Liverpool Banter Archive September 06 2017

06 Sep 2017 21:35:01
I think (I stand to be corrected) Ed002 has said that release clauses only have legal basis in their "own" country. so of no relevance to a transfer overseas.

07 Sep 2017 08:34:37
Does it not vary from country to country dependent on the laws of each individual country?

07 Sep 2017 12:10:36
I think it will be the minimum requirement from players now if there asked to sign 5 year deals.

Put a tag of 50/ 60 mil on me. So they don't get coutinhogated.

07 Sep 2017 12:14:26
What happened with Neymar?

06 Sep 2017 19:21:16
Happy Anniversary lads. 10,000 days today since you last won the League. This is your year though!

06 Sep 2017 19:53:40
Thank you, certainly won't be your lots year any year you've had your little 15 minutes in thw spotlight back to mediocrity :)

06 Sep 2017 20:08:04
Oh boy, it says more about you that you keep count dude. You clearly aren't interested in football.

06 Sep 2017 20:22:07
This has cut me deep. it's made me feel so down.

Especially seeing as Spurs have been so successful in those last 10000 days.

Oh no wait. turns out I don't care.

06 Sep 2017 20:53:55
Does anyone have a calculator? Just need to work out how many hours it since spurs one the league.

Looks like I'll be up all night 😂.

06 Sep 2017 21:02:42
Won the league that is lol.

06 Sep 2017 21:39:21
In case the link in my previous post can't be published, I have worked it out to be roughly 20, 579 days (not including leap years) . To keep it simple - 56 years, 4 months and 19 days.

06 Sep 2017 22:15:32
Have Spurs ever won the league 😄
Not sure records go back that far.

06 Sep 2017 22:33:34
Ellis Dee, are you tripping dude?

06 Sep 2017 23:14:27
Bit touchy lads, calm down calm down.

07 Sep 2017 00:36:22
Just as dead pan as his brother Jack.

07 Sep 2017 01:58:50
Apparently the old trophy room at White Hart Lane was burgled during the construction works,

They cleaned it out.

The Met are looking for an enpty hiace van with a roll of blue and white carpet strapped to the roof rack,

07 Sep 2017 12:06:51
Aren't you a spurs fan, perhaps go and enjoy that st totteringhams day will be delayed for another year! :p.

07 Sep 2017 12:08:10
Aren't you a spurs fan, go and celebrate that st totteringhams day will be delayed for another year ;)

07 Sep 2017 12:11:52
To be fair I don't care where this info has come from but that is some stat that like.

06 Sep 2017 18:44:29
Would anyone else give Studge a start on Saturday? With Bobby only getting home this evening the turn around's a but tight whilst Danny's fresh.

06 Sep 2017 19:10:34
I dunno Putney. It's certainly possible but can Danny create like Bobby? I think ds will get a run out tomorrow. Hopefully we are two up by the 60th minute.

07 Sep 2017 01:02:12
Firmino is perfect for City - hope he starts.

07 Sep 2017 02:05:31
Id say Bobby is the first name on the teamsheet when fit.

He sets the pace up front and often nicks the ball back from behind if our attack breaks down,

He is way more important to the way we play early doors.

But what an impact to have Studge come on 20 mins to go with the dedenders legs like lead.

07 Sep 2017 07:10:59
Sturridge no longer has the legs to play 90 minutes against a Man City, maybe a ManU or Tony Pulis team, but not ManCity.

07 Sep 2017 12:03:49
No firmino, mane and salah at 70% will year city to pieces.

No worries.

06 Sep 2017 15:25:53
So is all our squad back injury free?!? Can't remember the last time that happened. The internationals may have even done us a favour getting Hendo a bit more match fit.

Does anyone know if his heel/ foot is cured, or is it still being managed? He doesn't appear to have a limp or anything so hopefully it is pretty good now!

06 Sep 2017 17:17:02
Lallana is still injured isn't he?

06 Sep 2017 17:24:15
He is, but I was referring to our players that played in the internationals or went away and trained with their national teams.

06 Sep 2017 17:42:16
And clyne.

06 Sep 2017 17:45:54
Oh sorry nick, I misunderstood your statement. Thought you meant injury free in general. But you mean, no one got injured on international duty. Great news. And yeah, Hendo is looking sharp eh.

06 Sep 2017 17:52:47
hendo looks far better now, bt i think his injury can just come back at any time.

maybe he's abit better in managing the injury himself. hope he stays fit for the whole season.

06 Sep 2017 18:02:55
Too right kaiser. I simply cannot get my head around some people's opinion that Hendo isn't that good? BRILLIANT CAPTAIN.

06 Sep 2017 21:23:55
Injury was the only thing that prevented Lallana getting injured during the current round of internationals.

07 Sep 2017 12:02:08
I think Nick meant no injuries from the international break, Superred, which does make a pleasant change!

