Liverpool banter 7

11 Apr 2024 23:50:35
Remember when we lost to Barcelona 3-0? look what happened there. I know, wishful thinking and all that but it's a nice thought atleast. We've blown it I'm afraid, we're out of that competition in my opinion. I didn't get to watch much of it, thankfully!

12 Apr 2024 02:27:23
Oh Salah. Ye of little faith!
Never Give Up.

12 Apr 2024 03:10:59
Luckily I was only able to watch the first 20 mins. In that time it wasn't looking good. They looked big, sharp, physical, quick and very much up for it. I think we got our team selection wrong again. Needed to go for it w width pace and aggression. That for me was Slob, Robbo, Bradley, Salah. No pace across the front w Elliott and Gakpo. I have to say tho that the last couple of months the team was playing well and Gakpo was well off it. The last 3 games he's been one of our best players but unfortunately the team has not performed. Total flip flop. Nunez was guilty of two glaring misses tonight and when we win he's forgiven. The irony is our bad form has coincided w some players coming back ie salah and Szlobazai etc. Tonight was our best squad for months so i'm a little in shock.

I don't think it's over we are capable of going there and getting a couple of quick goals but long shot for sure. I think now we have to play our strongest 11 in the PL not the EL.

If we win the league all will be forgiven. Let's hope City and Arsenal are able to go through and maybe lose an eye on the PL for a couple of weeks.

12 Apr 2024 06:49:36
Against Barcelona we played the second leg at home and we could finish in those days. Also we were underdogs from the start whereas we were expected to beat Atalanta on quality.
Different story away from home and no decent finishers in the team.

Sorry, this is a longer shot than that long shot.

12 Apr 2024 07:21:50
I have to agree with both Salah and Ron here. To overcome a 3 goal deficit in the second leg where we are playing away from home is a huge ask and given how we have been performing lately, seems unlikely. Still hoping that we do though but it looks like we are going out of another competition this season.

{Ed025's Note - im not so sure Drac, get an early goal and things change mate..

12 Apr 2024 07:46:46
Jota is back. We have a better shot than previously. Klopp needs to get his selection on point and firing the moment the whistle blows.

12 Apr 2024 08:35:24
Seem to remember we played better when getting beat by Barcelona than whatever that was supposed to be last night.

12 Apr 2024 08:54:46
As long as we have 6 minutes on the clock, anything is possible for the Reds in Europe.

12 Apr 2024 08:55:50
I think that's the issue Ed. We have not looked like scoring for a while now, ever since the FA Cup tie with Utd. I know form can change very quickly in football but I can see Atalanta just shutting shop and not allowing us many goalscoring opportunities in the return leg.

12 Apr 2024 08:59:52
C’mon guys, every chance of bagging three in the return leg. Early goal, they get panicked and who knows. All this dismal talk that the season is over etc etc. We are still joint top of the league and can still win it. God help you all next season when we are in transition, if you think this is failing, enjoy the ride we might not be here again for a while.

12 Apr 2024 10:23:11
One of the differences between Barcelona (Apart from 2nd leg at home) - We played well at the Nou Camp and didn't deserve to go in to the 2nd left 3-0 down. We played really well in the first left.

Last night, we were lucky not to lose by 4 or 5.

11 Apr 2024 18:18:46
Scoring goals isn’t easy. The fact that Salah has done it so regularly and reliably has probably caused some of us to take that for granted. Even now when he’s at the declining part of his career he’s still going to end the season on 20+. To me that’s mind boggling. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be discussed as a world class player. If he was Brazilian, Argentinian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese or French every man and his dog would bang on about him without hesitation, personally I think there’s some unconscious bias among pundits like Ince when discussing Salah.

Facts are that Salah has scored 20+ every season and assisted around 10 every season: He’s done that consistently at the highest level. He’s scored in European Competitions and proven himself against the best regularly. He’s scored some absolute corkers in there against top opponents. He’s not a tap in merchant/ goal hanger. That goal against City where he put Silva on his bum went past another two city defenders before slotting it past Edison (who is a world class keeper) sums him up.

