Liverpool Banter Archive April 09 2017

09 Apr 2017 23:07:14
I know the 2nd half of the season has been disappointing, but with the injuries we've had to key players this season I'm happy we're still we're we are. I think this minority of calling for Klopp's head is ridiculous. I agree he needs a plan B but there has been so much improvement and passion since he arrived and I said when he arrived he had a big job on his hands that would take 3-4 years to get to Champions League regulars and potential title contenders. I still think this is the case. I think with a few tweaks next season then we will be right up there and consistency will be improved. I think goalkeeping issue would benefit from Karius going out on loan to a bottom 10 premier league or top 10 championship club to help him get used to the physicality of the English game. I think if Hart can be bought cheaply or on loan then it's a good option. Defensively I think Loren and Matip have done well, Klavan is an able deputy but another solid centre back is needed. Right back Clyde and Alexandre-Arnold is all we need there. I'd love to see us bring in Aaron Creswell, solid left back, quick and good at going forward and being a scouser would be nice. Centre midfield we need a leader, Lucas will finally move on by the looks of it, Grujic needs to start getting games. Can needs to concentrate more and we seriously need to look at Hendersons fitness as we can't afford another Sturridge situation. Attacking midfielders we are blessed with but unfortunately due to our style we pick up injuries, maybe the rumours of Oxlaide Chamberlin could be a decent fit to our style. Up front, Sturridge needs to go, Origi I think will get one more year and I pray poor Danny Ings will get himself fit and get the chance to show us the player I believe he can be. We do need a proven striker up front, I think if we'd of had that, then the games we've missed players, them kind of strikers carry you through, Zlatan has done it all year at United, Suarez done it for us, we need that kinda player back, I hope we get CL this season so we have the that attraction to acquire one, oh an the finances.
I really do think we are not that far away from being a top side who will be consistent. It will just take a few more of the right players. I trust that Klopp is already looking at the men he wants.

10 Apr 2017 01:54:50
Karius out on loan?
Pay stupid money to sign Joe Hart?
Persist with Clyne as 1st choice RB?
Pay stupid money to sign Cresswell and AOC who are both injury prone?

Thank God you are not the club's DOF! You basically want us to replace our current squad players with more squad players huh?

10 Apr 2017 10:27:03
I don't understand what people see in OX? He is James's running Milner version 2.0 and he will be like a headless chicken at Liverpool. Why do people like players who run very very fast? A CM need not necessarily run all night.

10 Apr 2017 10:34:57
If you have watched hart on loan at Torino you would soon realise he has been absolutely dreadful, he's made 7 errors leading to a goal the most in Europe. Extremely average goalkeeper who is lauded by the idiotic English press, Cresswell is also very suspect defensively, offers nothing going forward bar the odd cross.

{Ed001's Note - and that is being kind to Hart, as he is well below average!}

10 Apr 2017 12:35:02
Man, people are precious about the Premier League. Karius was a first team goalkeeper in the Bundesliga. He has nothing to learn about 'physicality' from a spell in the championship except that LFC can't be bothered to train players.

10 Apr 2017 12:28:33
Yep I'd agree just don't want to hurt the motd lads feelings.

10 Apr 2017 15:49:03
With more squad players who are worse than the ones we actually have, Buzzer. The OP is a genius and should be in the scouting business.

Spot on Harry. Ox is pants and like his buddies Walcott and Ramsey, have stagnated immensely just like their clueless manager Arsene Wenger.

Hart is useless beyond belief. I've watched him often at Torino and his errors are almost in the double digits BUT you wouldn't know it by the way his "buddies"" in the media crow about him. Karius and Migs are way ahead of him in terms of ability.

Spot on, Hijkle. What would a loan at a Championship club do for him? Might as well sell him back to the Bundesliga where he is still well rated. It seems that's all people want, if a player doe not impress within 10 games, sell him instead of working on his weaknesses and improving his strengths. Remember, if you don't give a player time to improve, you don't deserve the player you want him to be.

12 Apr 2017 11:52:44
Wow lot of negative comments, firstly this is about opinions and I was just passing on opinions. On Joe Hart, admittedly I've not watched him at Torino as I can't stand Italian football so if he's been poor over there I retract that comment. I do stick with the comment about Karius as I do feel he can be our number 1, I just think a loan spell could do him the world of good, ideally we'd get new goalkeeper coach and stop ruining keepers but that's far too easy. As regards to Oxlaide Chamberlain, if you read my comment properly I didn't say let's go get him I said if rumours are to be true he could be a decent signing. I wouldn't go out and spend £20-30million on him but if he was available for around £10million I think at that value he could be a decent addition. I still think we have more players to leave and the squad has looked bare this season so we will need some squad players, it's a shame we can't get more game time for Wilson and Kent, I'd like to see if they can make it, I'd like to see more of Stewart too as I've seen him run the park in some games and look awful in others.

09 Apr 2017 18:31:24
Hi Ed's 002. If you have a second can you update us on the Danny Sturidge situation? Is he surplus to requirements at Anfield? Does he want to leave and if so is there much interest in him and from where? Thanks in advance if you reply.

{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed - I would expect him to move on in the summer.}

09 Apr 2017 23:12:35
It'd be great if we could get a bit of the Sturridge magic for the run in.
He has a great talent but has also a horrible injury record but here's hoping the lad gets a run of luck between now and the end of the season.

