Liverpool Banter Archive February 05 2016

05 Feb 2016 22:03:06
I have a season ticket in the main stand around the half way line and am in line to have my ticket increase to over a grand. Does anybody know if there are going to be any changes to the seating in the current main stand. Despite the nostalgia of the wooden seats and I have little problem with them but for the extra money kind of hoping for cushioned seats, heated would be nice! Or should I just be grateful I don't have a post in front of me?

Cheers.

05 Feb 2016 22:44:41
Haha I love this post.

05 Feb 2016 22:37:39
£1000 for at least 25 games? £40 a game at most for arguably the best positioned seats in the stadium? Priorities on away tickets?

I'll pray for you tonight mate. Must be horrible being one of the luckiest Liverpool fans on the planet for the price of a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa sxi. My heart genuinely aches for you. Syrian refugees want to man up. They don't know the meaning of struggle. Ungrateful gits get a free holiday across Europe whilst their government redecorate their houses and you have to pay less than you probably spend on alcohol every year for the best seats in Anfield! Outrageous. Worlds gone mad.

I'm going to go drink bleach. Goodbye cruel world.

06 Feb 2016 01:34:55
Interesting - my current situation; I would and could pay the amounts for tickets to see Liverpool week in week out.

Does it make it right that the increase is greater than a number of things; i. e. my payrise won't be 20%; even if it was I'd want other things apart from giving it all to LFC.

If I' had a season ticket would I feel aggrieved that next year I may not be able to go due to cost - absolutely.

It's great that 1,000 school kids will get free entrance - but why should others subsidice this?

EMS - I live in MK; I'm an out of towner - i agree and disagree with what a lot of people say on here - but you need to get off your high horse on this - you told us you lost your job recently; i'd be gutted if that meant yo lost your season ticket yet you undermine others by saying you would pay the money for the best seat in the house!

At what expense? Your child not getting clothing? Your family not going on holiday? You not being able to socialise?

If your lucky to get a pay increase you don't want it all going to LFC!

I want to support the team - but the team didn't increase the cost!

05 Feb 2016 20:27:26
I have a question if we are in the top ten richest clubs why do we not compete financially. This should be a given.

05 Feb 2016 20:59:53
It's about how wealth is measured, we're not the 10th most cash rich.

05 Feb 2016 21:02:40
Oh dear. You do realise that in the last few years only 5 teams have spent more money than us on transfers; PSG, Man City, Real Madrid, Man United and Barcelona. And no I'm not joking, we have actually spent more than Chelsea.

How are we not competing financially? We're not competing on the pitch due to players underperforming or flopping and an ex-manager wasting 3 years of our time building a team around 2 mercenaries, a cripple and an old man; all whilst failing to learn from a string of similar mistakes.

Stop trying to find a stick to beat the owners with. They've poured millions into the team whilst building a new stand and if you think this has been an easy venture for them with a cosy profit waiting for them you're insane. They've taken abuse, dealt with unimaginable stress and publicity issues, and all this whilst desperately throwing money at the sinking ship that is LFC. I'm sick of reading about how "evil" they are. Grow up the lot of you. If they make a profit, it probably still hasn't been worth their time. They're billionaires. The amount of time they've invested into this alone could've been spent investing into something far more profitable. You want proof? Wait until they sell us and see if they buy another football team. Will they hell because it isn't worth the time and money when all you get is abuse from a bunch of, to coin a phrase from Ed002, knuckle dragging oafs.

05 Feb 2016 21:03:13
because we spend more than we get.

05 Feb 2016 21:05:03
1. Because we are saddled with debts and running at a loss.
2. Because every team above us in the 'rich table' has a lot more money - most of them lots and lots more money, some so much that paying £100M for a player is no big deal.

Those I would speculate are the two main reasons.

05 Feb 2016 21:12:31
Top 10 in revenue, I doubt anywhere near 10th richest. Arsenal have more cash then the rest of the PL combined, or did last time I checked.

As of 31 May 2014, we had a massive £488k cash at bank and in hand.

05 Feb 2016 21:27:26
Rag week for EMS? 😄.

05 Feb 2016 21:37:33
"Rag week for EMS".

Brilliant :-)

05 Feb 2016 21:56:41
I know it's not as much, and it's only a few players, but I think it's important to take in sales of sterling and Suarez into your argument.

05 Feb 2016 21:58:18
They only spend what they get ems, if they hadn't sold Suarez and sterling they would only have chucked in a pittance.

05 Feb 2016 22:26:06
Sterlings fee didn't even cover the cost of Firmino. I assume Benteke, Clyne, Milner etc costs were covered by Balotellis loan fee?

You are embarrassing Hem B. Suarez and Sterling are the only players we've made a profit on since FSG took over. They were sold for about £100m. That doesn't even cover the costs of the first transfer window FSG were in charge for when they gave Dalglish and Comolli a Kings ransom and got Downing, Carroll and Enrique for their money. You're kidding yourself.

05 Feb 2016 22:28:54
To be fair, would you rather Suarez and Sterling or £80M or whatever we got for them that was largely wasted? If we still had them we likely wouldn't need much.

05 Feb 2016 22:53:14
I'm sure sterlings fee just about covered firmino mind.

05 Feb 2016 22:44:33
We also made a few on Jonjo, EMS. and a bit on N'Gog of all people. But yeah, in general we don't sell for anything near what we bought for.

05 Feb 2016 22:51:37
Torres?

06 Feb 2016 01:15:47
Good call, Rover. Torres as well. And I think Kelly as well?

05 Feb 2016 17:18:16
Ed's 001 and Eds 002 I would like your opinion on the speculation of Daniel Sturridge wanting out of LFC. Are there any foundations to this rumor or is it bunkum? If true what are your thoughts? Personally I would be let down as a Liverpool supporter if he left because if anyone ever owed anything to anyone in this world it's Sturridge to Liverpool FC and it's supporters. But he's a world class commodity when fit and he would walk into any team in the world bar Barcelona at this time and players ultimately have the power in football now. So if he wants to go we don't stand a chance of keeping him.

