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17 Oct 2021 23:15:01
I'm constantly impressed by Declan Rice, and think he will be a top top player. Are Liverpool or any others showing serious interest in him? I know we have Fabinho but I imagine he could play higher up the pitch if necessary.
{Ed002's Note - Manchester United are keen.}
1.) 18 Oct 2021 07:45:02
Why would he take a step down to go to Man U?
2.) 18 Oct 2021 09:29:43
He’ll end up at United or Chelsea, West Ham want £100m for him so he’s not in our price range.
3.) 18 Oct 2021 10:25:20
Who is better Rice or Phillips?
4.) 18 Oct 2021 11:42:36
Phillips better passer. Rice better engine and all round I reckon.
5.) 18 Oct 2021 12:15:53
Really don't get the hype with Rice. £30m player with an inflated fee IMO.
6.) 18 Oct 2021 12:45:31
Not for me. Massively hyped up by the media imo. Not sure what he brings tbh.
7.) 18 Oct 2021 13:10:27
Rice is on a completely different level than Phillips. Phillips is a fine player, but Rice is one of the best talents in England right now.
8.) 18 Oct 2021 14:34:02
Mftonjes can you explain why you think he's one of the best talents? I couldn't disagree more but I respect your opinion 👌.
9.) 18 Oct 2021 15:11:34
I personally think Phillips is too slow and not defensively strong enough, whereas Rice is better defensively, he’s also not particularly quick and is as mobile as the QE2 and I don’t think he’s as clever a defensive player as either Fabinho or Rodri.
Either way he’ll be United’s big summer signing next year and Ole’s final piece of the jigsaw #1426 and counting.
{Ed0666's Note - Are we comparing Nat Philips to Declan Rice? They play completely different positions
10.) 18 Oct 2021 15:14:09
I am impressed with Rice too.
He keeps, carries and distributes the ball excellently.
Better than Gini for sure.
Not the same kind of player as Fab.
Probably more of a Henderson replacement.
The thing is, I have been looking at midfielders in every team and see which can improve Liverpool. Ty
Despite the constant criticism of Liverpool midfield, there aren't that many better I would take.
If you consider KDB, for sure he will improve the team.
Otherwise, I think Rice will do a job (far better than Phillips) .
And we truly miss Gerrard.
If the current team has a Gerrard, we will indisputably the best team in the world.
{Ed0666's Note - Rice is a superb player goes about his work in an efficient and effective manner and would certainly be a worthy successor to Hendo. The midfield player I would take is Ndombele if Bissouma has been a naughty boy. That fella is mercurial. Lord knows what position he plays because he’s everywhere.
11.) 18 Oct 2021 17:10:32
Ndombele or bissouma Ed?
{Ed0666's Note - I think Ndombele would be perfect for us with the personnel we have
12.) 18 Oct 2021 19:25:44
Tielemans without doubt he is different from what we have.
{Ed0666's Note - inconsistent tho no?
13.) 18 Oct 2021 22:11:24
I meant Phillips at Leeds United Ed.
{Ed0666's Note - thanks for cleaning that up mate. I was beginning to think I’d lost all my faculties. For sure Rice over Philips for me. Rice is a Hendo in the making
14.) 18 Oct 2021 22:24:50
Can’t compete with Newcastle. Am sure they’ll want him.
15.) 19 Oct 2021 09:39:59
I agree I think Rice would be a great Hendo successor, it’s a pity he is likely too expensive for us.
16.) 19 Oct 2021 12:28:35
Rice miles better than Gini. I know there are Gini haters on here but get a grip. Rice is slow. Often poorly positioned. Average passer. He’s a slightly better Dier IMO and massively overhyped by the press (for a change) .
17.) 19 Oct 2021 13:07:09
But Ed Ndombele has baggage, too. He seems to have a real attitude problem that's causing issues at Spurs.
18.) 19 Oct 2021 13:11:30
Gandalf, I just love the player. First, he's highly skilled and intelligent. There's something instinctual to the way he plays, especially for a guy who is often in the defensive half. To that point, he's plays difficult positions, ones that often takes a lot of experience to master, and he's doing it really well as a very young player. Also the age is relevant too, because he's playing for a club that isn't well known for development, and he continues to improve each season and likely in a trial by fire situation. I don't watch him regularly, rather a handful of times a season, and every time I've watched him I've thought he's been better than the last time I watched him. There are few players that stand out to me like this.
No player is a perfect player, but it really feels like there is a student of the craft in him and given his base skillset, he has a ton to work with. I see him being one of the best (potentially the best) English midfielders of the next decade. There's a reason why United and supposedly City are both wanting him badly.
{Ed002's Note - I would not hold your breath for Rice.}
19.) 19 Oct 2021 13:24:33
Ed002 - Ha, I agree. I don't believe there is a fit between him and Liverpool at all, I was just telling Gandalf why I like the player. He's already too high priced for Liverpool.
20.) 19 Oct 2021 20:47:03
for me Ndombele looks great in spells then you don't know his on the pitch a lot of the time for spurs. But when he does put a spell in his great on the ball I don't think the prem suits him. A better version of Naby but not a player for a full season in the prem for me. Bissouma if he has not done anything wrong would be a lot better fit. As for Rice being a Henderson replacement I think I would rather Curtis Jones do that.
21.) 20 Oct 2021 20:13:17
Ed0666 agree with you that rice is the closest thing to Hendo. Tielemans only 24 so consistently would improve don’t you think?
