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30 Oct 2024 08:24:03
Reports starting to come out now that we are putting contract offers to Trent but he is turning them down. Anyone know if there is any truth in this?
1.) 30 Oct 2024 09:58:28
That made me laugh out loud. Seriously @Westwood, who do you imagine on the forum has even the remotest idea of what’s going on?
2.) 30 Oct 2024 10:11:37
Truthfully I don’t think anyone on this forum really has the answers when it comes to current contract updates.
It seems very well under wraps based off what credible journalists are publishing info and how often they’re sharing it.
3.) 30 Oct 2024 10:12:51
Well if the club have left it until now, I'm struggling to blame him tbh.
Nonetheless, I'm sure some people here will be delighted.
4.) 30 Oct 2024 11:22:08
It is easy to blame the Club or Hughes.
No one knows or will know the real truth.
If TAA wants to go, he will go.
It doesn't matter if the club opened the discussion 1 or 2 years earlier. At the point in time, his team will always say we have time and we can evaluate later.
All the best to him if he goes but one thing is Madrid fans are not as patient as here.
5.) 30 Oct 2024 14:16:36
The truth will come out sooner or later. I believe he told the club he’d be leaving on a free a while ago. Real Madrid been in his ear for a while.
6.) 30 Oct 2024 14:44:28
No one on the group has any idea about transfers, contracts, formations, tactics and player personalities etc but it doesn't stop us being here.
7.) 30 Oct 2024 15:17:12
The worst part about all of this is the amount of people sharing their opinions as facts. Nobody except the people involved in negotiations and Trent himself actually know for sure what's happening. So anything anybody claims to know for a matter of fact is Chinese whispers at best, or totally made up at worst.
My personal belief (and it's literally based on nothing but opinion) is there is no way the club just forgot to offer a homegrown player in his prime a new contract. I can only guess but surely they're either negotiating already or they had the conversation and Trent made it clear he wanted a new challenge. There is no logical reason to leave it until the final 9 months of his contract to start negotiations/ conversations. Just think about it from a common sense perspective. The club gave Konate and Quansah new contracts a matter of weeks ago and Virgil has said he is in talks, so I struggle to believe the club would do this whilst leaving Trent (our vice captain and probably 4th best player) in the dark.
Ultimately, Trent either signs or he doesn't. I've never seen a team fall apart because they lost a full back. I'd argue the spine of the team is you keeper, your CB partnership, your captain, your midfield engine and your most consistent goal scorer. Virgil and Salah fall into this category big time and that's why tying them down (or if not, replacing them) will be much more crucial in my opinion. Bradley isn't as good as Trent but if he had to start a cup final for us tomorrow against Vini Jr I'm not losing any sleep over it at all. So if Trent does want to go, I'd thank him for the memories and wish him luck in every game left in his career except when he plays us!
It's a bit different for Virgil and Salah with their contracts, as at their age it possibly made sense to wait and see how they coped with getting older and simultaneously being asked to learn a new style. As it happens, it looks like Virgil will be staying judging by his interviews and I'd predict it's only a matter of time before he signs but you never know for sure. With Salah, it's much more quiet in the media. I refuse to believe nobody has talked to him at all about his future at the club. He's the star player and there's just no way any club on the planet let's their best player get to 9 months on their deal without even a conversation but how that conversation would've gone, only he will know. I would not be shocked to see him go as his agent has always hawked him around but I never got the impression it was totally about money for him. So given the fact Real Madrid and Barcelona don't need him (they have Mbappe and Yamal) the only realistic options I see for him are Bayern and PSG. I just can't see him going to Saudi at 32 years old and if he does I'll be staggered. That move will still be there for him in 5 years time when he actually need a final pay cheque.
If I'm totally wrong and there simply hasn't been any communication to Trent or Salah on new deals then yes, that is an absolutely embarrassing level of incompetency but I simply cannot believe that is the case. Even if Trent and Salah said it publicly, I'd chalk it up as a negotiation tactic or them doing some damage limitation on their decision to leave.
My views on this topic seem to attract plenty of stick for whatever reason (I love it really) so I'll reiterate that I thoroughly believe they are 3 of our best players and they are all world class. But I still maintain we will not lose all 3, and I have seen nothing so far from Slot to doubt his ability to remodel the side in his image so until he gives me reason to doubt him, I'm choosing optimism. No players last forever. Yes, Trent really should've been tied down to a longer deal 2 years ago, but it is what it is. I'm just at peace with whatever happens and if we line up next August without all 3 of them in the team, I'll cry when we cross that bridge!
8.) 30 Oct 2024 16:47:27
Speculating is fun - it used to be great fun and an integral part of being a fan.
The trouble these days is social media and the overwhelming volume of ‘information’ which may, or more likely not be valid. As has been said many times the passing on of (invalid) information as fact (usually under the banner of my opinion) usually ends up in the pantomime ‘oh yes it is’, ‘oh no it isn’t’ thread or worse the usual name calling or petty character attack thread.
9.) 30 Oct 2024 16:52:23
I think i just that, rumour. Fans worried because nothing has happened or appears to be going on and Madrids disruption tactics.
I still think he signs a new contract.
