Liverpool Banter Archive November 06 2014

 

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06 Nov 2014 21:43:48
Twitter I know, but seen suggestions there's a disagreement between Rodgers and other club officials following the summer's transfer dealings.
Supposedly Rodgers drew up a series of players: category A targets- players who he felt could make the team a lot stronger, category B targets- players with the potential to make the team significantly stronger in the long term or consolidate the level of last year, and category C players who he felt would offer something as part of the squad as a whole with the comitee instructed to negotiate prices.

Apparently FSG and the transfer comitee refused to purchase any of Rodgers' category A targets as they offered little to no sell-on value (an example suggested was Balotelli was purchased ahead of Higuain) and Rodgers' recent complaints to the board about such have caused a rift between him and club management.

Any idea if this could hold any truth Eds because it would seem to fit in with Rodgers' comments surrounding transfers and the eventual actions?

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{Ed002's Note - It is really not like that. You want the conspiracy page for stuff like this.}

06 Nov 2014 20:09:08
Origi playing vs everton now, good way to introduce yourself to liverpool fans could be a few goals tonight ;)

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I wernt impressed, it was like he wernt even playing,

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06 Nov 2014 19:36:37
question of the day please Eds.

I personally think the team that started against RM away would have beaten our team from the week before.

What do others think??

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06 Nov 2014 21:51:54
Individual players had good performances, and I'd be disappointed to see a team sheet with no Kolo Toure or Lucas in it at the weekend (won't be surprised though). But the team's performance as a whole relative to the recent performance of the nominal "first team" is hard to judge because we basically just tried to keep the score down and didn't commit much to attack even when we had the ball for the most part, which probably made us look better defensively than we actually are. In other matches, we've at least been trying to win games.

Most likely outcome if our team vs. Newcastle played our team vs. Real Madrid would be a 0-0 with the Newcastle team probably having more of the ball.

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06 Nov 2014 22:02:45
Doubt it . They hardly created any chances. So I would think 0:0 (and that's assuming we chopped Mingo in half so he can play on both sides)

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06 Nov 2014 19:41:58
On a positive note. Our main boys will be rested and Maribor really made chelsea work (hell of a second half it was too!) so we'll see. On a negative hazard will be looking to make amends for some really good play and poor finishing by him.

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06 Nov 2014 18:22:30
Who is the Bill Gates looking guy in the pictures from today's training?

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Haven't seen the pictures, but based on the description I'd guess Werner.

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06 Nov 2014 17:51:00
Open question for all if it's allowed (or maybe the poll question?)

If Liverpool finish the season with the following, would people be happy?

League position - 4th
League Cup - Semi Finalist, out to Chelsea
FA Cup - Winner in a similar way to Arsenal last year
CL - out in the group stages on good

Agree for happy, Disagree for unhappy

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{Ed001's Note - not me. 4th is failure. Our bread and butter has always been the league.}

You can forget about 4th with our current rate of 1.4 points per game. You can also forget about 4th with Rodgers and his genius idea of persisting with one up top.

If BR is not here by the start of January then he would be deserving of his marching orders.

Rodgers had everything going for him and is slowly pissing everything away. This is not a Mickey Mouse club and should not be treated like one.

Turning up at the Santiago Bernabeu with the aim of trying to keep a clean sheet FFS already suggests that Rodgers has been told to shape up or ship out.

Tick tock.

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If you asked that at the beginning of the season then I wouldn't have took it.
But seeing as your asking now then yes I probably would take it as I can't currently see us doing any better, I wouldn't be happy about taking it, but I would take it.

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06 Nov 2014 18:45:24
I disagree because I think it's below what the team is capable of.

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4th and fa cup is the best we can hope for at the start of every season. I think it's forgotten that last year we massively over achieved due to one player and now we don't have him. We have a team of average players with no world class players. Obviously everyone wants to win the league but anyone being even slightly realistic realises the there a 2 squads a million miles better than ours that leaves realistically 3rd downwards with us, arsenal & man utd fighting for 2 places. Arsenal have 2 world class players play brilliant football have a stable club and manager that's been building his squad for 6/7 years. Man Utd have 4 world class players although their squad is in complete termoil it'd be naive, wishful thinking to expect it to last. The fa cup like the carling cup doesn't matter one jot but it's always nice to win something. Getting out the CL group would be incredible if possible. I don't care what anyone says about "the owners want more" because I doubt anyone including me has ever had a private conversation with them so everything else is hearsay and gossip.