{Ed0666's Note - he needs to finesse and hone his game some more in my opinion and add consistency
22.) 21 Oct 2021 07:41:36
Whilst I think Rice is good I think he is overhyped because he is English. In terms of us I do not think we would be a good fit. He is not a Hendo type player as he doesn’t have the fitness or passing range of Hendo. He would do a job in defensive midfield but the lack of direct creativity from our central midfielders overall makes us quite reliant on the passing range of Fabinho which is very understated. He would be overly expensive and not an upgrade on our strongest 11 which should always be the aim.
23.) 23 Oct 2021 01:20:06
Still hating on Gini. SMH
I don't see why we would sign a midfielder. Even if you are looking for someone to replace Henderson in the future, Curtis is that player for me. If there HAS to be a premier league player out of the ones you have listed, I would like Tielemans. And not because he flukes balls into the top corner against United :)
24.) 23 Oct 2021 20:26:09
Mftonjes
West ham aren't known for nurturing talent?
West ham have nurtured some of the best talent that's played in the premiership over the past 20 years. lampard, ferdinand, defoe, joe cole are only a few.
Declan rice is a great player though and west ham would do well to keep him. tielemans has stagnated in his career considering he was considered amongst the best up coming talent in the world as a teenager though he's still only 24. bellingham is worth a mention if were talking young english midfielders.
Seen that papers are linking us for a move for sterling again now too.
Fact is we have a decent squad that can compete when the majority stays fit.
Id be much happier with a double pivot fab and hendo and drop firmino into AM and play with an out and out striker.
11 Jan 2018 10:03:38
Heard from a good source that Ceballos is 'nailed on' to join before the window closes. No idea how my source knows but works within football and simply passed it on, make of it what you will.
Personally I would be a bit underwhelmed if the de facto replacement for Coutinho was Ceballos as seems a marked step down in quality but hey ho let's see what materialises.
1.) 11 Jan 2018 10:37:30
Why are people saying he is the replacement of coutinho? What if we are taking advantage of his situation at madrid?
Although I agree that he is not a Coutinho replacement, I think he is a good player and would be a good acquisition for the squad looking forward.
2.) 11 Jan 2018 10:55:19
Yes we ain't going to replace coutihno he is a world class Brazil international, but what we can do is strengthen the areas we are weak in we lack creative spark in midfield an someone who can manipulate the ball he is a gamble but could also turn out too b real quality well worth a punt especially if we can get keita early as well suddenly midfield is lookin healthy freeing up the attack, ox, mane, Salah, firmino, lallana, solanke, sturridge, nice options, still I would like us too buy an attacker like lemar, mahrez, suso, draxler wishful thinking though.
3.) 11 Jan 2018 12:00:02
I wonder if we will hear from wonder dog sparky?
4.) 11 Jan 2018 13:53:12
Hi eds i'm going to need your email addresses, mothers maiden names and the names of your first pets. uh. for science
Seriously though I hope we can do something like this, the buzz the club had post VVD left along with Phil.
5.) 11 Jan 2018 22:02:17
Coutinho was crap in midfield. Addressing the balance there would be an upgrade.
6.) 11 Jan 2018 22:39:08
Faith, he wasn’t really crap in midfield though was he? He played most games in midfield this season and had one of his best (half) seasons.
7.) 12 Jan 2018 19:12:12
our midfield is very weak at the moment, and could be the weakness that City will try and take control over, we really need at least one top player coming in this window, the name I have is the big guy from Roma,
Seano_'s banter posts with other poster's replies to Seano_'s banter posts
04 May 2024 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Seano_ has posted a new article entitled, What Liverpool FC Should Do
1.) 04 May 2024 09:50:32
Good piece mate. I don’t agree on quite a few things but that’s to be expected when you are essentially writing 30 opinions in one go! Really well written and full of excellent points to back up your thought process. Overall you nailed it though as we are probably only 4 signings away.
I’d personally keep Kelleher. Allison’s fitness issues are too severe to risk selling him in my opinion. Ali is far too good to sell, but he’s becoming less reliable every year. Let Adrian go, 3rd choice can be a kid surely.
Tsimikas, Trent and Bradley I think you nailed it. Kostas’ time is up but Trent and Bradley are our future. Robbo I would keep though even if it is as back up. He is one of the few leaders we have. Beck, don’t know enough to have an opinion but others think he’d do well. With Trent also possibly going to be an option in midfield maybe we should look at a versatile player who can play both sides. Geertruida would be my pick. Trent and Bradley for the right, Robbo and Beck for the left with Geertruida signing to cover the whole back line.
CB we should move on Matip and Gomez in my opinion. Matip is out of contract anyway but Gomez just isn’t good enough at CB and I certainly don’t want him anywhere near an inverted full back role. Keep Quansah and Virgil absolutely. I’d like us to sign Pacho as we need to plan for life after Virgil now. Konate probably gets one more year under a new gaffer to prove his fitness. Van den Berg might be worth a look at if Konate isn’t at it from day 1 next season so I’d keep him onboard. Konate, VdB and Quansah for RCB, Virgil and Pacho for LCB.
Midfield I mostly agree. Move Szobo to a new role higher up the pitch. Keep Endo, Macca, Elliott and Bajcetic. Thiago is going. I disagree on Jones though. He is not much better than Keita with injuries and then not affecting games when he finally is fit, and he’s 24 next year. Gravenberch maybe we’ll see him thrive as Slot often plays with a no.10 which may suit him. It may also suit the returning Carvalho who I’d give a chance. I’d definitely go all in on Koopmeiners as I think he’s exactly what we lack in midfield. Sell Morton, keep Clark absolutely as he looks a gem, McConnell maybe needs a loan. Leaves us with 8 or 9 options still; Endo, Baj, Macca, Grav, Elliott, Clark, Carvalho, Koopmeiners and possibly Trent.