10.) 30 Oct 2024 17:14:42
Umm the eds might know, don't really see what's so funny there. Next time Ed002 gets pelters for anything (despite the fact that his insights are the main reason most of us are here) I'll remember that we shouldn't be here for any such insider info. If you've got nothing decent or helpful to say, why not just keep quiet ay? This forum is going down the pan with the amount of negativity and trolling. Honestly go strangle a kitten or something if you need to get your superiority kicks from somewhere. Kids ay.
11.) 30 Oct 2024 17:19:19
Congrats on the super fan trophy MKS. Really well deserved bro. am going to do a Madrid and not show up to the award ceremony though. when you see something wrong you say its wrong, super fans always support blindly no matter what. Leaving Trent-Alexander to pick his next club is our fault no matter how you spin it, FSG love delaying contract talks so they don't pay the extra wages for more time than necessary. Just look how many ''superstars'' have left the Red Sox for example just like Trent is about to do. If they gave him a new deal 2 years ago then this conversation is mute, however they thought he is a local lad so he'll sign no matter what so no reason to pay that extra money for 2 years, makes no financial sense for them, now he is most likely gone for free. But am glad you are calm and not losing sleep over it, which is normal as its just a game of football and nothing that actually matters when considering life in general.
12.) 30 Oct 2024 17:39:15
I agree with what you've said, there, MK. Apart from Trent being world class, because I don't believe he is. But, like you, I don't believe there's any failing on the club's part for not opening negotiations.
13.) 30 Oct 2024 17:45:44
@Westwood, see what I mean about the different view and name calling?
14.) 30 Oct 2024 18:41:03
Think that’s my 2nd superfan award this week, Fiskesprett. going to have to start charging you and Seano rent at this rate. I’m starting to feel guilty living in both your heads for free ?
Keep up the loan updates btw, much appreciated.
15.) 30 Oct 2024 18:54:10
Nah mate, we just disagree on how the club have handled this one but you're allowed to think what you want. As i said its not really that important in the grand scheme of things.
16.) 30 Oct 2024 19:07:59
Great post there MK. I agree with pretty much everything you say.
17.) 30 Oct 2024 19:35:08
Well Jamie Redknapp has just said on Sky Sports before the game “ all the signs are that Trent’s leaving in the summer”
Another player who thinks the grass is greener elsewhere .
Like all the others who left and regretted it …. but LFC is bigger and we’ll replace him as usual .
18.) 30 Oct 2024 21:24:08
Trent’s Ballon D’Or comments spoke volumes. It’s ok that he wants to try new things and elevate himself onto the biggest platform, he’s got real talent, and application and has done a lot for us so good luck to him. We’ll find a good replacement, no worries.
19.) 30 Oct 2024 21:54:34
My only worry in all this. Is I don’t believe in Hughes to replace this calibre of player.
20.) 30 Oct 2024 21:59:15
I thought Trents balldor comments were were funny. Personally I don't think he'll ever win it. He's got way too big for his boots in my opinion and if he wants out i wish him well and hope he succeeds but I don't really care. The club will move on.
21.) 30 Oct 2024 22:29:34
Don’t know about the rumours but my mate who lives near Mike Alexander changed his position today.
I asked him about the rumours and he seemed to believe in them. So I asked him directly and he’s completely changed his position. He’s always been a staunch denier saying ‘he’s going nowhere’.
Today I was shocked when he said ‘I think he might go’.
He didn’t say he’d spoken to Mike, but it was an extreme about turn. Not good to hear.
22.) 30 Oct 2024 22:29:53
MK Scouser-Amen to that, and yes, we'll go again, perhaps with a few tears in our eyes.
Arguably VVD is the most important of the 3, and could potentially go on for 3/ 4 more years. He doesn't need to/ rarely sprints anyway, and it all sounds promising as far as he is concerned.
I look forward to seeing who Slot replaces and with whom. This side will get better and better if the early indications are anything to go by.
I also look forward to seeing who the next few youngsters will be to break into the first team. If we can show the best young players that there is a clear pathway into the first team, we can attract the very best of them, as say Dortmund have, at times.
23.) 30 Oct 2024 23:21:59
I'm not an 'FSG out' type of guy, I think I've been clear on that consistently for the past few years. But it's hard to see a set of circumstances where it's not a colossal mistake by the people FSG employed to run the club to let Trent's contract get into its last year like this.
I know people who think they're incredibly clever will say "oh they couldn't have forced Trent to sign a new deal or leave for money. Maybe he always wanted to leave. Ah. " but I firmly believe, due to the complete lack of rumour and media noise about a new contract for Trent until the summer (not to mention what both Ed001 and Ed002 have said, as well as public statements by Salah and van Dijk about not receiving offers) that no serious attempt to get Trent to sign a new deal was made before this season. Not offering Trent a deal, at the bare minimum in January this year, if not earlier is frankly speaking, negligence.
I appreciate there was a bit of staff turnover at a high level, but how bloody hard is it to arrange a meeting with Trent and his agent? How can that not be done for a whole year? I can get a 19 person committee into a meeting on two-three week's notice as part of my job. And if it was a case that this somehow couldn't be done cos it was the Sporting Director or Technical Director's job and we had staff turn over and Schmakte on a short term deal, then whoever was over those people (Mike Gordon? ) should've stepped in and sorted it.
