Liverpool Banter Archive June 05 2015

05 Jun 2015 23:06:55
Quite a few people and many young players have said Rodgers is a very good coach. Even ED001 has said Rodgers is a good coach, just not a good manager (think that started the DoF stuff?)

Could it not be that FSG see Rodgers as having potential, have seen many positives from the previous season where we played such attractive football. Maybe they believe he needed better quality around him. Could he have agreed in this two hour review that should he have a proven assistant and high level 1st team coach, control of the players coming in that he could become a very good manager?

Zendens has done well at PSV. Hyypia has had good times at Bayer. Former players, neither will be yes men. Both more likely FSG suggestion with Rodgers approval.

I'd be happy to give this a go. There are positives to Rodgers coaching. We all agreed Marsh and Pascoe were pointless. This has been changed. We really don't know who is behind the transfers, what Rodgers targets were compared to what we got. Yes Bony/Remy were mistakes but all managers make them.

I'm going to back this new coaching team whoever it is. I'm going to give FSG the benefit and look forward as always with hope in my heart that next season will be exciting and fruitful. It's clear something is being tried for the positive. Money is being spent already on the squad and it's not the 'potential' it's proven. Much happier then seeing nothing happen or change.

06 Jun 2015 00:56:15
Has anyone named hyppia? Or is this wishful thinking?

05 Jun 2015 22:53:08
Ed001, do you expect us to offer the required money for Kovacic or not?

{Ed001's Note - not.}

05 Jun 2015 23:24:19
good, we don't need another lightweight midfielder.

06 Jun 2015 03:12:59
Kovacic is a quality operator who is still young and only likely to get better. We have a limited pool of players from which to choose from due to a lack of Champions League and limited funds - we could do far worse than signing Kovacic, sadly it appears he is beyond our reach.

06 Jun 2015 06:40:19
Thank God! Good player but the last position we need to strengthen right now. Signing Kovacic would have just pushed Teixeira and Markovic towards the exit door when it is clear neither has been given a chance to show what they can do.

06 Jun 2015 08:42:11
If 18m is beyond our reach then how the hell does anyone expect to get top 4? Really?

05 Jun 2015 22:46:43
Hi Ed01, it sounds like you are not sure Rodgers will be our manager at the start of the season? So for now, do we just pursue with the signings Rodgers wants in?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - the club will continue on as it would if he left.}

05 Jun 2015 22:22:17
edds I refase my question from earlyer how can we sack Rodgers lemmings(Pascoe) and not the main lemming himself (bodgers)?

{Ed002's Note - You need to understand the impact that Bozo Texino has on your drinking habits.}

06 Jun 2015 07:49:57
ha your not far wrong edd I had few yesterday.
but wats your thoughts on all this sacking his coaches and not the main man bit weird or are we all reading to much in to it? cheers

{Ed002's Note - I have explained all year that the club was being looked at top to bottom and numerous changes have been made - it is simply part of that process.}

05 Jun 2015 21:58:47
Some reports that Beneteke is going to Old Traford - make sense on many levels more than him coming to us.

06 Jun 2015 07:55:16
Good, complete waste of money

05 Jun 2015 21:40:23
Anybody think Alex inglethorpe would be a good shout think he would fit the bill nicely

05 Jun 2015 20:59:58
Any ideas Ed who we might look to replace Pascoe with? Hypha?

{Ed001's Note - I don't know mate, this is an FSG decision, they are tightlipped as we know. The best I managed to get before all this was that there were likely to be big changes and that it was probably they would return to their original idea of a DOF. If that is the case, I would expect the DoF to be picking the coaching staff.}

05 Jun 2015 21:19:06
ok mate cheers for reply. Will see what happens then, I'm please they are making some changes at least and for the better I hope.

05 Jun 2015 21:36:29
Bit what if the dof wants Brendan out and picks cosches who he can't work with! His own yes men?

Could that not cause a problem.

Were at another interval in this fsg rein and I know this will go wrong aswel, its going to cause to many problems.

05 Jun 2015 21:43:05
Do you think the DOF will decide Whether to keep Brendan or not ?

{Ed001's Note - no. not at this juncture.}

05 Jun 2015 22:03:23
Strong rumours Gerrard Houllier will come in as DOF. Another beaut from FSG, nice and cheap.

{Ed001's Note - Houllier is not cheap, he is very well paid in the States.}

05 Jun 2015 22:27:27
Yeah like Houllier came in to "assist" Roy Evans, Ozone ?
We don't need that.
If there is to be a DoF, any relationship between him / her and Rodgers is surely critical.
I wonder if FSG have asked for his input if a DoF is to be appointed ?

