Liverpool Banter Archive February 07 2016

07 Feb 2016 21:07:55
"one of which is certainly dropping it on a Far Eastern stock market and letting the institutional owners pick away at it. "
What does this mean exactly ed? Is that something similar to what Man City have done?

{Ed002's Note - No, they simply sold part of the business to a consortium. If the club sold through a floatation it would be different - that would give the fans a chance to buy it.}

07 Feb 2016 21:44:10
And that would be a bad thing or not?

{Ed002's Note - A full floatation would be a problem.}

07 Feb 2016 22:07:53
Are there any clubs that are 100% public companies like that, Ed002? I think the Glazers still have controlling interest in United from what I recall?

{Ed002's Note - There are plenty of clubs with shares that are traded - Juventus, Ajax, a number of Portuguese sides, Celtic, Dortmund etc.. Few if any have 100% of shares traded.}

07 Feb 2016 22:27:50
Thanks for that. Do you see that as something that could happen in the future, e. g. a 100% publicly traded Real Madrid (maybe a bad example- I know nothing of their current ownership)? Or do the various legalities disallow for that?

{Ed002's Note - Not Real Madrid.}

07 Feb 2016 19:45:31
sorry if its been covered but did klopp actually meet up with Rodgers? I no he offered so fair play to give klopp a heads up, also teixeirra wanted to come to us to help get into Brazil squad fat chance of that now, spose £185k a week will soften the blow!

07 Feb 2016 19:09:49
I have a feeling people expectations here for a massive clear-out in the summer are unrealistic.

I think that interest from other teams in buying players from us will be mainly in players like Sturridge and Couts, not Mings, Moreno, Benteke or Lallana. If teams would want these players it will be for considerably less than what we paid. I will be surprised if anyoen will offer more than 20M for Benteke. Maybe not even that. And I don't think the owners will want to sell players for cheap. I mean if the rumur is true that we were offered 20M for Markovich and declined, for me this shows we are not quick to sell players, not first team players anyway.

07 Feb 2016 19:32:38
I agree with you. I just hope that we don't increase our number of senior players.

If there are no transfers, I won't be unhappy. The club needs to be run responsibly.

07 Feb 2016 19:51:32
Oh god don't say that mate. We need rid of them have faith.

07 Feb 2016 20:37:19
It depends on what people expect from a "clear-out".

There are a lot of senior players who really don't have first team prospects and I'd be amazed if any more than one or two of them stayed: Enrique, Illori, Teixeira, Bogdan, Balotelli, Yesil, Alberto. That's 7 players. Toure and Sinclar are leaving at the end of their contracts. 9. Coutinho will probably want to leave if a club attractive to him are interested. 10. I expect we'll have a hard time persuading Markovic to stay on. That's 11 I'd consider likely to leave before we've looked at the current first team and said "okay, this bloke ain't up to it". Although out of that 11, we'll really only need to replace Coutinho - as Ed002 says, the squad is bloated.

That's the clear-out I'm expecting. A lot more players out than in. I reckon 15-16 out (and quite a few for buttons as well, but what can we do? ) and 5 or 6 in is going to be the nature of things.

I'm not expecting a mass exodus from the current first choice players and 10-12 signings in to replace them. Some will move on - Migs and Benteke for example, but not a mass exodus. And to be honest, even if by some miracle we could afford to gut the current first team, it'd be massively disruptive and would write off next season. So I'd just as soon not see that happen.

07 Feb 2016 21:36:50
I think we desperately need a spine to the team a commanding GK a CB (a leader I don't think sakho has got what it takes unfortunately) , MD (someone who can keep hold of the ball and dictate play) and a 20+ goals ST that's going to be fit every week, And then build around that spine maybe 2/ 3 more in the transfer windows that follow.

07 Feb 2016 22:23:04
Think I'd agree Something Red. Many of the fringe players you mentioned I can see moving on, perhaps 1 or 2 of the others, depending on what bids come in. Perhaps 2-3 solid first teamers coming the other way. Much less an overhaul to the first team, more of a tweaking, with the outgoing fringe players being replaced by U-21s and younger players. At least that's what I hope happens versus the +10 we had every summer lately. I've always been of the belief that a well-thought out passionate team in terms of recruitment to desired play style can and will often trump expensively assembled sides that are perhaps less well-planned. At the very least, it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

07 Feb 2016 23:37:38
When Sakho first came I doubted him and people slated me. Ed's included, then he got much better and I swallowed some humble pie. However, now he looks really shaky. At times he looks great and then at times he looks a liability, overall I'd say he is very inconsistent, but then again, the form of the team is the same.

08 Feb 2016 00:37:05
The problem is you can't just find a spine.

Those players are often made not bought, and often made in favourable conditions with respected players already around them.

I can't see brannagan stepping up to be a core player under the guidance of james milner tbh.

07 Feb 2016 18:52:26
Good evening ED002. Just would like your view on a question I asked yesterday, relating to the walkout and ticket increase. I replied to a post with this question and it wasn't posted, so I tried three further times. By doing this ED001 has called me a troll and threatened bans.

Firstly I'm no troll, this is a genuine question of genuine interest.

The walkout fans and those who support them, will they also be demanding the club splash millions on new players? £20m for Ter Stegen or Butland, a new CB and striker.

I wonder if you also see this a bit of double standards? We want an improved stadium, better coaches, better manager, better players. Some wanted to push the £25m bid to £40m to buy Teixeria in Jan. We don't want the club in debt. Yet we don't expect to put our hands in our pockets and contribute to this?

comparing our (UK) prices to Germany, Spain etc is just not realistic. Don't the EPL teams find it so easy to pick the players and get them usually due to the wages we pay? Those requesting Reus or Hummels still think we should buy them but pay lower prices. Where is the coming from? It has to come from all areas, TV, sponsorship and fans.

The notion of selling to buy. How easy is this! Was it easy to sell Enrique the last two years? Ballotelli? what prices are expected from the players who fans don't deem good enough for us? We keep calling Mignolet rubbish but expect to just sell him easy and for millions, although he's crap?

So genuinely. Not trolling. Those who want FSG to buy 10 new players, better players and rid the club of rubbish (which costs as well) a better stadium are they also the ones walking out and demanding lower ticket prices?

