Liverpool Banter

23 Apr 2024 10:24:00
It feels a bit like there are no really obvious candidates for a new manager. Not just from a Liverpool perspective, but if any other big club was looking for a new manager.

Even Alonso - despite his sensational season in Germany - is very early in his managerial career with limited experience.

Big names of a few years ago like Pochettino and Tuchel seem to have suffered damage to their reputations. Mourinho is yesterday's man. The wave of English players ending their playing careers and moving into management has slowed down (and none of them have had success) .

I know it's very data and analytics driven these days and that's different to the traditional approach of getting the biggest name with the best track record but there just doesn't seem to be so many all-time-great/ legend type of managers out there anymore. Maybe Ancelloti is the last of that generation still standing.

Zidane is out there. His track record is incredible because of those consecutive European Cup wins but I feel like it's hard to really judge him.

Klopp and Guardiola are the big silver-back gorillas of the last decade. Obviously neither is an option.

Who else is out there? I still rate Tuchel actually. There was a time when I saw him as a possible Klopp successor.

23 Apr 2024 10:59:56
Zidane only had success because he had the best squad and the most money. His teams played like a BTEC Simeone team, and if that’s the way we want to go, we might as well get Simeone as at least he can speak English and isn’t a personality vacuum, unlike Zidane.

As for Tuchel, he’s a serial failure, has failed in every job he’s ever had. Somehow manages to upset his players, tactically negative and one dimensional and he simply isn’t good enough or charismatic enough for the job. He’d be sacked in 18 months and be as popular as Hodgson.

I’m not hopeful that we’re going to employ anyone remotely competent given that names like Fonseca and Kovac are seriously in contention for the job.

23 Apr 2024 11:06:16
The more I think about it, the more I appreciate Emery as an outstanding manager. I very much doubt he'll leave villa this season, but his record of success is underappreciated I think.

I like look of Amorim, Slot, Will Still, the Porto guy who's name I can't spell, Terzic, Rose, Farioli and Hoenes as young, up and coming managers.

And Ten Hag.

{Ed001's Note - Emery is brilliant with no pressure, the minute there is pressure on him, then his teams' struggle. Perfect for a team like Villa, for now at least, but not ideal for a team which expects to challenge for trophies.}

23 Apr 2024 07:55:31
Ed001, with a new manager coming in, it could be an interesting summer regarding transfers. What positions would you strengthen and who would you move on?

My outgoings:
Matip - contract expired
Thiago - contract expired
Gravenberch - I know he’s only been here since the summer but he’s simply not good enough or doesn’t try hard enough.
Salah - I think now is the perfect time to move him on.
Diaz - sick to death of his fathers comments about him and his son dreaming of Barcelona or Madrid. Diaz has very fast feet but his end product is very inconsistent.
Tsimikas - I just don’t think he’s good enough.

Incomings:
CB - with matip leaving and Konate’s fitness issues, I think we definitely need a CB
Attacker - with salah almost certainly leaving and maybe Diaz, a versatile attacker who can play across the front 3 will be needed.
LB - Robertson isn’t getting any younger and Tsimikas isn’t good enough. Not sure if any of the kids such as Beck are ready to step up but if not, I think we definitely need another LB.

{Ed001's Note - Matip and Thiago have to go, can't stay fit so it would be crazy to give them a new deal.
I would take a good offer for Salah, but I wouldn't be pushing him out of the door.
Diaz, on the other hand, I too am sick to death of his dad's statements. I am more fed up of his lack of end product, people moan about Nunez, but Diaz is far worse for messing up opportunities.
Tsimikas I would probably keep because my worry is Robbo is ageing and I would want him to cover so Beck can get a run, then assess the left-back again next summer. I do believe Beck is the answer in that position though.
The other one who I would be considering selling is Jones. I like him a lot, on his game he is excellent, but he is always injured, so I would want to look at that and see what is the cause and maybe have to move him on.

Priority for me is a left-sided centre-back. Rotation option for Virgil and long-term replacement.
After that it would come down to who is available for the right price. I think Danns has the ability to push on and be an option in the centre forward position, so not sure we need one of those. Right-side though, that I do think we need to look for. We have options there, but no one has nailed down the place as an alternative to Salah.}

23 Apr 2024 08:44:53
Interesting read that, ed001.

And who would you bring in? Including manager?

Keen to hear your opinion.

{Ed001's Note - manager I have no idea. There was only Alonso out there.