05 Jun 2015 22:37:39
I think that could be a good move!

05 Jun 2015 22:40:54
Don't shoot the messanger Juicer, I'm only stating what I've heard.

{Ed002's Note - Obviously I know GH from other times and he really is the pinnacle of thoughtful French football. It would be tough to see the paradigm you are suggesting work. I could check if you want?}

05 Jun 2015 22:42:41
Well if that's the case then Ed001, Houllier Won't be coming to LFC but I believe he may have been approached.

05 Jun 2015 23:15:51
If you would please Ed002. My mate told me there was an 'off the record' discussion after the charity game. From all accounts Ayre and Houllier were as thick as thieves in the Hilton.

05 Jun 2015 23:15:51
If you would please Ed002. My mate told me there was an 'off the record' discussion after the charity game. From all accounts Ayre and Houllier were as thick as thieves in the Hilton.

{Ed002's Note - My understanding, from someone close to Gerard Houllier, is that he is not aware of any offer to him from Liverpool and stressed that Houllier sees what he is doing now as the finest job in football with further expansion of the brand over the coming year. So it doesn't really help much.}

05 Jun 2015 20:40:24
Regular visitor but only just registered. A lot of people are stating rodgers may quit or could still be sacked after what has happened to Marsh and Pascoe. I think we need to be careful what we wish for now. I know a lot of, if not most, liverpool fans would have liked to see him gone but it seems as if the owners are sticking with him for now. Many of the so called "fan favourites" to take over have either distanced themselves from the role or have made commitments elsewhere. If there was now to be a "knee jerk" reaction then it could be a further couple steps back. I am by no means a Rodgers fan, I didn't mind him at the start and was happy for him to take over but his niavity and stubbornness has let him down and the Liverpool job does seem to be a job far too soon for him. As stated by the eds and posters, he does seem to be an able coach but a poor manager. As it stands now, who is the best manager who could replace him? We would all have emery, Klopp or Bielsa but they are are all out of our reach now. If we rush into another untried, untested and inexperienced manager then we could end up in the same place a few years down the line. I think we need to be patient and support whatever happens as we have a long hard few years ahead

05 Jun 2015 21:08:38
Don't know what the eds think of the long term effects of this plan but they have to stick with him now and we have to hope that he stays because what manager will want to join if ahy of this has happened because they wanted to get him to resign.

I wouldn't want to join a club that dint sack you but decimate everything around you and make your job untenable.

I think it has to be planned with Rodgers because even if he wanted to stick around would you work with coaches who the club brought in, there's not a lot of trust there.

The only other thing I will say is back room staff all leave when things our succeful, numbers 2/coaches go get there own gigs as numbers ones, how many coaches did fefgie have ? So when it goes bad we can surely accept the same? This will be all.planned Rodgers will have gone with it, I just hope not to save his bacon but more of sn acceptance that they were not good enough and he underestimated how big this job was and how itd important to have as good if not better people around you.

Fingers crossed that fsg aren't snakes and nor is Brendan but that this is a proper step in the right direction.

05 Jun 2015 21:25:12
Yeah I agree that it must have been an approach accepted by Rodgers and the owners. I don't think the owners are "snakes" so I do not believe they would have done this behind rodgers' back or to try and make him resign. I believe this is what they have concluded from their review as a positive move forward and to hopefully progress the club. Whether it is the right move we will have to wait and see, but at at least it's some form of movement and change in an area that needed change.

05 Jun 2015 21:31:33
There are a number of options if Mr Rodgers goes.

I have often read here that FSG are ruthless in pursuit of success.
If that is the case, Rodgers is gone.

It is obvious that they don't suffer fools gladly.

If Rodgers goes, there will be a replacement.

It is interesting to note that only newspapers have speculated on the future of Rodgers.

FSG have said nothing.

05 Jun 2015 20:34:54
FSG: so Brendan you know why I'm here

BR: no boss. What's wrong

FSG: well we are concerned with the team, style of play, low league finishing and most of all the bad PR we receive in press. Can you explain further

BR: I told Colin all year the training was not sufficient. He agreed with me each time but results never improved. I'm only the manager and he is the coach. I feel he does not do the job justice. As for the bad PR I tried to make it work with the mother of my children and the woman who has stuck by me since I had nothing but she made it hard.

FSG: what do you think we can do to solve this

BR: I need new coaches. If you get me any half decent coach I guarantee winning the champions league next year and top 2 in league. I have spotted some phenomenal talent who have shown tremendous character in the U17's in Europe. They can galvanise us and spur us on to great riches. I don't see this as a stepping stone to greater riches with the like of Real Madrid and Barcelona, as much as they would love me to manage them. As for the ex wife. I have got a newer model with a bit more leg who shows great desire. If you back me this year I guarantee I will bring success. If not and you want me to go I shall walk. I've always said that.

FSG: can we have a bit of time to think about this Brendan.

BR: no please, don't do it. I've read all of shanks books, I've studied under Mourinho. One last chance I beg you.