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Not one of harrys

If you think John W Henry made available the most cash in one transfer window in the clubs history to see the club fail to qualify for the CL and play sh!tty football then you are sadly mistaken.

There is a chance of LFC being knocked out of the group stage of the CL while the money we have earned from the group stage is being held back due to the FFP investigation. IF LFC are found guilty of contriving the rules then we are in a whole lot of sh!t. LFC cannot afford the same fines imposed on thew likes of Man City.

You can also be assured that FSG have been given assurances about success this season from Rodgers and Co. Success my arse.

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I'll be happy with 78 point in the league, no matter what position that leads to. That was the pass mark before the season, with all the in & outs. Therefore that hasn't changed.

Out of CL on goal difference ? I don't care if it's goal difference or 10 points. If you loose you loose, and the group stages should NOT be acceptable. The lack lustre perfomances we have seen so far is what is getting us into this slump.

Remember Paisleys quote:" You are not expected to be brilliant every week, but you are expected to give it your all".

I wonder how many of the players/ coaching staff can look in the mirror every evening and say they have done that

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Nope, no way. I'd be disappointed with that.

We go in to win everything. BR has to understand now that what he is doing is just not working. He must head the warning signs, now.

1: We must always play for the title, not 4th. 4th is nothing. Playing for 4th is essentially lowering players and fans expectations. It just breeds a lack of motivation and desire.

2: League Cup - Same principle applies. You are in the competition because you want to win, otherwise what's the point. Again, i'd be disappointed if we don't win the final.

3: FA Cup - Same principle as 1 and 2

4: CL - Same principle. We can't throw in the towel before a ball is kicked. Must not throw in the towel at all. You fight all the way and bring it home.

I understand what 'not one of Harrys' is saying regarding over achieving. However, I believe that you make your own luck, you do what you have to do to win games. We made our own luck and did what we had to do to achieve those objectives. So, I don't think we over achieved. We got to where we ended up because we believed we could and fought all the way. it's just that towards the end of the season, a bit of panic set in, the players became nervous so ended up 2nd.

If BR and the players want to achieve a better season, then they can, by accepting the help that is required and understanding the things that work (tactics, formation etc).

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Last 1 got sent in by accident so will re send.
I'd be happy, when you let go of your main striker, and lose the other to injury. and don't bring in another world class one, you're asking to struggle. I would be glad a chance of champions league again. TBH I thought, getting through to the KO would be nice but shouldn't be expected.

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Would I be happy? Yes I would because as a club we need to be in the champions league.
Realistically, if every squad in the premier league plays to their potential, we are competing for 3rd. Chelsea and City with their unlimited resources would be 1st and 2nd.
So if 3rd is your realistic maximum, then 4th is acceptable.

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{Ed002's Note - It is not Chelsea and Manchester City that are using these "unlimited recourses", it is Liverpool. That is why the debt is so high and climbing. That is why the owners are out in the middle east with their begging bowl. That is why the will sell the naming rights to, not only the stands, but to Anfield itself. Try answering a question about Liverpool without brining Chelsea or Manchester City in to it.}

07 Nov 2014 11:58:26
Interesting that the comments suggest people wouldn't be happy, but the votes suggest broadly that they would (even assuming all the commentators didn't vote) and adding them in. Thanks people, nice to hear your views.

For what it's worth, I find it very difficult to be unhappy with real cups (unfortunately as nice as it is to win, I don't include the LC in that). And we need to win something to spark a winning mentality again I think. So yes I'd consider it a success as we achieved something tangible and set up for a good season next year, but it would leave a bitter taste in my mouth

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06 Nov 2014 17:39:42
We should try Moreno further up the pitch sometimes just to give us something different. That run he made against Madrid when he beat 5 players is the kind of run that players like Bale usually do. He also scored a few goals for sevilla from outside the box so he obviously has a good shot on him. Who knows it might work out?

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Enrique would be playing left back in that case so no thanks.

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Maybe with Flanagan behind him when fit. Could be a good partnership, one good defensively and the other breaking forward all the time, secure in the knowledge that he has cover behind him.

