Liverpool Banter Archive September 08 2016

08 Sep 2016 22:22:18
Just seen the most funniest thing and that is Klopp deploying Henderson as a defensive midfielder. Ha ha, made me chuckle.

08 Sep 2016 22:48:20
Max, what you reckon his best position is? Personally I don't think he's a top drawer box to box player simply because once he gets 25/ 20 yards from goal he has neither the belief or ability to hit the target of pick the killer pass often enough. KLOPP sitting him deep could work if he stays disciplined, one thing he does have is legs so he could cover and stop country attacks if our creative players lose it.

08 Sep 2016 23:19:25
The role Hendo has been given at this point fits him perfectly and is why Klopp has made him our deepest midfielder. The fact that some people think Klopp is deploying Henderson as a defensive midfielder is utterly laughable. It is like saying Gerrard was a defensive midfielder under Rodgers. I cannot stop laughing.

Henderson first of all is not a defensive midfielder in any shape or form. Klopp did not even attempt to sign a defensive midfielder irrespective of already having Lucas and Stewart which suggests that he is not keen on using one.

If anyone believes the displays of Henderson this season so far are that of a defensive midfielder then the term defensive midfielder needs to be scrapped.

09 Sep 2016 00:08:16
Well he's certainly been what you would define as the holding midfielder when played with Lallans and Wijnaldum and frankly that role doesn't suit him given that neither Lallana nor Wijnaldum have the ability to play centre midfield and he's been left brutally exposed. Sorry but getting spanked at Burnley, and looking weak in midfield against Spurs and Arsenal are not effective performances, that's not Hendersons fault, it's poor tactics and insisting on playing players out of their position.

09 Sep 2016 00:25:04
Klopp playing with 5ams hendo will play as a 6 . He has the passing rage and the legs to cover. It's like any job he's learn of the job and I'm not loving hendo he but everyone needs to get of hid back. Ynwa.

09 Sep 2016 02:10:25
Hendo seems like a nice guy. He had a great year when we came second in the league. Prior to that and since then he has been bang on average. Not slighting the man, he just hasn't shown the form that puts him in the top 10 midfielders in the league. And to be top 4 team, you need midfielders in top ten, or perhaps even top 5 in the league.

Just my opinion though, and I will always cheer on the lad, and the team.

Coop.

{Ed001's Note - prior to that he was a youngster, but a youngster good enough to have Fergie try and sign him and be gutted enough about missing out on him to us that he mentioned him in a book in a fit of bitterness.}

09 Sep 2016 09:08:35
Henderson has the attributes to do very well for us but his position on the field doesn't at all suit him. Yes we can look at his pass completion etc this season but stats can be very mis-leading. He doesn't get involved in enough key areas and doesn't have that Alonso 40 yard ball from deep either. If Hendo was deployed in a slightly higher up position where he can influence offensively and harmonise with the forwards getting more involved with attacks then I think less people would be on his back and we'd begin to see the real Hendo. Problem is, he ain't shifting Coutinho, Mane or Firmino out (unless Bobby plays the false 9)

09 Sep 2016 09:58:18
He should be played ahead of a holding mid instead Klopp signed Henderson version 2.43 in Wijnaldum. Only God and Klopp knows what he has in his head. The more you deploy Henderson deeper the more your back 4 and midfield gets exposed. Henderson cannot tackle, cannot score and cannot split the defense like Silva, Carzola or Fabrigas. I don't know what's his best position but not the deepest role by any chance.
Love the player but facts are facts.

09 Sep 2016 11:18:06
When we signed him I actually thought we'd bought like a slow right midfielder in the making with a good right peg and a work horse, sort of Beckham esc
to me he looks completely out of place playing in the middle and honestly I think Can and Grujic are miles better.
Top lad though I like Hendo but definitely not captain material or guaranteed starter for me.