FSG: oh go on then Brendan. Please stop crying

05 Jun 2015 20:48:34
TaffyTel

Like the post
I don't really want another rebuilding phase after getting close 2 years ago but.
What is happening at present disgusts me.

No Manager worth their salt watches THEIR backroom team disappear and remain in post.

I have lost all respect for the man

05 Jun 2015 20:55:28
Embarrassing post (Cringes whilst simultaneously facepalming)

05 Jun 2015 21:00:40
FSG: so what do you need for next season?

BR: A couple of wing backs and a few more attacking midfielder/winger types. You know, like Coutinho, Sterling, Ibe, Markovic, Lallana and Milner. Not out and out wingers mind. The type that cut inside and make us narrow and predictable.

FSG: you said goals were the problem. You will want a striker won't you?

BR: have you been listening to anything I've said? I'm a visionary. Soon everybody will play with only wing backs and attacking midfielders. They'll make a statue of me one day. That's why I had the teeth done.

05 Jun 2015 21:13:49
What's his personal life got to do with any of it?

His wife didn't really stick with him through nothing?

He was in.his was to be a professional footballer at reading and blew his knee out and then went straight in to working as a coach and was academy director at 21 . Imagine he has always had a good income, he wasn't exactly on benefits. Lol

05 Jun 2015 22:57:38
Embarrassing to say the least. Why bring in his personal life. Real shame.

06 Jun 2015 02:05:40
You forgot to mention BR thinks we had an outstanding season and the 50 off goals we let in were all down to 'uncoachable' errors.

05 Jun 2015 20:32:26
After the last 48 hrs I'm now expecting Skrtle will leave this summer. I doubt we will receive a high fee. However his wages will be off the bill and I assume he is earning higher than most of the players there.

Now would be the ideal time to give Ilori a chance to prove what he can do. He has huge potential and very pacey.
Yet unless you watched him on loan in the last two years you probably haven't seen him. How a player with so much potential hasn't even played 1 game for us is completely baffling.

I think both Ilori and Sahko would be an excellent partnership next season. I think he could play with either Sahko or Skrtle to be fair.
Ilori is on much lower wages than Skrtle and is much younger.

We're likely to move on Enrique, Skrtle, Coates, Alberto, Aspas, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert and more than likely Lucas.

I don't see any reason in moving on a talented youngster who has so much promise as well.

05 Jun 2015 20:40:21
Sorry meant to say he could play with either Sahko or Lovren not Skrtle.

05 Jun 2015 20:44:37
If Skrtel was to leave I'd thank him for his commitment and wish him luck. He's done his best for us. His spectacular recoveries and last ditch tackles made us forget that if he hadn't been ball watching we wouldn't have been in the stinky stuff in the first place.

We've been building our defence around him when we shouldn't have been. We need an organiser. Llori might well have his time but it ain't now.

05 Jun 2015 20:17:25
Maybe it's time to rebuild the boot room
mentality

For me assistant manager Phil Thompson or Sammy Lee
Defence Coach Sami Hyppia
Goal keeper coach Brad Friedel
Coach Jamie Carragher
Introducing Stevie G after his American jaunt

05 Jun 2015 20:37:44
This boot room menslity, they had very good players. Aswel as being very good coaches!

Noone was a problem last year when we had a great season!

Football has moved on having all them in ola coaching circle just wouldn't work.

05 Jun 2015 20:39:15
Or maybe try something that actually works at this point in time.

05 Jun 2015 20:47:11
I do agree that we need some big names from our past that will automatically have the fans' goodwill on their side from day 1. So Sami fits the bill very well.

It has to be somebody that's coached or nobody will buy in. So no to Carra. I think he's burned some bridges with his gob anyway.

05 Jun 2015 21:33:15
Just because players had good careers, doesn't make them great coaches!

You will find that the majority of great coaches never had great careers and its there burning desire to actually be in the game that makes them very good coaches.

Mourinho? Evans? Benitez?

I'm talking great coaches, not managers btw.

Lose this mentality that all will be well with ex players as coaches, it would just cuase more problems.

And I personally think hypoia would be a bad idea based purely in the fact he has already been a manager, I dint think he would like being a number 2 and I also don't think he would stay a number 2 for long if were doing well.

Mcclaren with qpr what 2 months?

The coaches that come next should be good, hungry aspiring people who want to make a name for themselves, rbey want to go an achieve ib this wonderful game and will give there all rach and everyday to suceed. Not someone who is waiting for a managers gig or someone who lives off past glories.