I feel very strongly that the club have let the fans down on this one. Maybe Trent will sign a new deal and won't leave. Maybe he was going to leave anyway and it wouldn't have mattered. But the minimum we should expect from the club is that they make the greatest effort possible to keep quality players in their prime years at the club and not let them leave for nothing. It genuinely doesn't look like they've done that here. There's no excusing this, imo.
The only saving grace is that we have Bradley, who's very talented. So if he does go, we might get away with it.
24.) 31 Oct 2024 01:00:17
Fisk, what MK said is absolutely spot on. There are too many people passing off their opinion as fact and it’s rather irritating.
I really don’t see how you can put all of the blame on the club and be so sure in your opinion when you have absolutely no idea what has gone on behind the scenes. You’re simply speculating like the rest of us are.
For all we know the club might have tried to open talks 2 years ago but Trent wasn’t interested as he wanted to keep his options open. We really have no idea.
So for you make up some cock and bull story about how FSG just don’t want to pay more wages and they thought he’s a local lad so would just sign is quite frankly laughable. You’re annoyed and are just throwing baseless accusations around as if they were true. It’s exactly what MK’s initial post was about and you proved him absolutely right.
25.) 31 Oct 2024 04:07:53
Ah come on MK I haven’t said anything about it for ages! I disagree with you but it’s all good your opinion is as valid as mine. We both hope all 3 sign at the end of the day so fingers crossed.
26.) 31 Oct 2024 06:24:11
@SR, I’ve mentioned a few times now that in August last year I was over in Liverpool and aught up with a few mates one of whom works at the club - junior position and not in any way a decision maker. I was asking him what the gossip at the club was. He didn’t have anything earth shattering but he said he’d heard that TAA was taking Spanish lessons. The lad in question, who I’ve known for over 30 odd years doesn’t normally come across as a nutter. It seems like a strange thing to say if it was a wind up (as opposed to something like the club are trying to sign a big name. Not saying that it means he might have had his heart set on playing for RM either, after all the lad might just have wanted to learn a language in his spare time. However, it could also be interpreted as TAA having made his mind up in late summer 2023 that he wanted a new challenge. If that is the case it is likely the club could do nothing about it.
27.) 31 Oct 2024 06:55:42
Trent talking about wanting to win the ballon dor is a good sign he wants to move to Real to improve his chances. He will go and that will be one of his reasons for leaving 100%.
28.) 31 Oct 2024 08:02:56
I didn't make anything up, quick google search will show how many Stars left their "franchize" for free.
29.) 31 Oct 2024 08:13:17
I don't know anything about inside of Liverpool but I do know that quite a few at the top in Madrid have been confident of signing Trent on a free as long as 12 months ago. Far as I'm aware nothing has changed in that regard they still believe Trent will sign there as a free agent.
30.) 31 Oct 2024 09:23:48
just hope he knows what he's doing because when it all goes tits up and the Real fans are out for blood he'll realise he's never going to play for his boyhood club again. Real want Trent because he's on a free, and who can blame them? but there's not a hope they would be wanting to pay the 70,80 even 90m pounds it would take to bring us to the table. Could be why were seemingly chasing the young rightback from Chelsea.
31.) 31 Oct 2024 09:30:14
I'm not too fussed about Trent leaving (if he does ) only thing I'm bothered about is the millions we won't get in with his transfer fee. very bad management or naivety on the boards part .
32.) 31 Oct 2024 10:28:36
Spot on MK, agree with you.
To add I feel that maybe 2 season ago Trent believe we might get his mate Jude to join him and he waited to see if that would happened.
And when we didn't he probably wondered what it would be like to go to Real and pushed back any contract talks.
And then when Klopp decided to go he then wanted to see what the new manager would be like.
So I guess I what I am trying to say is that the events that have happened over the last few season have contributed to the situation we are in now with Trent.
And now he wants a new challenge maybe or wants to be a club legend and caption of his club.
Who knows and whatever he decides I will be happy for him, though he won't care what I think :)
33.) 31 Oct 2024 11:10:42
What if Trent is looking over his shoulder and see’s CB breathing down his neck? Maybe that has something to do with it from Trents perspective or even the club’s?
34.) 31 Oct 2024 15:07:31
@WDW - That may indeed be the case. If so c'est la vie, I suppose.
My issue is with how the club have seemingly handled this. They should have made the most effort possible to keep him - if they can't keep him so be it. But it doesn't look like they've made the most effort.
35.) 31 Oct 2024 16:34:39
To let your 3 best players all get into the last year of their contracts is factually correct. Also imo it’s factually correct to say the club have been highly incompetent getting themselves into this mess.
36.) 31 Oct 2024 20:27:27
@Markp, using the word ‘factually’ doesn’t alway mean what’s being said is a fact. Your second ‘fact’ let's itself down with the ‘in my opinion’ thing. Can I ask how have the club been highly incompetent?
37.) 31 Oct 2024 20:41:48
@SR, I think since the FSG era started the club has moved from the days of a leaky sieve to playing its cards very close to its chest, with the one notable exception of Jurgen which basically destabilised the last third of last season on and off the pitch. It might very well be that they have re-tightened the flow of information in terms of what they see as in-house business.
There’s a genuine possibility that the club has done / is doing everything they can, or feel that they want to do, to keep the players. There is actually no real evidence to suggest that this isn’t (or is) the case.