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06 Nov 2014 17:34:37
just pondering the DOF, surely if they are resposable for all transfers they would still speak to BR about signings? so what would be the difference between DOF and the transfer committe, as if BR didn't want a player but the DOF did and they got him, then wouldn't we be in the same boat as we are in now, BR not fancying certain players. Or am i missing something in their roles,

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{Ed001's Note - a DoF can have various roles. Cruyff, for instance, was in charge of everything at Barca and Ajax, when he held the role. He even set out the blueprint that the teams used to play the game. When a manager veered away from the blueprint, see Rijkaard and Van Gaal, they were removed and replaced with someone who would follow his orders. Only Pep was able to gradually move away from Cruyff's system. At other clubs a DoF is little more than a glorified head scout with the power to set up transfers as well. It really depends on the club. There are numerous others with powers that vary between those two extremes.}

I can't see Rodgers working under cryuff then if he has such a large say in things.
Maybe one can be found that who's good at all the things Rodgers isn't so Rodgers can just focus on what he's good at and they compliment each other.

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Ed001, is it true that we had approached Cruyff before we signed Brendan to take on the DOF role but he rejected us?

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{Ed001's Note - we certainly held talks with him, not sure they got far enough for him to reject anything. Though he was certainly put forward as the first choice option. I seem to remember him saying he was not looking to take on another role though.}

Ed001, is there any chance that the Owner's could go back and ask him again if results don't improve. Something drastic needs to happen quickly to ensure the Club stay up the table. BR's arrogance is really hurting LFC.

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{Ed001's Note - unfortunately I don't think there is any chance of him joining us.}

06 Nov 2014 16:49:26
Ed001, if FSG were to put a DoF into the club. Who would you want it to be?

Cheers

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{Ed001's Note - Cruyff would be good, he has shown he can build a team to last 20 years.}

06 Nov 2014 17:42:12
I wish Klinsmann was available, after revolutionising how America approaches the game I'm sure fixing LFC would be small fry!

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{Ed001's Note - I disagree, he is just lucky to have had good staff at Germany, then got lucky with a better quality of player breaking through in the US. He spends far too much causing arguments over anything and everything he can find to whine about. He would be a disaster in club management with that attitude.}

06 Nov 2014 21:41:48
Totally agree ed1. He has done little in changing the coaching philosophy of the individual states not at the elite developement academies/Olympic developemtn academy. He has, however, been blessed with an extremely athletic and motivated group of boys in the u16 and older age groups - the most talented group I've seen. Also, cryuff would be the ideal Man (however unrealistic it may sound). He has built a great club in barcelona that will compete for years to come.

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06 Nov 2014 16:19:27
Can't believe people are saying the Madrid performance was good. Ridiculous! We had 2 shots! Ask Real Madrid if that was a hard game. We never threatened. How far down have we gone to think that playing for a 1-0 loss is playing a good game? Not the worst performance but definitely not a good one. The team selection was frightening and it was pretty obvious we was going to struggle to score. I'm glad he's dropped Gerrard and Balotelli but why drop Coutinho and Sterling? Scared that we'll get battered by Chelsea.

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I don't think anyone thinks the performance was "good", but it was better.
Better than getting smashed 3-0 at home, better than losing to Newcastle, Villa and West Ham.

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Yeah pretty much what ken says. It's an improvement and that's it.
We lost 3-0 at home with a full strength side and it was only 3-0 because Madrid said so, they could have had as many as they wanted that day.
We lost 1-0 away to Madrid with an understrength side and although it wasn't a good performance, it was at least better and the players at least put in the effort and that's a lot more than can be said of the team of late.

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First game, Real had 14 shots, 8 of which were in the box, we had 12 with 4 of those being in the box.

Second game Real had 27 shots, 13 of which were in the box, we had 4 with one in the box.

I fail to see how that's an improvement. The scoreline flattered Real a bit in the first maybe although they did back off a lot in the 2nd half, but massively flattered us in the 2nd and it's not at all normal for Real to only bury 1 from 27.

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Goals count more than shots mate.

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Obviously goals matter more. But to say we looked better simply because the score line was better is very misleading.

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We got battered. To concede 27 shots is a disaster.

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You can use any stats to back up an argument. I watched both games and the second was a lot less embarassing. Tell me I'm wrong.
27 shots and 1 goal. Not too bad, all things considered.

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Was less embarrassing but still an embarrassment. They could have easily have had 3 or 4. Just because they didn't doesn't mean we were good. Would you be happy with that kind of performance against Chelsea?

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In my opinion, you're wrong, but it's just an opinion and everyone is entitled to their own.

We created nothing in the 2nd game and didn't have a shot on goal until well into the 2nd half. Real could, and probably should, have done better with their chances but they didn't. Some would say it was good defending, but I've always been of the opinion that good defending doesn't allow your opposition to shoot once every 3 minutes throughout the game.

Regardless, we lost both and at the end of the day 0 points for two games is the part that really matters.