05 Jun 2015 20:06:26
Edward 1 . Would Danny Murphy make a decent coach . Has he done he's badges ? But I spose too much of a novice

{Ed001's Note - I like Dan, he is a really nice lad, but I am not convinced he would be a good coach. He should stick to the media, his heart is not really in the coaching, he just wants to be involved in football still. The best coaches in sports tend to be those who failed to make the grade, as a rule, they have such desire that it transmits to those they are coaching. That is why, in my opinion, Roy Evans is one of the greatest coaches of all time, he had such passion for the game that you could not help but listen when he spoke.}

05 Jun 2015 20:29:24
I think he would make a good coach, he certainly received good coaching at Crewe so he knows his stuff.

05 Jun 2015 20:40:17
Roy Evans should still be involved in a very big way at the club in my opinion

{Ed001's Note - he is looking old, I am not sure if he is still physically up to being out on the training pitches in all weathers. It was the biggest mistake the club made in recent times to get rid of him.}

05 Jun 2015 21:11:07
Have you read Simon Hughes' book on Roy Evans' time as manager ed ?
There was a fantastic full chapter on TAW the other day.
The ills of the modern world and money seemed to have unfortunately caught up with Liverpool during his tenure.
Here was this thoroughly decent, traditional, hard working fella schooled in Shankly's ways really and you got a sense of his bemusement or frustration at what was starting to happen around him.
What got me was that most of his peers were the older boot room staff who had retired / fallen into ill-health / died by the time he assumed control, and he never had that support network behind him that every manager up to then could call on.
It's a shame he wasn't manager after Joe Fagan in a way, because he deserves to be remembered in a much better light than he perhaps is.

{Ed001's Note - I haven't read it, I should look it up. Roy Evans is a genuine man, he was there for the love of football and the love of the club. It is a shame he was never given the tools to do the best job.}

05 Jun 2015 21:40:17
I know you love some of the 90's players, but they've got an awful lot to answer for when history is played back.
Evans was a supporter first and the manager next, who really felt it when the team had been beaten. You got a taste of the pressures the later Liverpool managers were under after Joe Fagan. Kenny had been reduced to a shell with everything.
Rodgers may make some howlers but the abuse and nastiness is just terrible. Liverpool manager has probably become the hardest job in English football now.

06 Jun 2015 00:27:34
I know this is down the page a bit and it might get missed, but why did Evans never really manage a team after Liverpool.

Was he just not interested in being anywhere else, or did the football world harshly deem him a failure and pass over him?

{Ed001's Note - bit of both. The way he was treated at Liverpool broke his heart. He was not the same when he did get another chance.}

05 Jun 2015 20:00:41
FSG sending strange signals out regarding sacking of Pascoe and Marsh. They surely can't be held responsible for last seasons woes? I am not in the know, but i can't honestly ever remember a scenario where a managers back room staff have been sacked by the board, without managers buy in or approval? Would ANY strong manager stand for that level of board interference, couldn't see Fergie, Wenger, Mourinho having any of that ? They would all fall on their swords to defend their close staff methinks.
I am happy to support Rogers next season, but if he's still here he is surely on a short lead by FSG

05 Jun 2015 20:23:18
The reason that the two coaches got the boot is BR true colours coming out ,never take the blame for anything and only think of number 1 he's done the same to his wife for f. K sake . fsg have sacked the wrong men IMO .the snake in the grass survives but he is running out of so called friends to blame for his poor performances

05 Jun 2015 20:47:54
Wind your neck in kingluis. Unless you were sat in the room (or under the table with your mouth open), how would you know why the two coaches have gone? People on the banter page will be aware of my views on Rodgers, but I've never once felt the need to bring his personal life into it. How does Rodgers failure to learn have any freaking relevance to his wife, or make him a snake in the grass? Pathetic.

05 Jun 2015 19:38:26
Do you think FSG are pressurising Rogers to resign form his position as manager or are they blaming the coaches for the poor display through out last season . My thoughts on this is if they sacked rogers and his coaches then we would have to pay a large pay out this way with the coaches gone the pay out would be considerably smaller . Rogers has to show some solidarity towards his coaches or how can any new coaches trust the man I think this a very clever move by FSG playing with rogers head

05 Jun 2015 20:01:47
You need to get out a bit more often, you have a vivid imagination

05 Jun 2015 20:24:22
If that's a vivid imagination, you sound like a vegetable mate

05 Jun 2015 21:33:05
I think that was a plausible explanation. There can be two possibilities:

1) So called 'mutual agreement': Rodgers was asked about what went wrong. He then said that his coaching staff (including his good old company Pascoe) are not good enough. - if this was true, Rodgers is a big damn culprit who puts his trusted person on line when trouble crops up. But I doubt FSG would be that much gullible.
2) FSG have decided to make a massive change in the backroom and bring in a DoF who would run the show. If that makes Rodgers to leave, they really don't bother.

Either way, Rodgers apologists should reconsider their unconditional pledge toward him.