For me, and by any reasonable measure, a winger who scores 20 goals and creates another 10 in any top class competition every season consistently against top class opponents must be considered world class. He’s got end product to match his skills. We’ve been lucky to see one of the greatest to ever wear a red shirt, I hold him in the same regard as John Barnes. It’ll be a sad day when he leaves and replacing what he brings will not be easy.

11 Apr 2024 18:26:31
He is a world-class player.

11 Apr 2024 18:46:32
Salah at his peak was lightning, stretched defences, scored an obscene amount of goals, pressed like a demon and would have gone straight into the first 11 of any club team in the world.

Not to mention he has won all there is to win as the key goal scorer.

I don't know what Ince's definition is for world class. Perhaps he only considers the top three players in the world world class. But even then, at his peak, Salah was close to this.

To be fair, Ince was a man who went around getting people to call him the guvn'r. His opinion would have very little weight with me.

I think the vast majority would admit that Salah at least during his peak years was world class.

He is still a great player too of course.

11 Apr 2024 18:46:45
Of course he's world-class.

11 Apr 2024 20:37:31
At Davey hope all's well. I am certain I saw an interview where the governor thing came up. Wasn't it just a joke to start with then took off from there?
I don't think it was intended to be like some people see how it looks nowadays.

{Ed001's Note - Ince was and still is an arrogant prick. There was no joke in the nickname, he genuinely believed it.}

12 Apr 2024 03:04:57
Take away Salah's pens and he has 17 goals this season. Not bad by any stretch but he is certainly on the decline from a very high peak. Can he still do a job, absolutely. Is he the player he was, no. If the Saudi's want to play top dollar for a 33 year old player (at the end of the season), a player who incorporated speed as one of his strengths, then we should be extremely grateful for his time and wish him luck away from the club.

Was he/ is he world class is irrelevant. Should we part ways is the question. For me the timing is right.

12 Apr 2024 08:48:50
6 times - the goal you reference was nearly 3 years ago, people are saying he isn't playing well now, as in right now, because he isn't. Contrary to what you say he is getting slot of tap in goals. When was the last time he scored a volley like the one against Stoke, an outside the area curler like the one against Roma or a thunderbolt like the one v Chelsea? Exactly.

No-one is saying he isn't quality because he is. No-one is saying he doesn't have the capability to pull something incredible out the bag, because he can, but that doesn't mean he is above criticism for playing rubbish for 85 minutes of a game, just like Haaland isn't. I genuinely don't think we are going to miss him as much as people make out. It was a catastrophy every time a talisman leaves, retires or is sold. Suarez, Coutinho, Gerrard, Torres, Fowler, Owen, Macca and guess what? Every time we have been just fine and so we will be again when Salah leaves in the summer.

12 Apr 2024 14:27:55
Why anyone is even giving Ince the time of day is what I really want to know.

11 Apr 2024 16:49:30
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Alexander Isak

11 Apr 2024 17:04:56
Nice one, Ed. Osaka is a baller who can play out wide on the left as well and has the ability to score near any type of goal. Like you said, he’s going to want to go play in a trophy hunting team at some point and Newcastle ain’t it.

11 Apr 2024 18:27:30
good one ED, would he have been a better buy than Nunez, while Darwin is a fan fave, he has taken soo long to settle, learn our lingo, ha part scouse, and finally start getting goals and assists, but not enough for me,
think Isak is more of a natural striker, so would we go for him .

{Ed001's Note - no.}

11 Apr 2024 19:59:13
You having a laugh? Isak over Darwin? Not for me.

11 Apr 2024 21:17:05
Have to, say I would take Isak over Nunez.

11 Apr 2024 22:54:14
I wouldn't touch Isak and don't see the allure he has to some on here. I understand it feels like we need upgrades to take advantage of the chances we make but he's not it. I just don't see him contributing to the team other than scoring which doesn't suit us at all. Much better options for us, and Isak is at his level for me.

12 Apr 2024 14:28:25
Darwin all day long.

11 Apr 2024 14:19:58
Hearing the fall back option if the main manager targets don't go well is, Steve Bruce as manager with a backroom staff of Jimmy Bullard and Robby Savage.

