Liverpool Banter Archive August 06 2017

06 Aug 2017 23:15:09
We had 3 players all with the same role, Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino so one had to go.

Which player was klopp substituing off early last season in most games -Coutinho! Coutinho gave his one more season last year!

1st bid - rejected
2nd bid - rejected
3rd bid - accepted

The 3 trick bid is used to pacify fans in all the clubs.

How to going to pay for and VVD?
PSG pays Barca, Barcelona pays us, we pay southampton and Leipzig. all fun and games

Thanks for staying Coutinho and good luck with Barca!

07 Aug 2017 18:00:46
I'm sure Chelsea won't have any problems finding the money for VVD.

06 Aug 2017 23:01:59
If we take it that Coutinho is now in fact on his way out I think there are only 3 players I would like to replace him with.

Mbappe
Dybala
Griezmann

I am sure the Eds will confirm that none of those are possible. So I will therefore start my weeping now.

Thanks all.

06 Aug 2017 23:15:12
They're all possible if you pay the right money, which FSG will not, every player has their price / wages noting is impossible in football if you're willing to pay it!

06 Aug 2017 23:27:21
Griezmann for me from that list RedDawn although as you say no chance of any of them happening, maybe torres could have a quiet word in his ear, oh well we can but dream.

06 Aug 2017 23:17:33
All dream signings but unfortunately not a chance of any. of them. I just hope we have some sort of plan in place as losing Couts is massive, he's now our main man and a match winner.

06 Aug 2017 23:18:09
And none of those will sign. So forget it.

06 Aug 2017 23:20:17
I can't see fsg selling with klopps consent.

Personally think if it's done behind his back he would walk. If couts is wanting to go and I'm sure targets have been identified.

Could be like for like replacement and stupid bids for vvd and kieta (argh I said it)

Fsg for all the bashing haven't ever shafted the club they have let players move on and there representatives may have made terrible decisions but never made choices which damage us in terms of hicks and gillet.

There will be a plan and you'd the think upwards of 200m to reinforce with current money and couts.

06 Aug 2017 23:21:58
Plus they would cost more to replace Couts. Bad start to the season!

Baz.

06 Aug 2017 23:58:39
Leeeee, the only player similar to Coutinho is probably Insigne, but we won't go for him. If you can imagine a less talented cheap option, we'll settle for that. So Lanzini or Oxlade Chamberlain. Neither of whom are fit to wear the number 10 shirt or in fact any Liverpool shirt.

07 Aug 2017 00:19:45
Nasri (not that I want him), Draxler, Lanzini, Pulisic, Brandt, Kroos, Kovacic etc.
There are lots of central playmakers. While I don't want him to go, I believe Coutinho is gone already. £120m is a lot of money to reject.
I just hope we go for the right player.

07 Aug 2017 00:20:55
Mbappe would be great, but IMO he'll end up at Madrid. Griezmann won't go anywhere while Athletico has a transfer ban and can't replace him. Dybala would be solid, however we don't have any Argentinians for him to play with. Not to say it has to be that way, but watching him play with Higuain is a delight. I want a 2009 Tevez with dybala behind him. :)

07 Aug 2017 02:13:33
Griezmann is not leaving this season
Mbappe is not coming to LFC as per ed002
Forget Dybala, he's not coming either.

07 Aug 2017 02:16:40
No thanks to Griezmann, Mbappe or Dybala. They will be clawing for Real or Barcelona in a few years time.
We should sign someone already playing for one of the Big2 in la liga. Real have some fine talent they would be willing to let go to sign more Galacticos. These players will not go back to La liga again so they will at least remain loyal to LFC for the foreseeable future. Kovacic, Asensio, Isco, Denis Suarez or maybe even Kroos! All of them are available for the right price.

06 Aug 2017 22:56:54
Coutinho bla bla who cares if he goes he hardly is the assist king or scores 15 goals so why cry over an over rated player who has average stats

Secondly this window was supposed to tackle weak areas, to challenge for the title and a big hype for nothing

And every single one of you fans know Liverpool are not going to win the league and fight super hard for 4th
You know it's true
So why argue about coutinho - Henderson mane an firmino are more important

Also I read hear taa was ready for right back - er no he's not klopp wss directing him all game . He knows he's not ready.

06 Aug 2017 23:00:11
Redrebel1 wtf you on about there mate.

06 Aug 2017 23:03:10
Ah that's ok then. I was wondering why Barcelona are happy to fork out €100 million for him. Get a grip, idiot.

06 Aug 2017 23:10:01
rebelrebel1 I know everyone is entitled to their opinion and that's what this site is for but would you ever just cool the jets with your misery and doom and gloom. Constant needless negativity from people like you make me embarrassed to be a Liverpool supporter. Go follow another team will you and take your negativity with you!