05 Jun 2015 19:32:55
Easier to sack the messengers than the so called messiah. Don't think for one minute this will appease the vast majority of season ticket holders. The emperor's got no clothes

05 Jun 2015 19:14:52
So . The back room boys are all out and Brenda remains. For my mind there are 3 possibilities

1. Brenda weaselled it and convinced the owners that if he had a better team he could turn it around.

2. Owners said your boys are out and we will select some new boys for you.

Unfortunately neither of these are good. Under option 1 the coaches will never trust Brenda. Fear him maybe. But that's not the same thing. 2 is a disaster. Even if the owners can pick the right guys, forcing them upon Brenda puts him in a terrible position.

In 2 most managers I ever met (and I mean managers in the business sense) would fall in their sword.

3rd possibility is that Brenda has been planning this for a while and has a cunning plan.

Ok . Anybody have a clue what's going on here.

05 Jun 2015 19:55:47
As someone on twitter said, "BR may not know how to park a bus, but he sure knows how to throw someone under it."

05 Jun 2015 20:03:22
Independent to your post i have almost said exactly the same things. totally agree

05 Jun 2015 20:07:12
Not sure what's going on, but I hope the owners have sat Brendan down, explained to him that although they acknowledge he is an excellent coach with a fine idea of how the team should play, they feel his inexperience has let him down at key moments. They will also point out that his assistants also lack experience at the top level and as such have not been able to offer much in the way of innovation or advice to guide him, but instead only follow him.

They may have also made it clear they believe in him as a manager for the long term, but also that he must acknowledge his short comings and accept help from new experienced assisants who have possibly been there and done it all before.

In short that he must live up to his billing as a young , modern manager and embrace and consider all ideas, whether they are his or not .

Just a thought !

05 Jun 2015 20:28:18
Paving the way for a DoF to come in is my guess.

They will have a clean slate and BR will have to prove himself next season.

05 Jun 2015 20:52:38
Never put the 2 and 2 together

Remove coaching staff and move BR into " Head Coach" role ( many have said he is a good coach) and get someone in above to direct playing side of club

Like it

Unless its Allardyce!!!!

05 Jun 2015 18:46:20
Get Pako and Borrell bac, right ed001?

{Ed001's Note - if only that were possible.}

05 Jun 2015 18:17:46
Good start to the summer with Marsh and Pascoe going.

Need to see someone in there not just with proper coaching abilities, fitting of a club of our status, but whose capable of rattling a few cages as a team we are far too nice and need to see more fighting spirit evidenced.

Also delighted with Milner signing.

If he had the same career stats and medals under his belt but was called Milnerinio, with 50 caps for Spain, Portugal or France we would be raving about him.

Hopefully mutch more to come this summer !

{Ed001's Note - I really hope Mutch doesn't come! He is awful.....}

05 Jun 2015 18:51:35
Any chance of a P.45 for Rodgers?

There's plenty of competent managers that can take over.

05 Jun 2015 18:13:04
I said it, it's not over yet. the owners wants BR to resign himself, if only he is not greedy. as it seems they've now sack his right hand man he brought. if i can remember S.Clark was offer to stay when fsg sacked Kenny but he refused due to loyalty and not being greedy. fsg are indirectly telling Rodgers that we don't trust your judgement any more and we won't back you, we will leave you to vulture. can't wait to see how the muppet can ride this storm alone.

05 Jun 2015 18:54:39
Tooka,

I hope you are right ?

05 Jun 2015 18:04:34
Ed001 if your about are FSG trying to make Rodgers quit by getting rid of his backroom staff?

{Ed001's Note - no they are just making changes they deem necessary.}

05 Jun 2015 18:17:51
oh ok! do you think Rodgers will pick their replacments or will they be assigned to him

{Ed001's Note - he picked Pascoe mate, so that should answer that question for you.}

05 Jun 2015 18:31:17
Have to say as someone who isn't the biggest Rodgers fan, if FSG are sacking his coaching staff without his consent and don't eventually sack him as well, I fail to see how this is remotely a good idea. Back him or sack him- this all seems very half baked.

05 Jun 2015 17:45:38
Looks like Pascoe is gone, and apparently Rodgers has been given full control of transfers again, which would explain interest in Ings, Milner, Clyne and Benteke.

This takes away the last of Rodgers' excuses, and if things aren't going well come December I can see the axe being thrown. Hopefully we start getting some decent coaches, Pako, Chris Woods, Ledly King and Rene Muelensteen are all out of work at the moment, they would be good additions.

05 Jun 2015 17:54:51
The departure of Pascoe makes me feel as if this wasn't Rodgers choice in my opinion. And Rodgers in control of transfers makes me very nervous, wrong direction IMO.

Means he has no excuses to hide behind though.

05 Jun 2015 17:56:58
I would have Steve Clarke back.

Is he working?

Don't laugh!!!!

{Ed001's Note - he is the manager of Reading.}

05 Jun 2015 18:02:53
sorry for the double post, echo are reporting no significant changes in our recruitment or scouting over the summer (thought the scouting set up had already been overhauled?!)