Personally, I’d find it really, really odd, for a club that is, by and large, run very well to not have had a dialogue with TAA’s agent at various times throughout the contract. It’s also equally possible that the club may have known for sometime that TAA may have decided to leave. If that is the case there is very little the club to do (perhaps make offers that keep getting turned down perhaps) and the kerfuffle about negotiations and their timing is moot.
38.) 31 Oct 2024 20:45:58
MK - I fully get what you're saying. People will form an opinion based on speculation but that share their opinion as if the speculation is fact. It's a really tiresome form of debate tbh.
39.) 31 Oct 2024 21:47:05
markp08 : what makes you assert the club has been “highly incompetent”.
It’s my belief the club has no control over whether players run down their contracts or not.
40.) 01 Nov 2024 06:56:01
It’s an opinions website.
More or less everything said on here is opinions.
Not sure why some are confused with that.
41.) 01 Nov 2024 07:22:52
Yes, what's there to get irritated? It is all point of view. We all have one that is different and we need not think alike or agree.
Agree with Rome. We are in minority who believe he is a very good player but not world class level. These days the term is used very loosely.
Seeing Jaros performance (short highlights) makes me feel that valencia goal keeper signing is very stupid. Always felt the same before.
42.) 01 Nov 2024 08:17:34
@Jk23, in my opinion I think that @MKS’s opinion is correct in that an awful lot of people think that their opinion is, in fact, fact, which is, in fact, incorrect.
43.) 01 Nov 2024 08:58:53
WDW I'm glad you got the word opinion in otherwise i would have been confused lol.
44.) 01 Nov 2024 10:02:09
WDW, that's literally my main point and as others have said, some of these replies have only served to prove my point. Although I do sometimes forget that it's always hard to perceive the tone of a typed message, and for a lot of people on here English is probably not their first language. So maybe they don't mean for what they write to come off as if it's "fact". I've quickly typed things on here myself that I've then read back later on and realised it sounded as if I believed what I was saying was a fact. It's easily done and it's done by all of us at some point but there is a lot of it flying about on this topic. But no offence was intended to any one individual.
I am starting to think the frustrations of a quiet summer transfer window have boiled over, and many people are just projecting that now. I get it, as it's not clear to us fans what the club are looking to do moving forward (they have no obligation to tell us though) and this forum is a perfect place to vent to like minded people. It's absolutely fine to think keeping these 3 players should be a priority and I literally agree with that viewpoint. However unless you know exactly what John Henry, Tom Werner, Mike Gordon, Billy Hogan, Michael Edwards, Andy Hughes, Richard Hughes, Arne Slot, Mo Salah (and his agent/ family), Trent AA (and his agent/ family) and Virgil Van Dijk (and his agent/ family) all want you simply cannot speak on the topic of who is incompetent/ to blame with any authority. There are far too many people involved in the financial and strategic side of running a football club (all with their own agendas) for any of the leaked information about contract negotiations to be taken as gospel.
45.) 01 Nov 2024 11:11:20
Any player- including Trent- does not have to sign a new contract
I think someone else has already mentioned that we could have been talking to his representatives for a long time and not progressing to the point of a new contract for various reasons
The owners are business people - there’s no way (IMI) they’d be happy with an “asset” going with no financial reward
So I believe that the club has talked and has been getting noises from the Trent camp that has strung the process along.
46.) 01 Nov 2024 11:42:24
I would say a competent club offers their better players contracts with a minimum of 2 years before their contracts are due to end and have replacements lined up if needed. I could understand posters possibly believing the club have done all they can if we had one player in this current position. To have three star players in this position is incomprehensible. It’s incompetence and that’s very polite.
47.) 01 Nov 2024 12:29:49
markp08, I don't see any relevance that there are 3 players in their final year. I respect your opinion/ belief that the club could've done more, but my opinion/ belief is that Trent made his mind up a while ago and Virgil/ Salah wanted to wait to see how the transition goes. At their age they don't have time on their side and whatever people may think of Klopp's tenure, the football side of things was up and down (at best) during his last 4 years. We went from winning the Champions League and the Premier League in back to back seasons 2019 and 2020, to only winning 3 domestic cups in 4 years and scrapping for 4/ 5th place in a couple of seasons between 2021-2024. We all recognise these are 3 world class players, so why would they sign new deals with a club that isn't winning any of the biggest honours and had major uncertainty at management/ boardroom level? World class players don't play for Carabao Cups and 4th place.
48.) 01 Nov 2024 12:54:46
He’ll be at Madrid with Bellingham, mbappe, touch, and a list of others klopp wanted but could never attract or afford. Can still see klopp there next season ( more so with barcelona becoming a team again) . And also think they’ll be an offer for Allison Becker in there too. My opinion when klopp left us and I’m sticking to it.
49.) 01 Nov 2024 13:04:21
I can’t believe anyone thinks it’s anything other than a disaster class. Has it ever happened before, to any other major club? It’s probably going to cost us a minimum of £100m lost income. Money that we desperately will need to replace even one of those players. It’s a very black and white issue.
50.) 01 Nov 2024 13:31:48
Markp08, how much did Real Madrid pay PSG for Mbappe? It's Trent's right to run his contract down, as it was Mbappe's. It is my opinion that VVD will sign a new contract. Regards to Salah, I'm not so sure. What I am sure about is we've had the best years of his career, if he decides to go. And, like MK says, no club as ever fallen apart after a full back as left.