Before you answer, the lower league clubs in league one and two, some have to charge say £25 a ticket just to survive. IF the prem, the elite, charge £30-£40 like in Germany or Spain, do you think these lower clubs can still charge £25, will those fans demand £10 tickets instead? How long before they disappear because they can't survive?

{Ed002's Note - Well Max I think you could spend a couple of hours running through the posts from this afternoon where I explain my point that football at the highest level is really big business now and long gone are the days of the cloth-capped, hobnailed-booted, chimney sweep making his way, rattle in hand, to cheer on his team at Anfield on a Saturday afternoon. It is moving on and many don't like that - and I do appreciate they don't like it - but it is the reality of where the business (game if you like) is heading.}

07 Feb 2016 19:34:34
Thanks Ed, I agree. It is a shame, it's not the preferred choice but it is what it is. Thanks for posting, I'm not here to troll. Thanks for answering, I understand this must be the hundredth question since yesterday.

07 Feb 2016 20:09:08
Your not trolling yet I could count at least six posts probably more were you keep repeating the same points to provoke a reaction from other posters and ed001, now I'm no Internet expert and a bit of a techno phob, but is that not the definition of trolling? You've made your point, you despise the filthy men who dared to stand up to the ian ayres of this world and his paymasters F$G, we get it now leave it there .

07 Feb 2016 20:46:26
Ok Waro, that wasn't my intention. I hadn't seen some of my posts, so I assumed they were blocked/ not posted.

I do not despise anyone or find the walkout fans filthy. I'm more curious to know who of those here that were part of or support it are also wanting FSG to splash millions upon millions on players this summer.

I think that's a fair point to ask.

07 Feb 2016 18:49:03
Hi eds, what should i type into the search bar to see your recent detailed transfer summary. Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Try Magomed Ozdoev.}

07 Feb 2016 18:18:27
Eds any word on Allens injury?

07 Feb 2016 18:38:10
I guess it's a hamstring?

07 Feb 2016 17:48:24
Lots and lots of posts regarding the ticket prices, the owners, FSG as a whole, wages etc etc etc,
Seriously?
Look, I run a business, in fact three, I know within my own field what I'm doing and how I'm doing it and I'd be happy to discuss anything music with anyone, much like someone who is a plumber would be able to professionally tell me what's happening within his own field,
The club, the finances, the owners, football semantics, ticket prices etc etc etc I have no idea about and also what I do know is before this here tinterweb nobody was interested in the slightest, players signing and transfer rumours came via the daily papers and nobody was even interested in the ongoing dilemmas of running a football club,
Now all of a sudden we have a whole host of people who in general are NOT in the business of high level sports or for that matter high level business asking the editors to explain A, B and C about how the club is working and what financial aspects of the club need changing including under achieving personnel, why is anyone interested? yes we want the club run in the correct manner and ticket prices to be fair and the right players signing but how in hell can anyone comment on the jobs of people in the background when they never ever see what it is they are doing to earn their fees?
I don't like Ian Ayre but i'm going on what I see and judging him as a character, I don't like his demeanor, but i don't know how good he is at his job, not really, How do we know the owners aren't pulling the strings and he is as held back on the transfer front as anyone else?
I know we all care and I know we all want things to change but talking about things like potential takeovers is nonsense, If it happens it happens but i'm suggesting while wishing for things we know nothing about we're just wishing our lives away,
For the record, I wasn't sure about the walk out at first but I changed my mind after some thought and I'm glad it happened, I think its clearly a subject closer to some than others but at least the people who walked out have done something positive instead of sitting back and taking something they don't agree with,
Time will tell if it changes anything,
Summer will tell us a lot about the whole caboodle in my book.

07 Feb 2016 18:22:57
I agree with you Ritchie, who knows what decisions happen between the top level in the club, I include our great Eds in this too.

07 Feb 2016 18:25:30
Unfortunately Liverpool FC is no longer a football club, like the rest of the premier it's a business. and we all know the boss or owners in all walks of life only see £ sign with no understanding about hurt the important people ( little people like us . were just a number) . But the company is only as good as it staff IMO .

{Ed002's Note - It is still a football club but it is part of what is a very large business indeed. That is perhaps the underlying issue. I appreciate many of the fans don't like it, but it is. And it is not going back - Liverpool will never be fan-owned. At the lower levels clubs may well end up community owned in the future - but at the highest level they won't - and that is where clubs like Liverpool are striving to be. Changes will come and they sure as hell won't be liked by all - but they are coming and fans need to adapt and move with the flow. Or simply step back from it.}

07 Feb 2016 18:34:51
I know very little about running a football club and the finances too but it strikes me that we are not being run efficiently.
The owners have been good for us on the whole. They have made many mistakes/ errors of judgement and they would do well to reverse the decision on ticket prices.

They must have realised by now that you cannot just buy success. Football is more subtle than that. My biggest wish is they get tough with this business. A real business does not continuously throw good money after bad.
The Owners are being let down by their advisors who may have a vested interest? They need to cut wastage, build the infrastructure and then transfer fees provide the icing on the cake.
I hope they back down, it would be a huge PR success for them. The days of John Smith and Peter Robinson have never seemed so distant.

{Ed002's Note - They could overturn the decision on the ticket prices no doubt, I am not sure why they would. How long would this "PR success" last until a bunch of the supports wants something else? They are throwing more money at it with the very, very expensive removal of Rodgers and his staff and the addition of Klipperty.

Which advisers do you think are doing badly - and what specifically has each done wrong?

07 Feb 2016 19:04:18
I don't know specifics Ed, so I can't answer your question, but the players they are throwing money at must be recommended by someone. One simple example is Balotelli.
I am grateful for the owners input. I realise they hear supporters craving new signings. My hope is they use their business acumen and ignore those calls.
The club needs to be run efficiently and our transfer/ recruitment activity is hopelessly inefficient.

That's one of the areas they've been badly advised, someone/ some people are encouraging mass player turnover and that will not lead to success.

{Ed002's Note - The scouting staff and the manager identify players - not advisers. Liverpool has made very significant changes to the scouting network over the past 15 months. It is entirely irrational to want to change it again. As for Balotelli, there were two people who saw him as a good option. It didn't work out - it doesn't always.}

07 Feb 2016 19:24:04
Ed002. Thanks for your Input on my thoughts, the other point I would add, is that even if fsg agreed to drop ticket prices they will recoup the money some other way . i. e cut the transfer budget or sell top players . this will be a long drawn out battle I feel . but I back the fans who protest 100%.