05 Jun 2015 18:07:26
If this is true the FSG doing the right thing in regards to backing the manager 100% there's no point in keeping Rodgers but doing so with him shackled is there?

You either get rid or keep and back as ed1 has said. Now we see if he is any good.

05 Jun 2015 18:17:52
Looks like these changes are being forced on Brendan. Pascoe it seems was very close to Brendan and has been with him since his Swansea days so this is no doubt culling Brendan's power as far as possible. Maybe a couple of decent coaches and maybe a DOF to oversee transfers and youth promotions will bring a bit of stability back to the club.

05 Jun 2015 20:09:52
Steve Clarke is a man of integrity and honour. A great defensive ciach who could offer great help to any manager. He achieved a lot with Kenny, in a very short time. and resigned on principle. That makes him a top guy in my books

05 Jun 2015 17:41:43
Woah. Pascoe gone.

05 Jun 2015 16:50:06
Hi Eds,

Do you think skrtel wants out or is he just going public to get an improved offer. Either way LFC need to get a grip and put the foot down on players talking in the media despite them not being satisfied with contract offers. The way they conduct business these days is awful.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot answer why some bonehead footballer actually does something.}

05 Jun 2015 19:08:04
Actually, in this instance, I don't think they are conducting business badly. We've needed an upgrade on Skrtel for years, as he cannot consistently lead the line and often makes his teammates worse because of poor decision-making. Clever forwards are eating us alive right now. Skrtel's tough and a solid header of the ball, but tactically deficient for someone who is supposedly our leader at the back.

But, until now, I've always expected him to stay. I like that FSG are shaking things up early on, however. Gives me hope that they will actually pull us out of this funk in time for the start of the season

05 Jun 2015 18:41:17
Love it Ed, you really don't mix your words mate, straight to the point.

Bet your a big pussy cat really.

05 Jun 2015 14:57:22
Any new snippets of info regarding transfers in or out edds. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Nope.}

05 Jun 2015 14:38:48
Is it true Liverpool wish to sign Adam Bogdan and will Balotelli and Borini both be heading back to Serie A this summer? AC Milan and Lazio supposedly. Cheers EDs.

{Ed002's Note - Try using the search function.}

05 Jun 2015 19:31:42
Backup, backup, backup. It's the same every year.

When are we going to stop buying backup and buy first team ready players. Use the ones we've already got as backup or here's a crazy idea: use some of the youth players as backup. Ibe, Sinclair, Teixera, Flannagan etc

05 Jun 2015 12:31:09
Ings on his way to anfield to sign

05 Jun 2015 14:43:29
Please no. Milners bad enough

05 Jun 2015 15:09:58
Dbol
👏👏 perhaps you would have been happier had we spend 20 million on a foreigner with a foreign sounding name who you bought on Fifa

05 Jun 2015 15:12:53
Are you having an utter utter joke DBol. Milners bad enough ?

I really hope that's a joke message, as people are certainly not laughing with you.

Ings and Milner for apparently £5m is outstanding business. If that was Wenger people would be congratulating him on the business done. In Rodgers we trust

05 Jun 2015 16:03:44
They would have cost a lot more than £5m I imagine.
But Milner is a good signing and I like Ings but have a few doubts, but for "free" it's a good low risk signing.

05 Jun 2015 16:06:45
Its good value but I fail to see how either will up our game enough to gain top 4 back. I don't care how much they cost, what I care about is quality. An 11 goal striker and a bit part England player isn't going to do it. They may even get player of the season next year but that still counts as a failure if we aren't at least competing for top four. A lot depends on who else we bring in. If these are our main incomings then yes I will be very disappointed

05 Jun 2015 16:52:16
I think both will improve us and Ings will improve as a player. If we get Clyne, that's three England International players for under £20m in purchase fees. Not bad at all.

Both Milner and Ings have looked to me like they WANT to play for us. Never going to knock that

05 Jun 2015 16:56:00
I don't know why we concern ourselves with the money spent on certain players, when the real question is if these players improve the team, and I would say both do. Ings won't be enough, sure, but a class striker next to Origi, Sturridge and Ings will look very good.

05 Jun 2015 18:36:08
If our capitulation at the end of the season tought us anything players with qualities like Milner are needed, sure not the most skilful or quick or technical, but his hard work allowed players like Silva to flourish. It was noticeable how better City were with him in the side.

05 Jun 2015 11:17:24
Hi Eds, U.S. It really possible that Sterling could go to Man Utd?

{Ed002's Note - I really don't know.}

05 Jun 2015 13:44:09
I couldn't care less.

Nice bidding war coming soon though.

Let's get Walcot.

