out crying. LMFHO.

But that would have been unprofessional, Ain't that right PHIL. ?

CREDIT WHERE ITS DUE TO EMRE CAN.

03 Sep 2017 21:32:06
Ed I know your opinion on the matter may have as much ground to it as mine due to you being unable to read the players mind.
But do you see any chance of him staying say if he were to be used as much as he possibly can this season and we win a cup and do well in the league hypothetically. I feel if he felt he was valued and one of the first names on the team sheet he would be happy to stay. Someone above mentioned it will be more difficult for him to play when Keita comes, which is hard to argue, but I can see Coutinho leaving by next summer and Can could find himself playing in a 2 man midfield with Keita or a three with Keita and another.
I've always rated Can ever since we've bought him, know he wasn't brilliant at times last year, but at times he actually was brilliant. Always seen the potential in him. remember Ed02 saying when we signed him that an opinion of an ex German Intertational midfielder (always thought he was referring to Ballack) is that he could become one of the best central midfielders in the world, or along them lines. Think everyone's starting to see how good Can can be, and consistently so far this season. Would be more than a shame to lose him.

{Ed001's Note - I am sure there is a chance, but he needs to picked over other players, rather than just getting his chance because of injuries. He knows Klopp has gone out and bought other players for his position on a number of occasions in a bid to replace him. Klopp needs to make it clear that they are not to replace him unless he allows them to.}

04 Sep 2017 03:46:29
Him and Hendo are the only 2 players shirts i currently have, will be gutted if he goes but you can't exactly bench your captain and a new big money signing in order to play him so i understand why he wants to leave. would rather he used this as an opportunity to prove his worth though, he either already is or definitely will be better than Henderson and he seems to have similar leadership qualities too so arguably could replace him if he proves himself but ah well.

04 Sep 2017 09:13:47
Can has nothing else to prove to anyone but himself cos he has more than come good for the club, period. He is right to assess his options if the manager is bringing in other mids. That is just normal for a player to re-evaluate his standing in the team cos like it or not, Can is in his fourth season here and is now and integral part of the team and has more than earned his right to start. Klopp and the club have to make it clear that he is wanted here and will get his chances and he is not being replaced. It will be up to him in the end.

03 Sep 2017 15:45:12
What's everyone's opinion on what to do with coutinho?

Personally I'd put him in the first 11 straight away against city. I know our team would ev hard to drop but I feel if he doesn't play it'll make relationships worse with the club. Let's just get past his mistakes and get behind him again.

Having him come on as a sub would be fine but I could imagine him getting so much stick from the fans (both sides)

Just my opinion as I want him to help us challenge for the title and not waste him away with the reserves.

03 Sep 2017 16:03:58
He won't start against City, what sort of message would that send to the rest of the squad that has just thrashed Hoffenheim and Arsenal. I think he will probably be on the bench and will be gently eased back into the first team picture.

03 Sep 2017 16:07:00
I would ask coutinho if he's ready to get on with being a footballer again, if not leave him out, if so stick him on the bench, no automatic route to the first team, needs to prove himself again first.

03 Sep 2017 16:24:28
Even if he had genuinely just been injured and none of the Barcelona things had happened I don't think he should go straight into the starting lineup. The other midfielders have been playing great and don't deserve to be dropped.

03 Sep 2017 16:26:47
No, for a few reasons.

1. His head needs to be right before he's put back in to the team.
2. The team has been playing well as is, so why change it.
3. It sends a poor message to the other players, they've been training, playing well and generally working hard and you immediately replace them with a player who hasn't trained and tried to engineer a move away from the club.

First things first, the relationship between Klopp and Coutinho needs to be sorted and ensure all his teammates feel comfortable with him again (they should be, they're professionals) .

The fans don't need an apology, fans are fickle and if he starts playing when again then everything will be forgiven, as we did with Suarez.

03 Sep 2017 16:42:58
I'd leave him out of the team until the cup game against Leicester then if he puts in a performance start bringing him back in to the first team fold.

03 Sep 2017 16:49:44
Why put in Coutinho straight away after all he has done? He needs to earn back his place starting off with an apology that he acted like a teenage brat.

The club owes him nothing. He is being payed his wages and needs to abide to his contract. End of the story.

03 Sep 2017 17:34:20
The pressure will be on him to play well immediately. I can see the Leicester away cup game to bring him back.