06 Aug 2017 23:10:40
Ok redrebel, Coutinho scored 13 goals and assisted 7, compare that with Eden Hazard who scored 16 and assisted 5 and that included a longish spell out with a knock taken against Sunderland, yet you say he's 'over rated'? In a team that doesn't have a 20 a season striker you need goals from midfield, selling a goal scoring and creating midfielder in those circumstances is brain dead stuff. You say this summer was about filling in our shortcoming in the team, so where is the dominant centre back of top class centre midfielder that we were obviously chasing? Help me out here? Now we lose a player who contributes key passes, assists and goals, as well as taking a great free kick and considering Coutinho was the only decent taker of a dead ball that's another problem added. This season has ended before it's even started.

06 Aug 2017 23:16:52
Post of the year lol.

06 Aug 2017 23:21:06
He's an over rated idiot.

06 Aug 2017 23:43:58
God forbid our head coach coaching a young player.

06 Aug 2017 23:49:50
Whereas your just an idiot! Go have a drink and try get a ride from someone or something.

06 Aug 2017 22:49:41
Hi Ed's and reds I have 2 questions if that is ok can Question 1 I know this is boring now but I have just heard (I say heard I mean read) that Liverpool have accepted a £90m offer for Coutinho apparently Werner met with Barcelona officials and the deal was accepted on Sat. one of those bs to be revealed in 48hr things. It also states that we are going to look to Lanzini as a replacement. Is this true to you're knowledge?

Q2 Have we shown any interest in Kondogbia (Inter) or Ziyech (Ajax)?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - All of these have been recently answered. Try the search function.}

06 Aug 2017 23:09:19
Thank you, Ed002 and I apologise have been working on some of my book editing (It is a pain in the a*se not least because often times the letter w decides it is just not going to show up when I ask it to) and I decided to have a break and search the net then I came across that.

In my opinion, if it is true then at least we can put that to bed and move on. The team will still be capable enough to challenge for trophies this year and I am sure we will make 1 or 2 additions and move on. Players come and players go "Ke sera sera"

06 Aug 2017 22:03:09
Ed002 the way in which LFC have been handling transfers with both the youth ban (facinating article you wrote by the way) and the complaints made about the tapping up could there be consequences for Klopp or any other individuals at the club, or would it just be the club that is punished and sanctions put in place.

The last thing I would want to see is any sort of ban for Klopp because I beleive he is the man to take us forward but his behaviour is both humiliating to the club and totally unacceptable and if that was in any other line of business he would have been shown the door by now.

{Ed002's Note - Right now thye club needs to get its act in order.}

06 Aug 2017 22:03:09
Ed002 the way in which LFC have been handling transfers with both the youth ban (facinating article you wrote by the way) and the complaints made about the tapping up could there be consequences for Klopp or any other individuals at the club, or would it just be the club that is punished and sanctions put in place.

The last thing I would want to see is any sort of ban for Klopp because I beleive he is the man to take us forward but his behaviour is both humiliating to the club and totally unacceptable and if that was in any other line of business he would have been shown the door by now.

06 Aug 2017 21:49:53
Watching gremio tonight and thinking the links about us and luan can't be true surely as he playing as a second striker even the commentator describes him as in behind the forward.

06 Aug 2017 22:47:44
He's a false 9. Always plays just behind the front line for Gremio and played the same way in the Olympic team. That's why I suggested him as a possible replacement if Coutinho leaves.

06 Aug 2017 20:28:00
Unless we can strengthen at the back, a right back seems unlikely - I like taa anyway - but in the centre, I don't don't think we should buy, unless we can get a top drawer player. We don't need depth anywhere particularly, maybe a left winger at a push. No point adding more squad players and taking the chances away from Gruijic Woodburn Kent etc unless they are different gravy. Gruijic was bought to be a future first teamer, so has to be given chances - another gini for example will just hurt them chances.

06 Aug 2017 21:09:49
I think the only position that needs addressing is centre back. Any other thing is a bonus.

06 Aug 2017 23:33:02
Klopp said he is happy with the centre backs. is he on something with lovren and klavan.

06 Aug 2017 19:15:03
Are we interested in signing Hakim Ziyech.

{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

06 Aug 2017 18:41:02
Question for eds.

Guillem Balague is reporting that FCB have an agreement in place with Coutinho. Would this not be classed as tapping up? To my knowledge LFC have not given the two parties permission to discuss terms.

Appreciate any info you cam provide.

Kind regards
Scott.

{Ed002's Note - It would mean his agent has over stepped the mark - we have been through this over and over again.}

06 Aug 2017 19:07:52
I suppose Coutinho's agent 'over stepping the mark' is a good thing for us. All we have to do now is sit back and wait for Barcelona to release an apology and officially withdraw their interest.