07 Sep 2017 12:05:46
It can go anytime and there isn't a proper cure I don't think. The only real one is rupturing the heel but I think ed said that's something like an accident and still not even 100%.

I have the same thing so can actually relate. It's a joke nth. So painful and debilitating. Oh and there s no warnings of it. And yes even after years it can come back with a vengeance.

So even though he's good now, there isn't actually anything he is doing to stop it coming back or is past it. So fingers crossed it stays away for him and he can crack on.

The only thing that I did was stop wearing studs and move to blades and where jell heel pads. Nth I didn't suffer much afterwards but not contributing it to that. Just something i did. Oh and starting trying to run more on my toes than heels, just a tad but stopped crashing down on my heel so much.

06 Sep 2017 12:26:59
Harry, did you know that Liverpool have 25 British/ Irish players in and around the first team squad?

Ward, S. George, Clyne, Arnold, Gomez, L. Jones, Masterson, Robertson, Flanagan, S. Hart, Williams, Henderson, Brannagan, Ejaria, Lallana, Milner, Chamberlain, Woodburn, Kent, Wilson, Ojo, Solanke, Sturridge, Ings, Brewster.

I guess the clubs future is pretty bleak ☹.

06 Sep 2017 12:48:45
But none of those have any creativity ;)

06 Sep 2017 12:59:02
Plus the Ox.

06 Sep 2017 13:01:40
I am not surprised! Why don't you take out the two Brazilians and Mane off from the first team and see where Liverpool finishes 😎😎. Take it as a challenge MK!

06 Sep 2017 13:33:53
Kelleher the young keeper? Has he left?

06 Sep 2017 13:42:03
Why are Irish players relevant to the topic?

06 Sep 2017 14:00:49
VLF, Because most of the top Welsh/ Scottish/ Irish players come through English academies.

Woodburn, Ward, Wilson (all Welsh) and Masterson (Irish) have been with Liverpool for years. Robertson started in Scotland to be fair but developed his trade in Hull.

06 Sep 2017 14:04:24
Kelleher is still playing for us mate. Think he's with the u21's this season. He seems like a great lad. I went to see a match he played in and after the final whistle he came over and signed autographs for all the kids at the side of the pitch. He is very good with his feet by the way!

06 Sep 2017 14:07:43
Maybe the answer, Adam, is for them to get dual nationality? Maybe Spanish, German or, Harry's favourite, Croatian? Then he will be fully behind Danny Ward-Kovacic, Jordan Henderson-Kovacic, Adam Lallana-Kovacic and, the best player of all, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain-Kovacic?

06 Sep 2017 14:32:37
Thanks MKS. It'll be interesting to see if he makes it then. If he's good with the ball on the ground he'll have a great chance. That's a very rare trait for a keeper as we know. Just ask Joe Hart/ Manchester City.

06 Sep 2017 14:34:27
Trent Alexis-Arnautovic, Jorgen Handanderson, and Dani Warducci sound like great players to me.

06 Sep 2017 14:32:09
If you take out the non-British players from Liverpool, then the same thing will happen to the club as would happen to any other team in the Premier League. Some very good, some good and some mediocre players would be taken out. And so, therefore?

As usual, there is no argument being made here whatsoever, and just arguing with whatever comes to mind for the sake of winning the argument. No reasoning, no justification being offered aside from the usual "I said so".

06 Sep 2017 14:59:21
OIrish, i was sat front row just to the left of the goal he was in for 45 minutes, and his keeping style is very similar to De Gea. Obviously the quality is incomparable, but he has very good feet for a keeper, he is very agile and quick around his box, he gets down low very quickly, and he gave out orders at corners.

I was suitably impressed. He is the most talented keeper we've had in the academy in all my years watching the kids, in my opinion. He has to stay grounded though and keep working hard. He is, or at least he was very lean a year ago so he may need to bulk up slightly to cope with the physicality of senior football.

Definitely one for the future though mate. If not at Liverpool, he will make it elsewhere because he is very talented. Masterson also came on in that game and scored an absolute beauty. I think he was in midfield, though when the subs started rolling on and off it was hard to track individuals and where they were playing. I only knew it was Masterson when they announced the goal scorer on the tannoy.

06 Sep 2017 15:33:45
Kelleher played in the recent cup win for u23s. Together with Grabara we've got some very talented young keepers.

06 Sep 2017 15:46:03
Or may be the Croatians, Spanish and Germans are better. I ll keep a close check on how England fares in the WC. Pretty confident they ll not get out from the group stages! But hey you could blame Southgate!