11 Apr 2024 14:49:45
I’d be happy with that, add Joey Barton as the new diversity manager and we’ll win the lot!

11 Apr 2024 16:04:41
Still better than Bull Boys Southgate.

11 Apr 2024 17:06:45
With Dim Sherwood and Jason Tindle as first team coaches and we’re off to a flyer.

11 Apr 2024 18:01:09
Matt LeTissier as head of sports science and Neil Ruddock head of fitness and conditioning, we’ll go far.

11 Apr 2024 18:49:06
I'm really hoping Paul Merson gets the job myself.

I wonder how he figures on Liverpool's data analysis.

11 Apr 2024 10:09:19
I'd like to see vvd rested 2nite, played a lot of football recently and I can't see where else in run in we would rest him. definitely need him for all 7 league games and I would think for away games in Europe if we make semi final.

11 Apr 2024 11:39:07
I'd be looking to give Virgil, Macca and Lucho a break today if possible.

11 Apr 2024 11:59:37
Cant rest core players away in Europe when it's are best chance at another cup get the win and try rest them elsewhere.

11 Apr 2024 13:03:32
I think the time for resting key players has gone for this season. Max of 12 matches left this season, every single one of which is either a cup tie or a must win league match.

If we find ourselves in commanding positions with 30 minutes left in a match, there will hopefully be opportunities to reduce the workload for some players, or if we go into the second leg against Atlanta with a large lead from the first leg.

Looking at it now, I wouldn't want to go into any of our remaining matches with van Dijk not starting.

11 Apr 2024 13:39:21
Fair point mate.

Thing is we can’t afford to slip up in the Europe. Maybe do the thing Klopp did before. First half VVD plays. Then second half Konate plays?

11 Apr 2024 14:29:09
Looks like Salah and Diaz getting a rest tonight, if rumours are to be true.

11 Apr 2024 14:52:19
I’d go all out for this trophy now. We took off players in the FA Cup and got Knocked Out.
The league looks a stretch after failing to beat City and United. This is our best shot as it stands.

11 Apr 2024 16:05:23
This is the only tournament Klopp hasn’t won.

I want this one.

11 Apr 2024 16:19:29
I would prefer to try and get the job done tonight and them rest them in the second leg if opportunity allows, as that's the start of the run of 4 away games in a row.

If we can leave some at home, I'd prefer that.

11 Apr 2024 16:31:20
I’d imagine Klopp is going to go as strong as possible as he can now until the end of the season. He has minimum 9 and maximum 12 games left with this squad.

Saying that I expect some rotation tonight and minutes off the bench if possible for the lads returning from injury but I imagine it will be a starting 11 of the nucleus of players that Klopp would use if needed in big games.

Taimikas is an example of a squad player that is outside of that nucleus at the moment and might explain why he is getting no minutes.

11 Apr 2024 16:45:00
We are at home danny.

11 Apr 2024 17:08:58
With you on that, RR. That ship may have sailed. Besides, VVD has sat out majority of the EL games this season to keep him fresh for the time of the season when you want to go for the comps. you’re still in. Klopp may go big and try to win the tie from the off.

11 Apr 2024 18:31:55
think we have to go all out for this match, we usually win at home and its vital that we take a good lead over for the 2nd leg .
out of the FA Cup, lost the advantage that we had in the league, yes we blinked first, so let's go big time and that Final is in Dublin .

11 Apr 2024 18:54:17
And that shows how much I know.

11 Apr 2024 21:56:53
Lucky the second leg is at Anfield.

11 Apr 2024 08:12:48
Question for ed001. Firstly hope you and yours are all good. What player/ players do you think we need this summer to improve the first eleven? Personally I think quality centre half and someone who can put the chances we create away although both are a tough challenge to find and expensive
Up the pool.

{Ed001's Note - I think we need a left-footed centre-back to give a bit of balance at the back, either to allow us to play a back 3 or to be the long term replacement for Virgil. If we are going to switch to a back 3, that would probably be the priority.