{Ed002's Note - That is an extremely embarrasssing remark to make.}

06 Aug 2017 19:22:48
Doing yourself no favours at all there Tommy.

06 Aug 2017 19:18:42
I think he was being sarcastic Ed.

06 Aug 2017 19:38:04
Fairly sure Barcelona haven't flown Coutinho to a meeting with their manager. ah sod it, not worth the effort explaining things.

06 Aug 2017 19:39:22
Ed002 has said many, many, many times, over and over again before that Coutinho and his agent have been flirting with Barca.

Does not mean Liverpool will sell. If Coutinho had to put in a transfer request then things may change but at this point things stay as is, he is not for sale.

06 Aug 2017 20:02:02
Don't want to sound naive here ed as you said it's the players agent that has stepped over the line but for klopp to meet the player he would have had to go through the agent who would set the meeting up I'm not saying it's right what klopp has done but it swings and roundabouts abouts in my eyes and if one is punishable so should the other.

{Ed002's Note - Jesus, you have to be simple not to by now understand how serious what Liverpool and Klopp have done is.}

06 Aug 2017 20:03:28
Dont see what's really embarrasing about what I posted. If Barcelona do have an agreement in place, with a player they have not had permission to deal with, surely its tapping up?
I'm just a little confused that Klopp has been absolutely battered for f@cking up the VVD deal, but when it happens to us, its a simple matter of an agent over stepping the mark.

{Ed002's Note - Clearly it needs explaining again.}

06 Aug 2017 21:42:57
Tapping up will never go away from footy. All clubs do it, neither VVD is blameless. He agreed meeting klopp but know one gives a toss

Bigger clubs then LFC have done it and will continue doing it.

As fans we we need to accept and move on like other clubs have done instead of finding scapegoat.

06 Aug 2017 21:17:33
Now ed no need to be crude calling name's is there, like I said I didn't not condone what klopp done but I do stand by what I said in what is the difference? An agent is a go between and should not be invited to the party until an agreement is made by both clubs, he shouldn't be going behind one clubs back to agree a deal with another that is exactly what klopp done and is getting hung drawn and quartered maybe Barcelona have not met with Phil that we know maybe they have no one knows, but to call me a dumb **** infront of everyone on this site is very unprofessional on your part with very little knowledge about me like I have a bachelor's in mechanical engineering as well as a hnc in electrical engineering and in fabrication and welding so yes maybe my knowledge isn't in finance or law but it does not mean I'm a "dumb ****"

{Ed002's Note - The difference is enormous and repeated attempts to either deliberately play down what Klopp and Liverpool has done is stupid and embarrassing. Other clubs cannot even come close to what Liverpool have done - you want me to remind you about the 12 year old kid and his family that they screwed. The players they have turned against their clubs and their sustained unprofessionable behavior.}

06 Aug 2017 23:07:16
So if anyone wants to explain how it's different apart from klopp showing up to speak to the player please do.

I have big boy duties to do like go potty and go sleepies before changing my pumps.

06 Aug 2017 15:17:29
Ed1 I was thinking about players who we have had high hopes for and been let down, one of mine was Morientes, did you have high expectations for him mate and was it that he just couldn't cope with the physical nature of the PL?

{Ed001's Note - I think everyone had high expectations for him mate. Partially that and partially he was just not the same player as he had been. He joined us too late.}

06 Aug 2017 15:51:42
Totally agree with Morientes, thought he would have been ideal for us at the time but just never quite did it. Another was Jari Litmanen, great little player who just never seemed to get the chance to show it.

06 Aug 2017 15:57:18
I bought a Liverpool shirt with his name on the back. I used to play football at college, was a bit rubbish so ended up the nickname of morientes. Good times.

06 Aug 2017 16:09:17
Jari Litmanen, Finlands greatest player, but was hampered by injuries unfortunately.

06 Aug 2017 17:07:54
What was your opinion on Karl Heinze Riedle Ed1? M.

{Ed001's Note - loved him mate.}

06 Aug 2017 18:03:20
Morientes came to us a season early cos the season before on loan at Monaco, he and that youthful Monaco side with Ludovic Guily n a certain Patrice Evra terrorized the whole of Europe in the CL before losing to Mou's Porto in the final. Had he come that season, pretty sure he would have been very good for us.

06 Aug 2017 18:04:47
Loved Riedle too.

06 Aug 2017 18:07:46
From what I remember of Riedle (I was about 10 at the time) He was used rather sporadicaly and as a sub if I remember right he was unluck because at that time Owen came into the team. From what I remember of Morientes he was a player I was made up when we got him but he seemed to think he was a central midfielder rather than a striker. Jari Litmanen has to be up there as one of the best left footers I have ever seen (Obviously Berger and Roberto Carlos also makes that list)

06 Aug 2017 18:43:45
Morientes, after recieving or running on to the ball was a fraction too slow in shooting, at that level a lot of the chances are gone in a blink of an eye.