06 Sep 2017 17:27:45
Lallana is a very creative player. Hendo can create as too can AOC. Ben woodburn looks a really promising talent and j really hope he stays to fight for a place as hd is going to become massive I believe. He is also a creative player. Taa looks quite an intelligent player and his future is in midfield. Gerrard started at RB and look where hd ended up. I think taa will become a very creative player. To say england doesn't have any creative players is ridiculous. We are rated at what? 5th in the world? You don't get there by not being creative. I think wilshire will come good, thought he would be great for Bournemouth but he didn't settle in that well. Ok England missed rooney in the final third but Ali simply has to step up. The team has to be picked on merit and not on how good they were last year. Oh yeah, the RB walker is a creative player and I know a lot of people don't rate him but he does make stuff happen down that right wing.

{Ed002's Note - 13th.}

06 Sep 2017 17:54:48
13th! That sounds more realistic. I don't know where I got 5th from? 13th sounds fair, let's hope it's England's lucky number. Maybe it was in Europe we are rated 5th

Cheers ed 02.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

06 Sep 2017 18:22:28
Hey Ed 25.

Roonoldie!

{Ed025's Note - thats his birds mate..

06 Sep 2017 21:15:31
Fifa ranking ain't worth rubbish though tbh.

06 Sep 2017 21:39:08
Thanks MKS, appreciate the info. Grabara has impressed me when I've seen him. Not so good with the ball on the floor yet though.

07 Sep 2017 12:01:17
You can't judge the quality of a player by his nationality, Harry. Even you should be able to grasp that. Guinea have never played in the world cup, doesn't stop Naby Keita from being a great player that you love, does it?

06 Sep 2017 11:10:54
Hi eds, do you think Neymar will influence PSG to bid for Coutinho since he advise Coutinho to stay put?

{Ed001's Note - no idea.}

06 Sep 2017 11:23:42
They should have no money to spend for the next 3 years according to their own FFP myth 😄.

06 Sep 2017 12:52:53
Maybe Couts looked so happy on that plane because Neymar told him what a bullet he dodged?!

06 Sep 2017 13:34:17
think couts looked so happy on the flight because he was sitting on a comfy thermal cushion witch helps his back injury 😁.

06 Sep 2017 14:25:49
PSG won't be buying Coutinho anytime soon. Nor will they be spending big next season coz they will have to start paying the mammoth Mbappe fee. It will either be Barcelona or Real Coutinho goes to next season once we sign his replacement.

06 Sep 2017 15:37:33
PSG have no problems buying players IB. And won't next summer. The only problem would be additional wages which could be offset by future departures.

06 Sep 2017 16:17:53
Real r stocked in midfield and look set for 2-3 years imo. PSG could come in but only if Verrati were to leave which this year they didn't let happen. Big question is would couts still want his move next summer if Messi is off and they have a disappointing season as many expect them to? Ronaldo is about to draw level w Messi for balon dor. He won't win another unless Barcelona r winning CL. He'll get a MASSIVE signing on fee anywhere he goes. We have a big year, couts might v well want to stick around if Barcelona r seen to b on the decline.

06 Sep 2017 10:25:56
They are a very poor side currently Jezza, as close to Georgia in second last as Ireland in 3rd. Only won 2 games. Also they were extremely poor at the last euros. I would suggest you take some time to watch the side if your basis for judging them is a good qualifying campaign 2 years ago for a tournament they were extremely poor in once qualified. Apart from Arnautovic and Alaba they have poor players. Even arnie is skilful but so inconsistent.

06 Sep 2017 10:39:48
A reply to a below post sorry folks.

06 Sep 2017 10:48:53
It doesn't matter as Woodie is Quality. Now you play him against San Marino or Germany the boy will always find a way to show his quality! Quality is permanent!

06 Sep 2017 10:53:37
Ok Harry.

06 Sep 2017 09:59:39
Think everyone needs to relax about Woodburn, the kid has done well and looks exciting, but so far this season we have seen him in pre season friendlies, and the even lower standard of international games against Austria and Moldova. Whilst I think we all regard him as very promising youngster we have to take the games and opposition into account. Even the Austrian defence was mostly players from the Austrian league along with Prodl and klavans replacement at Augsburg.

06 Sep 2017 10:07:46
Spot on, Back! People need to just calm down and let the player grow at his own pace and stop bigging him up and putting pressure on him, for no reason.

06 Sep 2017 10:07:56
Austria won 9/ 10 qualifiers last time round and they have a good team with 1 world class player. They can't be under estimated.

06 Sep 2017 10:50:08
A goal of such individual brilliance cannot be unstated because of the opposition.
He plucked the ball out of the air, set himself and buried it. You want to put that on Austria? 😔.

06 Sep 2017 11:09:22
Put what on Austria JT? I said we should take opposition into account. The sides and players he has faced in recent games is far below premier league level. Everyday reading about how good he is and what quality he has for a youngster as if we've never had a promising kid before. The biggest challenge is continuing his development and breaking into the first team. Name our other promising kids who have made the transition into our first team? sterling? Ibe? Now remember the hyperbole laid at their feet as they came through as youngsters. We need to be realistic and let kids develop.