09 Apr 2017 19:21:09
An interesting post further down about certain things involving Liverpool and ed2 opinion on it, namely klopps time at Liverpool so far. Klopp has had basically two seasons at Liverpool and at the very beginning he promised some level of success, ultimately promising the league title. Now a grown Liverpool fan would always take 'promises' with a grain of salt. We know it won't be easy for Liverpool to achieve this even with a top quality manager. We're financially behind the other clubs with a weaker squad than theirs so we have an obvious disadvantage, where we have to work within our means. This does not mean we can't, or that the owners do not back us. They have invested heavily on this club and are much better than our previous owners, even with their constant mistake making and lack of knowledge of the game itself.

I was happy when Klopp took over, it was a change that was required after rodgers tenure at the club which had its ups and downs. I had preferrences as to who I'd like as manager, and I'm sure most of us did, but Klopp was always a very good shout and I'd say most Liverpool fans where delighted. The embarrassing hysterics was what got me at first, certain fans had already rolled out the red carpet for Klopp even after the man himself said, let's not have a party just because I'm here, we have work to do. Fans ignored as if Klopp had earned their respect already even before a ball was kicked. Klopp has to earn respect just like every manager before him, he should be privileged to be here not the other way around, but some fans where so drowned of mediocrity that they kept their rose tinted shades on.

Klopps first season, was a failure. Not so much that he failed himself, but the resulting league finishes and two cup finals that meant nothing in the end meant that it was never a step forward. We took a step forward in terms of the mentality of the club and improvements on the football that was played on the pitch, but the facts are facts and 8th place with no cups is worse than the season before. It was failure under kenny, its failure now. Some fans choose to ignore that. I did not judge Klopp on that season, I knew he was a long term project, but when you hear fans saying 'I'm still over the moon we have klopp' you start to cringe a little, you start to think is this how far we have fallen. Be happy all you want but you have to have expectations, expectations that had to be met this season. Top 4 has been the goal for a while, and not only top 4 but being a stable top 4 team. I went into this season thinking the transfers have been hit and miss, some good, some bewildering, but it's a common theme at Liverpool hence the slightly above average squad. I thought, 5th place seems reasonable, as long as we see improvements elsewhere. I maintained that this was a long term project and even failing to achieve top 4 I knew Klopp was trying to build something that I have some level of faith in, even though it can be erratic at times. We then preceded to challenge for the title up until January, well in top 4 and destined for CL football at the very least. This was the success we knew we would achieve eventually but like rodgers, we knew we where slightly overachieving. But there is no excuses for what happened in January. This was the erratic behaviour I knew that could happen based on the past. This is why I reserved judgement. A combined problem with the players and the management saw us fall out of every competition we where in within 2 weeks with no real idea what the actual problem was, only that it kept happening against teams that where much weaker than us. This made it much more disappointing and the excuse making was getting out of hand. The rut has seemingly stopped and we are now back on form for the time being. Given the position we where in, top 4 should be the minimum we achieve. Anything less is failure. But I maintain that Klopp should obviously continue because it doesn't necessarily mean he's the failure. He is part of the problem as much as he's part of the solution, something I couldn't say with rodgers. I am satisfied with top 4, that is a huge step for us, that would be success. Klopp has done a decent job so far, but he has made mistake. Mistake I and some others have pointed out this season. Some call me negative because I point out these mistakes even though there's no malice or genuine negativity behind my comments. They also say the same thing about ed2 who's knowledge exceedes a lot of ours. At the end of the day though, it's an opinion, and no fan should be told 'you're not a real fan' or 'you're just being negative' when they are trying to be constructive in their support as well as their criticism. I haven't said Klopp out and fans that have, are the microwave fans I feel are a problem, but I get made to be in that bracket because apparently you can't question Klopp or the players and if you do then you're Klopp out. Nonsense. It's a double standard that has to be done with.

As for ed2, at one point I thought he gave Liverpool fans a lot more stick than other fans, I then realised there's a lot more of us here so maybe that's a factor. There's also the case of more fans means more morons. I think he has an unbiased opinion, that people need. Too many people want their ego stroked nowadays and don't want to be told the truth. 'Mirror mirror on the wall who's the most beautiful of them all' comes to mind. You want him to say all these wonderful things that just aren't true or are yet to be proved. I won't say all of the things he says I agree with, but he is right a lot of the time. People use the fact that he's not one of our own to suggest why they don't like him or why he might be wrong but I think that's a shallow way of thinking. If you are a yes man then so be it, but you of all people can not go around waving your wand saying who's a good fan and not, because you're just as bad as the ones calling for Klopp out. We argue over employees of the club, but we will always be here. Remember that next time we bash each other.

Good luck reading that, if you did, pat on the back for you. I hate reading essay posts but I felt I needed to get that off my chest.

{Ed025's Note - i thought it was a good read Kman...kudos mate..

09 Apr 2017 19:43:17
I agree with you that the fans should take promises with a grain of salt, but I also think that the owners would have taken his promises very seriously and no doubt would be looking for reasons he has not fulfilled them. Which they have every right to do.

09 Apr 2017 19:46:38
I just can't see klopp making thag kind of promise or even having too. We went for him. He had his pick of clubs from around the world. We needed to sell to him not the ither way round.