03 Sep 2017 17:35:26
I'd stick him on the bench.

03 Sep 2017 17:38:31
I would like to hear eds1 opinion on this.

{Ed001's Note - depends on what his attitude is like.}

03 Sep 2017 18:10:47
He needs to earn his place back in training the same as everyone else.
Put the work in, show your commitment, then you're available for selection.
Mope about, don't work in training = not in march day squad.

03 Sep 2017 18:19:38
Should apologize to the dressing room then get his head down in training and get on with it. First time he smacks in a 30 yard free kick all will be forgiven.

03 Sep 2017 21:10:16
If his heads right play him let's be honest you don't just toss your best players to the side. He always turns up for the big games and it's silly to omit him due to stubbornness, if we make him wait or demote him for a game or two who benefits? We certainly don't.

04 Sep 2017 01:46:17
We go 1 nil down against city and everyone, including every poster here, will be screaming for him to be brought on.
Who cares about his head? He doesn't score many with it.

I know he's a different kind of headcase to Suarez, but after he agreed to join Arsenal in Summer 2013, he pretty much blew the doors off that season.

Play him. That's the nature of football these days. Play your best. All the old stuff about loyalty and club bullshit went out the window the day supporters stuck a satellite dish on the side of their houses.

If he#s having a good season, sell him for 250 in January and buy Lemar for 100. He'd be brilliant with Keita. A decent DM and we'd be laughing and have a full on Klopp 6.
Onwards and upwards.
To think it all started with those ugly dishes! Used be a time when Frank McAvennie was top scorer in a league that nobody was watching on a TV anywhere and you heard about it on Wogan.

03 Sep 2017 14:21:23
Everyone is criticising Coutinho for his actions. But while all this is going on another is sneaking under the radar - Emre Can. He is refusing to sign a new contract - one of the excuses being that he needs more playing time. He played in 40 out of 47 last season and 129 in 3 seasons and is a regular this season. We all agree that he is going to be a great player but sadly that is going to be with Juventus. It is obvious that this has already been (illegally) arranged and I believe that he is also going to receive a massive signing-on fee. Let's face it - Juventus will have a lot of money over that they would normally pay for the transfer - I believe the current value of Can is around 23 million and will probably be more at the end of the season. I personally would let Can si ton the bench for every match from now on. As there is a major tournament coming up next year he will want to represent Germany and to do he has to play. I want him to play for Liverpool - not Juventus and Germany. Perhaps this will help him to change his mind - although I doubt it. I believe that when Coutinho returns he will be fully committed and this is the sort of player that we want .

03 Sep 2017 14:39:00
I rate him at much more than £23.000.000. I would say £40/ 45.000.000 easy. It is a tough situation but look, we have Hendo lallana wijnaldum Milner coutinio ox and next season we will have kieta. I think there is some truth in the opinion that he has already made his mind up, he was quite negative about our 4.2 win over hoffenhiem. We have kieta coming in so it's not as big a problem as it could be. I would like us to offer him what he wants though as he is going to be massive.

03 Sep 2017 14:44:39
So has can looked anything other than committed so far this season?

What an asurb comment.

Can is out of contract next summer. If he would like to go play football anywhere else then that's his choice and good luck to him. Bottom line is that he fulfilled the contract he signed when he joined and had given his all in between. Can't ask for more.

03 Sep 2017 14:50:25
Did you hear hos post match interview after hoffenhiem. We won 4.2 and he was being negative. I'm not disputing him professionalism. He has given everything for the team and fulfilled his contract. There is more we can ask for him though and that is "sign a new contract"

03 Sep 2017 14:53:57
Can we please rise above emotional sentimalism? The man is going to fulfill the term and duration of a mutually agreed to contract with his employer. He's free to extend or move elsewhere if he wishes. That's the nature of the employment market, whether it's football or brick laying. It may not be getting the attention the Coutinho situation is, but maybe it's because there's nothing really nasty or unethical or whatever, that's going on? He's not morally obligated to extend or renew. Nor is the club. If an extension happens it will be because of mutual desire - player and club. Can't dance the tango by yourself, can you?

All that aside, I really hope he does stay. Can be a vital cog in our drive to win things, as a club. His importance is only growing. I just don't want to see people getting hysterical and start accusing him of things that he's not guilty of in any shape or form.