As for the defender, the ideal choice would be Bastoni but other than that it really depends on how the new man wants to play. I would probably look at Pavlovic though to be honest.

Kubo is the obvious choice on the right side of the attack, as he offers flexibility as well being able to play all over the front line.}

23 Apr 2024 09:08:43
Thanks for the reply Ed001, I do agree aswell regarding Jones. He finally looked like he was nailing down his place in midfield earlier in the season but yet another injury has completely derailed his season and he has come back very rusty, back in his old habit of taking far too long on the ball and getting caught.

{Ed001's Note - it is a shame, I really want him to succeed but he has to stay fit.}

23 Apr 2024 09:42:47
Ed, what are your thoughts on Thomas Frank?
My assessment of him is quite shallow but he’s done well wherever he’s gone and has plenty of wins to his name against top level opposition.
What would be the drawbacks here? If it’s not Alonso or Inzaghi, I’m picking Frank over every other name mentioned.

{Ed001's Note - he gets results by shithousery. His football is horrible and he has the team diving, playacting, niggly fouls, timewasting, that's his methodology. Not for me would I even consider him. That is not a tactical plan that can step up to top level as the players want to play football. He would be down with Allardyce for me.}

23 Apr 2024 10:21:13
Tell you what Ed1, I can see your love for frank, it's shining through mate, almost like rons love for Nunez. Haha thanks for writing this mate, I don't have the time to read right now but will later on today.

{Ed001's Note - I actually quite like Frank, he seems a nice guy, but I wouldn't want to watch his football every week.}

23 Apr 2024 10:25:51
Would love Eze for us.
Interesting times manager wise.

Looks like it’s going to be a Brendan Rodgers’s type of appointment unless someone with experience comes out of nowhere.

23 Apr 2024 10:36:47
Kubo or Eze are great shouts.

23 Apr 2024 10:38:04
What happen to Bakayoko Ed1? I remember how highly rated he is last season. But this season, it seems like his stock has fallen.

{Ed001's Note - I guess you mean Johan? There are a lot of Bakayokos! He is just 20, they go through peaks and troughs usually at that age.}

23 Apr 2024 11:20:09
Ed1. I also don’t get why Diaz’s dad is talking. And when I say talking, I mean constantly talking. He is not even an agent in any capacity. If I was in Diaz’s shoes, I would be telling my father to zip it as it’s embarrassing all around.

On the managerial front, I have 3 questions:

1. As far as you’re aware is Amorim, who was just behind Alonso as my 2nd choice, now completely off?
2. Richard Hughes is apparently a big fan of De Zerbi. Do you now see him being appointed?
3. I have long resigned to the fact Alonso is not coming after his announcement. Do you think he could do a U turn or has that ship completely sailed.

I have a feeling we are going to appoint De Zerbi, who I’ll be honest is not my favoured choice at all. Not for the way his team plays, because his brand of football prior to this season was breath taking and quite possibly the best in Europe. But more so for his very combative personality, which could go one of two ways.

{Ed002's Note - 1. He cannot be completely ruled out. Ruben Amorim (C) Manchester United may still offer an option - another option will be Liverpool, but he knows he was not first choice - but I think they will still try for him with Alonso not interested and I think he would be a good choice and a good fit, but persuading him to leave Sporting may be difficult. I understand that there was no clear understanding between the club and his agent regarding the scope of his responsibilities and Liverpool will need to be flexible – critically over the squad – another with an issue that targets are still Fallows, Hunter and Klopp derived and a whole new structure being put in place. Do not rule out Barcelona but Deco has a preferred option whilst the board want to persuade Xavi to stay or to move quicky for Amorim. If needs force the situation and given the likely link between the club and Sporting, Chelsea may start pushing having spoken with Amorim before. West Ham spoke with his agent and Sporting to allow them to talk directly to Amorim, but it would seem an unlikely move for me and probably not one he would be keen on but they will offer him control over targets and will offer him much more than Moyes gets in salary. They have a project to sell but, for me, will likely need to revert to the other potential replacements for Moyes that they have identified. Newcastle may offer a wildcard option and will pay the termination clause and the cost of terminating his staff but they again will not be an attractive option. Bayern Munich may also see Amorin as an option as they too struggle but he is not currently top-of-the-list for them as they are likely to revise their approach now.
2. Roberto de Zerbi (C) Brighton would fight to keep him but another who will certainly be discussed by Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United with Jim Ratcliffe having a very serious interest in him. A minor issue exists in the €15M cost of Brighton releasing him. Additionally, there are termination clauses for all of his staff. Deco has de Zerbi as his preferred option for Barcelona which he has shared with Yuste and Laporte but it will not be Deco's decision and they can perhaps be excluded. Not top of Chelsea's list, but on the list. Likely first choice for Bayern Munich now but if they cannot sign him they have a Plan B. An interesting option might be Manchester City when the job becomes available. He has said he is not interested in the Liverpool job but they could look to trying to persuade him to make the move as they struggle to bring in preferred options. Brighton are actively looking for a replacement and fear he will depart.
3. Xabi Alonso (C) A popular choice for clubs and having a great season at Bayer Leverkusen, but very inexperienced, although there will be interest in him from Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United, I would discount all but Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Has made no secret of a desire to follow Ancelotti at Real Madrid - but that won't be until 2026 so they can be discounted at this time although he has the support of Carlo Ancelotti. Manchester City may provide an option in 2025 and don’t rule out a move. Klopp has endorsed both Alonso and Nagelsmann for the Liverpool job – but neither is available this summer. Bayern Munich offered a serious option but again they are having to look to other options inkling a Plan B that will see an interim Head Coach for a year. Having won the league this season it would likely make it very difficult for him to leave Leverkusen and there would be significant pressure to stay. His agent Inaki Ibanez has said that multiple clubs are enquiring and that clubs need to work with Bayer Leverkusen, who Liverpool have approached to ask permission to speak directly with Alonso but he will stay for now looking at a future role in Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti departs in 2026.}