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For all who think RM were trying to miss with those 27 shots, you are mistaken, the boys did well Migs did well, we were not blowing Madrid away or anything but I have very lttle to complain about the effort shown by the lads. Give such a performance in the league and goals will come and confidence will come.

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06 Nov 2014 15:30:38
I believe part of our problem is, Brendan wants to always play his favourite players all the time! I mean Skrtel, Coutinho, Balotelli and yes, even Gerrard, when actually we could field a better side, by playing the right ones in their best position! For instance, play Sterling behind 2 strikers and let him roam for starters, he's wasted on the right of a front three! Having a proper DM in Lucas works in some games better than Gerrard there!

Other thing, I don't dislike any of his summer signings, just think there were too many and most needing time to get to the standard we require!

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06 Nov 2014 13:42:42
I am not in the BR out group, nor am I in the support BR group come what may either. Like most fans I guess I am in the LFC group. Transient employees of the club are what most players and coaching staff are regardless of pedigree.
I've watched all of the games this season and although a lack of quality in most is evident, the spirit or never give up attitude was always apparent until the Newcastle game.
I don't agree with BR's decision to drop so many for the Madrid game but on performance merit there are not many from the Newcastle game who deserved to keep their place either.
So far this season calls for Johnson, Stevie and Mario to be dropped have been overwhelming.
Since the last international break young Raheem hasn't been pulling up any trees either tbh.
Apart from Henderson and Coutinho has anyone else been consistent in the previous couple of games.
The only positive I took from the game was attitude.
I don't know if players were rested or dropped but I hope it was the latter because the attitude against Newcastle stank. To me the players were already thinking about Madrid and not the game they were playing.
Maybe this was a kick up the ass for some who just presumed they would start, I don't know.
I do agree with Waro that we should have had a go with our best team. The only problem with that is what is our best team right now.
As far as I can see we tried to contain Madrid for as long as possible and hope to catch them late in the game. It didn't work. It was a different approach for a specific game.
Teams have been doing it to us a lot recently. Whilst I don't agree with the full selection of players, I don't disagree with them all either on current form.
I do agree with the tactics though. Away from home to the best team in the world possibly it would've been naive to stand toe to toe and try to outgun them.
I see both sides to the argument and I agree with points made from both sides. I am on the fence with this one if I'm honest. I guess this post is for the inbetweeners lol.

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06 Nov 2014 12:20:24
Ed's 001. Do you think the transfer committee is on borrowed time due to their shambolic showing this summer? And do you know the inside track on Rogers position within Anfield. Are FSG concerned with our position or are they willing to give Brendan some time? Thankyou for replying to my post yesterday much appreciated. Have a super day mate.

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{Ed001's Note - it is hard to come up with any reason to continue the committee experiment, especially when it was put in place due to previous failings as an attempt to cure them, but wasn't the preferred choice of FSG. They want the club to operate the DoF/Head Coach model, with the DoF being responsible for the signings.

FSG were made promises when funding was made available this summer, there are clear signs of their concern about the chances of those promises being fulfilled. That is why Rodgers conceded defeat before a ball was kicked against Madrid, he knows his place is under threat and has acted accordingly. It comes down to the Prem now, he has to get the form improved now, or he knows his time is up.}

It's been shambolic all around for BR. So far, he's brought in the following strikers:

Borini
Yesil
Sturridge
Aspas
Lambert
Origi
Balotelli

For a combined ~£60M. Yet we've scored 0 goals in 4 of our last 5 and are looking pretty anemic overall in that department.

Bought a GK, has been trying to get rid since near the day after he arrived.

Bought a seemingly injury-prone CB he doesn't seem to rate to replace an injury-prone CB he didn't rate and then replaced him with another CB.

Loaned and sold out young, promising RBs to be replaced by a RB on a weird loan who isn't any better.

It's just been incredibly bad business all around for the most part although to be fair it's not like his predecessors did much better. Agreed with others who have called for a proper, experienced, and good DoF as someone needs to take control of this mess.

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06 Nov 2014 17:56:37
I agree. With the money spent we could've had title winning team by now. We needed what, 2 world class defenders added to what we had last year and we'd be looking at a title winning side. Needed to offload the likes of Pepe Reina, Aspas ect and bulk up the squad for Europe. Worst transfer window this club has ever had selling Suarez and buying this lot.

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Who actually is in the 'committee ?

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{Ed002's Note - Read the posts or use the search engine.}

06 Nov 2014 13:49:43
just a thought for those slating our negative performance against madrid the other night.

are you in the same camp as the people who called brendan naive for trying to play football against chelsea when a draw would suffice?

on paper, we fielded a weakened team but who can you say actually deserved to play against madrid that had been dropped on recent form?