Attack i think Salah needs to move on now as we’d have to lose him on a free or risk a new contract and have him decline even further on a high salary. Jota I think has to stay if Salah goes as he’s a good finisher but this would be last chance saloon like with Konate. Nunez I want to stay as he still affects games and he may come into his own without Salah in the side, as we saw between January-March this season. Gakpo I agree, needs to show us more but he has it in the locker. Diaz i agree fully, keep if he wants to be here but if a big offer comes in and he pushes for it, then let him go. I hope we go big ourselves on Bowen. Gakpo and Diaz fight it out on the left, Nunez, Jota and Danns up top, Szoboszlai and Bowen for the right.
To Conclude I think we need to go big this summer and back Arne Slot, but with 4 top signings not 7 or 8 average ones. Quality over quantity. Getting Salah, Thiago and Matip off the wage bill is huge for FFP, and Gomez, Morton and Jones should fetch half decent fees thanks to the English tax. So not sure how realistic it is but I’d like to see the following.
Sell: Tsimikas, Matip, Gomez, Morton, Thiago, Jones, Salah
Sign: Geertruida, Pacho, Koopmeiners, Bowen.
2.) 04 May 2024 10:22:04
@Seano_,
Do you have any preferences for ATT and CM/ CDM?
Cheers; interested to hear your thoughts!
3.) 04 May 2024 10:32:41
MK Scouser, sorry Bowen is a no-no for me. Too old and is not someone the new manager can grow with like Klopp did growing with all our veteran players past and present wehn we signed them at age 24 to about 26. We can do a lot better and a lot younger than him, IMO. The other players, I have not seen them play so I can't comment.
4.) 04 May 2024 11:16:22
Outs for me.
Salah if we get 80m plus
Tsimikas
Thiago
Matip
I'd hang tough on making any midfield changes. We made a lot of investment there last season and have a lot of talented young players. They definitely all done enough to get a second season so we can get a better look at the players we have. There's certainly enough talent there. If we buy another midfielder we are going to be very overstocked.
We need a defensive addition for sure. I Like the look of Hanko, Guertruida, Pacho
I d go Guertruida for his versatility. He has even played LB.
Perfect addition to add flexibility to the squad.
Chances are he is just an injury prone player but I'd like to see Jota under a different manager and see if he can ditch the injuries. Unlikely but I ll give it a year.
I hope we keep Diaz as he is such a hard worker.
Not ready to sell Nunez for a big loss either. Another who I would like to see under a new coach and system.
Gakpo likewise. Playing well lately and would like to see under the new coach.
Wouldn't just add a new striker either to block Danns development.
I'd add Bakayoko as Salah's replacement. Always a danger with the Dutch league but I think he has the quality to make it at a much higher level. Definitely quick enough and takes players on which I like in my wingers.
I'd keep Kelleher too if we could. Alisson gets injured. We need a good number 2.
For me, the summer is not the time for major surgery and I don't think the squad needs it either.
Allison, Kelleher
Robertson, Guertruida, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Quansah, Bradley, Sepp Van der Berg
Endo, Mac Allaister, Szobozlai, Trent, Jones, Gravenberch, Elliott, Bajcetic
Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Nunez, Bakayoko, Danns
Plenty of youth players emerging too to bolster this squad. Reminds me also to sell Carvalho too. He should make a good but of cash.
Then Id roll with that for a season. See what players step up and which players fail to deliver. Then next season, I'd make the bigger changes. If needed.
Personally I'd feel like this is the sensible approach rather than buying in 5 or 6 players when we don't even know how the players we have would play under the new coach. It's a talented bunch. Some could step up massively and others we think are great now could go backwards under Slot.
I think minimal changes now and decide next season after a season under Klopp.
I know the Salah sale is a massive change already but I think that's unavoidable if we get offered a huge sum. That's one I'd still make I think.
5.) 04 May 2024 14:19:35
Honestly don’t see the hype with Koopmeiners, just a lumbering box to box midfielder, and we’ve been plenty of box to box players. What we absolutely lack is a top class defensive midfielder and we won’t win the top prizes until we go all out and get one, none of this business about “he’s versatile, he can play there” nonsense. Koopmeiners doesn’t play as a defensive midfielder for Atalanta, he plays as an attacking centre midfielder, we’re plenty who can do that but we’re very very thin on midfielders who can adequately protect our defence. How much difference did signing Fabinho make when we got him? We need a midfielder of that quality. As for salah’s replacement, we’re essentially losing 30 goals a season from the team in goals and assists. Bowen is too old, far too close to 30, plus he’s very settled in London. Sane is too old, has serious injury issues and a questionable attitude, Raphinha is too old and not very good, Kubo will be difficult as Madrid have a buyback which they’re rumoured to be interested in activating, Bakayoko is far too much of a risk as a Salah replacement, I’d prefer we looked at Kvaratskhelia or Rafa Leao as they’re both a good age and both performing to a similar level as Salah was when we signed him.
If we do the bare minimum in the summer then don’t expect to win the title as the current squad isn’t good enough to win the league this year and won’t be good enough next year.
6.) 04 May 2024 15:11:21
@MK Scouser - very reasonable suggestions and you can actually pinpoint players we may want to move for so tons of detail and, though my thoughts differ, can’t say I strongly disagree with anything you’ve said either. Honestly I’ll just be happy if we make a few really top tier signings.