{Ed002's Note - I doesn't really work like that. Clubs are generally trying to reduce costs but they don't pick and choose where they can save small amounts - they look across the entire business. So they will spend on the academy and reserves in the hope of saving much more on transfers in the future - but the will look to the academy and reserves to be more efficient in their operations to save money.}

07 Feb 2016 19:30:35
No I'm not saying I want a scouting clear out, I just want a change in ethos.
Our turnover of players is ridiculous IMO and must be costing the club tens of millions.
I would hope if the manager/ scouts/ whoever recommend half a dozen or more players to sign then I'd hope the owners/ decision makers scrutinise those recommendations and insist on stringent justification. We just seem to operate an open chequebook/ revolving door policy and every year it makes me cringe.
I want the owners/ decision makers to insist on more efficiency.

07 Feb 2016 19:30:35
No I'm not saying I want a scouting clear out, I just want a change in ethos.
Our turnover of players is ridiculous IMO and must be costing the club tens of millions.
I would hope if the manager/ scouts/ whoever recommend half a dozen or more players to sign then I'd hope the owners/ decision makers scrutinise those recommendations and insist on stringent justification. We just seem to operate an open chequebook/ revolving door policy and every year it makes me cringe.
I want the owners/ decision makers to insist on more efficiency.

{Ed002's Note - Klipperty has arrived to work with the remit of using the existing players and working with the transfer committee over changes. The constraints will be income, expenditure on the new stand and FFP.}

07 Feb 2016 16:39:49
Edds I have heard that when Klopp took over Dortmund in his first transfer window he let 17 players go and brought in 14 new players is this correct. Thank you.

{Ed002's Note - I don't know the exact numbers without checking but there were a bunch of frees in and out and some shopping in the lower divisions.}

07 Feb 2016 17:25:05
It's hard to compare Klopp's "first transfer window" to his time at Liverpool, as he arrived in the summer before the 2008/ 2009 season.

So, he had a summer to assess players before making decisions in the winter transfer window, unlike at Liverpool where he was brought in mid season.

Looking at his time at BvB, overall, Klopp is never very active in the winter window compared to summer. This is consistent with his stated philosophy that he treats players as signed to "one year" contracts and at the end of every year re-assesses. Thus, he made few moves in January but significant moves in summer.

In the winter window of 08/ 09, 7 players were transferred out (2 on loan), but only 2 arrived.

In the summer following 08/ 09, 10 players were moved on, and 11 brought in, including Subotic arriving from Mainz and Sahin, being brought back from his loan spell Feyenoord.

Interestingly, he made no moves in the winter window of 2009/ 2010 (consistent with his stated 1 year contract philosophy) .

But then in the summer window, significant moves again-- 7 players moved on, and 14 players signed, including Hummels (who had been at BvB on loan from BM since before Klopp arrived), Sven Bender.

Winter window in 2010/ 2011 was again quiet, with only 1 player arriving, especially compared to the summer window that season, where 9 players were moved on and 11 players signed, including Lewandowski, Kagawa, and Gotze (although Gotze was an academy product) .

In 2011/ 12, again, no players signed in the winter window, but 9 more signed in the summer, including Gundogan. 9 players sold, including Sahin to Real Madrid.

There's more, but you see the pattern.

07 Feb 2016 18:36:32
He should not act in haste.

I don't want radical changes or rushed decisions.
He should be meticulously planning right now and only acting with absolute certainty.

07 Feb 2016 19:32:50
Incremental changes are needed but I expect that five or maybe more players will be moved on this summer.

07 Feb 2016 15:09:22
Fans should walk out if mignolet starts the next game.

{Ed002's Note - Perhaps the players should walk out and the club find some decent supporters.}

07 Feb 2016 15:38:08
To be fair Mignolet also walked out on 77 minutes.

07 Feb 2016 15:56:32
So did Migs, so did the defense, so did Sakho etc etc.

07 Feb 2016 16:29:32
Ed002 come on man banter only.
time we add emoticons to the site. And you have to agree simon has been rubbish for a while now.

{Ed002's Note - No, you are simply poor fans becoming more and more septic I am afraid. The constant attacks on players past and present is pretty sickening stuff to read. The attacks on the management and the owners is unrelenting. Not good.}

07 Feb 2016 17:09:34
Ed2 I do agree with you a lot about what you say about our fans, what's your take on the protest yesterday? Was it needless in your eyes?

{Ed002's Note - They have the right to protest but they are over-reacting to changes in some of the ticket prices.}

07 Feb 2016 17:09:37
I live in north London now and I've always scoffed at Spurs fans because they are so quick to get on players backs to the point where the atmosphere at White Hart Lane is toxic and prohibitive for the players. I never thought Anfield could be the same. I was right because it's worse. Can't everyone see that all this slating players, owners, managers is just counter productive?

07 Feb 2016 17:10:15
Sent mid way by mistake! It's depressing reading on here! Some people just love a bitch.

07 Feb 2016 17:24:58
I can see all sides of this little discussion, however I am a bit annoyed that no-one at the club seems to be doing anything about the GK situation - from the coaching staff to Migs himself. Surely it's not just the fans who think Migs is becoming more and more of a liability? Without knocking Sunderland, those 3 points should have been banked yesterday.

Last week we seemed to be waving millions around at Teixeira - that money should have been earmarked for a GK not another attacking mid - bonkers decisions at the club sometimes.

07 Feb 2016 17:22:44
We're not poor fans at all . We love the club wich is somethin you don't understand and we don't like the way it's being run . Maybe FSG are taking flak for things which they haven't done but what they should do is start to take a closer look at how it's bein run from top to bottom . And as for criticising players, they are not performing so they are going to get criticism, like at ever single club in world football . Because you don't really support the club, or any club for that ( tendency for Chelsea ino) you don't get what it means . You mite no a lot about football but loving a club u don't .

{Ed002's Note - Give me a list of things that the club are running badly then and we will go through each one.}

07 Feb 2016 17:56:01
Player recruitment? Scouting? Looking at the players bought over the last few years It hasn't worked . This is my main concern and what iv said on here so many times is what my problem is . I don't shout or boo players at the games I go on the forum and say how poor or how good someone looks . With other fans . Some agree some don't, that's what a forum is for . This ticket fiasco? Which ino we are not going to agree on anyway . Could of been handled a lot better, And could you tell me what there doing well? And I mean the people who are running the club from here .