06 Sep 2017 11:25:23
What JT is saying is a moment of individual brilliance doesn't matter if it's against Australia or Germany as what he did has no bearing on the opposition. and I get where he's comin from, I agree with him. But I also agree that young players get over hyped at a young age in Britain.

06 Sep 2017 11:45:48
Welsh gets it. I think you diminish how achievement by saying it even in part comes down to the opponent.
If he dribbled past 6 Sunday league players, and scuffed the ball past an out of position goalkeeper, then fair enough, but his goal could have been scored against anyone.

Btw, I totally agree with keeping feet on the ground, he's a young lad and he's achieved nothing yet.

06 Sep 2017 11:47:35
I think that the opposition has a lot to do with it. If u seen a video of him doing that in a park in a Sunday league he wouldn't be lauded as coutinhos replacement and the next big thing would he? I also feel a lot of posters keep referring to Germany. Germany are an a machine internationally and would be confident that no Welsh player would score in a competitive match with Germany, they would be rolled over. And if Woodbury played poorly against Germany everyone here would be falling over themselves to say that he's only a kid and Germany are very strong internationally. So yes I feel the opposition plays a part when judging a players skill level and ability.

06 Sep 2017 11:53:01
That terrible Sterling and Ibe who sold for £65m yeah? 🙄.

06 Sep 2017 12:12:51
Would you have either sterling or ibe in our squad now MK? I care less about money the club spends or received as it's not mine. How have sterling and ibe done since they've left MK? But yeah hopefully we can develop Woodbury and then sell him at 20/ 21 as he's still developing that would be good.

06 Sep 2017 12:29:23
I'd definitely take back Sterling if he cut off that cancerous tumour he calls an agent.

06 Sep 2017 12:52:32
Would you take him back though? Think about where he fits in with the squad? Doesn't make first xI, and would only block the development of all of our world class youngsters. I wouldn't have him back and feels he offers nothing that we don't already have. What qualities of his would make you take him back to block the new coutinhos development? Or maybe we could sell Woodburn to B, mouth for 15mil and you'd be delighted?

06 Sep 2017 13:54:12
We'll aren't you quite the little devils advocate. Where'd we find you 😂

Sterling is City's top scorer so far this season. If he was so poor he wouldn't be getting game time in one of the strongest frontlines in Europe.

I'd have him in the team for sure. He played attacking midfield and striker for us before he left. I'd start him ahead of Lallana or Wijnaldum, behind Firmino.

Besides, nobody has said that Woodburn is world class. He is just a similar player to Coutinho and is impressing at every opportunity. I watched him in the flesh for the U21's last summer against MK Dons, and despite being 16 he was the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile, playing on the left wing that day. He is a special talent. There is nothing wrong with wanting him to get playing time to develop, or saying he has the potential to be a first team player. He's already scored his first goal for Liverpool and Wales before he's turned 18! Why are you downplaying his quality? Refusing to acknowledge achievements is almost as bad as overplaying them!

The only hyperbole I've seen surrounding him on here, is Harry saying he should be starting in midfield with Coutinho. That is just Harry though; hyperbole is his middle name. It's why we love him.

Just stop being so negative mate 😂 Woodburn is a cracking little player and we are allowed to be excited about his future, within reason! In all my time following Liverpool the main players who have been hyped up are Sterling, Suso, Ibe and Rossiter. Yeah so one or two of them failed to live up to expectation. It happens. Woodburn may follow Sterling's upward trajectory, or he might end up playing for a Pub team in Scotland like Rossiter. Who cares, just enjoy watching him develop and allow yourself to be excited! Life is fun!

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, Sterling is only playing because they couldn't sign Sanchez and he was available for transfer.}

06 Sep 2017 14:06:14
Doesnt matter. The kid has done well, he deserves the credit, matter of time until he's a Liverpool legend.

06 Sep 2017 14:14:19
Eds answer will suffice re sterling. Also remember when rossiter was the new gerrard? As you rightly say look at him now. I enjoy your posts MK but you constantly try to be deep and thoughtful with your posts but end up contradicting yourself. You made a post saying you were happy we didn't get Lemar so we could develop our own but in this post you'd be happy to have sterling back who would only block that same development. people getting wet with excitement for international games or friendlies are delusional. They cannot be compared in any way to perm or cl games. Also you'd have sterling in cm ahead of wiji? Come off it mate there's no more straws to be grasping at after that. Sterling as with ibe rosditer and all mentioned before are on downward trajectories right now but a couple of years fans on here have you thinking they are the next big thing.