{Ed002's Note - As I said this morning, I know nothing of the matter at all. The term "world class" is significantly over used by soccerball supporters. He is a decent player.}

05 Feb 2016 17:33:57
Huh. can't believe you guys believe in tabloids. Then suddenly more and more came out slating the guy. Because of some news from tabloids, rumours, or whatever. Another huh!

05 Feb 2016 18:13:47
If its all BS, all Sturridge has to do is go on his twitter page and say its not true. His silence is deafening.

05 Feb 2016 18:38:07
Don't you see this is how we as fans alienate players from the club. Nothing is confirmed on whether he wants to go or not. At this moment in our club's he is still an (to borrow a word from our Brendan) outstanding player albeit infrequent in recent times. Whatever comes next I think will be in the best interests of all parties. Let's hope that there are bigger, more positive stories we as Liverpool supporters can share in the not so distant future.

05 Feb 2016 18:48:25
Maybe he chose not to respond to stupid rumours.

I myself was a bit shocked reading it.

But, don't swallow things blindly. Reserve the thoughts, and wait at least until there are some lights or base on it. Then slate him all you want. But not the other way around.

Enjoy your weekend, guys.

05 Feb 2016 20:46:24
I don't need to worry here in Australia all they write about is how Donald trumps getting on in America so i turn on the epl and watch whoevers on the pitch its not worth worrying about Danny is class and can't wait to see him play soon he may even get in my fantasy team. or will he?

05 Feb 2016 17:52:21
That's why I used the word 'speculation' MSS. I didn't qualify it as a truism.

Ed's 002 I think that's where we'll have to agree to disagree. I think on his day Sturridge is unplayable and would waltz into most teams. He'd probably injure himself while doing the said waltz though! He has everything, power, pace, movement, agility, super haircut and enthralling dance moves. Ed's 002 would appreciate your translation of world class and a few players on your list if you would? And would your friend the weasel be on that list at the moment?

{Ed002's Note - I guess by the nature of it, a "world class" player would get in to a "world class" squad - so if you were to pick a 25 man world cup squad of "world class" players, would Sturridge make the cut? I doubt it - and one for the teams and formations page.}

05 Feb 2016 18:56:07
Apart from the barca3 and ronaldo, how many strikers in the world are actually better than him. ( when he's fit ) . I'd say only Aguero and Lewandowski.

06 Feb 2016 03:41:08
'On his day' he is unplayable? For me, 'world-class' would suggest a sustained high level of performance season after season. At this stage i would say Sturridge would be grouped with Le Tissier and De Canio as a player capable of moments of magic but certainly not world class.

05 Feb 2016 16:34:23
There is probably no issue at all with Sturridge
A journalist has made up a story
Nothing more.

05 Feb 2016 16:50:07
You must be living on a different planet Chris.

05 Feb 2016 17:20:22
Have you seen Klopps reaction and reply to a journalist questioning him about this? Absolutely hilarious!

05 Feb 2016 19:35:21
You got a link Alex? Cheers.

05 Feb 2016 20:45:39
Carlito it's om this actual Web page on the video at the top.

05 Feb 2016 21:22:42
Why not just do exchange for chicharito with Bayerleverkusen?

05 Feb 2016 15:56:32
Sturridge,
Yes a top striker when fit, when
Yes he had a good season with Luis at the side of him,
Yes we all know that he is WHEN FIT the top drawer striker we are looking for.
But, does anyone seriously think he'll ever play for us again? every single time we hear he's near fitness he's back in ten days, Klopp barely ever gets into conversation about him at all, rumours of everything from being precious to being a nutjob, now rumours and granted from the daily fail that he wants out,
What do we think? Me personally I don't think he's ever coming back, i'd like to be proven wrong as he would be great if he came back to form but I just can not see it,
If he does how long before he doesnt? Its a mystery but there's sight more to this than meets the eye and anyone who says its obvious he just wants to play football, is it? how obvious? do you personally know him? has he told you this? no thought not
I suppose we shall see.

05 Feb 2016 16:20:56
However good he is when fit (and I agree he's a world class finisher) from my observations it seems Kloppo wants all his players to be training to the same level of intensity. Sturridge will never be able to achieve this due to either physical or mental issues.
It's better to have a player that fits the manager's style IMO.
It's a shame but unless Sturridge can change I can't see him hanging around long.

05 Feb 2016 16:21:35
He is not injured. Klopp has said previously he wants eveyr player to complete a 10 days training programe without any break. Sturridge never completes it.

05 Feb 2016 16:22:56
Funnily enough I just posted a paragraph stating the complete opposite! I guess no one knows what is truly going on apart from those at the club. I just think he maybe wasn't given the TLC he needed and never let his body fully recover. I do think (hope) next season will be the season we see whether he can stay fit or not, as Klopp seems to be giving him as much time as possible to recover. Be interesting to see if he makes an appearance against west Ham.

05 Feb 2016 16:36:30
Frankly i understand how sturridge feel. Asking a fit player to train 10 more sessions is unconventional amd look like high handed military regime. Most players may have problem sucking it up if they are star players, it reeks of a manager not trustimg the player.

05 Feb 2016 17:07:46
we need to stop selling are best players ever year . he should not be are main st so if he get injured we not relying on him being fit.

05 Feb 2016 19:26:07
Seems simple enough, Klopps 10 day rule is designed to "encourage" Studge to push through twinges real or imagined in the knowledge its back to square one if he blinks.

Hopefully Studge will then appreciate not all niggles are an "injury", but instead part and parcel of life .

05 Feb 2016 20:48:10
Leek he's not beasting them every day making them do 20km run 500 push ups etc then carry a log up a hill.