Then it depends on how we are going to play. If it is Amorim's current 3-4-3 I am not sure we need much, as Jota/Darwin provide the centre-forward role, but that would be if Danns is going to develop into the first team as Jota's fitness cannot be relied upon. On the right, it is a much narrower role and more creative, so Salah/Szoboszlai/Elliott has that covered. However, if we are continuing to play with no width from full-backs and need our wide forwards to actually play wide, then we need to replace Salah with 2 actual wingers for there.

So other than a left-sided centre-back I think it really comes down to style of play and buying players to fit it and replace players the new man in charge doesn't fancy.}

11 Apr 2024 09:22:49
Ed1. What would you do with Fabio Carvalho? I don’t watch the Championship but catching up on Hull highlights I see he has been scoring a lot. But those are just 3 minute highlights. I don’t know how his general play has been.

{Ed001's Note - I haven't watched more than highlights either, I have read comments from those he has played against though, just to see if they raved about him or not. The general consensus seems to be that he is a bit lazy and doesn't get involved enough but when he does he is excellent. I have no idea how true that is though.

Personally I would probably move him on, I just don't see where he fits into this team and we need to make space in the squad and lower the wage bill for the PSR. Then we can use any space to just buy only top class players. If they aren't top class, then we should not bring them in and use the youth academy instead.}

11 Apr 2024 09:34:28
Ed001, do you think Carvalho might have a chance if Amorim comes in? I know he made some silly comments about Klopp whilst he was away at Leipzig but there is maybe a chance for a fresh start now. I always felt he wasn't quite right for Klopp's version of a 4-3-3 as he wasn't quite suited to being a winger or a wide midfielder, and was a bit physically weak at a young age to play as a 9 or a false 9.

However with Amorim favouring two no.10 style players just off the striker, on paper that could suit him in my opinion. He's having a good end to the season with Hull City for sure. Just not sure how much damage he's done his reputation amongst coaching staff and team mates. Or if what he said was potentially blown out of proportion even.

{Ed001's Note - I am sure that whoever replaces Klopp will want to look at footage of him and if he has done enough, they will give him a chance in pre-season to show what he has. Then it will be up to the lad. Usually a new manager will want to give everyone a clean slate and start afresh.

Personally I am just not convinced he has the fight in him, that was why RBL were not impressed. He didn't work hard enough for their liking.}

11 Apr 2024 09:52:44
Ed1. Shame really because there is talent in there somewhere. But like you said it’s probably best to move him on, especially if it’s true that he is lazy.

{Ed001's Note - it is a shame, the one thing they really need though is to work hard.}

11 Apr 2024 10:31:44
And working hard should be the easiest! Especially when you have bundles of talent.
Less talent players that made it are always those that work super hard. They may never be as good be it in footballing brain or technical ability, but you know for sure they always give their best.
Really p. es me off when great talents don’t work hard and it eventually goes to waste, unfortunately this phenomenon will probably never go away. Just within Liverpool we’ve seen Le Tallec, Jack Robinson, and now FB et al, all training and playing with the first team since teenagers but non ever hitting the heights their talents promised, and the common theme is always - they didn’t work hard enough.

11 Apr 2024 11:14:51
My shopping list would be

Jonathan Tah
Jeremie Frimpong
Gonçalo Inácio
Cole Palmer.

11 Apr 2024 12:21:10
Thanks for the reply ed001 who would you take as a left sided centre back then mate?
Up the pool.

{Ed001's Note - in an ideal world, Bastoni. But it is more likely to be someone like Hincapie, Inacio or Lukeba. Murillo might be a decent option as well.}

11 Apr 2024 12:51:40
Bastoni is a sick player. He’s been the best defender in Serie A for about 3 seasons now. He is exactly who we should be going after.

11 Apr 2024 14:11:13
Murillo looks very good Ed.

{Ed001's Note - I doubt he would be good value though, which is why he was last on the list. I agree though, looks very good. Pacey, good on the ball and good defensively one on one. Not the best in the air though.}

11 Apr 2024 15:23:19
Edd001 I definitely see amorim playing 3 at the back. I can't see where trent fits in unless he gets a chance in midfield and majorly impresses. Macallister is undroppable if these performances are consistent next season so it's a fight out for a DM role. Bradley would be fantastic for the attacking wingback role.