@KFCAJF - honestly I don’t watch enough football, or read or research enough, to know who would be a good signing so I can’t really offer names. I think on another post Nevada mentioned Kerkez, the Bournemouth left back, and he’s a player I have heard of (though don’t know if he’s any good), so maybe him? I think Isaak at Newcastle is a top, top player too, know it’s never happen but he’d be a great player in any team. Thought Tonali was going to be a world beater before he hit the bookies as well, maybe he still can be?
7.) 04 May 2024 16:12:25
Sadly i'd sell Gomez if a decent bid of 30-40m was made and put it towards a top CB to pair with Virg. Is not good enough at CB, Klopp obviously agrees having him behind Quansah. We have Bradley/ Trent at RB and Robbo/ Beck (i'd also let Tsimi go) at LB. If we were bringing in Gertruida at a really good price with a year left on his contract i'd even consider selling Konate (super player but misses half the games) and bring two new CB's in. don't HAVE to be big money players, if Lloyd Kelly was brought in as cover for Virg on a free or the new coach rated Van der Berg for example i would necessarily be complaining. I just know you can't plan a season around Ibou and Gomez isn't good enough centrally as nice a guy as he is.
8.) 04 May 2024 19:40:32
MK, with those sales, does that not affect the HG quota negatively?
9.) 04 May 2024 21:22:18
Hi Oli. Who can we get who is a lot better than Bowen? Interested in your suggestions.
10.) 05 May 2024 07:25:07
Stuie, I think Gomez and Jones going would be offset by Quansah and Elliott now counting as HG as they are/ turn 21 next season. And if we did get in one more English player such as Bowen then that’s a net +1.
Regards to Bowen lads, I really don’t think it’s wise to sell Salah who is one of the most prolific wide men in Prem history and replace him with a young player who isn’t anywhere near their prime years such as Bakayoko. We have enough young talented forwards like Koumas, Danns, Gordon, Musialowski, Doak etc. If we sell Salah it needs to be a proven goalscorer in the Premier League who comes in to replace him, in my opinion. Bowen is only 27 by the way and has just had the best season of his career, a feat he’s managed 3 years on the trot so he is improving and not showing any signs of being close to a physical decline. Milner signed at 28 and I’d argue he grew with Klopp and is possibly one of our best ever signings in the Prem era.
Victor, Koopmeiners might have developed into a box to box player but he played DM for Slot earlier in his career and even dropped in as a CB in a handful of games. Irrespective of that though, I still don’t know why you think we need a player who specialises as a DM when Endo is arguably the 2nd best in the Prem after Rodri. Are you swapping him for Casemiro, Caicedo, Jorginho/ Partey, Soucek/ Phillips, Kamara, Bissouma, Baleba, Paulinha etc? Throw in that Macca can cover there and Bajcetic and McConnell are both top young talents approaching the age they need to be playing football and I don’t see the need for a 5th option there. Not whilst our senior options for the high press roles are lacking. Thiago is going, Jones just hasn’t done enough for me and Szobo is clearly a winger out of position. Clark, Elliott and Gravenberch have shown enough as 19/ 20 year olds to suggest they can step up further next year but we need a guaranteed starter to join Endo and Macca in midfield. Why would you prioritise replacing one of the 2 senior midfielders (Endo and Macca) we have who has actually played well this season? Slot might agree with you so fair enough it is your opinion and you are well entitled to it, but I can’t get my head around needing a DM mate.
03 May 2024 13:22:56
Seano_ has written an article entitled, What Liverpool FC Should Do
1.) 03 May 2024 14:00:40
Good read, Seano.
I agree with a lot of what you said other than a few of the players to be assessed rather than kept or sold. In the same way that Gravenberch and Jota should be sold, Szoboszlai should be kept.
Van Den Ven as well? He’s an athlete rather than a defender.
2.) 03 May 2024 14:38:57
Kerkez from Bournemouth would be an ideal left back signing. Is a pretty good two way player (good forward and back) and iraola likes to invert full backs too so it's a role he's played.
3.) 03 May 2024 14:55:57
Sell Salah, keep Jota. Other than that I concur, Seano.
4.) 03 May 2024 14:58:58
@Lowel - true, but he has the pace to deal with anyone and is physically strong. He’s not the best reader of the game but next to Van Dijk he wouldn’t need to he. That ship has sailed so it’s largely irrelevant but I do think he would have been decent for us.
@Nevada - have heard he is a very good prospect, hopefully we’ve got him on our radar. Do think LB is a key position to look at.
5.) 03 May 2024 15:04:09
Good read but baj has had the same growing pains injury as gerrard and ibou gets rested by Klopp to much it’s not always injuries, Díaz and Salah can go for me .
Díaz runs into to many alleys and doesn’t cross enough balls for me.
6.) 03 May 2024 15:26:48
Agree with all your conclusions for GK, defenders and midfielders, but agree with none of them for the forwards! We just see the game in different ways I guess.
Also think you're being a bit harsh on Robbo and Jota for their injury records. In both most recent cases they've been out bc an opposition player landed on them. Robbo dislocated his shoulder and Jota hyperextended his knee. Hardly their fault.
7.) 03 May 2024 17:15:20
Nice one, Seano. On Szobo, I think it is the tactics and the way he is being used that has stifled him. We signed a play who is literally built to play the high press like he did and axcelled at at RBL and here we are having him cover ground defensively and playing in a slow possession system that does not suit him. For me, he is the most athletic mid we have and should be used in the high press under Slot, IMO.