He's asking them to take part in 5 a sides, do gym work, rehab, drills, cone work, set pieces and apparebtly he's still struggling.

05 Feb 2016 21:16:11
Whether you like it or not, if any player can't get through 10 days in a row of training, how are they ready to play? I was told by a friend with direct contact to the Liverpool physios that Sturridge is not great at his recovery work. Maybe this is Jurgen's way of ensuring he is ready because it certainly hasn't worked with the previous methods.

05 Feb 2016 21:24:22
Boba, u played under klopp b4? His training is indeed closer to 20km run + 500 pushups.

05 Feb 2016 22:04:58
Wow leek you have no clue.

05 Feb 2016 13:42:25
Bit of banter and a bit early for this I know but who if any has been the stand out player for Liverpool this season so far? Personally I can't pick out anybody. With injuries, the changing of manager and systems it's damm hard picking anyone. Just for the craic guys so take it easy lol.

05 Feb 2016 14:00:21
Firmino/ Toure probably. slim pickings.

05 Feb 2016 14:02:16
Jesus. That's really depressing but you're right. I'm going to pick Ibe. Mainly because he is a young lad who albeit hasn't been exceptionally but also has shown signs of improvement in his game despite his current bumpy patch. He has played a lot of games with the massive pressure of having to replace Sterling and he's done admirably in my opinion age considered.

3 goals and 3 assists puts him right up there with Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Benteke and Firmino who are all older and far more experienced in senior football. They've also played more minutes of football. So Ibe for me. Purely because he's met expectations. Sterling got 2 goals and 4 assists in his first season as a regular and Ibe is well on course to beat that whilst everyone else is underperforming in terms of what is expected of them.

05 Feb 2016 14:06:21
Lucas.

05 Feb 2016 14:21:23
Lucas
Lovren has improved
Ibe.

05 Feb 2016 14:24:01
Hard one as no one has been consistent.

Though lovren has improved and ings shown for a few games who could be a really good buy.

05 Feb 2016 14:26:01
Ibe's been a bit disappointing for me, talented and young so it's entirely forgivable but he hasn't crossed the ball well, beaten players or scored goals.

I'd say Firmino, Llalana, Clyne or Lucas have been most reliably decent for me (no one's really shone) but all these have still had their highs and lows.

05 Feb 2016 14:29:37
Yeah Lucas for me.

05 Feb 2016 14:45:17
Lovern for me. Purely because he has improved a fair bit.

05 Feb 2016 14:48:11
Has to be Skrtel for me - he hasn't been at fault for a single goal since Christmas!

Seriously though, it hard to pick one player although I'm enjoying seeing some players improve as the season progresses. Can, Firmino and even Allen have all improved.

05 Feb 2016 14:57:52
I'm torn between Enrique, Mignolet, Benteke and Sturridge.

05 Feb 2016 14:55:37
I will say its Brad Smith for doing so well with limited opportunities.

05 Feb 2016 15:03:25
Good question have to say ibe or just seeing Flanagan back
Up the pool.

05 Feb 2016 15:17:37
Lovren and Lucas.

05 Feb 2016 15:17:48
Would have to say Firmino.

05 Feb 2016 15:42:35
Emre Can, lost a bit of form recently, but generally has been great.

05 Feb 2016 15:48:41
Allen, I've slated him loads but fair play, looks far far better than the other mids right now and seems to get Klopps style best of all.

05 Feb 2016 15:49:49
I absolutely love Lucas but I have to with Lovren cause he has improved.

05 Feb 2016 15:52:49
Questions like this make you realise how bad we've been this year!

05 Feb 2016 15:59:39
Zimbo how are you disappointed in Ibe? I'm not saying you're wrong, just wanna know what you were expecting. He had never scored a goal for us before this season. He got 5 goals in half a season last year for Derby in the Championship. Then he came back and got shafted by Rodgers being made to play right wing back. This year he finally got a chance in his preferred position and he's scored 3 and assisted 3. I mean you could argue that all of his goals have come in cup competitions but one was in Europe and 2 were against Premier League opposition anyway (one of which sent us to Wembley - eventually) .

He has been inconsistent but he's 20 so surely that's allowed? I was torn between Can and Ibe because they're both at similar ages playing their first seasons in premier league football in the preferred positions (as Rodgers wasted them both in defence) . I simply can't think of a senior player who deserves it. Coutinho is still young but he's been playing in the first team for about 3 years so his inconsistency is frustrating still.

05 Feb 2016 17:03:36
Easily Firmino. And he's just getting started.

05 Feb 2016 17:09:08
Joe Allen could steal this if given a few starts to show how much he has improved.

05 Feb 2016 17:21:56
Brannigan.

05 Feb 2016 18:12:04
Glen Johnson.

05 Feb 2016 18:15:36
Flano without a shadow of a doubt, i realy forgot how good he was because the s and s show was kind of dominating the season but back into the side after such a long time out and just class straight away and consistently. I pray Gomez and Ings can have similar impacts.

05 Feb 2016 18:30:07
I really like Ibe, he comes inside now rather than just going outside and his left foot has improved a lot!

He crossing isn't the best, but can easily be improved upon.

Think in a few years if he keeps his head down will grow into a quality player!

05 Feb 2016 19:45:26
Neither Lucar or Ibe have been good this season. Are you guys serious? Ibe doesn't know when to let go of the ball and Lucas is good, but way off pace.