Say what you want but from a footballing point of view Suarez is as good as I've seen.

A one off.

06 Aug 2017 19:55:36
Bit left field, but what about Daniel Agger? Loved the club and when fit he was world class.

If he hadn't struggled with injury he'd probably still be playing for us now. Such a shame. He wasn't bad anyway, but he could've been a true legend mentioned in the same breath as Hansen, Lawrenson and Carragher.

{Ed025's Note - might as well see if st john fancies a game as well..

06 Aug 2017 14:01:18
can I just say we have some serious talent playing for our club and if we use them correctly, the likes of TAA, grujic, woodburn, kent and Gomez could become regulars in the 1st team in the coming years, I remain positive the future looks good for Liverpool fc, having said that the world will come to a end if we lose to Watford.

06 Aug 2017 15:32:33
Its going to be okay, were not going to lose to Watford .

06 Aug 2017 15:35:01
Totally agree. This is why I struggle to understand people's petulance at the lack of transfer activity by the club. Even though we have signed 3 players!

06 Aug 2017 18:06:07
Pople just wanna have a moan and slate either Klopp or FSG or both cos they did not drop 130m on FB's like City did or pay 75 m for a donkey striker. These same people are prolly the same ones moaning that we have not enuff youth going into the first team and now that we have some very promising ones in the first team, they are still moaning. Can't live with em, can't live without em.

06 Aug 2017 18:51:20
The first games in the premier league are tough to call.

Watford are now in their 3rd season and in Silva have a manager who is going places.

Not as clear cut as we may think.

06 Aug 2017 13:06:11
I've heard we are interested in Trabzonspor 20-year old Yusuf Yazıcı. Have ye heard anything Eds? Never seen him play.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

06 Aug 2017 12:38:07
Ed001. How are you mate?

You suggested a few weeks or so back that you think we will likely see some movement both in and out of the club with probably 2 or 3 arriving. Do you still see this being the case with the new season a week away and given Klopps comments on a few fringe players?

Sorry to ask. Thanks on advance.

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

06 Aug 2017 13:16:45
Cheers mate. And I was genuinly asking hiw you are mate lol.

{Ed001's Note - sorry mate, I was on the phone when I answered so never read it properly. I am good thanks. Tired like but good. How are you?}

06 Aug 2017 14:01:59
No problem mate. Im good cheers. Stretching the weekend out as long as I can lol. Just want us to be battleship ready this season.

06 Aug 2017 11:05:08
ED001,002,025 do you like having the transfer window or do you miss the old way were you could buy as and when needed be it serious injures or improve the team. Through out the season.

{Ed002's Note - It make no odds to me at all.}

06 Aug 2017 11:45:12
Imagine if FSG were in charge of us before the windows came in. They would have to keep up a false pretence of buying players for 12 months a year then instead of for just 3.

{Ed002's Note - FSG do not choose and buy the players - you want to blame someone the person to start with is the manager - Klopp.}

06 Aug 2017 17:08:36
Hi Ed.

Do you have any idea on who those two or three players may be. in your opinion?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - What?}

06 Aug 2017 18:57:43
Ha sorry this went on a reply to the wrong post. I'm sure I read somewhere that there are still potentially two or three players that may still come in in this transfer window, and that you thought this was likely. I was trying to find out who they might be.

06 Aug 2017 19:01:02
Via mightyredmen.

06 Aug 2017 10:53:37
I'd be happy if we made no more signings. Last season our team wasn't the problem it was consistency and breaking down teams that sat back which is more of a tactical issue than a player issue.
When we play the big teams we also look like we can win so it's the so called lower teams we need to concentrate on, we don't need better players for this just better preparation.

06 Aug 2017 11:30:44
I fully agree. Only if Klopp brings in now who he really wants then add new players otherwise shut up shop and go with who we have.

Solanke looks like the real deal and Klopp's comments about him being ready is going to give the lad plenty of confidence. Cannot say I was thrilled when we were going to sign Salah for a record fee but his pace, movement and touch seems to be the missing piece in the puzzle. With Salah and Mane starting, we are going to cause loads of headache for those teams who defend with eleven in the box.

Looking forward to the new season and it is only one week away :-)

06 Aug 2017 11:35:37
The teams we can't break down is about tempo creativity and style of play - we can press all we want but when they just clear their lines, what good is a press? They then pass it around for 5 minutes slowly. We need to be building pressure, making runs, beating a man - it is as much style as personel, klopp should be addressing this.