Jota and Robbo? I can see why you want to move hthem on so I can agree with that even tho, I think they still have stuff to offer. All in all like you said, we just need to get 3/ 4 players in the right positions, sort out the GK situation cos Kellerher will want to go and most importantly, our boys need a new motivation, a new message and most importantly as ED01 said, 3Have a new boss to impress again".
8.) 03 May 2024 18:38:25
Only from a selfish and atmosphere point of view I hope we don’t sell Jota and he stays fit next season.
On match days the 3 best songs to get the atmosphere going over recent years are the Bobby, Klopp and Jota songs.
We’ve lost Bobby, we’re losing Klopp and if Jota goes as well it’ll be another great atmosphere song gone.
{Ed025's Note - i wrote a song for Jota JK...its called.."! couldn,t trap a bag of cement" mate.. :)
9.) 03 May 2024 16:29:01
Enjoyed that, really good and agree with a lot especially LB. As for Szbo I understand he joined mostly to work with Klopp, he has said this. Could his drop in form be due to the disappointment? Maybe EDs might know if he had other options and after Klopp announced leaving he may regret choosing LFC?
10.) 03 May 2024 19:21:08
It’s definitely the tactics that is effecting Szob.
He was much better the first few months of the season when we were playing the inverted full back over the last couple of months where we’ve switched to the inverted full back.
Szob doesn’t know if he’s coming or going.
{Ed025's Note - hes actually fell off a cliff JK, when he first came i thought wow, now im not so sure on him mate..
11.) 03 May 2024 21:08:56
I think we need a striker who will score the goals that Salah WAS scoring! The days of our wingers getting all the goals are long behind us, as we don’t play that way anymore. Salah will score goals wherever he goes, but it seems that he was being asked to play a lot wider this season. If a good offer which was tempting for all parties came in in the summer, I would be surprised if we turned it down. Jota is our best finisher, but injuries are a big problem. Again, if a big offer came in I would definitely take it. The remaining forwards I would keep, but not to play as a main striker, as they don’t score enough of their chances and are better out wide. Not sure who this free scoring striker is, but it’s where I would I would be looking.
12.) 03 May 2024 22:12:31
The alarming thing with szob is his body language screams I'm not arsed.
13.) 03 May 2024 23:11:24
Nice work Seano.
No2, LB, CB, DM, LW, RW needed imo.
14.) 03 May 2024 20:59:55
Ed25, tht is cos the tactics and the way he is now being used is diff. from the start of the season where we just unleashed him in the high pressing system and let him do damage. Now, he spends his time covering ground and for others which clearly, is NOT the way or the best way to use him. This not hard to understand, mate.
{Ed025's Note - i get what you are saying Oli, but playing out of position does not make you unable to make a ten yard pass or unable to tackle...that is not hard to understand either mate..
15.) 04 May 2024 06:29:17
I told eds many times the answer to Salah is Serhou Guirassy!
16.) 04 May 2024 07:26:57
Ed0025 Szob was flying and got injured. And Hasn’t hit the same heights since he came back.
Trent, Salah, Jones, Jota were all playing much better prior to their injuries and since returning haven’t hit the same heights.
Maybe it’s something to with that.
Some believe it’s what Klopp tells him what to do and restricts his game but I don’t have the same privilege of being part of those Klopp / Szob tactical conversations as them.
{Ed025's Note - a professional footballer should still be able to do the basics if hes had an injury or not JK, he looked great when he first came in but his form has nosedived mate, it could be something else tough i suppose..
17.) 04 May 2024 10:01:57
Re: Szoboszlai
The fact he came in and started so well tells us there is a very good player there.
Isn't he a big Liverpool supporter - surely that would have been a bigger pull then just playing for Klopp
Whether it be the tactics / position, or the initial loss of form coming back from injury maybe its just a confidence things, which let's face it the full team look devoid of right now.
New season, New manager = Fresh start, hopefully gets him back to his best.
Personally - I think we have to consider selling Mo, as this is the last chance we're probably going to see to get a decent fee. as good as he has been, maybe he's on the natural decline. Dominik may be the answer to covering his position.
18.) 04 May 2024 10:24:52
The thing with Szoboszlai is that he isn't as good as everyone was saying he was at the beginning of the season. To be honest, I never saw enough back then to agree with a lot of people that were raving about him.
I hope he is a success for us but if you are expecting another Gerrard you are going to be disappointed.
19.) 04 May 2024 11:23:54
Ed25, you saying he can't do the basics is just porkies, man. And yes, you can be hindered if you are playing in a position and job that you are not used to hence, you are not in the right positions or right angle to make the tackles which for you is the basics, apparently for a pro footballer. Just so you know, anyone can tackle or pass the ball 10 yards, man. It's not about just making tackles or passing the ball 10 yards. It's about being efficient with these things and getting your team on the front foot as is/ was his role, which he is struggling with right now due to the job he is being asked to do.
You don't need to be in the room with Klopp. All you have to do is use your eyes. Just look at the way Szobo was playing in the begining playing in his right position and how he had no issues making tackles or creating opportunities and getting assists compared to now where, all he does is cover ground to allow others (like Trent in int inverted role or Bradley inverting or playing high up) . He cannot do the damage from deep and defensive areas that he was doing while playing further up the pitch earlier in the season. It's that simple.
20.) 04 May 2024 08:35:00
Ed0025 i agree mate and i'm not trying to use it as an excuse just pointing out when players return from injury they don't always recapture that previous form straight away.
There again footballers are the same elite athletes that struggle to play at 1230 on a Saturday despite the fact they probably train 90% of the season at 10am.