{Ed001's Note - I really do not know what on earth you were watching. One thing Hendo has is pace. Just shows how little some people know about him, seems all his knockers are those with not a single solitary clue about him. Sad that they just want to get on the back of a player just because they haven't a clue about his game. If you think Can is better, then I fear for you. If you have decided Grujic is better already, then it can only be because you are a boo boy who wants to get on Hendo's back.}

09 Sep 2016 13:52:49
The midfield is half as good without Henderson in it, just because he doesn't get the flashy numbers of goals and assists he maybe should, doesn't mean he hasn't got a vital role. Most passes this season in midfield and 60 odd percent forward, but he only passes sideways. Don't get all the people slating the lad.

09 Sep 2016 19:20:14
Doesn't anyone remember when Hendo was missing last season? The. whole midfield looked out of sorts. As soon ad he got back everyone looked much more calm and composed. Just because you don't see it, it doesn't mean there is nothing there.

09 Sep 2016 19:29:58
Hendo has impressed me since the days he showed BR up as clueless when he refused to not only go to Fulham so his BFF Allen could play, but he stayed, knuckled down and gained the trust of his coach and team mates and is now captain. he is vastly improved from the first season when he was played out of position. He is playing currently as a pivot at the base of midfield and not a DM (cos Klopp seemingly doesn`t play with one) because unfortunately, Can is lacking position awareness and discipline to play there regardless of his superior athletic ability. He has been really good there if you watch him closely and he was outstanding vs Spurs when he was pinging the ball left and right with ease. his only bad pass was the one he hit off balance that sent Firmino on his way to set up a chance for Lallana which IMO, he bottled. I do believe that he is left totally exposed because Lallana and GW offer no help at all (watch Burnley`s second goal) . Rather play can and Grujic there than those two. Those on his back are the same haters who wanted him gone like BR did but can`t admit that they were wrong about him hence, don`t even bother to watch him closely to see how good he is. Looks like Lucas part 2 all over again. Pathetic!

09 Sep 2016 22:09:30
Hendo had a rough time coming back from injury last season and when he was off form you could see the difference.
He's a quality player.

10 Sep 2016 16:04:03
Henderson is a quality player and the spine of our team. He needs to play the box-to-box role in my opinion as this allows him to utilise all his best assets. He has a great eye for a killer pass, he has the engine to get up and down all game, he is a good tackler, he covers ground well, he links up with players well - almost all of these attributes are washed out by sticking him in as a defensive midfielder.

Klopp has it wrong in my opinion, Henderson should be playing were either Wijnaldum or Lallana are and either Stewart of Lucas as a defensive midfielder - I don't really like Can as a DM he lacks the positional awareness - in fact a midfield of Stewart/ Lucas, Can/ Grujic and Henderson would be how i'd set us up: more bite than what we have now but without sacrificing creativity - Grujic could be the key to this working as well, if he's as good as suggested (and a more attacking minded midfielder) then he'd be a really good contributor to our attack.

08 Sep 2016 21:15:41
Hiccup 🙄🍺 but for me couts has to play central soon ish. Possibly against klopps ideas but I feel it could balance and alternate our options. I still feel our magical team formula is there but . hey! Wha ya godda do 🙄😀⚽️🍻.

08 Sep 2016 22:29:22
What exactly is central in a front three? It is not like we are playing with wingers. Coutinho cuts in and ends up centrally anyway? Have you seen the goals he has scored this season? Have they been from out wide?

09 Sep 2016 00:31:30
I think he means taking up Widjnaldums role as the more attacking of a 3 man midfield similar to where he played in the 13/ 14 season. I'd agree with this as he can look a bit one-dimensional at LW where it's mostly a cut inside and shoot from distance as he gets higher up the pitch. Sitting deeper he's more influential and makes more of his vision and passing.