05 Jun 2015 14:41:38
There's no way that he'll be sold to them Davey as you know.
But that Ward fella is trying his best to make a virtually untenable situation completely so.
Probably succeeded also.
The only way back for Sterling now would be to publicly drop his association with Ward and, as we can presume that won't happen, the club will surely sell.
Personally I'd rather he went to Madrid than City.
But Sterling had better put his tin hat on if stays in the Prem next season.
What a terrible situation all round this is.

05 Jun 2015 17:03:00
Sterling gets tired easy apparently, needs special treatment and holidays. Love to see him under LVG, he wouldn't stand for anything like that. Depay, Young, ADM, Janazzi and a returning Nani to compete with. He'd just disappear. He will arrived the big I am, with Ward and be in a dressing room full of title winners then realise he's no one.

Nothing to say Utd won't ave another season like the last one. They spent big, bought world class names. But if we had done just a little better we'd have finished fourth.
We look to be buying players who know this league well, who'd fit in straight away. Add a proven goalscorer to finish the skip full of chances Sterling, Balotelli and Lambert missed. A returning Sturridge. Love it if he went there, struggled, disappeared and we took the 4th spot next season.

Yeah that's right I'm bitter and twisted, but relaxed.

05 Jun 2015 10:35:16
Have any of the ED, s heard anything about Sammi Hyypia coming back to replace Marsh as he is now gone ???

{Ed002's Note - No.}

05 Jun 2015 08:52:05
Hey ed001,

A lot of buzz around harry wilson and that left foot. Is he developing into a fine pl player like ibe etc? Any loan moves for him in the upcoming season?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - still a bit off Prem level, I expect him to go out on loan this season.}

05 Jun 2015 09:34:19
And are there any young gks in our academy to keep an eye on? Will ward stay or leave this season?

I for one am more inclined that we should be a self sustainable club in terms of talent.

Thanks again.

{Ed001's Note - not really much in the way of goalie talent, Ward is likely to stay for now.}

05 Jun 2015 11:30:19
Well I've seen Vigouroux a couple of times and thought he has looked handy.

Young Irish lad Caoimhin Kelleher has just been signed as well.

05 Jun 2015 14:00:26
Fulton is the best 'keeper in the academy. Ward's contract is up in the summer and he will leave I think. he should as Vigouroux has been given a 2 year extension as first choice for U21s and 3rd choice for the senior team at 21.

05 Jun 2015 07:40:07
Rogers given a chance, Milner in (both good starts)! Now 2 more signings and tha should be it so as to enable the gel to settle allow those that never got into their game last season to prove a whole host wrong - none became bad players overnight just need to gel as team. One forward (I'd like Dzeko in a Sterling deal) and a CB will be just right. Good start though!

05 Jun 2015 07:59:32
Another CB!!!?? You're right on the players not becoming bad over night, they became 'bad' due to gross mismanagement from Rodgers, in no way would it surprise me to see it happen again too.

05 Jun 2015 08:18:55
If you had said GK instead of CB (we have 12) i'd have clicked agree

05 Jun 2015 09:18:56
Let me correct what I said. A CB with leadership skills - a talker a leader in a position appropriate for such. Now you could say that could be avoided by putting a GK in there with that very skill but that would mean the GK you suggest being the number one not a Brad Jones replacement. Simon did well towards the end and perhaps deserves a chance but if you are suggesting he becomes number 2 then ok as long as we have a leader in that back 5 (in a central position of either CB or GK) then I can live with that. But not a GK that can't offer leadership - no! On the Brendon thing (previous comment) I am neither a lover nor a loather right now. Last season was not entirely his fault just like the season before was not entirely down to him nor the multiple seasons since we last won league was down to any of the prior incumbents! I'd put a lack of continuity, of players and management, down to a lot of teams inability to develop strength and more importantly consistency. So I say give longevity a chance - not Spurs-like knee-jerking!

05 Jun 2015 09:51:46
To be hones SB, I didn't see any positives from last season, it wasn't down to being unlucky the team from defense to offense didn't look anywhere near cohesive, tactically outdone time and time again and players poorly utilised, performances were entirely woeful at times and bang average at best. I do worry about the coming season, I actually worry Rodgers does well enough that the owners leave him where he is but well off being competitive and actually challenging for a top four place. I've completely lost faith personally.

05 Jun 2015 10:52:57
We share a passion for this great club Licky though I how we also share expectations (mine is far from just top four but being the best again justified by the only trophy that demonstrates a season of consistency - something NO MANAGER has been able to get us to for 20+ years)! Don't get me wrong I am not criticising a number of managers in that statement BUT I am a collection of things and one major thong is a lack of patience through no continuity. So that has been the consistency in our approach - ie a lack of consistency - we are reacting like a bottom half club not a top club. You may have lost faith in one person but personally I believe it goes a lot deeper than that and I wod be willing to wager anyone that dispensing with Rogers and bringing in a Klopp or a Ancelotti or even a Mourinho tbh would not "alone" change fortunes around certainly not at the pace some seem to expect. So I say don't change too much just a bit more strength and depth in certain playing portions and give a bit of continuity a go!