22 Apr 2024 21:43:41
ED01 - how important do you think the name is, of who we appoint next? Klopp had that special aura about him and was a known quantity. How much do players join because of the club itself or due to who the manager is? I'm sure we could give a less known manager like Arne Slot a chance and we'd still be able to attract top players. Although, I genuinely believe we have the players to do well after Klopp has gone.

{Ed001's Note - the name is irrelevant, I know some players joined because of Klopp, but that was because he sold the club to them, not because of his name. Those same players would not have joined Klopp at say Forest or West Ham.}

23 Apr 2024 06:54:49
It reinforces the original post then, Klopp has a bigger pull than any other the other candidates. We’re finished.

{Ed025's Note - its the end of the world as we know it.. :)

23 Apr 2024 07:39:02
FSG hit a jackpot with klopp and that won't be the case again. Edwards and Hughes are scrapping the barrel at the moment. The Name is relevant to me becasue Hodgson and Rodgers got jack arsenal while they were here.

23 Apr 2024 08:02:11
If the name is Southgate then it’s important. But in a worrying way.

{Ed025's Note - personally i think he would be a great choice JK.. :)

23 Apr 2024 08:48:16
"We're doomed. doomed I tells ye".
Before we know it Everton will be in a better position on and off the pitch, eh?

22 Apr 2024 18:25:37
In defence of Nunez, the team have been taking one too many touches of the ball. Nunez is on his way and is caught offside because one pass or one touch too many has put him in the position of being offside. We do not play the lad correctly, we do not use his pace to his advantage.

22 Apr 2024 18:52:59
Remember the roy Keane quote about haalands all round game being that of a league 2 players? It's like Nunez is the opposite.

He's strong, fast, can dribble well and has bags of strength and stamina but his shooting and general play in the final third is worse than league 2 standard.

You should at least be hitting the target or making a pass as a principal and I don't think mentally you can teach composure you either have it or you don't.

Not knocking the guy he works tremendously hard and is a loveable bloke but if we want to be winning premier leagues and big cups he can't be relied on.

22 Apr 2024 19:30:20
Three paragraphs criticizing Nunez then saying not knocking the guy, brilliant 😂.

22 Apr 2024 19:19:41
I like Nunez but he’s more bullet proof than a Kevlar vest.

Yes not every time he’s offside might not be his fault but he has to take some accountability as well.

Yesterday one of his offsides was from Sakah’s first time touch pass so you can’t get any quicker ball release than that.

The other forwards manage to time their runs regardless of how quick we’re playing it.

Nunez has been offside 41 times this season with the next highest being Salah at 18 and Diaz at 17.

22 Apr 2024 19:43:00
Salah not Sakah. Bloody phone.

22 Apr 2024 20:16:03
I think you’ll find JK that Nunez had made the run to take the pass before the ball went to Salah. The fact that the ball went via Salah and not directly through to Nunez meant he’d run offside.

I think in general we’ve started to take too many touches as if no one wants to take risks with the ball. It normally means that everything closes up in front of the player with the ball and he has to go sideways or backwards to keep possession.