06 Sep 2017 14:16:00
All the people saying we're getting ahead of ourselves about woodburn? You're acting like he plays for Brazil and beat San Marino, he plays for wales who are of a similar ability to Austria and changed the game! Rashford coat England a goal the other night and recovered very well, so it's okay for everyone to rim him (I'm not saying he snot talented this is NOT a dig at the lad) but we can't be excited over woodburn? The lad if mabaged correctly will be the next big British player I think, do I think people should pressure him? No but some people to thrive under pressure hopefully he's one of them, seems like it. Has a great head on those shoulders.

06 Sep 2017 14:16:29
I love your reckless use of stats too MK city paid 50mil for sterling and he's top scorer after a handful of games so he's doing well. They want rid and he still can't strike a shot cleanly. Watch the footy instead of reading the stats mate.

06 Sep 2017 14:19:28
It says a lot that they needed a player of Sanchez's calibre to upgrade on him though, Ed001! He is still a good player in my opinion. In retrospect it is probably good he left or i doubt we'd have signed Mane, who is a better player. Sterling is still one of the best players of his age group in the world though.

{Ed001's Note - that is not true. Read it again, he is playing because they didn't sign Sanchez and he was available for sale anyway. He can't kick a ball properly, Pep does not want him. The only reason they wanted a player of Sanchez's calibre is because that is the level of player they are trying to bring in. They did not just want to bring in another player they need to replace, they wanted to bring in a finished article, which Sterling is far from.}

06 Sep 2017 14:24:03
Just like sterling Ibe rossiter Phillips teabag yeah? No pressure then.

06 Sep 2017 15:26:17
Johnbarnes another on here falling over himself with contradictions. Could be the next big British player, doesn't feel like we should put pressure on him, hopefully he will thrive under pressure. Contradicting points one after the other here.

06 Sep 2017 16:09:52
In all my time following Liverpool the main players who have been hyped up are Sterling, Suso, Ibe and Rossiter.

The rest of that list is endless :

Pacheco - next Pele
Mellor - remember that goal against arsenal?
Partridge
Hobbs
Hammill - next next Pele
Bruna

The list is endless. TAA is the real deal. Woodburn, I wouldn't be so sure.

06 Sep 2017 17:39:27
I often like mks posts but I wouldn't play sterling in front of lallana. No way. Lallana is a super intelligent footballer sterling looks like a ballet dancer. I hope sterling struggles for games this year. Never forgiven him the traitor. Hope his career goes stale at city. Get the dubin out raheem!

06 Sep 2017 17:50:54
I agree with ed. Sterling isn't reliable enough when it comes to his final ball. He makes poor choices and isn't the most clinical finisher. If it wasn't city he had gone to the fee would never have been as high as £50.000.000. I may be biast but I'd have AOC over raheem all day. Ox is a bit faster and his decision making is better.

06 Sep 2017 18:38:22
Joker are you Canadian?

06 Sep 2017 21:31:54
That's uncanny Superred. Are you Derek Acorah?

06 Sep 2017 09:39:31
All will be forgiven when Coutinho comes off the bench to play an inch-perfect through ball for the Ox to get in behind City's defence to score a 95th minute winner. With Matip and Lovren producing a Herculean effort to keep out Jesus, Aguero, Silva, Sterling and De Bruyne. Haha.

All jokes aside, I can't wait for the game this weekend. Internationals are dreadful. Both City and Liverpool are terrific going forward so it's going to be an entertaining game.

Come on you Reds!

06 Sep 2017 09:49:36
Manchester city is Coutinho's fav hunting ground. He gets space and that's all he needs! It would be a battle between Silva vs Coutinho! I can't wait!

06 Sep 2017 10:09:15
Will Coutinho play? Would be amazed if Klopp backed down so easily and let him straight back into the starting XI straight away.

06 Sep 2017 10:13:26
Cou is City's perennial nemesis. They simply have had no answer to him and never will due to the way they play. Silva does not do well against us as our midfield are always on top of him like a rash so if history repeats itself, we have a good chance of winning.

06 Sep 2017 10:22:34
Shouldn't be anywhere near the squad, no wonder players like Can will look to move on. I'd want to see a month of committed training out of Coutinho before id even consider him for selection.

06 Sep 2017 10:28:28
No chance Couts will play.

06 Sep 2017 13:04:53
Reckon he'll be on the bench with some comment he's not 100% back up to speed so not ready to start. Then will come off the bench for last 20mins and get abused for a bit then hopefully scores the winner in 90th minute and we can all go back to business as usual next week.