{Ed002's Note - (1) The club has gone out and pissed money up the wall on "marquee" players to placate fans like you. (2) So all of the changes the club made to the scouting system over the past 15 months were bad then? What evidence do you have to substantiate that? It seems you may simply be speaking from a position of complete ignorance - as shown by your early offensive comment about the Chief Executive. (3) There is no ticket fiasco.

Liverpool has increased commercial revenue to make it well placed going forward - there has been significant increases in income and if were not for the financial mismanagement then the club would be in a position of sustained profit.}

07 Feb 2016 18:34:17
The fans never went and bought the players! What is there to prove the scouting system changes made 15 months ago is working! You've just hit the nail on the head that the club pissed money up the wall . My point exactly . And no I don't rate Ian Ayre as a CE, marketing he maybe good at but we should of had someone else doing the job he had no experience in, and yes it is a ticket fiasco . Talksport have a programme on it tomorrow night from 7-10 and there words iv just heard was its a disgrace what clubs are doing to fans now, they are fleecing them on ticket prices when the clubs are makin more money than ever . Have a listen.

{Ed002's Note - The changes to the scouting system have been made over the last 15 months. You clearly don't have much knowledge about what goes on at the club. You clearly know Ian Ayre better than I do to have come to such a decision - given that you seemingly know little else about the club. The club are in significant debt - something else you seem to have missed. If Talksport tells you otherwise then they are wrong I am afraid.}

07 Feb 2016 18:35:30
Isnt it amazing how many of "the clubs" errors get laid at the feet of the fans? Dalglish? The fans wanted him! Money pissed up the wall on marquee signings? To placate the fans! Off course if this was actually true then it really does show how poorly managed "the club" is being run. If only other businesses were run this way.

07 Feb 2016 19:09:09
My point is that I think the people who are involved in the transfers have done a bad job . Yes the clubs in debt but would the debt have been as bad if we would of had a better percentage of good signings? We are in the top 10 of spending in Europe . But have wasted 100,s of millions . Whose to blame for that? If the signings were better we'd of been in the champions league more, earning a lot more money, maybe even won a title . I can't believe you can defend them for that .

{Ed002's Note - I am not defending them I am explaining that the club has reacted and made changes across the board - the transfer committee has changed in the past year and the scouting system has changed significantly - you are simply unable to grasp this at all. It is wasting my time and everybody else s time to keep grizzling about something you just don't seem to understand.}

07 Feb 2016 18:57:13
Surely the amount spent and our current league position would suggest that the changes to the scouting department haven't been fantastic?

And with regards to migs? . When is an acceptable time to criticise a player? He's in his 3rd year and is getting worse. Should we just come on here and say migs was fabulous

Football is all about the discussion and banter. Half the fun is winding someone up if you have beat them or sitting in the pub haven't a chat with the lads about the rights and wrongs of The club (unfortunately for me I can't really go the pub any more so coming on here and haven't a chat about goods and bads of the club is what I like doing after a match) would you jot say I was a delusional fan if I kept coming on here praying everything even if it's going bad.

Migs was fantastic at the weekend. The full crowd till the end was fabulous. The ticket prices need to go higher because there not charging enough at the moment. Milner has been a revelation. And where oh where is the beast that is balotelli, the finest striker since one Mr rush.? Is that better.

07 Feb 2016 20:20:02
Haha good post Paulo . People need to remember we are fans and this a forum .

07 Feb 2016 14:57:26
The GK's liverpool should look at, at the end of the season.
Danny Ward
Sirigu
Begovic
Leno
Fahrmann
Ruffier?

07 Feb 2016 15:41:54
I'd avoid Sirigu, he's poor on crosses and gets beaten too easily at his near post. Begovic signed up to be Chelsea's reserve keeper at the peak of his career which to me says he's got a weak mentality that he'd rather sit and get splinters in his bum than play. If Leno was available, he'd be then one I think the club should go for.

07 Feb 2016 16:17:54
Reina's apparently recaptured his best form at Napoli this season.

07 Feb 2016 19:56:25
Play Ward till the end oft the he season to see what he's got and reevaluate in the summer. But if I had to choose, it will be Leno. The rest, I'll pass.

07 Feb 2016 14:41:26
Butland or Begovic? For me its got to be Begovic, 6"7 (Giant of a man) would instantly give us some height at the back. Possibly solve set piece troubles and can also see butland being overpriced. What do you think Eds?

{Ed002's Note - There is interest from Butland from another side but both players could well be available in the summer. Begovic will be better priced.}

07 Feb 2016 14:47:35
Who do you think Liverpool should buy between those two?

{Ed002's Note - It is not between those two.}

07 Feb 2016 15:01:48
Have we got a strong interest in any other goalkeepers that you know of ed2?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool does not have a "strong" interest in these goalkeepers nor any others right now.}

07 Feb 2016 16:28:14
The only keeper we should get in my opinion is Karius from Mainz. Rejected Bayern when they came calling, confident, reliable and can actually command the box. Wouldn't cost the earth either.

I seem to recall some very vague interest some time ago, have we ever looked at him eds?

07 Feb 2016 19:57:45
Says something about our goal keeping coach don't you think? Begovic came on leaps and bounds at Stoke and got his move to Chelsea. Butland has come good too. Every keeper we've had for years has gone backwards. Needs to be looked at surely?

07 Feb 2016 13:56:23
Can I ask why everyone thinks begovic is the answer to our goalkeeper problem. Butland is who we should really be wanting as good as Hart in a worst team, would cost a lot more but much better all round keeper, I think 20 mill is around what they would want and it would not be bad value considering the points we have dropped this year because of a flappy keeper. He is a first team keeper not a bench warmer like begovic. Be interested in some opinions on this.

07 Feb 2016 14:21:22
Butland is not in Begovic's class. Begovic is on the bench at Chelsea because Courtois and ONLY because of Courtois. Begovic's will be a good shout but where does that leave Ward who I think should step in now. It's not as if we're in contention in the PL because we are in no man's land right now. Just my opinion.