06 Aug 2017 11:40:08
We have the weakest squad and starting line up in the top six, we still concede a lot of goals because of individual errors from Klavan and Lovren aren't things that can simply be coached out of them. We are short of quality and that's going to show over the course of last season. As it did the seasons previously. There's no doubt that Salah is a great signing, probably the best attacking player in Serie A last night.

06 Aug 2017 11:41:27
you would be happy with klavan as first choice back up and a completely untested gomez as fourth choice?

last season we didn't have enough quality in depth and we ve arguably only added salah that is guaranteed starter material and you think that's enough to withstand the added strain of two games a week when this squad suffered so many injnuries after the demands of just 1 game per week

where is the quality in depoth to allow for rotation for these games

solanke looks a great prospect but he is also untried at top flight level.

{Ed002's Note - Klavan was Klopp's man so it can be assumed he has confidence in him.}

06 Aug 2017 11:43:15
Over the last 3 seasons under Klopp our major problem has been conceding silly goals of which Mig, Karius, Clyne, Klavan, Lovren and Moreno mistakes have been the reason for the majority of them. Yet we go into this season and all of them are still in the squad and most will start the majority of games. For me nothing has changed for us defensively and no amount of pre season friendlies will change that.

06 Aug 2017 11:45:18
We could use another center back, imo, but if we can't get someone we actually want, then we're better leaving it. Desperately grabbing whoever was available is how we got Balotelli.

06 Aug 2017 11:55:43
The most worrying thing is that Coutinho is almost certainly going to Barcelona and we won't be able to replace him.

06 Aug 2017 12:02:15
Feel as though Klavan cannot win. How many goals did we concede yesterday when he was on the pitch? Did he not also set up Solanke?

He is a good back up player. My concerns surround Lovren and Matip being physically weak as well as injury prone. For the wages they are paid, and the game time they get, I expect much more.

06 Aug 2017 12:05:11
Frankly you say we are the weakest of the top 6, how many of those teams have beaten us in the last year?

06 Aug 2017 12:06:17
And Benteke Something Red. Hopefully the club has finally woken up when it comes to panic buying.

All of you complaining about Klavan, be happy that we do not have the likes of Skrtel anymore. If Sakho did not pull his tricks then Klavan most likely would not have been here. He was signed and yes he had has some brain farts but also put in good performances since arriving.

Instead of spewing vitrol towards Klavan, rather show some support. The season is one week away and 'all hope is lost already'. Modern day fan mentality at it's best.

06 Aug 2017 12:15:18
Chelsea, Spurs and City beat us to 1,2 and 3rd last season. Then season before they all beat us to the top 6. And many more times for top 4 and 6 in the last 10 years. Or are you talking about us being better because we beat them over 90 minutes. Then that would mean Saints, Swansea, Burnley and Bournemouth etc are better than us.

06 Aug 2017 12:16:04
Just because a manager chooses to buy a player, doesn't mean he has to stick by him. different league, different style. If it doesn't work out, then he can go. just like what happened with salah at one of his previous clubs that we can't mention.

{Ed002's Note - I think you will find Liverpool are still in the same league as they were last year.}

06 Aug 2017 12:18:09
So did you expect us to win the League last season Jayden?

06 Aug 2017 12:23:08
Max a bit contradicting how you say modern day fan mentality whilst then having a dig at Skrtel. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. It doesn't make yours right and theirs wrong because their different.

06 Aug 2017 12:27:25
"Just because a manager chooses to buy a player, doesn't mean he has to stick by him. "

This is one of the most daftest comments I have ever read.

So let's go sign another ten players in this window and if they do not work out this coming season then try offload them the following season. What?

That is why there will never be such a thing as fan ownership at Liverpool. That will be the very end of this great club.

06 Aug 2017 12:29:05
Jayden my point was related to e weakest squad and starting line up. Not one of those teams managed to beat us over the 10 games we played them. Not 90 minutes. We are clearly not that far behind and have strengthened.

06 Aug 2017 12:33:18
Max where have I said I expected us to win the league.

06 Aug 2017 13:15:46
Managers sign players all the time and for some reason or another they get moved on in a short period of time. It happens, look at Cuadrado and Salah for an example. Sometimes they are not what you expected or they don't cope with the speed of the game. I really don't see why Max is getting his knickers in a twist. You did say Max in a previous post that we should only buy players that would 100% improve the team/ squad. Are you telling me that we can't find 2 centre halves better than Lovren and Klavan?

06 Aug 2017 13:40:03
Well you said Spurs, Chelsea and City beat us to the top 3 spots so what exactly are you trying to get at. Does it matter who we lost to when we finished 4th?