{Ed002's Note - Rubbish.}

09 Apr 2017 20:59:24
With due respect to your opinion, I would like to add few things

1. There is line between criticism and plain bashing of players. Everyone knows our squad has weaknesses and they will be addressed in the transfer window: Mane, Wiji and Matip were good buys. We have to work within our means. But still we need to support our players as long as they put their effort in. I mean why would you tell you boxer before a fight that he is not good enough. even if you maybe right. It doesn't help anyone. We are in a fight to get Top 4 and the team needs our support.

2. Klopp has made mistakes. People like to point at Caulker, Klavan etc. But compare it to what Rodger's bought and you see perspective. People say that Klopp drove Sakho out and he is better than Klavan, Lovren etc. But it was Sakho's fault for not taking things seriously which is disrespectful to the other players and staff who are putting so much effort in. If Sakho can't be professional enough then maybe Liverpool is not his club.

All good managers have a philosophy, they live and die by it. Guardiola, Mou, Wenger come to mind. They don't betray their way of playing, so why do people want Klopp to change.

3. I am behind Klopp and the team. Not because they are world-class and perfect but because they represent my club, they work hard, play awesome football most days and most importantly because Negativity never ever helps.

Stay positive, support the players the best you can. Iam not saying turn a blind eye but stop the constant whining.

{Ed002's Note - And it isd everybody else's fault.}

09 Apr 2017 22:11:32
Kman, very good read that. I visit this site a lot as well as all the others, and often find your posts are very honest, say it as it is. Supermane just opitimised everything you just said in one post below.

09 Apr 2017 23:13:25
My question about the above posts is.

We all know how the season has gone.
Great pre. Christmas terrible January etc. etc.
But no one has given a reason for the dip in form.
We perform better against the higher placed teams but fail against the lower placed clubs which in itself a mystery.
Is it psychological? As if it was physical fatigue then we shouldn't be able to match the higher placed teams.

09 Apr 2017 23:18:19
What Klopp has done well;
made one excellent signing,
got the team scoring again,
completely changed the atmosphere around the club.

What Klopp hasn't done;
made any improvement to our defence,
delivered any consistency.

10 Apr 2017 04:26:34
What Klopp has also done:

Made 3 quality signings in, Mane, Matip and Wij
Improved our record vs our top 4 rivals
Gotten the best of out players and a squad deemed "average"
12 points better off than at this stage last season
Made Anfield a fortress again
Most points accrued in the PL after 19 games
First double over Arsenal since 2000
Undefeated vs the so-called Super Managers

What he hasn't and MUST do:

Improve the mentality of the team vs lesser teams
Improve the defence
Improve the depth of the squad quality-wise as another Jan meltdown will NOT be tolerated
be more flexible and adaptable to the rigours of the PL.

09 Apr 2017 21:20:04
Yes ED02. its everybody else's fault :)
Mostly yours. Lol

Few other things which I blame on ED02 and Chelsea in general

1. Liverpool loosing out on Sanchez and Alli
2. Mane, Henderson, Lallana and Sturridge's injury
3. Trump winning elections.
4. Global warming (which Trump denies by the way)

10 Apr 2017 01:08:03
I disagree with a few things here. If you were hoping that Klopp would win you the PL or get top 4 realistically with the squad low on confidence, bereft of ideas, going nowhere fast (which many thought was full of dross) that BR himself trashed for not being good enough, within the 8 months, then I think you need to give your head a wobble cos that make no sense at all.

Also, I know this is becoming a narrative on BUT Klopp has NOT had two full seasons yet. He didn't have a pre-season to evaluate the squad when he came in midseason cos if he had (like he did this summer), the players who are no longer here now, would have been gone by then. A bit of context is needed here before making such inaccurate and "convenient" statements cos BR, Roy and Rafa, all had a full pre-season in their first season's and BR and Roy didn't win a thing before getting sacked so how has Klopp failed exactly esp. if his first full season is not even over yet?

Finally, if you thought we would win the PL with a small squad with holes in it, blighted by injuries and all that, then you were duped either by the media or by yourself cos NOWAY on God's green earth would that have happened and Klopp NEVER mentioned that we were in for the title.

And even if he said he would win the title this year? So what. he over-promised? Did BR not do that in his tenure here and didn't even make a final in three years and Klopp made two in 8 months with a squad he did not pick? Did Rafa win the PL when he promised he would after six years? NO! And if he's such a failure, why did he get an extension from FSG? Then, John Henry is who your ire needs to go to for paying for a known failure, then.

Klopp is no genius (neither does he pretend to be one) and is prone to mistakes like EVERY other manager in sports and needs to improve BUT it seems the knives are out for him now cos we drew a game vs B'mouth and pulled a win out of the hands of defeat, 18 points won from losing positions (Best in the PL), 12 points better off than ;last season but clearly we have gone backwards. GET A GRIP!

10 Apr 2017 10:22:30
Are the defensive lapses a result of the team being set up to attack the ball as far up the pitch as possible?

This obviously leaves a lot of space behind for the opposition to exploit on a counter attack especially when the 2 full backs are high up the pitch providing width.

Compare this with the likely champions elect who seem to defend deeper as a team and then counter attack with the lightening pace of Hazard, Willian etc. With Kante all the while backing up play while protecting the defence.