05 Jun 2015 06:41:05
It really shouldn't surprise me, given the 'advisor' that Raheem has chosen (lets not forget, Raheem chose him) to use, but I must say I was still disappointed to read reports that Raheem would consider an approach by Man Utd.

I was always holding out hope that he would come to his senses, but it is not to be. Unfortunately, he has beleived his own (and Aidy's hype) and sees himself as bigger than the club.

All players would do well to note that, as bright as you burn, its the club that always endures (administration notwithstanding!) and most players become but a footnote in history.

A previous posted compared Sterling to Scott Sinclair, and I fear that is doing SInclair a disservice.

Gone soon, and hopefully quickly forgotten. What a waste of a potentially world class talent to wrap it up in the body of a petulant child.

05 Jun 2015 08:18:47
Don't care where he goes but we should not accept low bids.
He's really not that good so if Man Utd want to blow £40 million on him then no problem.

05 Jun 2015 08:21:11
Wanting to go to Utd says it all really, he is just an idiot. Simple

05 Jun 2015 08:58:16
This should not be allowed to happen. There has been no direct transfers between us and them in over 50 years

05 Jun 2015 09:10:42
Red since 64, if Sterling wants to leave and United are the highest bidders then I have no issue with that at all.

05 Jun 2015 09:46:41
I have said it from the beginning that Raheem Sterling is not naive and he knows exactly what he is doing, being advised by agent or not. Even the dimmest of persons associated with football will know you don't go between LFC and Man Utd, and that Sterling wants to go there is a clear indication of the apathy he has for all things LFC. There is no way back for the boy, and no more molly coddling for this presumptuous kid.

05 Jun 2015 14:46:40
Theres a reason all these champions league teams want him. Because he's going to be amazing. Why on earth we'd even let a player with this amount of talent become unhappy I'll never know. Sick of selling our best players

05 Jun 2015 04:49:28
Just watched the first 2 parts of all the Gerrard goals. There are very few boring goals. You forget the sheer quality of so many of his goals, quite incredible. My top picks have always been his belter against the mancs in the early days with that lovely knocked down from Fowler, and the Olympiacos goal in the last group game 2005, what a hit son, what a hit!

05 Jun 2015 03:42:04
Who will replace marsh

05 Jun 2015 06:41:54
Boggs

05 Jun 2015 07:57:59
Hopefully a defensive coach and we get a quality goalkeeping coach as well.
Let Brendan concentrate on the top half of the pitch.

05 Jun 2015 09:05:54
Jurgen Klopp so that he can learn from Brendan

05 Jun 2015 02:20:00
im made up we got milner because i have yet to see him have a bad game, if he plays in the middle then he will be the signing of the season a lot of fans on here was wrong about fabregas saying he was not that good because he could not get into the barca 11 all the time and that his wages would be too much well he helped chelsea win the prem easy so he was worth every penny, milner has so much experience that this transfer was a no brainer i know some fans are not keen on him but at least when he does prove you wrong come on here and hold your hand up, at man city he was wasted he should have played every game because he has the talent which i hope we see when he plays for us in the centre of midfield, knowing BR he will have him at right wing back,

for BR to do better next season he has to play players in their proper positions because they will play better, if we are short in a few positions then he should buy the players needed for them positions,

05 Jun 2015 04:05:32
I agree with you! Milner is a great signing! But you cannot say play him in the middle (Milner is proven winger!) and then make a claim that Rodgers needs to play players in their right position. Haha. That makes no sense!

05 Jun 2015 05:13:40
its a very good and intelligent transfer indeed , just like lambert was to me last season , again Milner provides options over what we already have . he can play all over the pitch and should be a signing that should suit BR. but as we all have witnessed over and over BR would screw this up to. I am pretty sure Milner plays in the MID as a defensive player like gerrard.

05 Jun 2015 01:13:15
So mike marsh won't have his contract renewed. Good now time for pascoe and achtenberg togo aswell. If we can bring in a top defensive coach and gk coach too help brendan then all the better. let's hope their not yes men.

05 Jun 2015 00:18:01
Ridiculous reports about sterling pursuing a move to united, irregardless of whether or not that's true or not surely there's no way we'd sanction a move for anyone to united and vice versa.

05 Jun 2015 05:15:25
i don't see the problem , go to United and do a ZAHA. and we cash 40million on him. i don't see a problem at all.

05 Jun 2015 00:26:14
Just seen the daily star reporting sterling is open to a move to man Utd do you think that's true ed.

{Ed007's Note - Yes, it's true they're reporting it.}

05 Jun 2015 09:38:06
Brilliant!!!