Regarding Skrtel, he needed to go and there was no chance of him making it in Klopp's high tempo game. Skrtel is no longer a Liverpool player, Klavan is so again do not know what you are trying to get at.

Klavan is a choice made by Klopp. It is his signing and will be back up to Lovren and Matip who are first choice unless VVD arrives.

06 Aug 2017 13:52:02
Irish, it has been made crystal clear, 100's of times that Klopp wants VVD and it is unlikely that any other CB's will arrive if Klopp does not get his man.

06 Aug 2017 14:13:13
I was replying to the comment that none of the top 6 teams had beaten us. Yes we beat them over 90 mins but 3 finished above us. Klavan is more suited to our high pressing game then? Hence why Lucas was starting at centre half before him for a number of games last season. Good to have a debate with you and nice to read your comments but trying to make out like I don't know what I'm talking about by saying I don't know what you're getting at is a poor mans argument.

06 Aug 2017 14:49:56
I have to say, if Klavan is a footballer, I've yet to see any empirical evidence to back that up.

06 Aug 2017 18:28:39
That is just daft, Frankly. Klavan was signed as back up and even tho he had his troubles last season (which LFC CB did not), he still gave us very good performances and was more than solid in those performances (at Everton, both game vs Arsenal, vs City at Home, vs Burnley etc), which is what you want from a back up CB who does not get to play all the time. You always seem to have nothing good to say about LFC overall as all you post is doom and gloom, negativity and insults to players and the manager so again, why are you even with us?

06 Aug 2017 20:40:20
Frankly. His assist for Solanke. You have to be a "footballer" to do that.

06 Aug 2017 09:50:27
Long time reader - first time poster. Just a quick question for the EDs. Would there have been an internal investigation into Klopps behaviour with regards the tapping up of other teams players? Thanks for all your hard work it's really appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - There has been no investigation in to anything at this time - the complaint remains on file. Don't open this all up again today.}

06 Aug 2017 10:53:37
I'd be happy if we made no more signings. Last season our team wasn't the problem it was consistency and breaking down teams that sat back which is more of a tactical issue than a player issue.
When we play the big teams we also look like we can win so it's the so called lower teams we need to concentrate on, we don't need better players for this just better preparation.

06 Aug 2017 11:19:46
But the teams around us apart from Spurs have strengthened. So though i agree that we can still be competitive the bigger teams could become harder to beat.
We also now have European games which will also put more emphasis on the squad being good enough.
Being a realist We still need 3 quality additions to have a chance to win anything.

06 Aug 2017 11:31:22
Plus at the start of last season everyone said that Klopps first season was him finding his feet at his new club. Surely that means Conte, Mourinho and Gaurdiola will be more prepared this season. We've also said our players are a year older so will be better. Now that argument also goes for the other 19 teams in the league.

06 Aug 2017 08:02:05
Hi. Long time reader first time poster. I have been reading into rumors of eden hazard being linked to barca. Does it imply coutinho is not the primary target or m i reading too much into it! Please clarify. Thanks eds.

{Ed002's Note - It is nothing to do with Coutinho.}

06 Aug 2017 10:03:49
If Barcelona bids £120m, then I expect Coutinho to leave. Difficult to refuse that amount and I believe Coutinho would push for the move.
If VVD looks like it can't be done, I hope the club would target another CB. don't see Lovren + Matip as a "quality" combination.

06 Aug 2017 11:41:29
Thing is, if we sell for that much then the price of who we sign to replace him just gets inflated even more. We shouldn't sell end of regardless of price but if we do we should replace him before leaves.

06 Aug 2017 09:19:54
Can anyone confirm if Firmino is our main penalty taker going into the season? Seems to be the case.

06 Aug 2017 09:32:24
I think only Klopp can answer that mate. If he is on pens this season then he should realistically get 20+ goals.

06 Aug 2017 10:25:02
I suspect perhaps because Milner isn't a nailed on starter this year.

06 Aug 2017 10:32:03
I think it's in anticipation of Milner not being on the pitch.

06 Aug 2017 07:48:49
OK pre - season is over but the same old defensive problems remain. People will say it's only pre - season but if we can't defend in non pressure game's it doesn't bode well for the season ahead. Also Klopp hinted that transfer business is concluded if so that is a disaster that we put all our eggs in one basket regarding Keita and VVD. Then we are looking for ridiculous fees for players that we want rid off instead of being realistic. Our transfer policy does seem rather amateurish.

06 Aug 2017 07:52:42
It makes me think does he really know what he's doing.

06 Aug 2017 08:15:48
Failure to sign a CB now spells disaster for next season. Utter incompetence on the part of the footballing staff at the club including Klopp. Its been over a month since Saints reported Klopp for tapping up VVD and FSG issued a due apology. Did the club really not have a back up option after the whole fiasco? Is Klopp really that clueless that he is willing to put his faith in Lovren and Klavan? Not sure where the blame exactly falls but the whole window has been approached by the club with an amateurish attitude thinking everyuthing will fall into place on its own.