06 Sep 2017 13:48:19
Sterling won't be playing. Coutinho shouldn't be playing.

06 Sep 2017 08:21:01
I have to say it's bloody hard to find a top class, realistic transfer target, central defender these days (not making excuses for Klopp) .
I have personally tried studying quite a few over the past few weeks when I have the time to watch some matches (I usually only watched LFC games before this) .
Apologies if I murder the name spellings below:
Had a good look at Koulibaly of Napoli/ Senegal last week when playing against Burkino Faso (terrible match) and just when I thought to myself he looked the real deal, he was red carded needlessly.
Same with Maksimov for Serbia last night, just when I was thinking he might be an option, he was sent off for a professional foul that was easily avoidable against a very slow target man.
I'd love to know other people's opinions on CBs we could look to sign (assuming VVD is completely off the table now) .
Realistic signings only, Subotic is nearly 30 and slower than me long since deceased granny so that's a definite no-no surely.
Feel free to chime in - I don't invite critism of our current players by the way, so I'd appreciate if you could respect that please as I just won't respond personally. Cheers!

06 Sep 2017 08:34:40
We play high line infact very high, So you got to put that into perspective before looking at a defender, Hence both us and City were in for VVD ( he is the near perfect to play that system ) . It is pointless buying Hyypia's and Godin's to play in our system as they will struggle big time!

{Ed001's Note - that is why Koulibaly is interesting.}

06 Sep 2017 08:41:21
I would take a punt on Ben Gibson. I think lovren deserves another season to try and establish himself. They ain't been that bad this season bar the watford game. Mistakes were made by midfielders more than the defenders in that game. Against hoffenhiem we conceded a couple against a very good little team but we weren't exactly playing a defencive system! Dunno if gibbo is an improvement on lovren but it's a fresh face and would offer a bit of hope. Did he end up staying with boro?

06 Sep 2017 08:47:48
Correct Ed01. Napoli plays very similar to us. Press high and play very high. Concedes awful amount of goals as well lol and scores for fun. But they do have a proper holding mid in Jorinho and a very good defender in Albiol.

{Ed001's Note - I have to say Albiol has come on in leaps and bounds since joining, he was excellent at times last season and so far this.}

06 Sep 2017 09:03:45
Romagnoli has looked good the few times I've watched him, good on the ball, still relatively young, wouldn't mind if he had a punt on him but suspect Milan wouldn't even consider offers.

06 Sep 2017 09:06:11
My mate is callum chambers uncle (honest to god) he told me wenger sees chambers future at arsenal and told callum not to think of moving on. Then he went to boro on loan. He also said Ben Gibson wanted chambers to sign full time. They were quite good last season for a pair of youngsters. They were the best part of boro last season. Mane took the piss out of chambers last year and made him look out of his depth but then mane went on to do that to many established cbs.

That tells me gibbo sees his future at boro. Trying to get em back up. Ain't he the chairman's son or something?

I'm living in portsmouth now and callum was at Southampton before going to arsenal. He grew up near a small town called Petersfield near portsmouth.

06 Sep 2017 09:06:32
In open play I think it's going to be very difficult to find a defender who looks good in our system.
I've watched Gibson, he has definitely found his level at Boro and would not be an improvement on what we have.
We would be better employing a dedicated defensive midfielder to sit in front of the defenders, like Mascherano did so well.
My issue is with our defenders at set pieces - we are awful and it doesn't take new signings to remedy it.

With our system we see exciting matches with goals at both ends. The trade off is that our defenders look garbage. Either tweak the system and buy a defensive midfielder or just live with the consequences - lots of goals.

I'm completely over that issue. My issue is the number of goals we concede from set pieces.

06 Sep 2017 09:07:06
Maybe we should pay Sarri a truckload of money to come and be our defensive coach:-) The improvement of Koulibaly and Albiol under him as been incredible.

06 Sep 2017 09:21:21
I was surprised at Koulibaly last weekend, he looked a lot more assured on the ball than I thought he was capable of. We do definitely play a very risky high line, it was most apparent against Hoffenheim away, their balls over the top and around the back caused no end of problems there and even led to their goal over there. Happened against Atletico in the Audi cup too, a good whipped ball and our defense is in trouble, also against Bilbao in Dublin. Koulibaly has lots of pace for a big CB it seems to me but I'd just worry about two things with him, his price and his temperament or attitude, he looked a frustrated figure in the match at the weekend and paid for it with 2 silly yellows. If we are chasing a winner at home against a lower team, can he keep his composure?!
If he starts running around like a headless chicken, it can be contagious to the lesser experienced players such as TAA, Gomez, Woodburn and any other young players given their chance.
Personally I'd need to see him quite a few more times, but there's definitely promise there, price may well be a stumbling block. And would he even want to move from Italy, I suppose money talks though.

06 Sep 2017 09:36:32
Ron is pretty close with the scenario. A dedicated DM would solve the Puzzle of Second ball after bouncing from our defenders heads to any direction. It would also help us to cover the gap when teams hits us on counter. We also need a defense who could head the ball.