03 Sep 2017 14:55:59
Wassa-lfc.

That is the best comment I have read on this site. You are absolutely right. Can has been a great player for us and, unlike Coutinho, has made himself available for every single match even through injury. The lad should be applauded not hung out to dry. If he leaves then that is a real, real shame. But, while he was with us, he gave us nothing but 100% every time. So, if his contract does run out and he leaves then I will be very sad. But, I will say nothing but good things about him.

I hope Can stays but, with the new additions to the squad, especially Keita, it looks like we are already prepared for his leaving. Also, Can is not moving to a rival in our league (Ala Tevez) and is being eyed by a side who made it into the Champions League final and won their league. I understand why such a move would be enticing.

All we can do is hope now but, if Can does leave, then I will be the first to wish him the best and thank him for his conduct and performances while in a Liverpool shirt.

{Ed002's Note - It was terrible to see Tevez leaving Liverpool.}

03 Sep 2017 15:17:09
I too would wish him well. He gives everything for the club. He has been a model professional. I'm not knocking the lad at all. If my post came over that way I apologise. I really like him as a player and hope he stays. As a fan I would like him to sign a new contract so we a, have a great cm on the books and b, don't lose him to a ucl rival for nothing. He hasn't behaved like pc and that is commendable but the point we were talking about is "does he want to stay at liverpool" it's not wrong to have an opinion on this, and my opinion is he doesn't want to. I hope I'm wrong. He can still leave if he signs a new contract (if we allow of course) and we will make some money for the lad we've developed. The fact he hasn't signed means he can leave and we get zero while he gets massive wages and signing on fee.

03 Sep 2017 15:17:13
I never wanted to sell Tevez from my football manager team Ed002. He was demanding such a high wage though!

03 Sep 2017 15:29:52
Can is really lucky to get this many games. He is free to renew or go.

His physical growth has helped him to play more than his ability with ball or position.

Can supporters will slay here as usual but fact is he is a limited player - ability / intelligence wise.

Not sure if he will get any more or mature with age but ED's can shed light as they have seen many more before.

Othet than that he is a good professional and wish him good whereever he goes.

Cheers.

03 Sep 2017 15:40:47
Can = limited player? Sorry but I can't agree with that. He has been, along with mane, the stand out player so far this season. His size and steel is vital for our team as I think our biggest downfall is we are not physical enough. That is why he is asked to play the holding role but he can attack with the best of them. Anyone calling him limited obviously hasn't watched him play this year as he has been totally dynamic. Goal of the season last year too.

Can I ask the eds a question please? Is it common for teams and players coming to an agreement that, for example, we ask can to sign a one year extention with the understanding that we will sell if the right offer comes in (say over £30.000.000) so we get something out of selling him?

{Ed002's Note - No, why would a player sign such a deal?}

03 Sep 2017 16:33:45
Super red sorry mate but our best player as been Bobby so far he is a class above everyone else at the min.

03 Sep 2017 18:14:57
What's the big deal? If he doesn't want to sign the contract that is his choice and we should respect that.
If he wants to leave then so be it. That's the point of a contract and if you see it to its conclusion then you are free to go.
I'd rather he did that than sign a 5 yr contract and 6 months in start moaning and wanting to leave.
It's totally diffferent to Coutinho who signed a 5yr contract and now wants to leave.
If Emre chooses to move on in July then good luck to him and I thank him for his honest professionalism 👍.

03 Sep 2017 12:05:56
Anyone know if there's a private plane to bring Brazil players back to the PL? Will Couts be on it?

03 Sep 2017 12:28:03
I think LFC are sending Couts a dinghy.

{Ed025's Note - your not suggesting liverpool are a sinking ship are you irish?.. :)

03 Sep 2017 12:30:25
There will be a private jet shared by the prem clubs, and I would imagine phil would get on it and not do a Diego costa 😂.

03 Sep 2017 12:33:05
It will be a non-standard private plane 🤝.

{Ed025's Note - love it ron..

03 Sep 2017 12:50:12
A penal?

03 Sep 2017 12:54:26
With the customary blacked out Mercedes van to pick up at the airport.

03 Sep 2017 13:09:57
Playing 'we love you yeah, yeah, yeah, with love like that you know you should be glad. '

03 Sep 2017 14:27:46
Is it a direct flight or does it stopover in Barcelona?

03 Sep 2017 12:47:38
Could be worse ed25 he could have Looney as his driver.

{Ed025's Note - it could MR, but the price of cabs these days are shocking, it would have been about £12 for him to get home..now who can afford that?..