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I have not seen a single post from anyone who wanted LFC to go all out attack against Madrid. Most people are irked because of the attitude that emanates from such a bizarre team selection.

And, BR was naive when we played Chelsea at home last season; your points make no sense.

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May as well not play any 1 if u don't want to try for a result.

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06 Nov 2014 18:25:13
Ag,

The point I'm making is that people are irked because we went for the draw but that's exactly what they said he should have done against Chelsea. What part of that doesn't make sense?

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{Ed001's Note - but he didn't go for a draw, he went for as small a defeat as possible.}

So 1 nil down with 20 mins left he takes off our defensive midfielder and puts on gerrard and our two most attacking midfielders in sterling and coutinho. How is that going for the smallest defeat possible? If that was the case he would have kept Lucas on and probably brought on gerrard and Henderson.

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06 Nov 2014 12:42:19
I remember a pole of the day question before the season started and it was something like "if liverpool aren't getting thw results by Christmas should brendan rodgers be under pressure" and I think most people said no. Just some food dor thought considering it seems a lot of posters want him gone. Me personally am sitting on the fence a bit.

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Maybe because it is just not the results that is the issue, but also the performance, the stubbornness and the constant talking that are the reasons which make others question his position?

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06 Nov 2014 16:01:16
My vote is for curtain in pole of the day :-)

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06 Nov 2014 12:26:30
Afternoon guys and girls,

Just to make you aware BR's pre match press conference is on the offical LFC website live and free at 2pm (that's UK time.)

Should make interesting viewing! Sorry Ed's hope you don't mind me mentioning this, it may give yourselves a little break for half an hour so may come in useful.

YNWA.

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Just don't expect him to be on time

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Sorry guys and girls but they were all free this season but not this one! Must be because they've gone to subscription only now. Sorry again.

YNWA.

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06 Nov 2014 11:01:05
Ken re your reply last night, so your comparing resting players in the league when your 7th and mathematically can't finish top 4 before playing in a Champions league final to resting players against Real Madrid when you can still qualify from the group and NEED something from the game?

I can give you plenty of examples of Liverpool managers who have rested players in a league game that is meaningless before a big cup tie or fielded a weakened team in a league cup/F.A. cup tie away at say Shrewsbury etc where your fringe players should still be good enough to beat a league 2 side, IT'S NOT THE SAME THING AND YOU KNOW IT!

Find me a Liverpool manager who has played a weakened team in a competitive game against the best team in Europe or any other Top European side or top English side were you need to get something from the game to get through to the next round, I will wait with bated breath for your example because if you find one I will personally give you my season ticket for the rest of this season.

Your really embarrassing yourself with this and you need to back away from this particular thread and stick to not washing your undercrackers because that's what helps Liverpool win games in your world, which is about your level of football intelligence. Bye bye Kenneth. ;)

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Harsh on Ken that, but I agree.

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06 Nov 2014 13:07:40
We didn't NEED anything from the game and I don't think anyone expected us to get anything from the game. We all know we're not going to win the CL therefore resting big players when we have an important league game on Saturday isn't the worst of ideas. Sure we all expected to qualify for the next round but as long as Madrid win their remaining games and so do we then we should do so (assuming we beat Basel by more than 1 goal at home)

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{Ed002's Note - So you reckon BR lied to the fans then?}

06 Nov 2014 14:01:59
Everything Rodgers says is a lie Ed002! Wouldn't believe him if he told me it was raining in Edinburgh.

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I can confirm that it is raining in Edinburgh today EMS.

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06 Nov 2014 16:47:55
We can still qualify. We didn't NEED anything from that game.

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Nothing to add to the other accurate replies about needing something from the game. I'm not interested in a semantics exercise with you Waro. You were wrong and you need to get over it.

If I were asked what my priorities were it would be premier league match over champions league match.

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{Ed001's Note - but we did need to get something from the game for the fans, sponsors and morale of the players. Even if it was a hard fought defeat, it would have been something to pick up the players. Instead we rolled over and let Madrid tickle out belly for us. Now we have a bunch of players that are out of form and know their manager has no confidence in their ability to even pick up a draw in Madrid.}

Frankie and Dave, haha, we didn't NEED anything from that game, haha.

So he best way to get through your group is to not be arsed about were you are in the group until the last 2 games then hope you win those games and hope another team does you a favour, laughable.