If teams cannot bypass our midfield by pass and move they go long Simple. And in such case your defender should be winning all possible ariel balls, which we don't. We loose the first ball as well the second ball as our midfielders ( holding or whoever ) is not positioned.

06 Sep 2017 10:29:39
But we don't play with a true DM so asking for one to come in, is a non starter. Same with signing a CB, . If he cannot play in our system then what is the point signing him, exactly?

Now regarding good CB's, they are very rare to find which is why those who have them don't sell (see VVD) . City have spent near 200m on CB's (Otamendi, Mangala, Stones) and Kompany (who has been there since 2008) is still their best defender. Now, Klopp has the way he plays and we must find a CB VVD or whoever) who can play tht system.

Khoulibaly is not a bad choice as Napoli play the high energy and high press hence a high defensive line, like we do. VVD is a good CB with great upside BUT Saints don't play the way we play and play with 2 DM's in front of their CB's. So those fawning over VVD should consider that (and his several other flaws like lack of concentration, bad positioning etc) before thinking he will solve all our issues cos there is nowhere to hide for a CB in a Klopp system. NOWHERE!

06 Sep 2017 10:40:54
Yeah I have noticed huge gaps between our defence and midfield at times too. Not sure how when there are 3 midfielders but I assume they have over committed to getting forward or their positional play/ anticipation is poor. It is slightly better when Henderson is in there to be fair, even though he's not yet a natural DM. Our set piece defending is only going to improve this season surely, can't get much worse, but with a 5ft 8in Keita probably replacing a 6ft Emre next season, we definitely need to work very hard on fixing that or getting in better defensive personnel. Fabio Cannavaro (wrong spelling no doubt) was supposed to be only 5ft 8in or so but you never really heard of him being caught out in the air, so there must be a way around this weakness without getting 6 foot plus players all over the park. Players who can read a game well/ good anticipation for example can work. I'm going to throw one out there as a good CB at set pieces, Shane Duffy of Brighton/ Ireland has looked towering at times at both offensive and defensive set pieces when I have seen him. I'm not at all saying he's good enough for Liverpool but might be one to keep an eye on as he's only 24/ 25 and in the Prem now as well as being a regular international player all of a sudden.
Again, I'm not saying we should go for him as his positional play is poor at the moment, but he could develop into a decent CB.

06 Sep 2017 18:19:35
Good post Ron. You are totally right of course. Our system isn't geared up toward keeping clean sheets. Well not usually. The zonal marking needs less organisation than man marking as each defender just has to take up his place rather than adjust to what the opposition are doing in set pieces. The thing is, it still needs some organisation and I don't think there is anyone who is really taking charge back there. Hendo must take yet another role upon his shoulders and organise the defenders too. Good lad.

06 Sep 2017 07:29:50
Hi Ed 001,

Quick one, with the current squad we have what do you think would be the best strategy to breakdown defenses who seat deep and park the proverbial bus?

{Ed001's Note - move the ball quickly and quick player movement. That has been what we have lacked when playing them. The team just loses the intensity it shows against the big clubs, as they are the Burnleys of the league and the team just is not as motivated sadly. It does not matter how well set up you are, if the ball is moved quickly you can't stop it. Quick one-twos will always cause problems. A player moving at pace into the box will always have an advantage over the defence, which is static. Movement is always going to be a problem for a defence.}

06 Sep 2017 07:55:58
Spot on ed01.

06 Sep 2017 08:00:22
I agree with Ed on the intensity, I think a lot is in the players heads. Do we have any mind coaches? the lack of fight against the smaller clubs is so apparent, I do agree our style doesn't suit teams sitting back but I'm sure with a better mental attitude we could improve these results.

06 Sep 2017 08:08:18
Ed do you think that is why Klopp wanted Chamberlain and Keita? They are both the types of midfielder who play little give and go's to burst beyond tightly banked up players. Keita is especially good at it.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, and that both can break a packed defence with a dribble at pace as well. We have Lallana, Can and Coutinho who can do that currently but none have a real burst of pace as well. That pace causes major problems for a defence as it does not give them time to readjust their positioning.}

06 Sep 2017 08:11:02
Tte team believes the danger coming from the opposition is less compared to the City's and Chelsea's. So they relax and take their time. You could also give some credit to the opposition players for keeping it tight and focus through out the 90mts against any minute errors which might lead to a goal. These teams simply cannot outscore us hence they try to snatch a draw and a point.

It is not the teams every time. We have struggled against Jose's team over the years who are not burnley's and would struggle against Simeoni's team who again are not burnley's.

{Ed001's Note - not sure of the relevance of Simeone or Jose, everyone struggles against their teams.}

06 Sep 2017 08:31:00
Yes, because the way they set up their team against PACE! If you give SPACE to PACE then there is only winner.