03 Sep 2017 13:26:21
Certainly not Ed25, just to give Couts enough time to think about what a great club he plays for. 😉.

{Ed025's Note - oh ok mate...just checking..

03 Sep 2017 16:29:35
You forgot ed0025 that he also had to take a detour to drop an (ahem) friend off! £12 probably wouldn't have covered it especially at 2 in the morning!

He should have rang Colleen to pick them up. oh no he couldn't could he?

{Ed025's Note - he could have marshy, i have it on good authority that wayne would not do anything untoward with other women....but just in case my granny has to be home by 10-30 mate..

04 Sep 2017 01:49:04
He's no longer the driving force he once was.
and won't be for the next 2-3 years.

He didn't think it would be a cop saying "blow into this please, "

03 Sep 2017 09:51:11
Woodburn.
Yes he scored a great goal last night, in a game against opposition well below what you would find in the premiership. He was also sent on to force a goal, so was given freedom to shoot on sight. Playing in a top 4 or title challenging team requires more discipline.
Whilst I do not want to downplay the lads potential, I do want to stop the heaps of pressure coming his way because he scored an international goal at 17 years old.
Leave the lad to develop, play at younger level and in cup games or gain minutes as a substitute. He will get minutes for Wales as well which will help.
Over time he will hopefully continue on this upward trend and we will see him push into and excel in the first team, but let's be aware of the high number of young players who don't make it because they are put in too soon or put under too much pressure.

03 Sep 2017 10:56:42
It doesn't matter who your playing, the goal was the goal and was a great occasion for him. Can see what it meant to him too.

03 Sep 2017 10:57:12
I think people are just happy for the lad.

03 Sep 2017 11:10:52
Austria are a half decent side.

03 Sep 2017 11:11:06
Andy disagree with you on your top 4 and discipline point. at his age realistically for the most part he will be coming off the bench and at that age same as Coleman said to him you just have to say go and express yourself. from this you will get good and bad while he learns.

Last night was fantastic though.

03 Sep 2017 11:29:50
His defensive positioning was pretty impressive for someone being sent out to express themself. That shows a wide understanding of the game, too many quick skillfull kids are a bit headless. So that is a good sign.

One thing that concerns me with young players is the temptation to beef up. They gain too much bulk whilst still experiencing natural growth so they have a whole new body to get used to. The lower back especially takes the strain which is can easily become a recurring issue and is very painful. I hope he gets advised properly to stay in the ideal physical condition for his style of play.

03 Sep 2017 12:01:24
International football defences are generally better than premier league defences IMO.

03 Sep 2017 12:30:21
It was a good goal and it can only give him confidence. Really Happy for him.

03 Sep 2017 12:53:27
An awful lot of people would disagree with that, No easy games in WC qualifiers.

Well done Ben and Wales.

03 Sep 2017 15:37:35
Mbappe is just one year older. if your good enough your old enough.

Until kane got a chance at spurs he was not seen as good enough. took his chance and the rest is history.

03 Sep 2017 15:44:45
Also to add how many subs, on debut at 17 win the man of the match after only being on pitch 20 minute.

First time I saw him in flesh last night and he changed the game on his own. very bale esque for wales job.

He was phenomenal. not many players able to impact a game like that.

03 Sep 2017 07:41:17
just wanted to thank all the edds and macca for everything they done 2 provide the readers of the site with as much iinfo and opinion as they could during thw window.

big shout, philly.

{Ed001's Note - cheers philly, I am just glad the window is shut and we can get back to football!}

03 Sep 2017 11:28:21
Brilliant site especially ed 1 23 and even ed 2.

03 Sep 2017 12:52:43
We can get back to football once these internationals are over, I fell asleep watching the England game and the Ireland game, honestly nothing I hate more than internationals, unless it's the world cup or euro's.

02 Sep 2017 22:59:54
Hearing mo salah got injured against uganda, ankle injury, any news on this eds?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

03 Sep 2017 09:30:48
Egyptian team Doctor said he's on. Reckoned the pitch was a cabbage patch though.

03 Sep 2017 11:52:35
Dennis, On what mate?

03 Sep 2017 12:34:09
Probably means "OK" as opposed to "On"