09 Sep 2016 10:18:21
I think he'd like to play Firmino on the left but trusts him in the centre more than Studge, Origi or Ings. I'm mainly basing this on the interest in Teixeira and reported interest in Luan. That would free up Coutinho to replace Lallana or Wijnaldum in the middle behind the front 3. Would be a very attacking line up if the right striker could be found, not sure about going the other way though! 😬.

09 Sep 2016 19:40:25
if he will be taking up GW`s role, why the heck was he signed in the first place especially with Grujic aready here? Also, why would he replace a player he just signed this season for 25m with another one that could cost even more? That makes no sense. Only Klopp can tell you what he saw in GW because I still don`t know. The guy is just taking up a slot in the team and offers next to nothing attacking or defensive-wise, just like Lallana.

08 Sep 2016 15:30:40
Hi ed 002

You mentioned a while ago that you were not allowed into South Africa. May I ask why? Just curious as I am South African.

{Ed002's Note - It is not something appropriate to discuss here but the reaon is different to that which keeps me excluded from swathes of the Middle East and Africa.}

08 Sep 2016 15:48:01
Life is tough for chimney sweeps and rodeo clowns.

{Ed002's Note - I am not a chimney sweep - most of the other Eds are though - except the florists.}

08 Sep 2016 16:20:46
So you've been to Israel.

{Ed002's Note - Millions of people have been to Israel but that does not debar them.}

08 Sep 2016 16:31:55
Hey ed, is your first name "James" per any chance?

{Ed002's Note - No, "James" is a ridiculous name, why would anyone's parent name them that?}

08 Sep 2016 17:03:08
Ed002 is actually the reincarnation of John Gotti. This is why he's not allowed into Asia or South Africa.

Don't mess with the Teflon Don.

08 Sep 2016 18:04:39
Haha class response ed, you did not rule out the other option, so i presume u are on a rodeo tour at the moment then.

{Ed002's Note - I am in England leaving Sunday}

08 Sep 2016 18:17:08
Still better than Sergey, ed!

{Ed002's Note - Nice girl. Perky.}

08 Sep 2016 18:45:34
Convicted illegal arms dealer?

{Ed002's Note - Illegal?}

08 Sep 2016 18:47:37
There's always Coventry Ed002 😎.

{Ed002's Note - Nice cathedral.}

08 Sep 2016 19:23:20
Their loss Ed. You're a welcome visitor to these shores.

08 Sep 2016 20:01:59
Not a bond fan Ed? Shame, there are much worse names than James!

{Ed002's Note - JimmyBobBettyLouThelmaLiz you mean?}

08 Sep 2016 20:22:08
There's rumours Ed002 is actually Pablo Escobar. And lives in that house in the Middle of the M62.

08 Sep 2016 21:20:22
He is a she, or a promiscuous unicorn.

08 Sep 2016 21:51:05
The Last Unicorn perhaps? Great book by the way.

{Ed002's Note - Nothing wrong with unicorns.}

08 Sep 2016 22:08:11
Ed I'm hurt lol least I'm allowed to south Africa though ha.

08 Sep 2016 22:19:50
Ed, if you're anywhere near the midlands tomorrow I still owe you a beer.

{Ed002's Note - Not tomorrow Chris.}

08 Sep 2016 05:27:32
People wrongly assume that Sturridge has an attitude problem due to him not showing as much movement nowadays or harassing defenders like Firmino does. But do they stop to consider that he's doing this to prevent injury, since he started playing in this manner, he's had only 1 minor injury that I can think of, so it's been effective in preventing any injuries. Sturridge's best role would be as a poacher, he has the instinct and natural finishing ability to thrive in the role. In the season we came 2nd, Sturridge was harrying defenders, switching positions, pulling out wide in tandem with Suarez. He was then finishing teams with deadly finishing and lightening pace. Current Sturridge may not have that pace, or be able to use his pace due to injury concerns, but he's still got his instinct and deadly marksmanship and on his day, Sturridge is without doubt a world class striker and one of the most dangerous players in the league.