05 Feb 2016 18:59:37
It seems crazy the confidence Lucas has with his freedom to be in more advanced positions.

05 Feb 2016 12:09:25
Ok this is just my opinion but certain negatives posts are flying in here and most are disgraceful to be honest

1) Teixeira (Shatkhar)
Was never going to happen and I mentioned when that interview he had in the US that was posted on YouTube was a genius marketing ploy from his agent and nobody noticed that the owner of the club had no issue with what was said, if people actually listened to the interview properly it went like this . The asking price is the asking price and I don't care where or who I play with as long as I'm on really good wages the club gets their money and I get the publicity to get a decent chance of breaking into the Brazil squad for the Copa America

2) Sturridge
Correct me if I'm wrong here but I'm sure one of the Eds did mention before Christmas it would be best for himself to move on and I myself have said this, great footballer but who wants to pay a huge wage to a player who will only appear 10-15% of the playing season? Seriously he is still highly regarded by a lot of clubs and management and is worth cashing in on but that's my opinion, would love to see a fully fit Sturridge stay with the club for another 2 seasons and get the best from him but that's just not going to happen, c'mon be honest here guys.

3) Ticket prices

People need to realise football is no longer prioritised as a sport but a business and if upping the price of a ticket increase revenue well then that's what any club will do, not that I agree with the increase but the club know that people will of course complain but the fans will still pay the increased ticket fees anyway so it's a win win for the club financially at least and I know it's not a popular move and not really needed to happen especially with the huge TV deal coming but look it's happening and it's not going to change.

I know a lot of people will jump down my throat but the truth is the truth and business is business and we need to be successful or else reminisce for the rest of our lives of what was before when we need to be looking forward to future success's hopefully starting with the cup final at the end of the month and push forward after that.

Keep the faith even if we loose Sturridge there plenty of strikers out there who are fully fit and will be looking for moves this summer and hopefully there is a clear out of the guys who are just not cutting it within the squad and fresh blood brought in from the youths and a few experienced top quality players from either the prem league - Europe or where ever.


YNWA.

05 Feb 2016 12:41:39
Good points.

1. We all heard how difficult it is to deal with Russian clubs owners. We had a value for him, they had a value for him. Didn't work out, move on Ayre did. IMO his move to China is less his choice. Yes wages are amazing, but so would ours have been. I think after publicly saying I want out, the owner made sure he got out. I doubt China was on his wishlist, but might not have been able to stay.

2. Agree. I mean really, how can anyone miss Sturridge cause he doesn't actually play for us anyway. We could use the money. He may well play a full season at his next club, but here he doesn't and seemingly doesn't have to. Clubs and managers will always believe they can get the best out of a fallen player, or cure the injuries. Carroll and Balotelli prove this. Someone will also buy Ballotelli for just this reason. Egos, managers have them too.

3. Shame, but it is the way things are now. People will pay those prices, FSG have always said this is a business around a love of sport. We've always been customers just under a different label haven't we? Buying tickets to see a show or a film, I maybe a fan of Star Wars, but I'm just a customer paying to see the movie. Buying shirts, mugs, hats, scarves etc. from a shop. Buy those under anyother label and you're a customer. As a fan, I'll support my team, love them, dedicate spare time to them but parting with cash is consumer based trade.
These owners have splashed cash in almost every window to try and make out team better, improved off-field to make our club better. They now want a little return on investment, which most of it will go back into the club via transfers and wages, ground improvements. Who would like it to be £10 a ticket, kids go free? But that's not reality when you're watching players on 6 figure weekly wages.

Cap the wages, then prices would decrease. Milners on £170k a week, let that sink in and wonder why it's not £20 to go see him play.

{Ed002's Note - 1. That is not what has happened. The offer was made and the club asked the player if he was interested in following it up. His agent provided advice after speaking to another club regarding their intentions in the summer - and he has gone. He was not "forced" out.}

05 Feb 2016 12:56:12
Agree on all 3 points. Well said mate.

05 Feb 2016 13:34:45
Point 1 and 3 fine, they are what they are. Point 2 I think you're way off the mark. First of all he's the world class striker we're clamouring for. There is no better out there who will either consider joining us or who won't cost a fortune. Second he's proven, he scores goals for us, we could spend £50m and and up with another Benteke. Third, for us to 'cash in' he has to have value, he's only got value if he's fit, if he's fit then we want to keep him.

His fitness has been, is and may well be a problem going forward but it's not relevant to this decision. If he's broken he sees out his contract and leaves in two years time. If he can be fixed then we want him playing for us.

What terrifies me about today's rumour is that, if true, it suggest he's coming back to fitness but wants to leave. There is nothing in our recent history to suggest we'd adequately replace him.

05 Feb 2016 15:57:25
Muscatred

I can see what your saying about him seeing his contract run out but it's like this, if you were an employer and you had an employee on a staggering wage and he showing nothing in return due to an injury and let's say the injury happened outside the workplace would you not be a little peeved to be covering his salary when he is of little use to you and his workmates? Not mentioning pretty much just throwing away a lot of money that has no productivity shown for his absense whilst out on sick leave, there's many pros and cons to him leaving and or staying but like I said in my original post you have to also think of the finances and if those investments are paying off now and will they pay off in the future on his return, a gamble is the word I would use on that matter and a gamble any sensible business owner would I'm afraid more than likely not see as making, but I'm glad you agreed on my other 2 points as it shows there actually people on this site with an open mind and a lot of common sense

Do any of the Eds have an opinion on this would be interesting to get their insight.

05 Feb 2016 17:45:08
Hey Savvy,

I think you're looking at this the wrong way. Liverpool haven't got a financial decision to make now, it was made when he signed a new contract. The club owe Sturridge the remainder of his contract unless he does something that allows Liverpool to terminate it (unlikely) or a transfer can be arranged but the only scenario where a transfer could be arranged is a scenario where it's more in our interests to keep him (he's fit and scoring goals) .

The real decision to make is whether we decide he's never going to play again, pay off his contract, kick him out on the street and hope insurance covers our losses.

05 Feb 2016 18:47:11
ok forgive me if i'm taking you up wrong but what I understand your saying is to leave him run his contract out on his current wage packet no matter if he playes or not and then he will be a free agent when his contract runs out and liverpool will then gain nothing whatsoever from that time on when his contract runs out?