I'm fed up of these managers and players moaning about kick off times because never once has any of them mentioned the fans.
The ones who have to get to games and home at all times of the day regardless of the kick off or what day it is.
If clubs aren't happy with the Tv schedules then for me its an easy fix.
Don't accept the 100-200 mill tv money at the start of every season and then you won't play any games at those inconvenient times.
{Ed025's Note - its all about the money now JK, the amount of money in the game is obscene mate and fans dont seem to matter..
21.) 04 May 2024 20:54:54
Ed0025 who cares as long as Oli can watch his replays on Youtube for free then the rest of us can just suck it up.
{Ed025's Note - me and Oli dont always see eye to eye JK and thats fine by me, my only problem with him is that he can be very condescending at times but i do think he is a good poster mate and a good guy...most of the time.. :)
25 Apr 2024 08:20:04
This is one of the only times in Klopp's tenure, barring the very early days, were the players can be accused of fight, effort, or drive. Shirking challenges is unacceptable and Salah and Szobo were 2 of numerous players guilty. Getting beat is fine, getting completely outfought and out worked isn't. Don't think it will just be Klopp leaving at the end of the season.
1.) 25 Apr 2024 08:40:59
Seano, you took these words right out of my keyboard. Absolutely spot on. Our guys didn't want anything to do wth Everton last night. The lack of fight was already palpable from the off. It seemed like someone forgot to tell them they were going into ai Merseyside derby with all the blood and thunder that goes into it. Not good, at all. I can accept that we lost. I can't accept that we did not fight.
2.) 25 Apr 2024 08:45:50
Folks I have seen so many opinions here
Peps book
Klopp announcement etc etc
The simple fact is
Everton have been so poor this season
A few good games
But Liverpool are not playing well since jota and jones got injured in that game … remember when someone fell on jota knee
Also szbos is a strange one I feel he’s not playing in his right position
The defence tactic is not good we ship goals
We always concede first
It feel like a very new team that’s not drilled and wil be hit and miss
So that’s why I have to give them a break
Next season I won’t
But for this game I can’t understand why they didn’t feel like it was a must win game in effort
That part is inexcusable.
3.) 25 Apr 2024 08:49:13
Agree with you there, Seano. I was there last night and Salah and Szob were getting pelters. Szob in particular doesn't have enough brownie points to prance about like a show pony, and that was made clear by people around me. At the moment he doesn't offer any more than a poor Henderson, and he needs to step up next season under our new manager. And I know that can be levelled at many more players. In fact, apart from Alisson, I don't know any player who escapes criticism.
4.) 25 Apr 2024 09:07:33
It is very concerning going forward that some players have down tools to the point of embarrassment. just because the going has got hard they have let the club and fans down. I understand that with Klopp leaving there’s going to a reaction weather it’s good or bad but there is no excuse for what has happened! What a very sad way for Klopp to leave.
5.) 25 Apr 2024 09:32:43
I don't think they've downed tools.
It's a combination of not being good enough, loss of confidence, tiredness and tactics.
I think the best example is TAA.
He's told to drift infield which leaves us exposed at the back. He bottles out of header which leads to their first goal, does nothing for their second, jibbed out of a tackle in the second half and jogged back.
But that's Trent. He'll never be Tommy Smith but he played some delightful balls in the first half, three of which should have led to goals. He needs to play but not in a dodgy defence with a flaky midfield in front of it.
The team tried but it was a team without the physicality or mentality to match Everton. They also don't have those attributes to play like City or the great Barcelona side.
The only positive is that we should have enough points to get top four and that was my aim at the start of the season.
6.) 25 Apr 2024 10:55:36
We need two wins to be comfortable Rigsby, two of our games are against Villa and Spurs who are competing for those positions too, Villa look in decent form but spurs are blowing hot and cold. So could easily turn up and be as bad as we are or somehow be just as bad. After the United, Atalanta, Palace and Everton matches it is hard to see how we’re going to get wins against teams who are either motivated to beat us and have something to play for.
7.) 25 Apr 2024 11:15:16
I really do hope that the next manager can work on our corners because when we win one it is no advantage what so ever. The ball comes in so slow the pace can’t be generated or it’s totally in the wrong place or doesn’t get passed the first man. If Salah does leave we will struggle to make up the goal he scores but this is one area we can make a difference getting the corners right. Not playing the ball backwards all the time is another issue I would like sorting as it drives me crazy the amount of ball that go back to the keeper.
8.) 25 Apr 2024 12:00:23
Spot on, Rigsby. It's a combo of all those things hence, the team has hit a wall completely and the oppo. can see ans smell that. Everton certainly did.
9.) 25 Apr 2024 12:07:00
Absolutely no chance spurs are catching us, they are 14 points behind. They have 2 games in hand, let's say they win both. That makes 8 points with 4 games left. They have to play City and Arsenal, both they would need to win against at least one of them. In the mean time we need to lose pretty much every game, which yes we are playing badly but it probably 20 years since we lost 4 in a row.
Spurs will finish on something like 72 points, we will probably finish on around 80 points.
18 Mar 2024 08:12:55
Seano_ has written an article entitled, Man United vs Liverpool: A review
1.) 18 Mar 2024 11:23:27
I think you’ve captured most of it, Seano, but honestly what is there to analyse? We lost the game despite the gulf in quality being painfully obvious the whole time, and we did so because we rely too much on spontaneous, individual quality to score goals rather than sustained, planned attacking patterns. We mess up counter attacks more than any other team because we simply don’t know what to do when we get them.