07 Feb 2016 14:31:42
Begovic is a decent keeper, and there's not many keepers out there that would take Courtois spot when he is in top form. Also migs was a first team keeper, making lots of saves all game, week in week out, it's when some of these keepers go to teams that don't allow many shots on target that they struggle, most beepers I've spoken to or heard interviews with say it's much harder keeping your head in the game, keeping your body relaxed and not losing concentration when your not heavily involved, they are of the opinion it can be easier when they are constantly being tested.

07 Feb 2016 14:43:25
Begovic is the best we can do right now as far as a GK with substantial experience is concerned. We already have a young Gk in ward at the club, so signing Karius or Horn now is unlikely. If we go for a experienced GK, then Begovic, Sirigu and Patricio will likely be looked at.

07 Feb 2016 15:46:06
Begovic, Sirigu and Patricio would not be an upgrade.

Begovic chose to be a reserve keeper at the peak of his career, which is an adverse inference on the kind of person he is. Sirigu is really very poor, Chelsea showed that in the champions league when they put crosses in and he flapped at them. Patricio doesn't look a good keeper at all from what I have seen.

07 Feb 2016 14:35:57
As a club we haven't learnt from our bad and damaging spending habits. I don't think we should be spending anything like 20 million on any player this summer. Scouts should be able to identify a good keeper from the many professional leagues in Europe that doesn't cost the sort of money you are talking about. That's only if Ward doesn't cut the mustard when he is hopefully give his chance.
Sell the expensive chaff, bring in 4 or 5 players of the Grujic sort of price range 5 to 10 million euros. Players that Klopp thinks he can mould and develop into top class performers and in so doing prove part of klopps value as a manager.

07 Feb 2016 13:05:01
All this talk of player sales.

I really don't care how much MONEY we receive for players in the summer, whether that be our lesser players or our bigger stars (Sturridge, Coutinho etc) . What I care about is the REPLACEMENTS we identify and bring in.

It's no good receiving significant money from a player sale and then wasting it on an unfit replacement (ie Andy Carroll, Christian Benteke, Markovic etc) .

So although receiving a larger fee for a player is always better (especially considering our financial state) it is much more important to recruit effectively with the money received.

So essentially £10m received for a player which is then well spent, is better than £30m received which is then spent poorly.

Let's not obsess over what our players are worth it will be sold for, let's concentrate on effective and astute replacements.

07 Feb 2016 15:08:24
In order to do that we must get rid of everyone in the transfer committee, not just scrap it.

{Ed002's Note - So who would you have as the new manager?}

07 Feb 2016 14:36:07
Agree with this, but not on Markovic, we got him too early in his career, part of the reason Chelsea didn't take up there option on him was they thought it was too soon, but he was playing well before the move, came to us, was constantly played out of position, gets sent out on loan and is now having a good season again. He is one player I want to see back at the club under Klopp.

07 Feb 2016 12:49:47
I mentioned yesterday about no moaning so here is a little voice of reason.
Unlike last season when we had Rodgers in charge, although we are still losing games we should win we know there is now a man in charge who we all know is world class and will put this right.
The players are the same admittedly but after a couple of windows I truly believe we will see a big change in attitude and expectation from the players themselves.
The level of player coming in will be of a higher calibre and the players who we all know have had chance after chance and still fail will be quietly moved on.
We know the ticket price hike has given us all food for thought but the thing that will give us hope is knowing that we have at the helm a manager who will put things right on the pitch.

07 Feb 2016 13:00:29
I do agree but I'm still concerned about are transfer committee and Ian Arse, s I mean ayres ability to get deals done .

07 Feb 2016 15:14:15
only time will tell but don't set yourself up for disaster. Klopp isn't a messiah. He will improve us but people are making it out as if we will win the league in the near future and that is pure fiction. Our recruitment will dictate whether we have the quality on the pitch and grujic isn't an upgrade. We will see in the summer what happens and if we go for a bunch of average first team players and prospects again, we will dwindle further and further into obscurity. We went from total Dominance to title challengers to top 4 club to top 4 challengers and now firmly in mid table (top 7). One man cannot change that. It's a top to bottom problem, so yes, very much reasons to be concerned.

07 Feb 2016 12:45:21
So for me Klopp is sticking with under performing 1st team players because he has no option but to do that when he has to justify why better players are required in the summer window.

He has to give the first team players a chance. That way he can justify to the management at LFC at the end of the season that the squad he has will not be capable of challenging for the big time.

I am not one for a complete overhaul but clearly our GK, defence, and midfield just are not up to scratch.

Add to that Benteke and Balotelli who do not fit. Lallana and Milner who are good runners but do not contribute enough goals or assists.

IMO there is a very big possibility that we will see a minimum of 10 players leave once the season is done. Funds will surely need to be raised via selling players.

Add 4-5 quality additions after the clear out and slowly but surely build from there.

07 Feb 2016 19:12:36
But the question is how good did he find mignolet, that he couldn't even wait until then summer to analyse and review his performances, and gave him a new contract in January? If he indeed trusts mignolet to turn it around, my word, it's going to be a stuff of legend.

07 Feb 2016 12:12:20
Eds a moment of your time please. I know uve been especially busy with transfer window and the fallout from yesterday's game but 2 quick questions. A. Do u think yesterday's walkout was a noble effort but in the end will have no impact on the club stance on ticket prices? B. Make a difference on the owners plans for the club. Ie they don't need the agro and will walk away soon er rather than later. Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - A. It really depends on if the fans just leave it there or continue the fight while bringing in the help of fans from other clubs.
B. Possibly yes.}

07 Feb 2016 11:31:03
Hi Eds,

In terms of our u18 players, who do the club have big hopes for in the future?

{Ed001's Note - depends a lot on what you count as U18, but those listed as in the U18 squad it would depend who you speak to but Yan Dhanda, Allan, Toni Gomes and Adam Phillips off the top of my head.}

07 Feb 2016 12:01:58
Kane, masterton, arnold, madger Gomes, adekanye could all be added to that list.

07 Feb 2016 12:48:03
Toni looks like he might become a bit of a beast like Drogba if he continues to develop. Was thinking Brooks also looks useful, made a cracking goal vs Forrest.

07 Feb 2016 13:28:51
Masterson Woodburn Arnold Philips for me are lads that will keep developing. Ben Woodburn only 16 but what a prospect.