There is of course a difference from showing commitment and respect (goes both ways injured or not) for both employer and employee so the club must either go with their heart and try their hardest if the runours are true and try and keep him or use their business head and try and recoup any of the investment they have put into him since he has arrived including the astonomical medical costs to have him fully fit.

I think on this matter we will have to agree to disagree but I'm always open to compromise lol ;)

saying all that though you have made some very valid points rearding the whole debacle.

05 Feb 2016 19:03:45
Nothing wrong with a bit of honest disagreement Savvy, I always enjoy it :)

05 Feb 2016 11:55:26
This may be way off and there is not real point except curiosity, but you've said for a few years Liverpool has been losing money. Do clubs claim wages transfers fees as expenses against tax, the same way a business would with expenses? Also if a team is losing money, would they be tax exempt?

{Ed002's Note - It is a business - but not a tax exempt business.}

05 Feb 2016 10:39:47
Personally I'd be gutted if Sturridge left Liverpool in the summer to go and not play for another team next season.

05 Feb 2016 10:57:25
Tha lad publically updated a ". Good to go. "Status on the Social Netwrok only to be turned down by the manager would have actually pissed him off.
I am very sure Brendan or any other manaer would have played him long long time ago on his wish.
I can't see too many clubs taking a risk on the player considering the money we would ask.
Agree on the player. Absolutely brilliant player.

05 Feb 2016 10:58:10
Agree. I want him to stay at Liverpool if he is planning on moving within the Premier League. If however he wants to move away to escape the injury baggage and try a new style of football in another country, I would support his decision.

If he's going to play in England though, it might as well be for us because he's world class when he's fit.

05 Feb 2016 11:14:02
There are three possibilities. 1 - this is one of those stories that has no or very little substance. If that's the case I hope he moves to set the record straight. 2 - He's genuinely upset with how he's been treated. I have some sympathy with that as it must suck having the fans and club question your commitment and desire. 3 - his agent is preparing the ground for a summer move away. I'd be gutted if this is the case as he's a stunning footballer and seems like a good bloke. If Liverpool are to claw our way up the table and compete with the big boys we need players of his caliber.

05 Feb 2016 11:31:56
Muscat

The anger towards the player is much down to how poor we are in front of goal. No one would have cared had the club picked up points which are not. Look at Flanagan. We are not critical in that position and supporters are ok with Clyne and his performance.
The club is struggling for goals and Klopp reluctant to play him on infinite reasons are pissing off the supporters.

We do not miss the player. but we do miss his goals which he brings.

05 Feb 2016 11:45:03
If he's only trained 2/ 3 days he can't realistically believe that he is match fit. Klopp is being sensible and in sure Sturridge knows another week is better in the long run.

05 Feb 2016 12:00:50
Harry you're talking nonsense mate. People didn't get angry about Flanagan because he had one absolutely devastating injury and has worked ridiculously hard to get fit and come back better than he was.

Sturridge on the other hand was pictured on a little jolly to Miami walking around with seemingly no issues. Flanagan on the other hand was always pictured working hard in the gym or on crutches. Not partying with celebriries in the USA. Sturridge doesn't get one bad injury, he gets lots of little niggles and muscle tweaks. His body is either not up to it or he is training poorly or refusing to change his lifestyle accordingly. I personally think he is just unlucky and has a fragile body as he seens a grounded guy but when so many ex-pros and even his own manager are questioning his resilience to minor pain, you can understand the frustration. I tore my ankle ligaments last year and played two weeks later. I was doped up on painkillers and wearing about 3 ankle supports and it was still agony. But I scored twice and we won 5-2.

I'm not suggesting Sturridge does anything that stupid by the way because I made my ankle worse and I missed 6 months haha. My point is, if you are committed to the team you play through pain. Henderson is doing just that, Gerrard played more games with pain killing injections than he did without! Suarez got kicked to pieces but never missed a game (through injury! )

I'm not mad at Sturridge for wanting to protect his body. However I do understand the fans frustrations in a city full of people struggling financially when he gets paid £150,000 a week to sit in the stands. I wouldn't mind being paid that much to watch Liverpool from a corporate box every week!

05 Feb 2016 12:35:26
EMS

I take your views but that's one of the perception. Now think from Sturridge point of view. He is far from a lazy balotelli who wouldn't care anything other than his money. We rushed in to sign him a contract extension to protect the asset. He was happy to play and POSTED THIS. ". I AM GOOD TO GO. " Y would he risk of loosing his place in the national team if he doesn't play?

The manager thinks he is not ready while the player thinks he could play. He simply cannot impose himself to the manager to pick him.

Flanagan is a RB whose position is well covered by a hard working Clyne and Randall incase if its necessary. We never felt his absence in reality.

Sturridge is a striker whose position is covered by Benteke ( Who cannot score ), Ings ( Out injured ), Origi ( Injured )

Thats My take looking from the Player point of view.

05 Feb 2016 13:16:38
So in what your saying about injuries and blaming people. We can blame Gomez for conceding at corners or also blame Ings and Origi for Benteke having shockers. It's Coutinho's fault Llalanna takes to many touches on the ball.

He wrote good to go. Good to go what? Up his training after recovering from his injuries maybe? Does it necessarily mean that him posting good to go is him declaring match fitness? After so long out and a set training program which was individual to build himself up he's all of a sudden 90 mins premier league fit and ready is he?

05 Feb 2016 13:53:56
Harry are you working for the club because you seem to know a lot about what is going on in training and sturridges injury problems.

All i know is what i have read and ed01 has said. When he texted he was good to go he then broke down again in training and that has been the pattern until now. So i am not quite sure what your point is. Are you infering that this is klopps fault because he is intentionally NOT playing him?

Now why would he do that when we have a negative goal difference or are you suggesting he is not playing him out of pure spite. I just don't understand your arguments, to be fair i never have so nothing new there.