Let me ask you both, did we need to win the first game against Ludogorets? I will answer it for you, YES, because it's imperative that you get off to a good start and win your home games, and had we not won that game we'd be out already .

Let's see, erm say we beat Basle 1-0 then beat Ludogorets 1-0, were going well hear aren't we, let's get the cigars out were through to the knockout stages Yaaaayyyy, Real Madrid 1-2 basle, oh hang on, s**t Basle have got a result, you know lads the result we DIDN'T get away at Madrid, the result we DIDN'T need to get according to you two court jesters! Identical head to head so out we go on goal difference Thank the lord that there aren't people like you two at Liverpool.

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06 Nov 2014 18:12:45
I have to agree with Waro here.

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Thank you Ed001, there reply's are purely out of malice for the name at the bottom of the post, at least I hope it is because if Ken Dave and Frank genuinely mean what they have been posting then there beyond stupid.

It's the equivalent of say losing your first eight games in the league and then saying well we didn't NEED anything from those first eight games because there's still enough games to win the title so it's ok, in theory it's mathematically correct but you know as well as I do that you wouldn't manage it and it's not the way any club would go about there business.

You 3 need to take a step back from this thread because your making yourselves look increasingly personic.

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Malice?

Over an Internet forum?

Laughable comment. Not the first.

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Benitez fielded a weakened side against Arsenal in 2008 or 2007 in the league. All I recall is it finished 1-1 and Vorinin started. There was a big game about 3 days later.

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06 Nov 2014 09:47:52
Hi question for the eds or posters. We have been strongly linked with ochoa today in the red tops. Do you think he is an upgrade on mingnolet? I believe he is a almost identical keeper with maybe a bit better distribution. Any time i have seen him play he is a great shot stopper but does tend to palm the ball down into the 6 yard box which is a bit worrying. Opinions ??

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06 Nov 2014 10:41:33
No, I think they are quite different. He's not as good a keeper in terms of shot stopping but he keeps his defenders in line better

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06 Nov 2014 09:42:21
Positives from Tuesday.

1. Borini don't care what people think of him have not seen a striker work that hard since Kuyt and thought he gave our whole team more of a work ethic and battled hard and an oulet. Him on the right where Kuyt used to play poaching a few goals would do the team a world of good.

2.Emre Can the lad is a beast, just needs to stop roaming from midfield leaving us exposed on the wings and he will become a very good player.

3.Toure, still makes mistakes with no match practice but he looked class on Tuesday and given a run think he can get confidence flowing.

4.Lucas, made some great challenges and distributed clean and simple.

Negatives.

1.Joe allen still looks like a little school boy lost when he is on the ball, my 16 year old brother shows more composure on the ball and better first touch.

2.Too many touches on the ball, too many dribblers in the team at the moment. Need to play 2 touch five aside we give teams too long to set up at the back and why is everyone trying to beat a man in center midfield that is for the final third not when you have five men to get past.

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I am sure there are a lot of fans here who work hard as well. The reason the guy is paid millions is to score goals or create chances for his friends. He didn't do either on Wednesday. This is not a justification for players who don't work hard on the pitch but we need a bit more than players with a good work ethic at the moment.

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06 Nov 2014 09:26:12
I like the question today. Should Gerrard get a new contract.

I answered yes for my own reasons, but I feel there's another question that could go in tandem with this, if he does sign a new contract. Should he lose his captaincy?
For me, I don't think he should be captain any more. He used to lead by example, which he can't really do any more, and with more people asking for him to receive less game time, I don't see the point in having a captain that's warming the pines (If BR were to drop him) I think Hendo would have to be promoted to captain and maybe lallana vice

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Don't be daft. If Gerrard was to play less Hendo would take the reigns. That is the whole point of a captain and vice captain.

Red Rum

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06 Nov 2014 10:48:22
Sorry but I agree with Red-Rum - daft. Gerrard is the undisputed most influential voice in the playing squad and most respected player. He's the captain. Just like United for many years have had captains that were a long way from first choice due to fitness management - Giggs for example. You can't take it away from players like that, because people will still look to them and all you'll be doing is undermining your new captain. As RR says, that's why we have VC's

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I just don't personally see the point in having a captain that's not on the field. I don't think that's daft, almost every captain at a club, is the player most likely to play

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06 Nov 2014 12:31:42
Like I said, there are countless examples of older players who don't play game in game out but are the first choice captain for their team when they play. Giggs is the most recent but there are plenty of others from plenty of leagues. And there is even the German international system whereby it's just the most capped player. The equivalent for us would be the one with the most games played/played for us which would still mean Gerrard is the default. I really don't see any advantage to stripping Gerrard of his captaincy.