{Ed001's Note - not just because of the way they set up, there is a lot more to it than that. It helps that Mourinho has had more money to spend on his teams than any other team in history.}

06 Sep 2017 08:53:50
Correct that's why there is no Lesser team and Higher wan concept in tactics. Some teams are forced to sit back and defend due lack of quality in their team ( Burnleys etc ) some managers like to sit back and snatch as many points as possible without giving a damn on the footy as a whole ( Jose, Rafa, Simeoni ) .

We struggle against teams who sit back. It doesn't matter where it comes from. Burnleys or UTD's.

06 Sep 2017 09:21:48
I mentioned this the other day when discussing the signing of Chamberline. If Klopp can get his end product right, I think his direct approach could be key against the teams that come to park the bus.

It l's so frustrating watching the ball being moved from side to side and as Ed 1 mentioned, we seem to lose all moment against these teams that set up to defend deep.

06 Sep 2017 09:23:07
I also think that our full backs have a role to play in breaking down defences. Last season these teams were quite happy for Milner and Clyne to have the ball in advanced areas knowing they won't hurt them. If they are worried about the full backs they have to get players out to them which in turn creates space in the middle. Let's hope this seasons extra quality from the full backs coupled with the quick movement from the front men and midfielders will see us improve.

06 Sep 2017 09:37:51
Ings n things I think that's the difference right there with TAA, Robertson in the team you have two players who have a great cross on both of them which should help the team last year we would get forward down the wings and then just turn around or milly would turn back and put one in on his right foot nothing wrong with that on occasions but a ball in a pace on the left wing on your left foot is better then stopping and letting the defenders reset and cover.

06 Sep 2017 10:42:32
Can we focus on the topic at hand instead of talking about other managers that no one else cares about? Spot on, Ed. You will be surprised what a simple one-two ball or using a left footed LB who can cross the ball first time, can do to a defence. Klopp addressed this issue in the TW by bringing in Robbo at LB and Salah to partner with Mane out wide with Ox as an alternative, in order to facilitate better and quicker movement, to help break down the defence.

In the Palace game, we improved on the quick movement front as soon as Salah and Solanke came on cos that spread out their defence hence, more spaces for our players to run into. I also like that our heads did not drop throughout the game as we kept plugging away and increased the pressure on them. It is said pressure that caused the mistake that led to Mane's goal for the win. we need to keep doing that vs the lesser teams at Anfield and NEVER let our heads drop even when we concede the first goal.

06 Sep 2017 14:03:03
Full backs was and always going to be the problem.

Doesn't matter of fast you play if all the players are within 5 yards or each other. It just allows the opp to stay tight and defend.

Of however you now have 2 full backs hugging the touchline and bombing in behind, it causes the edge of the opp to have to make a decision, stick or twist. If they go out to the full back then space is now created in the middle, the rest of the opp have to shift to cover and then they lose there dicisipline.

This is why Barcelona rarely ever get dropped by other teams, pace full backs.

Gotta wonder why city spent 126 mil on e of them haven't you.

06 Sep 2017 03:54:32
Can I ask all you guys for some good thoughts and prayers our way here in Florida. Irma looks like a real bitch
Matt in FL.

{Ed001's Note - good luck stay safe mate.}

06 Sep 2017 04:30:07
Stay safe buddy.

06 Sep 2017 04:59:24
Take care and bunker down - I've been through a couple of category 5's in Taiwan, very intense, very damaging - just make sure you are in a safe place until it's all over.

06 Sep 2017 05:04:56
Man it looks awful. I'd be getting outta dodge if at all possible. Good luck.

06 Sep 2017 06:19:46
Hoping for the best possible outcome. I've experienced 2 category 5 hurricanes so I know how dangerous they can be. Hopefully no lives will be lost. Just heard that it has become the most powerful ever recorded over the Atlantic.

06 Sep 2017 06:27:01
Best wishes mate, as TJRed says - get out of there if you're able to safely though.
Fill your bath up to the top too in case water is cut off, an old tip my friend was taught when she lived over there - you can boil it then bit by bit after until it's back on.
Stay safe fella!

06 Sep 2017 08:08:08
Have friends in Cuba on holiday warned them it's a biggie but their response was hopefully get an extra week think they could be in for a shock.

06 Sep 2017 10:56:12
Good luck, mate. Hopefully, Irma is not as devastating as Harvey, Sandy or Katrina.

06 Sep 2017 14:00:42
Hey Matt, where in Florida are you? I live in Miami and its going to be my second hurricane. Last time I lost a car hopefully this time I'll be luckier. If I'm being really honest my immediate concern apart from trying to find water and petrol is Irma is due to hit on Saturday morning which coincides with us beating Man City. I couldn't bear it if the electricity cut out. Fingers crossed everything is ok and everyone is safe and sound.

07 Sep 2017 12:00:00
Hold Fast mate.