05 Feb 2016 14:55:00
John

There are millions out there who don't read this site and has very little insight on what's going on in the training.
They have access to only papers and match day sheet where its written almost every week.
". Sturridge is not fit. " So the frustuations among the supporters shows up.

I am not sure how much percentage is he fit or how many mts he could play. He is not fit according to his manager and that's it.

He could feature under another manager on another different set of training. Who knows what Klopp method is.

If I am right, He is not injured, Is he? he hasn't done any training.

05 Feb 2016 15:59:47
So the player is pissed off because his manager actually had the gaul to put his foot down and say "until you prove your fitness, you don`t play"? Really? WOW! That just takes the biscuit for me. talk about being arrogant. Harry, it is because BR has played him the minute after he thinks he`s fit is the reason why he can never stay fit for a long time. Klopp doesn`t wanna have to deal with that hence, he has sent him out to get fit. Remember when he said he had a foot injury and declared himself unfit to play at Sion yet the doctors found nothing? If you were his manager, how would you feel? That`s why Klopp wants to be more hands on with him from now on and if he can`t deal with that then by all means, he can go fly a kite.

05 Feb 2016 09:21:45
The only information I can find is that Shakhtar and Jiangsu have agreed a fee for Teixeira. 50 million euro.

Nothing about him agreeing to the move I don't see why he would want to go from the Ukrainian league to the Chinese league. It will do nothing for his international aspirations.

Unless Shakhtar force him out, I think it's possible he will turn down the move.
Am I wrong in thinking it hasn't actually been completed Eds?

{Ed002's Note - The clubs and the player have agreed the move and it awaits the international clearance and the paperwork to be registered with the CFA. You need to take this to the European pages - it is nothing to do with Liverpool.}

05 Feb 2016 10:18:30
He's been pictured in the shirt already. It is sorted.

05 Feb 2016 10:30:27
Aha ok thanks Ed2. Sorry, I thought it would be ok as a Liverpool related question considering our bid for him.
So, he has agreed to move to the Chinese not so Super League. That's just bonkers. I guess that challenging himself as a player and getting into the Seleção wasn't his main motivator after all.

{Ed002's Note - Putting down another countries league is simply xenophobia coming to the fore. If it is a subject you know little or nothing about it is best not to come up with any stupid remarks - particularly as he was not going to be moving to Liverpool.}

05 Feb 2016 10:37:19
Deal is done and dusted.

Personally think it is daft everyone saying "we dodged a bullet" or "he is greedy".

Firstly it is a job so as with anything money is important, and he isn't from here or the Ukraine so has no allegiance to either club.

End of the day we thought it was too much money and wouldn't pay it, who knows if we were right or wrong in that choice. If we had bought him for £38 m being quoted and he kept his scoring rate up then it would have been a brilliant signing.

If he didn't and failed to perform then wouldn't have been. Don't know much about the player, but from the videos i've watched plus his goal scoring record and versatility was hoping we'd sign him as looked like a top player which we will struggle to attract.

05 Feb 2016 10:38:27
He is moving Jurgen, Very similar to Kovacic. Liverpool did not had the money to buy the player or reach an agreement with Shakthar.

05 Feb 2016 11:30:45
Well Ed, I'm no xenophobe and I don't think my quip was xenophobic or even that making a judgement about the standard of a football league could be considered xenophobia in any context.

I understand that Guangzhou are a top side in the AFC Champions League, and I admit I do not know what standard of player he will be playing with or against week in week out. But the point is that the player said he wanted to test himself in a stronger league and get into the national team. I don't think you can argue that the Chinese League is of a higher standard than the Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A or La Liga. Or that it's a good move for a player's chances of getting into a highly competitive national team. Although, they have bought a whole bunch of Brazilians, so maybe it won't make such a difference.

I'm delighted for the Chinese and especially the fans that they will be getting these players to watch and that the illustriousness of their league is being boosted. But, for a player, it is not a footballing decision to go there. And saying that is not xenophobia.

{Ed002's Note - The player never had the opportunity to join Liverpool - you know that - it was never going to happen. You comment in respect of the "Chinese not so Super League" might not be xenophoboic - perhaps just ignorant of what is happening in the rest of the world. I have no idea why you wish to discuss all of this on the Liverpool page. I have been deleting posts of those now attacking the and abusing the player - again it just demonstrates how fickle the fans.}

05 Feb 2016 12:11:19
For some it might not be a footballing decision to move to China, in May very well be money driven, but for the league itself it's about the talent. China has a booming economy, a massive population and the tools it needs to create a league that's a cut above the others. The market for football in all of Asia is huge and from what we are seeing it's looking like they want to create the best league worldwide with the best players. The only way they can start to achieve that is to pay massive amounts of money in transfer fees and wages, this starts the ball rolling as more and more well known and higher profile players move there, the more of these players they have the more can be attracted, along with the bigger name managers. Currently I don't think there are any kind of salary caps or FFP rules any club has to abide by.

They are a long way off creating the best league in the world, but they are working towards it. It's only a matter of time before either a break away league ie: pan European, see ed02's post from earlier, thoroughly explained, or a massive market like Asia and in particular a country of China's size and resources creating a league that stands head and shoulders above the rest. I think the Pan European league has more chance as it's going to consist of clubs that have long standing history's and world wide support, but while that's only being discussed and planned at this point in time, keep an eye out in Asia because as it stands now we would be fools to think China isn't going to try be number 1.

05 Feb 2016 12:48:28
It's true, unfortunately I don't have enough free time to watch a lot of Asian club football. I can only rely on statistics. Maybe Jiangsu are a terrific team. Petrescu seems to be doing a good job, they won the cup and have wealthy new owners. So I'm sure they'll improve on their ranking of #1130 in the world in no time. But whatever, the player and Shakhtar got a good offer and as you say, it's nothing to do with Liverpool. Moving on now, thanks for the response.