06 Aug 2017 08:24:35
Our transfer policy has actually been correct.
Under Brendan Rodgers we ended up buying players for the sake of it. Players that you are moaning about that we have unrealistic prices attached to.
The manager as identified the positions he needed strengthening and 3 additions have been made.
If the lad from RB. Vvd and the Ox where put up for sale and we bought them, then it would be job done.
Why not try to develop players you have rather than go for 3rd or 4th choice targets who may not be that much better than some of the ones in the squad who need opportunities.
European football this season should give us the chance to blood some of the younger members of the squad and give them experience they need and the confidence they require to become better players.
I am a realist.4th and knockout stages of champions league would be another good season.

06 Aug 2017 08:33:56
What a bunch of whiners!

VVD was one of Klopp's no 1 targets. LFC messed it up but does not mean he won't still sign for us. The window is far from shut.

There is no point in adding players unless they will 100% improve the squad. As it is, we have 5 CB's including Sakho so unless Klopp can still add VVD then there honestly should be no point in bringing in someone who Klopp feels will not improve us. We will just be filling the squad just for the sake of bringing in players who are not going to be first choice.

Season after season the squad has been stock piled with players who have been second and third rate and overpaid for.

What some forget is that the market has gone crazy and someone like Sigurdsson could go to Everton for £50m when he is nowhere worth that kind of money.

So please stop making it sound like the transfer window is something like walking into a shop and picking what you want from the shelves and adding it to your trolley. This is not fantasy football.

Spurs have not made one signing so far and people want to complain about our defence when they are bare in numbers at the back.

Get a grip.

06 Aug 2017 08:51:44
I'm with you Buzzer.

We must have been watching a different CB pairing when Matip was injured last season.

Nothing to do with whinging, or Brendan Rodger's transfer policy, its the hard facts.

Klopp has had plenty of time to sort out the CB defensive issues we have had since the Rodgers era.

It doesn't matter how many goals we score, if we can't defend corners or set pieces or have a centre back that
can deal with an an attacker with pace and doesn't get caught goal side, then we will not get back to the top of the perch.

06 Aug 2017 09:12:16
Despite it being preseason, 8 matches, 4 goals conceded and 19 goals scored and not once was our strongest eleven put out in any of the matches.

16/ 17 saw an improvement defensively compared to 15/ 16 so who is to say that 17/ 18 will not show better results defensively compared to 16/ 17? Improvement is what is required irrespective of who plays.

The fullback positions were a massive issue last season. Clyne offered zip going forward or when he was caught on the back foot plus Milner does not have a left peg and although he did really well, he was a stop gap at LB.

Milner will not be featuring at LB anymore and Clyne is out injured so chance for somebody else to show they can do better.

Many going on about our CB options but last season did not help when Milner and Clyne were both caught out time and time again. Our CB's jobs were made that much harder re Milner and Clyne not being good enough attacking and defensively.

06 Aug 2017 09:29:25
Nicky D, I like the way your 'Hard facts' are by no means facts.

06 Aug 2017 09:39:11
Maxlfc, being unbeaten in preseason games mean nothing. The games are largely for fitness. At some point this season it is likely that Klavan and Lovren will be a cevtre back partnership, both of whom made some shocking errors last season and the thought of that makes me shuddder. VVD won't sign because Chelsea will make a move for him and Southampton are more likely to deal with them than us. Yes we have 4 centre backs, but we have no reliable partnerships within that and 2 of those 4 are very unreliable. I'm not counting Sakho as Klopp has written him off.

06 Aug 2017 09:46:40
I don't understand why people go on about not having alternative CB targets. The Eds have told us numerous times that CB wasn't being looked at until VVD's apparent availability became known. So if it wasn't a priority then why would it be now? Also when played together Lovren and Matip did well, hopefully fitness allows them to play more often.

06 Aug 2017 09:52:24
I agree that we shouldn't bring in players that won't improve the team/ squad. So are you saying Max that there are no better centre halves than Klavan and Lovren? I find that hard to believe.

06 Aug 2017 09:53:34
Popa-Lazarou, name me a centre half who is good on the ball, quick on the ground, can pass the ball, dominant in the air and good in the tackle, I can't come up with one beyond VVD that has all of those qualities.

06 Aug 2017 10:02:41
Frankly,

My point about Sakho is that he is on a big pay packet and if nobody comes in for him then he will be on holiday at Anfield eating away at the wage bill so unless Klopp can get VVD then it will be utterly daft to bring in another CB who will not be an automatic starter and further hemorrhaging the wage bill. It makes no sense otherwise we find ourselves in another kid in the candy shop situation as we saw with Rodgers by buying players for the sake of stock piling the squad.