08 Feb 2016 00:04:05
Cheers Ed001.

07 Feb 2016 11:14:23
HI Ed please post

My take on the walkout yesterday:

I am an old traditionalist, where I believe we support the 11 on the pitch, what goes on in the background obviously concerns me however when the 11 men step onto the pitch my allegiance will always be behind the team.
I can understand that the increase in the ticket prices has upset a lot of people, especially the season ticket holders, however football is ever changing, times are changing. Football is now a commercial business, it's about making money, if we walk out about the ticket prices shall we also walk out due to the rising cost of a beer at the ground, or the excessive cost of the gear in the club shop, the pie cost or even the extortionate wages the players demand for below par performances as seen yesterday.
My fear is that we have hard core of fans who may divide the club and take us down a road that we may not be able to turn around, a road that will cause a cancerous rift between the owners and the fans a rift in which the players and management sit in the middle, and we saw the consequences of that yesterday. You'll never walk alone: we certainly walked alone yesterday, half still sitting and half leaving!
Sometimes following the loudest voice is not the best policy, there are many other ways of skinning a cat, if we want to show our disapproval we should not do it on a Saturday in front of millions, we have prided ourselves for supporting the team and yesterday we failed. Would it have been better to boycott the club shop, purchasing any of the beer or food! not buying a programme, there are many other ways of proving our point and stopping revenue going to the club, but walking out I feel was a poor decision.
It frightens me who the people are following, who are these faceless people we are following, we have to be very careful. The miners followed a militant leader who went about a conflict the wrong way taking thousands along with him, and we all know what happened. Be very careful who we are supporting here, I am all for standing up for the rights of the supporter, however I am not up for standing behind someone who has his/ her own personal grievance against the club!
A Little story for you, I often watch the game at Anfield, I get the tickets from a club close to the ground (I won't mention the club), season tickets that are spare go behind the bar, I can get one for around £20-£30 over the asking price! Which I am willing to pay. How does the season ticket individual feel when he puts my £20 in his pocket? Was he one of the ones who walked out yesterday, just a thought. We all like making money don't we!
Evered.

{Ed001's Note - again missing the point, this is taking a stand against the ridiculous prices of kits etc as well as ticket prices. The greed endemic in a game that brings in more money than any other league around the world, yet we still pay amongst the highest ticket prices. Is it not time, maybe it is a bit late, to try and stop it before it goes too far?}

07 Feb 2016 12:03:47
Your making it sound like some sinister club or cult, following "faceless people", these are ordinary fans who have had enough of being fleeced and the "turning fans into customers" gaff coupled with the pricing announcement was the final straw for most of us.

This hasn't just come out of the blue, we've been arguing ticket prices for years, you must have seen the Liverpool and Arsenal protest against it surely? Also trying to say scargill was to blame for what happened to the miners is completely incorrect, as we know exactly who left those men there family's and whole community's to rot and she's playing with 🔥 down in the devil's kitchen.

Let me tell you a story aswell, I work continental shifts so over the years I've not been able to get to games and used to give my ticket away to friends because at the time my eldest son wasn't old enough to go on his own, now as prices rose I had to start asking money for it, not the full amount but maybe half or two thirds of the amount of the cost of my ticket, my eldest son is 22 now and obviously I give it to him, but if he can't make it because of work commitments I sell it for £10 less than it costs to anyone who wants it and most of my mates do exactly the same, so don't try and use that as justification of the club putting prices up, and to do so is reprehensible behaviour on your part.

07 Feb 2016 11:58:06
Hi Ed
All due respect, I don’t think I am missing the point. I agreed that the money in the game is obscene, however the one common thing that bonds us is the team in the Red jersey we must support the team. One thing is for sure there will be many future owners of the club and all will want to take as much money out of the business as possible. We cannot make a stand, alone, if we want to make a stand let’s get all clubs to walk out against the excessive prices, it affects us all. Standing alone will get us nowhere if we are serious then we have to get the support of all not just the few. We are putting our head above the parapet and moving in isolation.
Did yesterday really achieve anything apart from probably losing us 2 points, the stronger the team the more successful we will be, then the more power the supports will have. If the team fails to be successful over the next few years, there is a possibility that we will unfortunately become a seasoned mid table club with diminishing support and much less influence in the football world. First and foremost, we must get it right on the pitch and to do that the club needs the support of the fans. Sometimes you have to lose the battle to win the war. With Klopp we are in a transitional, pivotal period in our history, please let’s not blow it. The more successful we are the stronger we will get.
Evered.

{Ed001's Note - you are missing the point as you were talking about all the things that were a part of the issue as not being taken into account.}

07 Feb 2016 12:36:17
Evered, you're deluding yourself in the romanticism of football and therefore missing the point people are making. The Bayern president Uli Hoeness put it very well saying "We could charge more than €130 (£104). Let's say we charged €380 (£300). We'd get €2.5m (£2m) more in income, but what's €2.5m to us? In a transfer discussion you argue about the sum for five minutes. But the difference between €130 and €380 is huge for the fans. We do not think fans are like cows, who you milk. Football has got to be for everybody. "
You might jump straight to the argument Bayern are rich blah blah. but its the same throughout germany. I could go to pretty much any laliga game too without spending over 50e.
Premier league clubs are to recieve the biggest tv deal in history. It is an absolute disgrace that the fans are being asked to fork out more with the money coming in. You say the fanbase at matches need to get behind the team but if the fans are priced out of going what good will that do the club. Zero atmosphere, prawn sandwich brigade going to spur on the team. We need the real fans that basically can't stand the thought of the team losing as it actually affects them personally. Also the walkout had nothing to do with defensive incompetence on the field. We've been seeing that week in week out.

{Ed001's Note - if the atmosphere goes then the TV deals will go too. No one wants to watch a game with no atmosphere.}

07 Feb 2016 12:38:15
Evered,

the club is going to share in a lot of TV money this coming season, i think its 8 billion i'm not sure so there is no need to put the ticket prices up when they are going to get even more money, and the fans who walked out supported the team yesterday they went the game and left on the 77th minute to make a point, its not as if they never went the game, so i don't see your point, so ask yourself this why is the club putting ticket prices up when they are getting so much TV money.

07 Feb 2016 12:52:51
Waro

I didn't say Scargill was at fault for what happened to the miners I said he went about it in the wrong way, the same as I am saying i support the decision to stand up against the ticket prices, however i believe the walkout was wrong way to go about. I grew up in the miners strike and it affected my family and community directly so i know better than anyone what the rat catcher was like.