I don't believe it's a disaster at all, but it's your right to believe that it is. A "disaster" in my eyes is what's happened in Valencia.
51.) 01 Nov 2024 16:18:23
mark08 - do you know for a fact the club didn’t start discussions 2 years earlier?
I’m assuming you do as you seem very confident.
Nevada has already said Madrid were confident of signing him 12 months ago - sort of when Klopp announced he was leaving.
Clubs know what’s going on with other clubs. Agents represent players and sometimes managers. Agents talk to each other.
If Trent had decided he was going to Madrid 12 months ago, the club will have heard. Maybe that’s why CB was blooded last season.
52.) 01 Nov 2024 19:16:37
I've finally made it to the end of this thread and wish I hadn't started.
53.) 01 Nov 2024 20:47:42
Ah, but is it really the end @barakdee? ?
Every now and again something bad happens and we all agree it puts things in life into context. The flooding in Spain and the loss of so many lives is a disaster. Someone signing or not signing a contract extension is trivial and is definitely not a disaster.
54.) 01 Nov 2024 21:00:28
A disaster class. Obviously not a natural disaster.
Let’s stick with highly incompetent and hope lessons are learnt and quickly.
55.) 01 Nov 2024 23:41:05
You haven’t actually answered the question about evidence of incompetence. You just keep saying that the club is incompetent without producing any evidence whatsoever of incompetence.
56.) 02 Nov 2024 09:36:39
What’s your evidence that theere is no incompetence WDW? Only people inside the club know what’s going on but doesn’t the lack of contracts to 3 key players who if they leave we will get zero to little money for point more to incompetence than competence?
57.) 02 Nov 2024 10:11:01
That's the beauty of an online forum WDW, he doesn't have to back it up with evidence, it's just an opinion, in this case an expression of his mindset. There's very little to gripe about regarding results on the pitch so something else has to be found to condemn the club with.
The less we lose on the pitch the more off the pitch stuff gets blown out of proportion to balance that out. Some sort of coping mechanism I suppose, but ultimately harmless.
58.) 02 Nov 2024 12:30:49
Did ed01 not say Trent was game to sign months ago but club messed around?
59.) 02 Nov 2024 13:18:00
It’s just as bad if the club did offer a contract to Trent 2 years ago and they couldn’t sell him the project. As a local lad, future captain it should be an easy sell. Maybe Trent wants to win top trophies and he can’t see a way to consistently do that at Liverpool with this current ownership.
60.) 02 Nov 2024 17:06:55
Yes Mark, of course the club is to blame if a young millionaire chooses to earn a greatly enhanced future salary elsewhere. And as good a player as Trent undoubtedly is, who's to say Klopp or Slot see him as future captain material?
In other less interesting news we've just gone top of the table again.
61.) 02 Nov 2024 18:15:07
It’s like the club holds all the cards.
That’s total BS.
If Trent wants to run out his contract and then try his hand abroad then fair play. The club literally has no option.
Salah and VVD are coming to the end of their careers, the pace of the premier league will catch up with them sooner rather than later.
If they leave, they leave. Good luck to them, fabulous servants to the club, deserve the very best send offs.
62.) 02 Nov 2024 18:49:21
If all he cares about is money Flash then he can do one. Klopp mentioned more than once about him being a future captain. I believe the club has completely balls up the Trent contract, you believe what you want. I was wrong once before but can’t remember exactly when ?.
{Ed025's Note - get your own material Mark.. :)
63.) 02 Nov 2024 19:14:09
@WarMachine, I haven’t said the club has been either competent or incompetent in the matter. I don’t have evidence for either as I don’t work for the club or as an agent for the 3 players and I have no idea of the status of the negotiations between the club and the players.
One of the forum contributors believes that the club is guilty of incompetence. Now he’s either making stuff up, is using the word incorrectly, or must have some actual knowledge of the contract negotiations and the way Liverpool are handling them.
In his last post he seems to have come to an understanding that the club may have had one or more offers rejected by the player perhaps even as far back as 2 years ago - 2022 being, apparently, a magical year to re-negotiate contracts) . Of course blame for not having the contract offers accepted automatically falls on the club for not selling the vision - which presumably would have meant there would be no turn over of staff and everything would remain constant.
I appreciate that we are dealing with one thought at a time, so there’s always hope that the thought TAA has never had any intention to renew and just wants to experience something new might see the light of day. Even if the thought does ever see the light of day I’m pretty sure that it will still be the club’s fault.
@Mark, still waiting for the evidence / proof of incompetence ….
64.) 02 Nov 2024 20:15:01
Ha, nice one ed. How you keeping?
{Ed025's Note - im good thanks mark, how are you mate?..
65.) 02 Nov 2024 23:09:11
Sound ed, cheers.
66.) 03 Nov 2024 09:39:16
I think everyone would agree we shouldn’t have let all three key players contracts run down, but there were also quite a few mitigating circumstances, such as maybe wanting to see how VVD and Salah played as they aged, or perhaps these players didn’t want to sign something without having clarity on the new manager etc. it’s hard to pin it all on pure incompetence.