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Erm 2 points
Giggs was never manchester united club captain.
Also that's not how germany pick their captains.It's Italy. Otherwise Lukas Podolski would be captain.

Personally I just feel if so many fans want Gerrard dropped, I don't get how he can be a captain from the bench playing bit parts, you need a leader who can lead on the field. Not scream from the bench.I really can't think of many examples where the club captain isn't the 1st name on the team sheet.For me if you want to keep gerrard as captain, he has to be played.

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I'm not sure you understand the role of the vice captain. When Gerrard isn't playing Henderson will take charge and lead on the pitch, full stop.

As for your argument that Gerrard should be stripped of his captaincy, you are clearly unaware of Gerrard's influence off the field. Players go to him for advice and support. He had a major influence on Suarez staying last season which contributed to where we are now.

You can't treat a player with such disrespect, especially a player who has dedicated his entire career to the club he loves. To Gerrard captaining Liverpool is an honour and a privilege. There is not one player in the squad worthy of taking his place.

Red Rum

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I understand the role of vice captain clearly. My point is that if Gerrard isn't going to feature prminently, as wanted by many fans, should his captaincy be reconsidered and Hendo promoted, you can still be influential at the club without being captain (See giggs)

It's not risrespecting a player to ask them to give up the arm band if they aren't going to play. Or did we disrespect Sami Hypia?

So red Rum what you're saying is that for you Stevie G should start every game, if he's not replaceable?

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Of course not Bob, but I have no problem with him being captain until he retires with Hendo as vice.

Red Rum

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06 Nov 2014 07:51:24
hello eds
just reading this wondered if you can add anything to this
Liverpool owner John W Henry teams up with former chief executive Rick Parry on fact-finding mission in Middle East Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry has travelled to Dubai He watched Al Wasl play on Wednesday night alongside Rick Parry

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{Ed002's Note - There is nothing to say. He will be there looking for sponsorship opportunities - this happens all of the time.

06 Nov 2014 08:40:01
Hello, Ed001/002, if Brendina does get the sack, is there any chance that, we may go for either Diego Maradona or Roberto Mancini as manager? I believe with Maradona as coach, all the players will keep their egos in check and actually listen to him. Cheers for the reply.

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{Ed001's Note - highly unlikely either will be considered.}

Maradona flopped as Argentina manager. The only reason he got the job was the nostalgia of him and Messi working together as a team. The less about Mancini the better. Frank De Boer makes the most sense at this point of time.

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SUMAN, Maradona as manager? that's the most stupid comment i have ever read on here

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06 Nov 2014 07:44:06
I can't believe how many on here and the other banter page are still saying we played well against Madrid! really?
We sat back defending it out for anything better than 3-0, we looked like the kids on the park going forward running blindly forward in the hope they might go past 4 players and score a worldy, which for the record there was no chance of seeing as we rarely shoot,
We have no cohesion in midfield which considering Rodgers blew half our budget on positions we didn't really need to fill then we ought to have one of the tightest midfields in the league,
The defence did ok, but it was just ok, Madrid had 27 shots at goal, 27, if it wasnt for a combination of Mignolets shot stopping which is the only thing that's never been suspect about him and/or Madrid having a total off night on the finishing front including Ronaldo being poor to average we'd have been battered by a huge margin, yeah yeah we didn't and we got a 1-0, well whoopee doo, thanks for the 1-0 and the no threat whatsoever but i thought we were considered one of Europes elite? a team that has a flair for Europe and considers the competition before all others, clearly i was wrong,
If i want to champion a team when it gets beat 1-0 ill go follow someone on the doorstep like Mansfield town or Alfreton town where the expectation is low and a minor result is a huge success,
But I dont, I follow the Reds like I have for 35 years and I hate to stand by and listen to small club mentalities being happy with a loss no matter who we are playing, In case you havnt noticed Madrid have a poor back four and any amount of attacking nous the other night might have got us a positive result,
It seems too many people have bought into Rodgers media/press interviews which for me seem almost Jedi like when it comes to somehow lowering the expectations of the club and supporters and making us feel like last year can't be expected all the time,
Im sorry but that's small club mentality and if he can't rectify on the pitch the damage done through a poor transfer window then something has to change, i'd hope for the record that he sees sense and either brings in some help with the back four or changes the bench/coaching staff to bring about a difference, its clearly worked for Alladyce after his rocket from the board, maybe the same needs to happen here
Come on man, two up front, same system as last year, Borini in Suarez role and see what gives, at least we'll carry a goal threat and if anything if the back four still concede goals at least we'll have the chance like last year of outscoring a few teams
Stubborness and blind faith is not the way forward
YNWA