Added to the above, all the shooting practice we do pre-game, where the likes of Diaz etc score 49/ 50 total shots past a hapless practice goalie, seems to be a complete waste of time. None of our attackers, other than Nunez at times, can consistently strike a ball with power and accuracy such that it’s not straight at the keeper. Atrocious.
2.) 18 Mar 2024 15:28:05
RR, Believe me, I do know our shortcomings, doesn't help with "Referee's" like him mate.
I always wanted Liverpool to beat United, untill 2 weeks ago.
We would have still been out of the relegation zone if that was quite rightly a draw, also we should have had a stonewaller at Newcastle, Brighton should have had a player sent off, and don't start me on Toney.
Yes I get We have shot ourselves in the foot, however the officials have been quite simply appalling.
12 Mar 2024 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Seano_ has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool vs Manchester City: Review
1.) 12 Mar 2024 08:43:05
Great review mate.
2.) 12 Mar 2024 09:58:28
Good read that Seano (Are you Ed001 in disguise? )
3.) 12 Mar 2024 10:35:08
Good review, Seano.
What a performance from the lads, despite the absentees. While they didn't get the 3 points, they have set the performance benchmark for the remaining fixtures.
Macca and Endo are working so well together. They are so intelligent, aware and deceivingly physical.
Kelleher and Virgil were imperious. And Quansah and Bradley delivered competent performances at the highest level again.
Special shout outs:
Lucho - he was relentlessly terrorising them. He deserved to cap that performance off with the winner. Keep this up, Lucho and it's going to be a special end to the season.
Elliott - I have been critical about his physical capacity in the past but wow, whatever he's doing in the gym is starting to pay off. He's an absolute machine now.
Gomez - while it may not have been eye-catching, he seems to be the tactical pawn in Klopp's toolbox at the moment. After the first 15-20 mins, Klopp asked him to invert and it allowed Endo and Macca to press City higher and wrestle control of the game. What is so impressive is that he just gets on with it. At the moment, the way he is playing in several positions, it's almost like rightback might be his worst position.
4.) 12 Mar 2024 11:36:33
Can you do a Southampton review please Seano? ;-)
Great read mate!
5.) 12 Mar 2024 11:40:40
Cheers seano, good read!
Only thing I'd disagree on is the potential Ederson red card. I think a yellow was fair given the official rules and the fact that there was no way Nunez was scoring after nicking the ball in front of Ederson. Agree with the other 2 big decisions though, looked like obstruction on Mac and a high kick in the chest is a foul regardless if he touched the ball first, he'd have been nowhere near the ball if he wasn't putting his foot up chest-high in a crowded box!
6.) 12 Mar 2024 12:18:44
Some of us want Southampton to get promoted for one reason only Zed.
7.) 12 Mar 2024 13:05:03
I think a lot of people are still missing the point about City’s goal. Ake was never offside but he obstructed.
And this was the reasoning in the EFL final. Endo was offside, but we all know players offside but not interfering with play isn’t being considered. Endo was called offside because his obstruction prevented the defender from defending.
So In the same measure, Ake was obstructing Alex and the goal disallowed based on their newly invented rule even if he wasn’t offside. The principle is, he obstructed and unfairly prevented the defender from defending.
Nonetheless, I note blocking runs is part of defending and never had an issue with it until the EFL final debacle. Of course that rule has never been evoked ever before or after the final. It’s in part of rant and frustration of never ending reinventing of rules as they go along.
8.) 12 Mar 2024 13:18:03
Endo was not penalized for obstruction. There was no issue with him blocking off a player, this isn't something that is called, ever. It actually is an infraction to block off a player if you're not in playing distance of the ball when the ball is in play, but it's never, ever called such that it's essentially not a real rule. And that also doesn't apply to the moments before a free kick is taken. And it was not the issue in Endo's case. The issue for Endo was merely that by blocking someone off he was involved in the play.
Ake is not penalized because the blocking off a player is not what was penalized for Endo. Other people are not missing the issue here.
9.) 12 Mar 2024 18:25:15
Not sure if I’m following you AP.
Especially with this statement ‘The issue for Endo was merely that by blocking someone off he was involved in the play. ’
So Endo’s offside was called because he was involved in the play. He was involved in the play because he was…?
Not trying to pick a fight with you, but I really couldn’t follow your reasoning especially since you also stated
‘There was no issue with him blocking off a player, this isn't something that is called, ever’ and having points about not a real rule etc earlier
And to give ed25 assurance. The game is over, the outcome won’t change. And such subjective decisions happen through every single game. There will be those we agree with, those that we don’t. I won’t be vexed over it as life has many other things to worry about. I’m more frustrated that we are treated to new rules or new interpretation of rules after almost every match now and this seemed to have escalated post-VAR. And it probably is happening this way because VAR was supposed to be the technology to eliminated most if not all errors (which I know it won’t be but they were certainly touting it to be such), but because it’s not happening, we are now being treated it to the spectacle of new reasoning post every match.
I did prefer it went back to what it was - error prone human beings trying their best to referee a game. Personal preferences, bias, angles, what was seen, not seen all at play and we live with the inadequacies of the game we love. There will certainly be massive consequences due to such things for the teams, calls of favourtism, corruption etc but at least we are not being given newer and newer rules or it’s interpretation each game until today whereby im not quite sure what the rules are anymore at times as their explanation is baffling at best a lot of times. Or maybe, i’m just getting old and want things as they used to be.
10.) 12 Mar 2024 20:37:52
Great review, Seano. We should have won that game and by quite a lot, easily 3-1. It wasn't meant to be BUT I like the fact that Klopp chose to focus on the actual positive which was the performance as that is what is going to spur us on esp. with the guys we had out.