09 Apr 2017 17:56:50
What is the situation with Grujic? In preseason I thought he looked promising. Just bad luck with injuries? Misses his mum perhaps? Any thoughts?

09 Apr 2017 16:55:14
Happy 42nd birthday Guaranga. Genuine reds legend 👍🏻.

09 Apr 2017 17:11:19
How does God even become Guaranga?
Serious predictive text error there. Sorry Robbie lad!

09 Apr 2017 17:54:39
😂 maybe an ed saw a chance of some mischief there.

09 Apr 2017 13:29:54
Ed 002.you said that Klopp promised FSG he would win PL with squad he inherited. No doubting you but Klopp knew squad wasn't up to scratch so it didn't make sense to promise something which has eluded those before him. As for transfer activity, the only players he bought so far who have made an impact are Mane' and Matip but then he's not bought a lot of players so I guess it's not a disastrous return.

{Ed002's Note - The owners want to win the league - that is their goal. All I see is whining explanations for Klopp failing to deliver - and he won't deliver again this season - and no doubt players will arrive over the summer and the fans will be happy with a couple of years of transition again. I appreciate that none of you get any of this.}

09 Apr 2017 13:59:22
Seems a catch 22 really. We're either unable to grasp the level of underperformance and all wearing rose coloured specs or we are the horrible low level modern day fans calling for Klopp out and trashing every member of the coaching staff.
Personally? We're third in Klopps first full season in charge, for now at least I'm happy to wait and see, regardless of any promises made.

09 Apr 2017 14:14:25
Klopp maybe will deliver Cl football in his first full season two finals last season so I'm happy with the progress. No manager would have done any better given the squad he inherited.

{Ed002's Note - He has had nearly two seasons, he has not delivered what he promised nor what the owners wanted but the Liverpool fans seemingly now celebrate mediocrity. An interesting paradigm.}

09 Apr 2017 14:20:16
Can't win here really. Either train of thought (positivity or negativity) or is criticised heavily so no point really retuning to discuss the teams current performance.

I'm satisfied with Klopp and team so far and I won't be taunted into swaying from that.

09 Apr 2017 14:33:19
He hasn't delivered what the owners wanted. wipp-dee-doo! Liverpool fans wer promised and WANT a 60k seater stadium but doesn't look like they are going to deliver that. At the end of the day this club got massively lucky being able to atteact Klopp. im sure if the owners where to sack him tomorrow he'd struggle to get a job at one of the worlds biggest clubs.

{Ed002's Note - The design has been done for a 60k seat stadium but it is far from financially viable - the first half of the work has been completed adding to the significant debt.}

09 Apr 2017 14:54:44
I personally feel that I'd be happy with Liverpool establishing themselves as a regular top 4 finisher and being able to win the league anywhere in the next 3 years from where we are now. Given where we've come from which is the definition of mediocrity (apart from one stunning season in 13/ 14) that would be a very credible improvement in performance and a massive boost to the finances. It's also probably not much better than any other club could hope for in the current extremely challenging PL.

Perhaps the owners ambitions may have been to win it (even if Klopp has always referred to this as a longer project) but I'm comfortable he at least has a credible plan, a decent eye for how to construct a squad (caulker aside! ) and has put us back on the right track for now. I support him 100% so far.

09 Apr 2017 14:57:54
Hi Ed002,

Do FSG still see Klopp as the coach to win them a title? How long are they willing to wait for him to win it? And finally, do they see the coach position an area that needs changing?

I hope you are having a pleasant Sunday,

Cheers,

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea.}

09 Apr 2017 14:58:39
I believe klopp said he would win a title in his time at lfc not in his first full season. Also when he said a title I think he meant a cup but it got lost in translation. I am not klopps biggest fan but I for one never heard him say win the title this year. I think edd is baiting people into hating klopp lol.

{Ed002's Note - Nobody has meantioned dates - and a cup is not what he promised the owners. I am not baiting anyone - I was asked a question and answere it. I appreciate most don't like or want to hear the truth - but don't try and turn this on me. It is embarrassing enough already.}

09 Apr 2017 15:06:51
Heres a novel idea, pay for it themselves.

{Ed002's Note - This is a clear example as to why we don't talk about money with the Liverpool fans.}

09 Apr 2017 15:20:01
Big Emre, who paid for the new stand and do you understand that more money from FSG puts the club into further debt?

Here is a novel idea, go study our club finances as you clearly have no clue.

09 Apr 2017 15:34:00
And that is why Chinese billionaires will not make a difference to our situation as it will be either them bankrolling the club or leveraging the club to the banks. Both instances = debt to LFC. FSG have poured 100's of millions of their own cash into the club which ain't a good thing for either FSG or Liverpool.

Just because Everton have an owner which is more wealthier than FSG, does not mean Everton will be spending more money than LFC. It simply does not work that way as the owner of Everton also has an investment i. e. Everton to look after.

Is that too difficult to understand?

09 Apr 2017 15:37:27
Klopp said he would deliver a title and I believe he said within 4 years. I say back klopp and trust in him to deliver. It doesn't matter what people believe or say they think. it's about what happens on the pitch. so let's see. summer recruitment will be pivotal. Genuine question eds 2.what is the reasoning behind your dislike of liverpool fans? Are other fans not very simular? Cheers in advance. Have a good Sunday.