{Ed001's Note - you and your anti-Trent agenda. It is tedious because Trent has been the best right wing-back around for the last few years, so why on earth would Amorim not want him in a system with even less defensive responsibility? Bradley doesn't have the quality of cross that Trent has.}

11 Apr 2024 16:36:31
I watched the Barcelona game last night, the young lad at CB looked good and played beyond his years, think he was only 17!

{Ed002's Note - No interest from Liverpool but there is from elsewhere.}

11 Apr 2024 16:41:57
Genuine question I’ve seen people say that Diaz wouldn’t suit an Amorim front 3. But Diaz plays in a Klopp front 3 already.

What’s the difference in the 2 front 3’s please?

11 Apr 2024 16:47:59
I’ve said this before Mizer will have a dig at Trent any given opportunity 🤷‍♂️.

11 Apr 2024 17:11:35
Exciting times indeed, Ed.

11 Apr 2024 17:19:59
Cole Palmer will never play for Liverpool.

10 Apr 2024 21:02:39
I predict the next manager will build a team around Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder. So signing a DM to compliment Macca and Trent will be a big priority signing this summer. As well as replacing Salah and maybe looking at Robinson of Fulham to challenge for a left back spot.

10 Apr 2024 21:19:41
So just bin off Endo.

10 Apr 2024 21:47:19
Dont think Amorim plays 3 in centre mid tho.

10 Apr 2024 22:15:56
Let’s hope the new manager isn’t Southgate as we know what he thinks of Trent. Hendo will be brought back In and the team will be built around Maguire.

With Southgate in charge the “I predict a riot”.

10 Apr 2024 23:19:50
Heard that the new manager wants LFC to bring in the DM from Porto, he is class, but do we need him .

10 Apr 2024 23:39:52
Baj is, back training.

11 Apr 2024 07:04:36
More "scout spout".

11 Apr 2024 08:40:37
Baj is far from breaking back into the first team he’s played barley a handful of games two whole seasons, at this stage he cannot be relied on.

11 Apr 2024 09:18:20
@ Jaydee, when Baj did play he was one of our better players. He made some of his teammates look like amateurs.

11 Apr 2024 09:22:58
The last thing we need is a new DM. That's Endos spot, he gets injured or is out, give it to Trent, rotate Baj in when fit, he deserves his chance.

11 Apr 2024 10:18:51
Jaydee, Baj has been out for this entire season so of course he has not played. When he was fit last season, he was playing in CM regularly. So, I don't think he is "far from breaking into the first team". In fact, I would say he is already a part of it as he is always included when Klopp provides updates on the availability of the first team as a whole.

11 Apr 2024 16:12:58
Trent isn't a defensive midfielder, in my opinion. Right wing back would suit him. Not sure where that leaves Bradley though.

11 Apr 2024 17:41:42
Baj is a class act, just needs to stay fit and he’s a regular, Trent needs to play somewhere his passing range and crossing is top notch and we’ve missed him big time, we romp United with him fit. If he’s to play in midfield taking Thiago spot…. we have an overspill of midfielders…. would we be open to selling 1 to create extra funds.

{Ed025's Note - but who gets dropped for Trent Magico?, Macca is a shoe in, Endo is the only fit DM....so are you saying Slob gets the chop mate?..

11 Apr 2024 17:44:32
Just what we need, another midfielder. We have Mac, Szob, Endo, Grav, Jones, Elliot, Bajectic, potentially Trent if the OG is correct (which I don't believe) and a new chap from Porto? All for two CM positions as Amorim only plays 2 CM's if he does come in.
As Jude says who's leaving?

11 Apr 2024 18:39:35
so many games over the season, people are only thinking of a first eleven, Baj is very young, in time I think that he will be an important player for us,
Ha Trent also Mizer .

11 Apr 2024 18:42:42
two players at least, we have so many injuries, we need good cover, I am thinking Goncalo Inacio at left centre back, plus Alan Varela at DM, plus a forward, one of Diaz or Salah could move in the summer .