Having said all this, I think Trent will go personally (especially given his Ballon D’or comments), but I suspect he’s making a big mistake. If Real Madrid happen do well as a club, which will be necessary to win, he’s then going to be up against Vini, Bellingham, Mbappe. I suspect this may be why Jude didn’t get it, or even why Rodri won over Vini (ie. the vote was split with Jude) …. although I’d also like to add that I think Rodri was 100% the right choice.
11 Jun 2023 18:22:58
Evening Ed’s. Appreciate everything you do on here. Quick Q. I assume todays reports of our supposed interest in James Ward-Prowse is nonsense cluckbait. He hasn’t been mentioned in Ed’s prior lists and doesn’t strike me as an LFC target but hey what do I know. Thanks and have a good evening.
{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool but his agent is doing the rounds and Southampton are seeking significant transfer fees for players who are departing so he will be available.}
1.) 11 Jun 2023 19:19:21
Much obliged sir. Take care on your travels.
2.) 11 Jun 2023 20:20:01
Haha I can’t wait to see what VV has to say about this rumour he’ll be having kittens, although to be honest I personally don’t rate him apart from his free kicks I’m not sure what he could bring to the Liverpool table.
3.) 11 Jun 2023 20:21:28
How are as regards HG players quota now that Milner and Ox are leaving?
4.) 11 Jun 2023 21:41:04
He’s too slow/ low energy to play in Klopps midfield.
5.) 12 Jun 2023 02:37:03
Not what we need at all. Need younger, stronger, quicker, high energy, ball winners in the middle.
Set pieces are well and truly covered by TAA and now Mac Allister.
He'd also be a bit pricey as an English player.
Probably clickbait.
6.) 12 Jun 2023 13:15:52
Jeez Ward- Prowse now we are looking like a mid table club. He’s an average player with a great free kick and that’s it.
7.) 12 Jun 2023 14:50:56
English Charlie Adams, without the beer gut but just as slow and immobile. Sounds like lazy journalism as we tend to like a relegated player occasionally.
01 Jan 2023 19:11:36
Hi Ed’s. Any ongoing interest in Douglas Luiz from Villa from LFC?
{Ed002's Note - No.}
1.) 02 Jan 2023 07:49:27
Thank F for that. What a pointless squad signing he would be-exactly the type that blocks the pathways of young players whilst providing nothing.
IF LFC want to remodel themselves as a place where youth can flourish and develop, like Dortmund but up a few levels, Morton and the young spaniard need to play those games.
2.) 02 Jan 2023 08:27:09
Hoping for an improved performance from the red men today we will need it against an organised and very good team in Brentford .
We play to our best though and 3 points are easily attainable .
Konate and Fabinho to come in will help physically
Will gakpo get on Ed’s or has he not been cleared to play yet?
3.) 02 Jan 2023 08:54:19
Anyone know if Gakpo can play tonight?
{Ed002's Note - No he won't be able to play.}
4.) 02 Jan 2023 09:29:32
1st opportunity to play is against Wolves in the cup I believe.
5.) 02 Jan 2023 09:39:24
We will need to play much better than the Leicester game if we to beat brentford. They've great record against so called bigger teams as well. I'd like to see konate, fab and bajectic come in for matip, hendo and ox. put elliott to left, not his best position but prob still our best bet. Konate is a must we can't wait any longer to get him in.
6.) 02 Jan 2023 10:25:15
Agree on Konate, this is a game he needs to start for us in my opinion.
7.) 02 Jan 2023 10:26:42
Is Tony out injured? That would potentially help us.
{Ed001's Note - they said he should be fit to face us.}
8.) 02 Jan 2023 11:16:59
Thanks Ed001.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
9.) 02 Jan 2023 11:31:08
Are we sure Gakpo can’t play? He’s available for this game week on fantasy football?
{Ed002's Note - Obviously he is available then.}
10.) 02 Jan 2023 11:52:20
Pretty sure that’s a sarcastic reply which I don’t think there’s any need for. Only reason I asked is that they are normally pretty accurate when it comes to availability. But, since my first post I’ve had a look and can now see why he is not expected to be available. Maybe you could have just explained instead of responding like that. No need.
{Ed002's Note - Why ask me if you have already been told he is available by your fantasy football team? Is it just to waste my time? Idiot.}
11.) 02 Jan 2023 12:10:36
I asked because there was no explanation above as to why he couldn’t play. Last I saw was a Klopp interview saying he could possibly make it. ---------Rubbish removed-------
{Ed002's Note - You should listen to Klopp and your fantasy football team and not bother me.}
12.) 02 Jan 2023 13:20:09
Nice to see we’re all getting along in 2023 already.
13.) 02 Jan 2023 14:21:07
Ed002 is it done the same way as Scotland (registering players)? I only ask because the Celtic right back is a new signing and he's playing in the Old Firm.
{Ed002's Note - Yes of course it is the same in Scotland. If it is the guy from Montral you are referring to everything was done in advance.}
14.) 02 Jan 2023 14:50:57
Would appear he has been registered Jonop1 ?.
15.) 02 Jan 2023 15:32:54
It was Ed002 and thanks for the reply.
16.) 02 Jan 2023 17:48:06
Brilliant. Replying to questions whilst saying in those replies it’s a waste of time and calling people out for it. Honestly lads just don’t bother.