{Ed002's Note - I don't dislike Liverpool fans and have never said that I do. Try not to be such a cretin.}

09 Apr 2017 15:43:50
Ed

Klopp may not have delivered what he promised but I also thought that most people lie in job interviews.

FSG may want to win the title and I want to win the lottery but it doesn't mean that it is going to happen.

The Liverpool fans don't celebrate mediocrity but let's be honest we haven't had loads to celebrate recently.

Lets be honest the PL is one of the hardest leagues in the world so it isn't that easy to win. Every year you have Chelsea, city and united with endless amounts of money to spend on players.

Klopp has his faults no doubt but so do all managers.

I'm also pretty sure guadiola and mourinho promised the earth when getting there jobs.

{Ed002's Note - I am not sure why you wish to speculatively bring other coaches in to this - probably just deflection.}

09 Apr 2017 15:49:56
Hey Mr edd2 I wasn't trying to come across rude or anything. Just my two pence worth, after all it's a banter site. As i said i am not that big a klopp fan and agree with most of what you have said previously about klopp. Have a great day. Keep up the good work.

{Ed002's Note - Enjoy.}

09 Apr 2017 15:59:03
Klopp is the perfect manger for FSG who look at Liverpool as a business and Klopp is making them money. If you really think FSG what to win the why do they not pay the wages to get the players to do it . I tell you because there making money.

{Ed002's Note - FSG are not making money out of Liverpool. You have no grasp of the situation at all.}

09 Apr 2017 16:02:40
Ed002, do you think Conte is going to stay long term at Chelsea? I read a while ago that his family still lives in Italy and he ain't that happy living in London.

Also, I am eager to see how Conte is going to cope with loads of more fixtures next season. Obviously Chelsea will spend big this coming summer but would be interesting to get your view on this.

{Ed002's Note - This is the Liverpool page - try the Chelsea page.}

09 Apr 2017 16:10:46
Sorry eds. just you seem to bash the liverpool fans quite a bit! Maybe u bash other fans too. but I only look on this site. I was just asking if all fans are similar. a little deluded and wearing rose tinted glasses etc. Apologies if my question came across in the wrong way. Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I tell the truth to the Liverpool fans - I don't dislike them. I am doing them a social service and trying to improve them (obviously a long uphill task). In terms of a comparison - they are much worse than the fans of other clubs. Manchester United and Arsenal have a toxic element and in terms of Manchester United that resulted in the club back-tracking on transfers and forcing van Gaal out - which cost them their preferred coach that had already been agreed - now they have Mourinho who is not supported by all at the club and is not 100% committed nor does he like living in Manchester. The Arsenal fans periodically struggle with mental aberration and have no real idea what they want. Everton had a septic sector who are on the back foot at the moment - but they seem to be very easily led (like Liverpool fans) regarding what is going to happen financially. Chelsea fans are generally harmless and the one Spurs fan we have is more interested in the banter on the Arsenal page (which he is generally very good at) than Spurs. The Celtic fans contain a very large moron base.}

09 Apr 2017 16:14:32
FSG making money out of Liverpool when every penny they have put in has been interest free? My word, some idiots on here.

If you were the owner of Liverpool, would you be happy to pour your money into an institution which made a significant loss in the latest financials Give Origi a chance and then have fans spewing utter tripe at you majority of the time? I bet you would :-O. Be thankful that FSG have worked out a plan for the club to become self sustainable.

09 Apr 2017 16:21:26
Think the owners expectations of winning the league need to be a bit tempered as we don't have a good enough squad. Table doesn't lie.

09 Apr 2017 16:59:39
Mr Dennis, If you were the owner of LFC and spent £150m of your own money on revamping the main stand plus funding transfers each season. plus digging the club out of the hole by taking it over from H and G, YOUR money each season like an open tap then I cannot think that you would expect less than willing the League.  

I do believe they will give Klopp a chance as it cost Liverpool and themselves a very healthy sum paying out Rodgers and his backroom staff when they pulled the plug. Lessons learnt.

Klopp will be here until he decides to go, that is what I am leaning too and quite happy to afford Klopp all the time he needs.

09 Apr 2017 17:29:06
lfcdiamond1 mate I used to also disagree with Ed2 and his assessment of Liverpool fans until I logged into the live match forum . I concede that this is not a true representation of the entire fan base but my God it's disgraceful, Multiply what you see posted on there ten fold then you may understand the calibre of the modern day fan . Don't take my word, go on take a look for yourself during the next game and come back with your opinion . If I am wrong I will gladly hold up my hands and apologise. .

09 Apr 2017 17:38:39
Piaray. . I can imagine mate. I tend to watch the game rather than sit on a forum bitching but I can fully imagine it. I've only been on it once and gave up after a minute. not for me mate. Cheers mate.

09 Apr 2017 18:24:12
Anyone saying that FSG are only interested in making money out of LFC (you'll be surprised at how many fans actually believe that), has NO grasp on how simple corporate business and business management works.

As for Klopp promising whatever this season, so what? So he over-promised? So what? managers over-promise all the time when they arrive and this happens in any sport (even here in the States) so not sure as to why this is suddenly an issue cos Klopp over-promised?

Clearly FSG see him as their man hence, he got an extension on his deal after just 8 months and two Cup finals (one European one, which NO English club has played in since 2013). We can debate why he was given an extension so I guess John Henry is who you need to ask. He should be judged after his tenure by the owners and NOT before. BR had 3 full seasons and failed to win the PL so is it too much to ask that Klopp get that much time especially if he gets CL footie, an improvement from the past 3 seasons? I guess it is.