Preseason is for fitness but fact is, we faced some tough opposition and we were not once murdered at the back without a first choice team selection together with our players not being fully match fit yet people will still find reasons to moan!

The focus for Klopp and the squad should be to improve on last season and that is what we have done under Klopp since he arrived.

Just like some keep on saying we need another striker. For what exactly? To see one of Firmino, Salah, Mane or Coutinho to be shifted to the bench?

06 Aug 2017 10:17:38
Irish, it is not down to the fans signing players. If that was the case then Messi will be playing at Anfield.

As it has been stressed 100's of times, Klopp wants VVD but does not mean he will pursue other options. If it was any different then Klopp would have signed another CB already. No point in brining in another CB just for the sake of stock piling. If he can't get who he wants then he will go with what he has otherwise we will end up with 6 CB's and the new arrival not being first choice i. e. the brainless activity we saw under Rodgers.

Thank heavens the club is not run by our fans :-)

06 Aug 2017 10:18:25
Hmmmm I'm fairly certain Mr frankly that had we not won again this pre-season that you and many others would be leading the lynch mob.

06 Aug 2017 10:22:03
Max Klavan and Lovren looked like an accident waiting to happen any time there was any pressure. The goal Atletico scored was text book Klavan and the goal Bilbao scored was textbook Lovren.

06 Aug 2017 10:54:04
Ok fencey - here's some facts for you.

We conceded 42 goals last season, over the average of one per game, it's also most most conceded out of the top four, 12 of those from set pieces. Have you felt the anxiety in the crowd everyone the opposition get a corner? Have you ever wonderered why this is? Did you see home many times both Lovren and Klavan were caught out against attackers with pace?

So, you think that's good enough do you?

06 Aug 2017 10:54:04
Ok fencey - here's some facts for you.

We conceded 42 goals last season, over the average of one per game, it's also most most conceded out of the top four, 12 of those from set pieces. Have you felt the anxiety in the crowd everyone the opposition get a corner? Have you ever wonderered why this is? Did you see home many times both Lovren and Klavan were caught out against attackers with pace?

So, you think that's good enough do you?

06 Aug 2017 10:41:35
Well Frankly, get the pitch forks out and rebel in front of Anfield demand for Klopp to sign players he does not want. Burn down Anfield while you are at it and then go get a happy meal from Mcdonalds to make you feel better afterwards.

06 Aug 2017 10:43:06
My concern is what happens from the start of season, not friendly matches. As it is, the problems we had last season are largely still there (OK, we've brought in a left back, but we're still lightweight in midfield and our centre defence is probably the worst of the top six), also we are likely to be selling Coutinho in the next week or so (and previous transfer windows have shown that when given a large amount of money for a star player, we never adequately replace them and waste the money), In light of all of that, I'm not expecting much this season as we don't have sufficient quality to compete.

06 Aug 2017 11:06:48
People saying Klopp will only add to the squad if they will 100% improve it. They must have forgotten about his past signings of Caulker, Karius, Klavan. Last season we had 2 centre mids in the back four on more than one occasion. Moreno has been an accident waiting to happen for last 2 seasons and then 2 good games and he's the savour of our back 4. There are loads of players out there who could improve our squad 100% yet we have only been bothered with 2. Both who are out of reach. Saying you're willing to spend money is different from actually spending it.

06 Aug 2017 02:57:49
Hi Eds.
Looks like Milner is no longer no.1 penalty taker,
maybe because he won't be an automatic choice anymore?

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

06 Aug 2017 07:29:39
Also looks like Bobbie is now the guy and he's been practicing.

06 Aug 2017 08:18:13
Like a lot of people have been saying for a while, Milner will be a utility squad player filling in at LB, RB and midfield when injuries and suspensions arise. Not sure he possesses the quality to be a regular in Klopp's first team but a valuable squad member nevertheless.

06 Aug 2017 08:41:53
Correct he's the new Lucas.
He could be a late mover in the transfer window but i think he will see his contract run down as a utility player.

05 Aug 2017 22:05:15
What's your view on Ejaria Eds? Do you think he's ready to play somewhat regularly in the EPL? He shows a lot of promise and technically he's very good. The EPL is a tough league and the pace may be too quick for him.

{Ed001's Note - no, I don't think he is anywhere near ready.}

06 Aug 2017 07:32:44
Me neither, Ed. Even tho, he is a very tidy player but he seems to not know when to release the ball and when to hold on to it.

06 Aug 2017 09:20:07
Thought he looked a bit slow on the ball yesterday.