08 Sep 2016 07:53:40
Agree with all that. But a striker who doesn't want to (or can't) run at full pelt, doesn't like pressing and only wants to play in the position he prefers does not have a long term future under Jurgen Klopp. It's early days, but this is a definitive season for Sturridge. He either gets with Klopp's program, or he's not here next season.
No player is bigger than the club.

08 Sep 2016 08:47:15
I'm not sure this is the case, and if it were, I wouldn't be happy.

We can't afford to have players thinking they need to avoid the hard yards in order to avoid injury. In your own words we were at our best when sturridge was 'harrying defenders, switching positions, pulling out wide' and that harrassing from the front is key to Klopps system. At the moment his movement is mixed at best.

I actually think his problem is he works better with two strikers and hasn't quite figured out the target man role. I think he's not sure what to do with himself alone upfront and tends to drop too deep instead.

I think he'd be a lot more dangerous with him and Origi playing together upfront and with Firmino at no.10.

08 Sep 2016 09:25:50
He is being marked heavily in most of the games and never has been feeded with anything worth. He has often dropped deep to get involved with the guild up play. I don't understand what's the obsession about Hard core running. We need to go back and check how he was deadly 2 years ago. We might get a solution how to play him.

08 Sep 2016 09:25:50
He is being marked heavily in most of the games and never has been feeded with anything worth. He has often dropped deep to get involved with the guild up play. I don't understand what's the obsession about Hard core running. We need to go back and check how he was deadly 2 years ago. We might get a solution how to play him.

08 Sep 2016 13:28:07
Sweet, the season he was deadly was because he had Suarez (of course), with Coutinho`s guile and Sterling`s pace to rip at defences hence, opening up space for him to thrive on. LS did the harrying and pressing while Hendo and the rest of the mids did the pressing from that position hence, Studge could just eat up all the spaces being left as defenders were being tied up in knots. That is not going to happen now as those players are gone and we don`t play that way anymore. Studge will have to adapt and get with the programme because Klopp is in charge now and he`d better work hard or he won`t play and if he refuses or shows no desire to do that then it`s his choice because Klopp will be here longer than Studge will if they go to battle. I do agree that we have to try and play him or Origi up top with Firmino in behind. That would mean that both Lallana and Wiji drop to the bench as Can will then partner Hendo in midfield (which I wouldn`t mind at all) . Is Klopp willing to do that?

08 Sep 2016 13:45:48
Studge likes to be the main man, the star of the team but Klopp just doesn't promote that in his teams and I think Studge gets frustrated with that. One thing is for sure we haven't had the real Sturridge for the last 2 years whether that's down to injury or attitude. I hope he comes back fighting and hits top form for us because he's frightening when he does. If he doesn't then he'll be gone and we won't miss him because you can't miss what you haven't got.

08 Sep 2016 16:54:54
Sturridge scored at a slightly higher rate without Suarez on the pitch then when he was, so I'd say he's quite fine being the only striker. Whether or not Sturridge will be in Klopp's long term plans I couldn't say, but it wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't. Not saying that's what I want mind as I think it would be silly to let him leave, but I also think it's a tad silly to not be starting him when he's available so.

{Ed002's Note - That would be expected. If you remove Aguero from the Manchester City side then it is likely that the other forwards will score at a higher rate.}

08 Sep 2016 18:07:18
RDL as lethal as Studge is, if he`s not ready to play the way Klopp wants him to play while the other strikers are playing that way, why should he start over them? Remember, Klopp doesn`t care who you are or in this case, were before he came here. Go ask benteke and Sahko if you don`t believe me. Therefore, it`s up to Studge now as Firmino may not score a lot of goals but is able to do exactly what Klopp wants and is outstanding at it as well as having goals and assists in him along with his ability to occupy a whole backline on his own. IMO, I don`t think Klopp should not start a player who for reasons x or y, is not ready to or can`t play the way he wants and then bench the others who actually do what he wants all because of who Studge used to be.