{Ed002's Note - That suits me. I'll just delete more for you then.}
17.) 02 Jan 2023 17:49:37
Regardless thanks for the heads up.
18.) 02 Jan 2023 18:35:59
That would probably be best for everyone Ed002. Have a nice evening.
14 Jun 2022 19:30:37
Nunez taking number 27 by the look of it. Be grabbing that number 9 shirt off Bobbies back on his way out the door next year then!
1.) 14 Jun 2022 19:50:15
Get a few iconic goals this season in honour of the man who last wore that number.
2.) 14 Jun 2022 20:27:13
I think it’s a good move. I though he was going to wait for Mane’s number 10 but no need to add to the pressure by giving him his shirt.
3.) 14 Jun 2022 20:29:26
He hasn’t done the lean. Pics or it didn’t happen.
4.) 14 Jun 2022 21:11:27
Those jokes about the lean are getting boring.
5.) 14 Jun 2022 22:31:29
Aw you are no fun. We signed a big name. Enjoy it mate.
6.) 14 Jun 2022 23:22:14
We should just give him the number 10. He wants to be here. If Mane stays he has the 27.
7.) 15 Jun 2022 03:07:03
2+7=9.
8.) 15 Jun 2022 05:47:56
Yes noski that’s what I was getting at. As soon as Bobby is off he’ll be grabbing that shirt quicker than ol’ Jose grabs a severance package.
9.) 15 Jun 2022 06:25:45
Knock knock.
Who s there?
Eileen
Eileen who?
I lean on the wall, you can have the seat.
I make no apologies for another lean joke.
10.) 15 Jun 2022 08:16:56
@Davey - you sure that’s a joke mate ?.
11.) 15 Jun 2022 08:32:30
That's straight from my gold stuff WDW. Nothing but my best for this site.
12.) 15 Jun 2022 08:36:20
Westwood Bobby going nowhere mate. He going to retire with us.
13.) 15 Jun 2022 09:25:44
Nice one Davey ?.
14.) 15 Jun 2022 09:39:57
Keep the lean jokes coming ?.
15.) 15 Jun 2022 12:49:04
I think he’s going to be top class for us! Like when Torres came, just a feeling he’s really going to shine for Liverpool.
10 Jul 2021 09:47:36
Good Morning Ed’s.
Apologies if this has been raised elsewhere but I havnt seen. Reports about that Ben Davies wants to stay and JK personally asked him to do so. Assuming this is accurate which I am unsure about at best, are we looking to offload any of the CB’s on the books either permanently or on loan? If Williams is included as a senior we have 7 CB’s for 2 positions are surely need to trim the squad? Thoughts or insights appreciated as always.
James.
{Ed002's Note - As has been explained, Nat Phillips is available to leave. Konate is a Gomez replacement but Gomez won't be sold. Ben Davies was a huge mistake but does not appear to be for sale.}
1.) 10 Jul 2021 10:59:49
Why is Ben Davies a huge mistake?
{Ed002's Note - His career has been stopped as Liverpool purchased him and did not play their youngsters. He has not played and midfield players have been picked ahead of him. A huge mistake and dreadful squad management again.}
2.) 10 Jul 2021 11:10:51
Thanks Ed. Very disappointing to hear. I very much hope positive decisions are made and both are allowed to move on to progress their careers.
3.) 10 Jul 2021 11:36:24
We needed cover, we signed him on deadline day of January. Season was over 4 months later, hardly a career ruiner. Both he aswell as the club were obviously happy to go along with the move which didn't exactly cost the club a fortune, they'll probably even turn a profit when selling.
{Ed002's Note - Liverpool had youngsters they could use and also took a player on loan. The squad management has been poor and continues to be poor. So where does the player stand now?}
4.) 10 Jul 2021 11:40:43
It’s clear as day Klopp didn’t want Ben Davies. It seems we have a Rafa situation with Robbie Keane, signing a player he didn’t really want and then refusing to play him to send a message to the owners.
{Ed001's Note - nonsense. The lad got injured just after joining us, Williams and Phillips were in situ by the time he got back.}
5.) 10 Jul 2021 11:46:36
The player has this season to prove he is good enough to be kept beyond this season. That's where he stands based on what has been said in this thread. Sounds like he wants to stay to try make the most of the opportunity.
Klopp doesn't play every new player straight after signing. If Ben Davies isn't happy with how many games he plays this season then he can move on in January or at the end of the season. Not a big deal.
{Ed002's Note - The squad management continues to be very poor.}
6.) 10 Jul 2021 11:48:27
I imagine Williams will leave and we don’t know how the 3 injured players will recover. I think we need to keep an extra defender or 2 just in case. We can’t be playing the midfielders at the back again.
7.) 10 Jul 2021 12:18:26
Am sure Davies would have played if he wasn’t injured! Klopp can’t pick him if he’s on the treatment table can he.
8.) 10 Jul 2021 12:22:21
Not many squads could have dealt with the amount of injuries we did last season maybe none! So on that side squad management has been fantastic and we did use youngsters Williams and Philips (not so young) Elliotts loan also worked out well. But I do agree hanging on to some of the players we do that never get to see them me on the pitch is poor Tsimikas Origi Ox and Shaq never play. But hey If poor squad management wins champions leagues and premiership titles then carry on. Seriously though I do think a tidy up is needed a bit messy having all these players unsure of their futures.