{Ed002's Note - Dan Petrescu is a good manager and all round nice guy.}

05 Feb 2016 00:44:32
In regards too studge apparently his agent dropped some info too london based media. Ed2 do you reckon he wants too leave and agent putting it out trying too get clubs interested?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware that his "agent dropped some info" to anyone one in the "London" media. Was this the standard screwed up note left in a telephone box? I could only speculate whether he wants to leave or not but the way to establish if any clubs are interested would be to talk to them. In the first instance the agent would likely speak with Liverpool to explain that his charge is not too happy and to try and find out what future plans are. DS will be aware that the fans have turned against him and might well have decided now would be an appropriate time to move on, but having suffered so many injury issues interest from other sides will likely be sparse.}

05 Feb 2016 09:51:38
He may as well go really he the equivalent of havin a fine oil painting on the wall, you can only look at him from afar.

04 Feb 2016 22:37:43
Ed2, a question if I may and if you have time. I've read a lot on here about the pan European league but how will it actually all work? What happens to the structure of the national leagues that don't join. Which British teams are up for it etc

Isn't it going to ruin football in some respects? The cost of following your team is going to become astronomical and simply unaffordable for most

Personally I don't like the idea.

{Ed002's Note - There are always going to be changes Tom and time is getting close for major changes.

The matter of a breakaway pan-European league remains very much an on-going issue with regular discussions on the matter between a dozen or more clubs.

Without going in to too much detail: (a) A number of clubs take the opportunity to meet and discuss various issues including changes in rules, club versus country issues, television and other media rights, the power of UEFA, exploitation issues for new technology streams, etc.. The meetings were annually but now they happen two and sometimes three times a year. There was a meeting in December – where there was a discussion about the state of FIFA, the situation with UEFA and a so far unpublished claim from a retired referee that the result of a Champions League game was influenced by a third party. These discussions also always turn to the possibility and structure of a breakaway pan European league. Several are ex-G14 clubs, several are not, and some clubs decline involvement in such discussions. (b) The plan is that at some point a number of clubs would break away from their national leagues and UEFA. They accept that they would be banned from all existing club competition and the players would initially be banned from all FIFA competitions as well, but know that FIFA would be looking to negotiate in any case. It would be the end of UEFA in all probability and UEFA are very aware of this. It would also result in a restructuring of many of the national leagues. (c) The clubs would renegotiate their television and media rights, rights of distribution via other streams etc.. (d) It remains the greatest fear of UEFA and all major national authorities that one day this will happen – which has resulted in a counter-proposal being drafted by UEFA. (e) Timing wise, two very prominent clubs want it to happen as soon as possible (2018) and they have the support of a third club - but most are looking at 2022 being a good option. A few clubs are looking at 2025 to 2027 and I suspect that could end up as the reality.

There is going to be a counter-proposal backed by UEFA to try and save their own skin which is soon to be tabled. The proposal is to rename and change the format of the UEFA Champions League to make it an elite closed-shop pan-European league with a fixed number of teams – and these would be the same teams every year. It would then require the restructuring of the Europa League and the possible introduction of a lower-tier European competition. Although they have yet to flesh out the detail, on major Football Association has given their support.

If the proposal for a breakaway goes ahead, there is every likelihood that the big money from television, sponsorship etc. would go with a breakaway league. It would completely rupture the operations of UEFA and I would expect it would require national associations like the FA to restructure their leagues. Nobody wants this but it is the eventual consequence I would expect. Initially it could be that there is a single 16 team league with 2 or 3 EPL teams making the initial plunge. If I had to speculate, I would think (1) you might eventually see something like five or six EPL teams leave for two-tier pan European league - but it won't be based on the UEFA rankings; (2) the Premier League would be disbanded as an organisation; (3) the FA would restructure in to two 20 team divisions with lower leagues regionalised as they were many years ago; (4) FIFA would ban all players from the breakaway teams from International football - perhaps rescinding that position to stop FIFA breaking up as well - they don't want further issues but the troubles are not going to go away. I could also see many teams lose their professional status. I would think we are probably 10 years away from any significant move at this time.

I hold a reasonably strong view in terms of the need to restructure football in Europe in any case. For me an eventual a breakaway pan-European league would force the restructuring of many of the national leagues, possibly resulting in a British league with perhaps only a couple of professional tiers and then regionalised amateur leagues below that. Financially I do not see that so many pro sides can be sustained within the sport which, like it or not, will see more and more money going in to the highest levels of the game. Governments will ensure that grassroots sport get funding but everything in the middle (Southern, Northern, Conference, Division 2, Scottish Divisions 1-3, League of Wales will not get the funding needed to continue on any sort of professional basis.}

05 Feb 2016 09:03:51
Thanks for for the detailed response

Are you able to say which epl sides are pushing for it and / or would be interested in joining the said pan European league? Do you know what lfcs stance on all this is?

Is it fair to say that a lot of this has been brought about from jealousy of the money being plowed into the epl? If I were to hazard a guess I'd bet it was Bayern Munich and psg that are pushing for it sooner as they are bored with the ease of their current leagues and frustrated by the lack of TV revenue etc

As mentioned I really don't like the idea. It pushed football further into being a sport for the rich and prawn sandwich brigade.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool are not included in any of the discussions.}

05 Feb 2016 09:24:11
ouch, that was my fear. That will likely to push us into obscurity then. Better enjoy football under the current format whilst it lasts

May have to find a new sport to follow.

05 Feb 2016 10:09:40
Tom27

even though we are not involved in talks at present, i'd imagine when the time comes we would be involved.

Even though we are struggling at present we are still one of the biggest teams around.

{Ed002's Note - Certainly Liverpool would not be involved if anything happened in the short to medium term but by the like time for any movement things will likely be different at the club.}

05 Feb 2016 10:10:28
Ed002 - Are there any specific reasons why Liverpool are not part of these discussions. I know Liverpool is not doing well but in terms of revenue it is still amongst the top 10 clubs.
Also, when this league eventually happens, would liverpool be a part of it by any chance?