08 Sep 2016 19:10:44
For me, Hamilton, the first attribute I want in a striker is goal scoring, everything else is secondary by some distance. Choosing a starting striker by how good they are defensively I find a strange one. I don't necessarily disagree with you that is how Klopp may see things at all as I said previously it wouldn't be shocking to me to see Sturridge move on at some point, but for me personally the best six attacking types we could field would be Firmino, Sturridge, Mane, Coutinho, Can, and Henderson.

08 Sep 2016 17:24:36
Agreed to an extent, Ed002, unless the belief is that Sturridge isn't effective without Suarez or another striker with him. When given the opportunity to play central by himself, he's generally done very well for us.

{Ed002's Note - It is irrelevant - he scored less goals when the one who squats to piss plays and more when el runto is removed.}

08 Sep 2016 20:52:30
I see no reason why firmino and Sturridge can't play up top together as he did with Suarez. Firmino Is not as good as Suarez was but I think they are similar players. Mane replacing sterling, still have Coutinho and Hendo. Not so different from the foward line that nearly won is the league. definitely think studge should play whenever fit though. Guy scores bag fulls when he's half fit, end of.

08 Sep 2016 21:20:58
IMHO, our weak MF trio (Hendo, Lallana, and Wij), and not Firmino, is what is keeping Sturridge out of the lineup.

I think an attack with Sturridge at 9 and Firmino at 10, is our most dangerous, with Origi off the bench to replace Sturridge in the 2nd half.

Can is good enough to play in a midfield two, as he did last year, which freed up space for a more dangerous attack led by Sturridge.

Unfortunately, we never see that because with Can injured, we're stuck with Hendo at the base of a midfield three. Lallana and Wijnaldum are just not true box-to-box players. Neither is Hendo, either, but he's at least better defensively than the other two.

Can is our only true box-to-box midfielder though he's still a work in progress; Grujic also has the potential on this count, but is very raw.

08 Sep 2016 05:09:16
Coutinho once again shone for Brazil in a central midfield role, which shows that he can still play there. He was also influential from a central midfield role the season we came second. His best attributes are his passing and vision and playing out wide wastes this. Some may argue that he isn't strong enough defensively to play there but he was fine when we came 2nd, even putting in a few crunching tackles and could be possibly offer us any less than Gini and Lallana defensively. With more time and space who knows what Coutinho would be capable of, and we would surely be in for more midfield masterclasses like the one he produced when we beat Arsenal 4-1.

08 Sep 2016 07:24:12
Got some time on your hands today Lil Migician?

08 Sep 2016 10:31:24
Haha, I was going to make it one big post as a collection of my current thoughts, but I just thought I'd break it up to make it easier to read.

08 Sep 2016 12:20:29
absolutley agree, watched him against Columbia he was superb, such a good vision, acceleration from thight areas, carried the ball so well. we need to try him in place of lallana but i have this strange feeling that klopp rates lallana so high.

08 Sep 2016 13:46:42
Spot on, Mandzo. I think only Klopp can tell you what he sees in Wiji and lallana because frankly, I don`t see it. All one does is keep possession, same thing Allen was doing yet he got sold for not offering more, same thing both Lallana and Wiji are not offering but they get to play every game. lallana apart from running himself into the ground, is an offensive liability. See Spurs game. Had Couts or Firmino been in those positions, we would have had chances to score instead of the pathetically constant Cruyff-turning and dithering at the crucial moment. Same thing on the Mane goal. GW took THREE touches before releasing Lallana. WTF? Had Couts been there, he would have flicked the ball to Lallana with the outside of his foot in one touch and he would have been onside, cross to Mane, goal, we win the game. I wouldn`t mind Couts playing in the hole behind Firmino as he is not only gifted but has a very high work rate. I will say it looks easier to play that role for brazil when you have neymar on the left, jesus at no. 9 and Willian on the right to open up passing lanes for you.