The big pen decision? I've said my piece about it so I'll pass on that even tho, I fully agree with a lot of what you have said about it and the disgraceful cover the refs are being given by their allies in the media/ pundit world. On to Prague on Thurs.
11.) 12 Mar 2024 21:35:30
I think the point is Endo was given offside when in essence- he should have been penalise for obstructing an opponent
However- obstructing an opponent went out the window ages ago (at set pieces, letting the ball run out for a goal kick, etc. )
So if this was to be followed through correctly- the fact the Endo was offside was irrelevant as according to modern day officiating - he didn’t cause an offence because obstructing an opponent is no longer an offence.
Move on to Ake - not just preventing MacAllister moving into position but actively moving him out of the way - then by modern day interpretation that cannot result in a foul.
But you can’t have obstruction being applied in the league cup final- and then not in a PL match
I think that’s the essence
Officials applying/ not applying rules/ laws when it suits.
12.) 12 Mar 2024 23:21:28
Thanks for the response.
A player who receives a pass is penalized for offside even though they have committed no other infraction because they are involved in the play.
A player who shields a keeper is penalized if they are offside even though no other infraction is committed.
Endo was penalized for offside as he was involved in the play by setting a pick. When he set the pick he was offside. The setting of the pick can be deemed completely legal and he is still penalized for offside as he is involved in the play. It doesn't matter whether it is an obstruction infraction or not. His involvement is because he picked another player while in an offside position; whether or not the pick itself is deemed legal is irrelevant to the offside offense.
13.) 13 Mar 2024 00:38:17
I think Paisley put it very nicely what I was trying to say
I now understand your thinking better AP but it sure if I agree because how I see it was
- since blocking / obstructing is no longer deemed a foul / not enforced, Endo standing in an offside position is the equivalent of many other scenarios from set pieces or open play in the game
- which is as long as there is no interference to the play, the player standing in the offside position is not flagged
- and we see that every other week, the player could be in the line of sight of pass etc and as long as there is no touch or attempt to touch the ball, the game flows
- just as blocking from an offside position, not touching the ball in build up play while offside, all these hasn’t been called for a long long time (whether it should is a different discussion)
- regardless, in this instance, since blocking is not a foul / not enforced, him standing in an offside position that subsequently led to a obstruction shouldn’t matter as I could argue that he wasn’t interfering with play
- but if one says Endo’s offside is called, because he interfered with play via obstruction, then I would argue the same principle be applied in all settings (including on Sunday)
- in short, Endo’s offside couldn’t have interfered with play unless he was called for obstruction. Otherwise him standing in an offside position is inconsequential as he did not attempt to touch the ball nor was near it.
At the end, it boils down to the inconsistency Paisley articulated much better than I did. To add salt to injury, i haven never seen this ever being called before or after the final. While I’m not fixed in the conspiracy camp, I am frustrated with officials taking Center stage of matches a lot this season.
{Ed001's Note - there is no law about obstruction, it does not exist. Impeding is the offence and it is different, hence the change of word.}
14.) 13 Mar 2024 07:23:09
Thanks Ed001
Impeding is the right term to use in this context
But my Qns remains about what I perceive as inconsistency in applying the laws of the game.
{Ed001's Note - there is clearly great inconsistency. VAR is supposed to be there to end that.}
15.) 13 Mar 2024 15:56:46
Ed01, many of us thought VAR would end this discrepancy and many other things as well YET here we are arguing the same crap we were arguing when there was no VAR in place. The implementation of VAR in England will always be the prob.
13 Jan 2024 03:13:56
I don’t think we will sign any one and, in all honesty, the squad depth is good enough now. We can always improve but there isn't a pressing need for anyone, and I like that the bshsnce of the current squad gives game time to our younger players.
01 Jan 2024 05:22:50
Thanks for this Ed, especially at this time of year. All the best for 2024.
{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}
29 Dec 2023 01:59:28
Leao is an excellent player but hard to see where he fits without a few outgoings. Would be a big upgrade on the left sided position tho despite the fact I really like Diaz.
04 Dec 2023 12:26:23
But Darwin can’t consistently finish, and Salah is contributing enormously in terms of goals and assists, baffles me that anyone would want Salah to go.
01 Sep 2023 05:03:47
I think for the price, and his potential, it’s a good signing. If he knuckles down and puts in the work he can reach the very top.
18 Jul 2024 02:41:44
Difference is Navy is that Conservatives are openly callous and corrupt, and always have been. I don’t like any of them but the Conservatives are by far the most nefarious.
18 Jul 2024 02:39:32
I want Trent at RB with license to get forward and whip crosses in. He is literally the best crosser in our team and one of, of not the best, crossers in the league. It seems daft not to utilize that talent.
18 Jul 2024 02:37:56
We haven’t had a big net spend for, well, I’ve lost count. Sooner or later it will catch up to us and I worry, without Klopp working wonders, if we’ll start to see our premier league position line up with were we stand in the spending league.
05 Jun 2024 06:38:35
What they’re doing (City Football Group) in shuffling around and hoarding players, with the aim of funneling the best ones to City, is ridiculous as well. I’m staggered it’s allowed but it seems like as long as you have deep pockets anything is possible.
29 May 2024 06:06:30
I’d take a champions league spot and a decent cup run next season. There’s going to be a lot of change and I think consolidating CL would put the club on a good footing to move forward under what is a completely new coaching structure (as well as club hierarchy stuff as well) .