09 Apr 2017 17:18:02
Thanks eds. Great answer. Just a quick question from that. who was uniteds preferred option for coach? Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Allegri.}

09 Apr 2017 17:56:20
Ed002 you really brighten my day

Crooky.

09 Apr 2017 17:59:13
If Liverpool consistently make the CL, win trophies etc, then only will FSG start making a return on their investment. At this point all Liverpool are to FSG is a bottomless money pit.

Those who want to deny it so be it. Ed002 has more financial brain than any fan on this forum and keeps on making our fans look like utter idiots yet still you get these numpty fans who think FSG are making a killing out of Liverpool by lining their pockets.

No wonder Ed002 is willing to discuss money with anyone. Moronic fans.

09 Apr 2017 22:14:32
"The Celtic fans contain a very large moron base. "

You're going the right way about getting a smacked bottom babe!

09 Apr 2017 11:26:21
Tough game next week against WBA.
I hope the defence and keepers spend the whole week working on defending set pieces.
Against WBA you need to score first and you are never safe.

09 Apr 2017 12:19:11
Yeah WBA will have a rough and tough approach, flood our penalty box and bank on set pieces to get goals.

Liverpool are absolutely dire at set pieces. Our coaching staff need to start getting this problem resolved or could be that our defenders are just to inept which will have to see Klopp address the issue in the summer.

Other than that, we can beat WBA only if we turn up.

09 Apr 2017 13:38:19
That should be the MOST important thing we focus on this week. BTW, NO zonal marking with players marking spaces instead of men. Spaces don't score goals, players do.

09 Apr 2017 15:33:31
If Hendo isn't fit I'd like to see Grujic in midfield along with Can and Wijnaldum. we could need the physicality and I think he deserves a chance.

Put Coutinho, Sturridge and Firmino upfront and I'd hope we'll score at least one or two, and Grujic and Wijnaldum arriving late in the box would be a meaningful aerial threat too.

09 Apr 2017 23:00:06
At least we know what we're up against. Now have a week to prepare.

08 Apr 2017 23:54:18
Hi Ed02

I really respect your obvious knowledge of the game and I am thankful of your contribution to the site. I appreciate your views more because I know that you are unbiased in respect to Liverpool FC. I have heard with alarm but also consideration your opinion on Klopp. I would like constructive criticism on his strengths and weaknesses and what he can do to improve . Do you believe that he is flexible in adapting to changes or can be . Does he have competent support staff?

{Ed002's Note - My point is his lack of flexibility in being able to adapt to changing circumstances and his inability to have a team which has different options in how to play available to them. Many of his dealings in the transfer market have been questionable. Personally I think he needs some additional help – whether it be a professional Director of Football (rather than a performance analyst which is what Liverpool has now) or better coaching staff I don’t know. I have explained before in far more detail and perhaps you should check through the search engine.}

09 Apr 2017 09:05:54
I've often wondered if our defensive errors are down to the coaching staff. Because personally think we have good defender, at least better then our defence shows. We tend to defend well for most of the game but then just an daft individual errors gifts the other team a golden opportunity. Remember someone saying we don't actually allow a lot of chances for the other team just a lot are converted. which normally tends to be a stupid error leading to a near inmissable chance.

Transfer wise I think we've done ok, but could've done better. sorry if I misquote but if we get some of the targets linked with (say Brandt, Perreria, azmoun, and a gk) then personally would be made up.

09 Apr 2017 09:13:54
I respect you views Ed002.

I do not believe Klopp lacks flexibility to be honest. He has worked wonders with the squad which was left to him. Yes he has made some decisions which need to be questioned like bringing Mignolet back when he should have stuck with Karius.

You say that Klopp promised FSG that he could win the League with this squad. I mentioned the other day that up and until December last year Klopp set us up to challenge for the League title and got us playing football which made every single team shake in their boots. Obviously defensively we need to see Klopp improve. That is the only missing link now. The intention from Klopp was there to take the League and unfortunately football is an unpredictable sport. Key players were missing since the turn of the year. Sh*t happens.

Klopp has also made it clear on a few occasions that he is not going to just sign players for the sake of filling gaps in the squad otherwise we will end up in another situation where we pay ridiculous fees and wages for players who do not improve anything.

The other thing you may agree upon Ed002 is that Liverpool will be taking far fewer risks in the transfer market with CL football on offer (fingers crossed we qualify) as we will be able to compete better in the market with the other teams when fighting for players signatures.

This coming summer will be make or break for Klopp and strongly believe that he will get things right.

{Ed002's Note - He has not worked wonders with the squad that was left to him. He had the likes of Firmino, Coutinho, Lallana etc already waiting. Klopp promised the owners he sould win the league with the team inherited, not the team as it is now. He didn't. He din't even come close. Teams were not shakinging "in their boots". You are seeing stuff that simply isn't there. I have no idea what you mean "taking fewer risks" in the transfer market.}

09 Apr 2017 09:26:44
Much appreciated Ed , I support the guy and genuinely believe that he is going to be a success or maybe it's just blind hope . The English game is of such a high standard and so competitivethat any flaws that a manager may have is quickly exposed . It is good for the development of their management skills and I sincerely hope that he has the ability to adapt . I asked about his support staff because apparently his assistant is called the brain . Surely it must be obvious that smaller teams have worked out a method of playing against us .