And guys read what I said - I agree with all that you are saying i just think we went about it in the wrong way!

Evered.

07 Feb 2016 12:54:52
Well put camc. just because you can charge more doesn't mean you should (and I'm not a local so have no vested interest in seeing lower ticket prices personally) . I have been to Anfield however and the atmosphere is amazing and that comes from dedicated local fans - not from pricing tickets to the highest common denominator. I'd rather we spent a little bit less on transfers and maintained the unity and passion.

07 Feb 2016 12:55:35
So the walk out on 77 minutes caused mignolet to line up his wall in completely the wrong place and subsequently let a soft shot slip under his hand and also cause sakho to be caught square and outmuscled then turned by a 5ft 2 34 year old in the twilight of his career?

Just come out and say what you really feel about the walk out, man up and stop intimating and subtly trying to twist things to suit your opinion. The reason we drew that game was the poor players involved in the two goals, who do you blame for mignolets poor performances since he got here, Sakho conceded a carbon copy goal against Norwich except on that occasion he wasn't turned the lad outmuscled him again and back heeled it through his legs who's was to blame for that?, stop trying to demonise the people who walked out yesterday.

07 Feb 2016 13:05:27
Well what's the right way? Genuinely curious? What can fans do en masse to make a statement? The club had been in discussion with spirit of shankly for over a year and then chose to just blatantly ignore all discussions.

07 Feb 2016 13:27:52
Hi Waro

Read the original post i have said what i really feel and not hiding behind it and certainly not twisting my opinion. I have an opinion and that's what I believe, i have supported the team long enough to have an opinion. The team ARE very poor at the moment probably the worst I've seen in 40 years, however if we are going to get out of it we need a way to stick together - the owners and the supporters. what's next shall we all stick together and not go to the next home match! let's get rid of the owners and get new ones, or shall we try to work together. I rememmber when all our dirty laundry was done behind closed doors not in the public domain.

07 Feb 2016 13:50:16
Waro i

One way is to get support enmass, talk to other clubs supporter base, the problem is just not Liverpools ts a Premiership probem a football league problem. Liverpool are not the only ones are going to get massive revenue and charge extortionate prices, everyone is feeling it. we have to try to get greater movement from all supporters. What a statement it would be if all clubs walked out! we cannot do it alone, harping back to Scargill if he had a vote early on he would have had the support of more of the miners more sympathy and more of a chance.
We are a small part of a big problem, we need a bigger support base.

{Ed002's Note - The other clubs don't have the self-inflicted massive debt resulting from years of financial mismanagement of the club.}

07 Feb 2016 14:49:21
Ed002

You are correct and a big majority of that was spent to appease the fans in buying so called marquee signings.

However i am sure Arsenal fans have a lot so say when they are one of the most profitable clubs but still have one of the most expensive ticket price in the league.

{Ed002's Note - You are not equating like for like at all. The demographics are entirely different, the disposable income in the south will be a lot higher, and whilst the Liverpool fans have every right to complain if they wish, this is a massive over-reaction to a pretty trivial matter. If you look at ticket prices across the Premier League then it will be higher for the London clubs - but keep in mind their costs are higher as well.

This whole matter has now become yet another a direct attack on the owners who are not responsible for working out the new ticket prices. There is an incredible level of naivety among the Liverpool fan base compared to other clubs. And there is vast evidence that the Liverpool fans really struggle with the financial aspects of the game, and indeed the business.}

07 Feb 2016 19:28:16
Ed002

Totally agree that is why I am against the walkout as i have sais earlier, football is changing and the supporter has to change with it.

07 Feb 2016 10:41:29
The more I look at the free kick goal the worse it gets. I'm a tiny wee bit worried about the next two transfer windows for two reasons.
1)Ed001 reckons at least7-8 players will be gone but is that then not another 1-2 seasons lost trying to get the team to gel, even though it is badly needed.
2)When I think of the vast amount of money wasted by BR but I have to trust JK and I do trust him.

{Ed001's Note - we will use a much smaller squad.}

07 Feb 2016 10:51:42
Small squad full of quality and use plenty of youth to make up numbers, that's how I hope we do it.

07 Feb 2016 10:55:55
Was at the match with a 2-0 bet and had to fight the urge to run on the pitch and slap him! Was truly woeful keeping and brought Sunderland into them game. Can't let in the soft goals like we always do and expect trophies.

Give ward a chance and get rid of a large number of players this summer. Tbh would like to see around 10 gone and around 3 come in, may take time to gel but can't be worse then what we are seeing!

07 Feb 2016 11:28:53
Smaller squad with more quality Ed?

{Ed001's Note - that is the plan.}

07 Feb 2016 11:54:24
Cheers Ed thanks very much.

07 Feb 2016 12:00:28
Agree with Ed001. A smaller squad makes it easier for a manager to identify his best 11, and gives youth players plenty of opportunities. If we really want to see the likes of Ojo, Kent, Brannagan, Allan (the brazilian fellow) and co do well at the club, then some of the unwanted senior players need to be moved on and free up the wage bill for superior arrivals.

07 Feb 2016 13:01:17
I hope you're right Ed. Rossiter, Ojo, Smith, Teixera, Brannagan all good enough to provide cover for a squad of 15 or so top class players.

07 Feb 2016 10:19:47
Well done everyone who contributed to the walk-out yesterday, nice to see it getting exposure in the morning papers, also decent debate on Sunday supplement this morning. surely mignolet has to be replaced after yesterday.

07 Feb 2016 10:33:30
So you want the owners to splash millions upon millions to replace Migs, but are supporting ticket price walkouts. Double standards?

{Ed001's Note - again missing the point. We can sell players to pay for a replacement and his wages. You are turning into a troll, with less points than the average troll. Final warning, grow up or go away, I don't care which.}

07 Feb 2016 11:40:28
Come on Max, you surely can't be that naive, what about using the enlarged pot of TV money, sponsorship money, merchandise money or even the naming rights that will inevitably follow the stand completion. While we are on a about protests what about boycotting official merchandise and food at the game, I bought a pie and coke yesterday for £5 plus and the pie looked and tasted as if it was from the West Ham game, cheeky .!