{Ed002's Note - I am not getting in to any of the reasons why certain clubs are not included - and unless there were changes Liverpool would not be included in the short to medium term.}

05 Feb 2016 10:18:13
Hey Ed2, Thanks for your post, it's fascinating to read and seems far more inevitable than I realised.

Just to clarify a couple of things:

1. You say Liverpool aren't involved in the discussions but that 5-6 EPL teams may be involved in a closed two-tier league. Do you think it likely that Liverpool would be one of those teams? I assume a team's inclusion would be largely influenced by financial potential and that Liverpool are in a good position in that regard.

2. Is it inevitable that the league will be a closed shop? I would have thought the FA would fight hard for some kind promotion/ relegation system because the value of the English league would plummet without it (or at least plummet less with it) .

3. If the UEFA proposal gains traction do you see the main teams remaining in national football in any capacity (Cups etc) or would it be a complete break away?

4, Finally, do you think a break away league may introduce competitive controls (revenue controls, a salary cap or a draft system for instance) or do you think it will be totally free market? I feel without some financial controls after a short while we'd see the league revert to the haves and have-nots invalidating the reason for the breakaway league in the first place.

{Ed002's Note - 1. You missed the word "eventually". Initially the expectation remains that the three Premier League sides that have been part of the discussions will be involved. 2. It is nothing to do with The FA - that is the point - it will be breaking away from the extant structure. 3. The UEFA proposal makes no change to the national or international organizations - all it changes is the number of teams in the "Champions League" and the fact that there will not be any qualification. 4. It will be the totally free market that many of the clubs want. Initially with the likely 16 teams there will be no "have nots" - the money will be well beyond anything we see now. As I have said this would force the restructuring of many of the national leagues, possibly resulting in a British league with perhaps only a couple of professional tiers and then regionalised amateur leagues below that. Financially I do not see that so many pro sides can be sustained within the sport which, like it or not, will see more and more money going in to the highest levels of the game.}

05 Feb 2016 11:02:58
Thanks Ed2. Unless I misunderstand the situation (which is quite likely) I hope the UEFA proposal gets adopted. Although Liverpool may eventually join a full break away I think it would be the death knell of domestic football.

In a perfect world I'd like the pan-european leagues to be the top tier with the national leagues becoming the regional leagues that feed it but I expect that's naive.

{Ed002's Note - The clubs at the forefront of this are looking to rid themselves of the restrictions of UEFA so will likely reject their proposals when they make them. UEFA are trying to get buy in from each of the FAs but that will carry little influence with the clubs. UEFA will be able to force their changes but it doesn't impact any breakaway.}

05 Feb 2016 12:27:28
Ed would teams from the top tier British league be able to gain promotion to the breakaway league or would the breakaway league be like the NFL and NBA with no teams being relegated?

{Ed002's Note - This has been discussed and initially there is no intention of having promotion. Perhaps at a much later date when their is a second tier.}

04 Feb 2016 23:53:32
Mirror suggesting that Studge will look for a summer move away due to criticism from fans and man anger questioning his effort and desire.

I don't believe it for one simple reason - not a single quote from ANYONE, just speculation and conjecture.

Usual Mirror story then, just a micro step up from the Metro.

05 Feb 2016 06:31:22
Then Sturridge should man up and prove it on field. Then if he wants to leave we can sell him for 30mil.

05 Feb 2016 07:03:49
you know, injuries aside, Sturridge is the best forward we have, one of the best in the league too.

if we can help him get past his injuries problem, we should. and that's what they're trying to surely.

05 Feb 2016 07:47:52
But Flanagan had one, well understood long term injury. Sturridge has had a few medium term injuries followed by lots of minor niggles. I know this does happen but it's been nearly 3 years now and I think the paying fans are allowed to question it.

05 Feb 2016 07:27:45
Seen a lot of this on TV, explayers or journalists have said he only wants to play if 100% fit and dosent play with any pain. I've heard some players having injections before and after games to get through them. That sounds horrible, so I can understand if true.

Managers need results and their best players so of course Klopp will be disappointed and angry Studge isn't considering playing with pain. We don't get full information, so we go with the little we're told, then get angry as well.

If he only wants to play to then give 100% or he feels he can't make the right bursts or tackles that's fair enough for me, he is a professional and I've not really heard of any who don't want to play every game. I don't want to see him not make an obvious run or have Mertasaker beat him for pace, or pull out of a tackle, I don't want to see any player do this. This could be psychological, this could be something which can't be fixed. That wouldn't entirely be his fault.

Now, if this isn't the case and he is like 90% fit but doesn't fancy it, then sell and fast. Try China as they are splashing it.

05 Feb 2016 08:00:47
yes johnny but blaming it all on sturridge isn't the answer, the lad himself seems desperate to get back on the field. the thing is he makes a difference on the field. came on after a long time out, 1 2 with coutinho and its a goal. good players becomw great when they play together.

few seasons back we had suarez who could play alone when sturridge was out. now benteke is not scoring, ings and origi out, suddenly its all sturridges fault. if we had purchased a striker that fits our team we couldev been in a better shape now. to be the best we can't depend on 1 player, its a team game.

in the past it was always us buying players we don't need, and when we need a striker we bought strikers that don't fit, eventually not playing him. like balotelli and benteke.

lets give sturridge time and support while he is still here, and who knows, he could just continue for the rest of the season in good form.

we need to buy good players, let's not lose the one we have in our hands too.

05 Feb 2016 10:18:10
What the hell. Give the guy a break. The abuse from so called fans is not on. If he comes back and starts scoring goals they won't be complaining. If we had anyone else at all with his confidence, coolness and killer instinct in front of goal we might not have such an awful AWFUL scoring record.

I for one am still hoping he comes back as good as ever and gets over his injury problems once and for all. I will support him until the last bitter inkling of that being any possibility has evaporated.