If we started popping it around at pace then Nunez wouldn’t be offside half as much. He’ll always get caught offside occasionally because he likes to run in behind but we need to be much quicker in all aspects of our play to get the best out of him.

22 Apr 2024 20:38:51
Well I’m glad that’s been cleared up. 41 times it’s been the passers fault.

I’m probably going to stop going to live matches now and wait to be told with “I think you’ll find” on here to bring me fully up to speed.

22 Apr 2024 20:44:52
Sometimes it might be too many passes. Sometimes it's because his timing is off. Sometimes it's because he's looking right across the line but still runs offside despite being faster than 99% of defenders. I remember people saying he was very raw when he came. He's still v raw now unfortunately. Its frustrating because when he came on against Newcastle and scored those 2 clinical goals I thought yes here we go. But it hasn't really happened unfortunately. I love his enthusiasm, his fight and how unpredictable he is but he needs to score more for the amount of good chances he gets it's as simple as that.

22 Apr 2024 20:45:38
I agree, our all round play is slow, way too slow. Too much sideways and backwards, it’s painful to watch sometimes and so boring.

It is something that has been going on all season but we are now at the business end of the season and don’t seem to be able to shift up two gears when needed.

Luckily Fulham were on their holidays yesterday. Everton will be a cauldron and I hope we’re ready.

22 Apr 2024 21:44:01
All great forwards go through periods of gobbling up lots of chances. Difference with Nunez is it is not the exception, but the rule. Even when the likes of Haaland, Salah, or prime Mane have missed chances, you can usually see what they were trying to do. Nunez doesn't have a clue.

You can argue that this doesn't matter due to the net benefit he brings to the team, but we are starting to see there is only so far you can persist with that type of player. For all that he brings to our play, his incompetence in front of goal is mentally damaging to our own players and lifts the oppositions. It has now become 'a thing'. Nunez begins to miss one or two sitters and everybody's heads go, players and fans alike.

I don't think that is something that everyone else needs to change, it is on him to stop burning everybody's heads out. I feel that he gives encouragement to the opposition and has become detrimental to the confidence and momentum of our team. He makes it almost impossible to control football matches and I think the very least that he needs is a spell coming off the bench. In the longer term, I am not sure he can be relied upon to lead the line for a top side.

Almost two years here and he hasn't had one single commanding, dominant performance where everything goes well for him. Just splitters and false starts, a late goal here, an assist there. For as much as he puts himself about, I just don't feel it is enough.

22 Apr 2024 22:00:28
Hit a nerve JK?

I think you’ll find that I did say he will get caught offside anyway because he likes to run in behind. Any player that plays on the shoulder of the last defender is bound to be caught offside more than a player who comes deep. It’s logical.

We do pass the ball slowly, anyone with any sense can see that. That doesn’t mean and nor did I suggest that it’s the passers fault every time.

Why can’t it just be a bit of both rather than just hammering the lad every time he gets caught offside? In the instance you mentioned there was a straight pass on to Nunez so he makes the run but the ball is played to Salah first who then plays it first time but by this time he’s run offside. I was just correcting your obvious misjudgement of the situation.

He’s not perfect by any stretch but there are way too many fans these days that choose to focus on any negative aspect of a player rather than looking at his positive attributes. It’s the world we live in unfortunately.

22 Apr 2024 22:48:09
Not at all.

I’ve hardly hammered him. I regularly praise the lad as well as the rest of the players.

You always seem to be correcting people on here.

“I was just correcting your obvious misjudgement of the situation” I doubt you could get any more condescending if you tried.

23 Apr 2024 00:33:26
Just being honest about his game but the Nunez fan club seems any criticism of his game a vendetta. Nunez is fine if we want to compete with spurs and co for top four to win the league we need better.

23 Apr 2024 03:19:58
I think if we are being honest with ourselves then we can admit that Nunez is a very good player, but he isn’t a world class player and will likely never be. He isn’t composed enough, nor deadly enough, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be an effective player for us - simply means we need to play a system and players that spreads the goals around (which we do to be fair) .

23 Apr 2024 08:31:50
Amorin, no one is saying Nunez is above criticism but you're comparing your analysis of him to Keane's daft analysis of Haaland 😂.
Keane gets very emotional sometimes. That is part of his appeal but it also means he comes out with stuff like he did about Haaland and like he did about de Gea and Maguire when United got beat against Spurs, I think.