07 Feb 2016 09:48:59
Time for ward to step up and be giving a chance? The way he played for Aberdeen a think he could be a top keeper in couple years. What about firmino what a player he is turning out to be after it took him a while to settle in. Him and cout will b once again together soon who had a good understanding of each other b4 the injury.

07 Feb 2016 07:48:23
Let us all wish Klopp a speedy recovery from his operation.

07 Feb 2016 09:26:22
Let's hope mignolet is removed as swiftly as his appendix.

07 Feb 2016 04:01:16
Hey Ed001, any idea if Henderson and Sakho are still carrying injuries? because their performances have been abysmal since they came back into the side. And when the f**k is Ward going to get his chance? How long is the club going to persist with mediocrity like MIgs, Clyne, Moreno, Lallana, Milner and Benteke?
These players seem immune to improvement even with better coaching and need to be moved on if the club is to challenge for a top4 spot. And Klopp needs to get his act together. At least give the kids a chance instead of persisting with Milner and Lallana who bring nothing to the team.

{Ed001's Note - Henderson is, Sakho is just struggling for sharpness, though I do feel Defoe exposed his main weakness yesterday, and that is not related to his lack of match sharpness. I would hope Ward will get his chance over the next few games, it would be incredible if Mignolet is ever given another appearances at the club again. I would recall Fulton or Vigouroux or get any of the youth team (whatever position they play) rather than ever see him throw another game for us again. End of the season for those others, then it will be a case of clearing house and making a fresh start.}

07 Feb 2016 10:01:04
Mignolet is the worst first choice keeper in the premier league, that is absolute fact. Watching him is cringingly bad and the stats back it up, he makes more errors than any other keeper and has the worst shots to goals conceded ratio than any keeper in the premier league. As far as I'm concerned this season is effectively over, if we get any silverware then it's a bonus. But our keepers have cost us dearly this season.

07 Feb 2016 05:17:19
Lads,

To take it away from current issues, how good does the table look? Apart from us being in no mans land, the fact that Leicester are top, Spurs second, and a few of the so called weaker teams knocking on the door of the top 4, it's turning out to be a cracker of a season. Arsenal don't seem to be able to put a proper run together, I hope it stays that way, city seem to falter every time they look like going on a run.

We can only hope that with the increased to revenue other clubs can start putting squads together that will challenge for cups and the champs/ euro league places. With certain teams from other leagues paying through the nose for the "best" players it's making it possible for the teams in the prem to close the gap to the bigger clubs. With an increase in the quality of development at nearly every club hopefully it will sustained.

I would love to see LFC win the lot every year, who wouldn't? But if that's not happening, having a league that's becoming more competitive and harder for a team to break away is fantastic for everyone. Fingers crossed it stays like this, think if Leicester win it this year it will make every club start to think about winning titles, not just surviving or being comfortable mid table sides, hopefully it gives every club a reason to push on and gives us the most entertaining and dramatic football we all crave.

07 Feb 2016 01:03:20
Hi eds,

By now klopp has had a look at the senior players. I guess he is frustrated with how some of them are performing.

So my question is with top 4 looking highly unlikely do you think klopp with start intergrating the younger players such as ward, Smith, brannagan, Ojo, Tex, or Kent for pl games and maybe a more experienced side for cup competitions. I mean he almost has a free shot this season and there would not be a huge risk in the league as we will likely finish were we are.

What are your thoughts.

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - I expect so.}

06 Feb 2016 23:52:58
Ed01 and any one else. Please explain to me what the club stands for in your eyes. I know what it means to me. And I wouldn't have anyone question whether I am a true fanatic. But I don't know the history of the clubs supporters. I can base it on my experience with the Steelers and that is summed up as Pittsburgh is a football town with a drinking problem. The city shuts down for Steeler games. I'm just trying to figure the pricing issue as from over here it looks reasonable. Again NFL season tickets are more for less games. I mean no disrespect to anyone. Just trying to get informed

Ps. Glad I worked today and the match didn't record.

07 Feb 2016 01:04:49
Hi Eds and Reds,
Obviously some big changes needed in the summer, hopefully a good window and preseason we can kick on next season, league wise this season is a write off. Best now to do as well as we can in the cups and hope for some silverware!
I really think we need a big clear out, I'm sorry but most of our defence would have to go, Skrtel Toure Moreno and a lot of people won't like this but Sakho; since he came back from his injury he has been dreadful, constantly making stupid mistakes, personally think we should cash in and sign a CB to do the simple thinks before he starts thinking about the more expansive things.
As for Moreno this kid is so frustrating to watch, cannot really defend as a left back but despite consistently getting into good
positions always chooses the wrong decision or makes an awful cross.
On Mignolet I would start playing Ward immediately and i don't think this topic deserves any analysis.
Midfield we aren't great but certainly not the worst equipped in this position. I would get rid of Lucas and Milner personally and use Hendo Can Grujic for next season with some academy players (Stewart Brannagan) and perhaps a new CM brought in for Allen as well.
On the CAM situation I would say offload Lallana and also Teixeira he could be a good player but struggle to see how he is any improvement on what we have and is not getting any younger. Would stick with Firmino and Coutinho, maybe the latter could be sold in the summer but wait and see.
Ibe, Ojo, Kent, Canos are all great prospects and think although a couple could leave on loan or whatever should be good competition. I would say we should buy a quality winger/ inside forward in the summer we lack so much width in the front three and have for some time.
Sell Benteke and Balotelli undecided on Sturridge. Depending on Sturridge's fitness for the rest of the season I would evaluate it in the summer and would probably look for a proven goal scorer to take the wait off Ings Origi and obviously Firminos position is still in question if he will play as a forward or not.

07 Feb 2016 00:00:20
think jurgen giving migs a contract and bigging up the players is mind games for the summer so he dosent get held to ransom when he goes shopping.

07 Feb 2016 00:47:49
Anyone watching mig play will hold us to ransom regardless of migs contract.

07 Feb 2016 00:55:15
we're going to get held to ransom.

07 Feb 2016 01:09:35
no, I think its klopp first time at a team without quality players, and his preferece over players who work harder despite quality which is his downfall. he obviously reconises who's quality and who's not but opts for the same players. the whole team was poor today. sakho and hendo look like they have bricks for shoes, our players are just average. and some are average from being low on confidence, no thanks to klopp for setting up an average unbalanced team.