{Ed002's Note - His assistant is not the "Brain" - it is "Brian".}

09 Apr 2017 09:37:36
Many players that we target in the summer will surely want to be playing in the CL? If we do not qualify for CL then we end up having to offer much more to compensate which leads to taking bigger risks.

Coutinho may still leave too but CL football could be the difference when it comes to his decision making. CL football will put us in a more level playing field with the other big teams when it comes to the transfer market?

For us to replace a player like Coutinho (if he decided to leave) without having CL football on offer is going to be a massive stumbling block. That is when big risks come into place.

That is just may view of course.

09 Apr 2017 10:39:18
Ah well Liverpool can't buy the league like some teams so all we can do is work with what we have. If that's Klopp and the current squad so be it.

09 Apr 2017 13:29:48
Fair enough he had the likes of Lallana and Firmino there but most people were of the opinion neither of them were good enough before Klopp arrived. i think he's done aswel as he could with the squad competing against some very good teams in this league. As far as transfers go i don't tink any of his signings so far have been failures and three of them have been starters wvery game when fit. for the money spent that's a very good ratio.

{Ed002's Note - You think that Klavan and Karius were good buys? The loan of Caulker sensible? The removal of Sakho a good idea?}

09 Apr 2017 13:51:31
Ed02, I disagree with a part of your comment. You say Lallana, Firmino and Couts were already here and waiting. That is true BUT they were dire under the prev. manager especially Firmino and Lallana who BR signed BUT had no idea what to do with him nor where to play them and that argument can be applied to Can as well. He has made these player much better and turned Mane into a true menace to all teams in the PL. He gets credit for that, IMO.

If he promised the owners to win the PL with the squad he had then he has made a serious blunder as we all know this squad is not good enough. Managers promise a lot of things when they come in just like Rafa and BR especially, did too so nothing new here and Regardless of that, he has my full backing as he has improved us immensely since he got here overall. Has he made mistakes? Yes. Does he need to adapt or get more assistance in areas? Prolly. we will see what happens in the summer esp. with CL footie on the cards, hopefully.

I know you don't think he is as good as many make him out to be and you make tangible arguments for your opinion BUT I simply disagree and d that's fair.

09 Apr 2017 14:04:24
Yes, Klavan is what he is. a £4m back up central defender who wouldn't have been expected to have played as many games this year. had some bad games but also put in some good performances. On Karius yes i do think he was a good signing, again he's young didn't cost the earth and has a lot of potential. I actually would have kept him in goal instead of bowing to the pressure and putting Migs back in. Can i ask do you think Karius was a bad signing? i ask because usually you would slag off supporters who make up there minds on players after a few appearances, especially thost as young as Karius.

{Ed002's Note - That is fine, so Liverpool players who are not good enough are fine if they were not too expensive. This is getting to be like a whole new world for me.}

09 Apr 2017 14:25:06
Find me a better central defender than Klavan for the money spent on him though.

{Ed002's Note - Balanta, Neustädter, Ivanovich, Alex, Kirchoff, Matip, Skrtel, Terry and no doubt others were out of contract. I am sure plenty of others were available for less than £5M.}

09 Apr 2017 14:29:19
Do you think Karius is a bad signing?

{Ed002's Note - I think that the club could have signed someone better or stuck with what they had with Mignolet and Ward until they could afford better.}

09 Apr 2017 14:47:58
I think signing one of the Bundesliga's top 2 or 3 keepers at 23 years of age for under £5m will prove to be a great signing for the club. I have full faith in Klopp in the market, NO manager is going to be 100% in the transfer market.

{Ed002's Note - Why do you keep mentioning the money - it is not relevant to how good he is. He is the number one for Klopp but not playing because of the fans.}

09 Apr 2017 14:58:45
Not going to win on this one ed2 has his opinion on Klopp. And won't budge on it. Klopp never inherited a squad as good as Jose, conte or pep and has got us on at least same level as utd and city this season. Also yes Klavan not best cbk in the world, and has made some mistakes but has done well in a lot of big games also. Look at mangala stones etc £82m worth of cbks who have made as much if not more mistakes than Klavan. He's a decent back up, whos probably played more than we wanted him to due to matip and lovren injuries. Every club make s poor buys Conte been brilliant and bought well but still bought a £32m striker whos sat on bench and a possibility to leave in the summer! Love this site and thank ed's for there work and knowledge.

{Ed002's Note - What has it got to do with Manchester City or Chelsea? This constant defection and unwillingness to accept Klopp is anything other than "world class" - he isn't.}

09 Apr 2017 14:54:03
Our defence needs work but we're scoring enough goals to compensate for that and it looks likely we'll make the top 4. Our performances against the better sides suggests we've got the quality to challenge for the league if we can only get a bit more consistency and I'm hoping we'll be another step closer next year.

Klopp may have made some bold claims that he hasn't backed up yet but it was always going to take a while to go from losing 6-1 to Stoke to challenging for the title. Ignore the inflated reputation and I'd say Klopp's had a positive impact.