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The Guv, and yet you show your stubbornness and blind faith in a manager who makes cock up after cock up as alluded to in your post.
Maybe it's catching

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06 Nov 2014 16:48:16
Hey Mcgoveb, not me mate i might allude to that but to be honest I've already seen enough in the last three transfer windows, anyone remember the 'Im signing us a player who will excite the fans unbelievably' quote. then Borini turned up. This is Liverpool not Reading. i'd like a new man end of fella

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06 Nov 2014 07:38:09
I just realised you can't win with people. When we played Chelsea last season we went for a win, the Liverpool way so to speak, and lost the league, through may I say an accidental slip from our captain. People went on about how naive BR was. We tried we lost the tactics didn't come off, people complain. We tried to play RM the liverpool way at Anfield we lost the people complained again.
We go to spain we play a diff team, we lose. The people complain, we have to be realistic, chances of us winning in Spain we almost non-existent, we have no coherent team. Our confidence is shot, we just got sucker punched by newcastle last weekend and are vulnerable so please enough of this BR did us wrong.
He can do better but most people will never appreciate it, they will always put a negative spin on it. Simples.

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Ron WTF are you talking about? The problem is not our style of play or tactics, it's the fact Rodgers thought we had lost before the game!

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We didn't have one shot on target all evening and we looked like a team from the third or fourth division coming to play against Chelsea or City in the third round of the FA cup. Our forward play, not only on the final third but on the final half was emberassing, we were so so easy to defend against. We were only one goal behind and still it was clear to everyone watching that we would not score even if we play for nother 1000 minutes. We are four games out of five now without a goal and two of them were against mid table teams. We are pathetic at the moment and anyone who say we are not, is just in denial.

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06 Nov 2014 17:21:55
Just wondered, if we had got a draw with a team, Real weren't expecting and so made them unsure (European champions I know) how to play us, would the decision to play this so called 'weakened' team, be deemed a master stroke?

Don't get me wrong, we have problems within the team, whether it's personnel or coaching, but was just wondering about this today!

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{Ed001's Note - I would have said it would be luck if that happened, as it certainly wouldn't have been due to judgement.}

06 Nov 2014 02:50:52
I'm taking the Madrid match as a mixed bag. For starters I'm going to address the team selection.

Anybody who didn't think we needed to change men after watching the previous encounter with Madrid or even the Newcastle game, or our performances for most of the season, needs their head checked. For all the players left out the only player I was disappointed to see benched was Coutinho.

Bearing in mind we were playing a team that had averaged about 4 a game at home this season I can't remember the last time we defended so well. In reality we only concede a few chances to a side that had about 60% possession. Normally, if we are getting outplayed we concede goals fairly readily but Lucas and Toure just brought a defensive stability to our outfit that we really miss with Gerrard in the holding role.

Obviously the negative was that we were well and truly battered. We were outplayed and never even looked like equalising. It seemed we were content at losing 1-0. Our build up play was so slow, nobody really looked capable of moving the ball on in less than 3 touches. Borini looked isolated for most of the match and when we looked like we had opportunities to counter Madrid we seemed to play with a lack of ambition and they were quickly sussed out. I think we only mounted about 3 shots on goal and created almost nothing in terms of scoring chances. I don't rate that Madrid defence and thought we were crying out for 2 up front with 15 or so minutes remaining.

Who would want, Borini, Toure and Lucas in to start against Chelsea?

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I would want Borini to partner Balo up front, with Sterling playing just behind the front two. Lucas, Can/Hendo and Coutinho as the 3 CMs and Kolo partnering Lovren in defense. And no Johnson plz.

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06 Nov 2014 09:09:40
Lucas must start - he is the only DM on the books !

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06 Nov 2014 00:50:18
"Liverpool have released three of the club's scouts as part of an overhaul of their scouting network. Alan Harper, Mel Johnson and Mike McGlynn have all parted company with the club."

Anything of import to take away from this Eds or is it just business as usual in the life of a scout?

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{Ed001's Note - business as usual when the scouts have not been deemed to provide the right information.}

Cheers, Ed001. Thanks for the reply.

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{Ed001's Note - you are welcome.}

This was bound to happen after such a shockingly poor transfer window for the club. I would prefer to see the whole setup dismantled with a high profile DOF coming in to attract better players for BR.

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