09 Apr 2017 14:59:55
As a manger He is limited and even he knows it. He might / might not win the league. Much will depend on how many more players he buy in the summer. Liverpool have been trying to buy the league ever since FSG took over. The difference being they paid money on championship players wouldn't win a tea cup let alone a PL title. Not sure what are the wonders he has worked with the squad. Adding Mane is not a wonder imo.

09 Apr 2017 15:17:30
"Neustädter, Ivanovich, Alex, Kirchoff, Skrtel"

Really? I think this says it all. Klavan isn't great but bliney he's better than these guys! We'll leave it there I think. Let posters make their mind up on who'd they rather have. Not even bothering to get into the kind of wages players like Ivanovich and Alex would want.

{Ed002's Note - The Liverpool fans put him down as pond life (as they do with most of the rest of the players).}

09 Apr 2017 15:20:27
Was a reference to them as to show that every club/ managers get transfers wrong. And yes Klavan and karius maybe not the best we could have got, but as a team we can't throw £30m at nearly every signing then repeat if he fails. So yes Klopp is far from perfect and will get it wrong at times but I feel he has done well and has been brilliant for the club. As I said before I appreciate all the time and knowledge you guys put into site.

09 Apr 2017 16:29:31
maxlfc,
You state that Klopp should have stuck with Karius. Then you say that, up to December, Klopp had set us up to win the league, playing football that had teams shaking in their boots.

I'm afraid the 2 comments don't add up. Yes, we were in a position to go for the league up to December, but then he brought Karius in, who almost single-handedly in the space of 4 games, took us out of that position to challenge for the title.

Furthermore, had he kept Karius in, we wouldn't now be biting our nails every week with the scramble for 4th place, as we would be sitting comfortably in mid table.

09 Apr 2017 16:31:53
So Klopp has been a failure because he didn't win a title with the team he inherited as he supposedly promised? How is that a failure? If he did make that promise then he's only guilty of taking the piss.

09 Apr 2017 18:47:47
Kloppometer, We were never in the running for the PL especially with the holes in our team yet to be filled, our small squad blighted by injuries. Anyone with some form of realism could see that. You were duped into believing that by the media and the pundits (especially the LFC-related ones) due to our fast start to the season as Klopp NEVER said anything like that. That is your fault, not Klopp's.

09 Apr 2017 18:54:14
"He's a limited manager and he knows it". How do you know that? Did he tell you or do you have inside information. He's so limited that the "Super Unlimited Managers" can't beat him regardless of where we play them, right? "Mane is no wonder". Wow, you are really scraping the bottom f the barrell to slate Klopp for bringing in a player who is arguably our best signing in years based on his immediate impact.

By the way, did your god Rafa win the PL in the six years here? Did BR win the PL in his three years here? If the answer is No then why are you judging Klopp over not winning the PL in his first full season? Give it a rest, men. You may not like Klopp but you are embarrassing yourself with your incohesive comments always slamming him even when we win. Desperate much?

10 Apr 2017 10:21:24
I don't know much about the others, but Skrtel, Ivanovic and Alex are better than Klavan? If they are, by how much? 0.5%?

09 Apr 2017 06:08:49
Oh Danny Boy. going to miss you next season my friend. It's going to be a case of you don't know what you got till its gone! That swag, that smile, that mesmeric movement, that instinctive poachers finishing, that acknowledgent to a higher authority when you score. And oh my oh my that dance when you score from improbable angles and dig us out of holes. On a personal level I hope you rediscover your predatory striker instincts and have a barnstorming finish to the season and give klopp a beautiful problem. You may not be the Daniel Sturbridge of old but you are one damn fine footballer still, so go and prove those naysayers wrong. I'm still a believer!

09 Apr 2017 14:50:44
He looked excellent yesterday. Only for the manager to give him more minutes. He is the best CF on his day. Excellent movement, Vision, Technique and what about his left foot. His clever run when Can chipped the ball gave Coutinho the space to trigger. One of the most underrated footballer at the club. He would be a grand stand success where ever he ends up.

09 Apr 2017 14:53:53
Still on the back of my replica shirt, but more importantly in my heart!

09 Apr 2017 14:57:53
As another Danny devotee I'm not convinced his story is finished with us. I doubt we'll get a sale this summer, no one will pay a price that we think is good value. A loan is more likely and if he can make a success of that then he comes back into the reckoning.

I think those who say he doesn't work in Klopp team don't know what they're talking about, when he's played we've got good results, even if he hasn't scored. Don't stop believing yet.

09 Apr 2017 16:32:44
For all the nonsense about Klopp having no plan B, our team is completely different with Origi/ Sturridge on the pitch than it is with Firmino up front.

Klopps system is not so one-dimensional that the only way for it to succeed is to have a striker who presses relentlessly. His Dortmund teams with Barrios, Aubameyang and Lewandowski etc were all successful. Sturridge still has a place here if he starts scoring goals.

09 Apr 2017 18:56:18
But to the usual suspects on here, he is a limited manager where as the Unlimited managers in the PL, can't beat him. Try figuring that out, MK.

08 Apr 2017 21:33:01
Ed 001 what's the latest with regards Henderson and lallanas injuries are they due back soon and is this on going heel problem a reason for major concern. We can't go threw a season with our captain missing half of it. Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - Lallana is expected back in a fortnight. Hendo still has no clear return date. The heel problem is a major concern but it can be managed in the long term, which is what Henderson is learning to do right now.}