9.) 10 Jul 2021 12:50:15
The central defenders that will be reporting for day 1 of pre season…
Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ben Davies, Rhys Williams, Nat Phillips, Billy Koumetio,
10.) 10 Jul 2021 13:05:37
To be fair, Ben Davies must have known that he wasn’t going to be a regular starter and at best 4 choice when he signed for us. Maybe if it wasn’t for his injury he might have had some game time, we will never know. I hope he gets a chance to prove himself, but either way, we need to offload some of the back up CBs.
11.) 10 Jul 2021 13:16:55
3 senior defenders going into the season with the hope of giving the youngsters games in the early rounds of the domestic cups. Due to almost unheard of bad luck through injuries we were left with no senior centreback by January with most experts giving us no hope of top 4.We then sign a talented kid on loan "without"an obligation to buy and a player for pennies from the championship who then gets injured. We then achieve top 4 with the loanee and probably our 6th choice centrehalf at the start of the season. Davies and Phillips will likely be sold now for a hefty profit while we bought one of the most promising defenders in the world, leaving us with a group of 4 Centrehalves better than anything in the league. Absolutely top class squad management to me.
{Ed002's Note - Rubbish - you don't understand the situation nor the Home Grown rules.}
12.) 10 Jul 2021 13:18:31
Keeping Davies as LCB cover will allow us to sell Phillips and loan Rhys. It's interesting that Ed001 and 002 seem to disagree on this point. The lad was unlucky with the injury, so Liverpool did use youngsters. Hope he can stay fit and get some game time so we can finally see what he can offer.
{Ed002's Note - Liverpool used the likes of Henderson and Fabinho at CB. Ben Davies did not play a single game.}
13.) 10 Jul 2021 13:55:19
Were grand regarding home grown. Elliot and Jones aren't even counted yet even though they'll get plenty of games. Look Klopp pulled a blinder getting us top 4.Davies will get over it. Big drama about nothing.
{Ed002's Note - You are an idiot - Liverpool had a reduced Champions League squad last season.}
14.) 10 Jul 2021 14:33:48
So would you want us to have a 25 man squad. AND the likes of Neco, Jones, elliott?
{Ed002's Note - Williams won't be there but Liverpool will have to leave players out of their Champions League squad again or fix the problems.}
15.) 10 Jul 2021 14:41:44
Kelleher, Neco, Trent, Gomez, Ox, Hendo, Millie, Jones and Elliott for this season. grand. not counting jones is like Arsenal not counting Saka, or Utd not counting Grenwood. these players are senior players despite their age.
16.) 10 Jul 2021 14:43:45
If you were not pick ahead of rhys last seasons. Good luck trying to be picked next seasons.
17.) 10 Jul 2021 15:49:32
Ben Davies kept picking up injuries did he not? I mean surely it would have been worse management to play him at a level higher than he’s ever played before with a niggling injury?
{Ed002's Note - He made the bench a few times. But a pointless buy.}
18.) 10 Jul 2021 15:56:38
Reminds me of a buy a few years ago, one of the top 6 (cant think who) bought a 24 year old from some championship club. can't remember ever hearing of him again. Anyone remember who it was?
19.) 10 Jul 2021 16:18:04
Aaah it was Michal Hector bought by Josè at Chelsea.
20.) 10 Jul 2021 16:36:29
Nonsense Ed? Klopp was happy with a last minute championship defender? I’m not buying it. I’ll trust in Klopp’s squad management as well too thanks.
{Ed001's Note - ok you obviously know better. Or it could just be that you are as arrogant as you are ignorant and will dismiss anything that doesn't suit you.}
21.) 10 Jul 2021 17:31:43
Look he may stay or go. but at £1.6m for a player who had plenty of interest in him, and who will more than likely turn a nice profit when being sold his signing can hardly be classed as a "huge mistake".
22.) 11 Jul 2021 00:07:49
Last season players for CB position:
-VanDijk (INJURED)
-Gomez (INJURED)
-Matip (INJURED)
-Philips (Played 20 games)
-Rhys (Played 19 games)
-Ozan (Played 13 game)
-Davies (Played 0 Games)
This season
-VanDijk
-Gomez (Likely yo play RB)
-Matip
-Konate
-Philips (Sell)
-Rhys (Loan)
-Davies (? ) Didn't play a single game and doesn't have a place in the team unless 3 players get injured at the same time.
{Ed002's Note - "His career has been stopped as Liverpool purchased him" - "He has not played" - "A huge mistake and dreadful squad management again"
{Ed002's Note - "Ben Davies was a huge mistake but does not appear to be for sale"
23.) 11 Jul 2021 15:16:01
The guy kept getting injured which tells me he prolly could not handle the type of training Klopp deploys. Also, we are forgetting that Kabak and Phillips formed a solid partnership for 8 games w/ o a loss so was Davies on the bench during that time? If he was then of course, he stays there. If he was injured at the same time then again, what’s the problem?
We may have issues with squad management but IMO, this whole storm in a tea cup about Davies is way overblown, IMO.
Westwood666's banter posts with other poster's replies to Westwood666's banter posts
04 Aug 2024 16:12:19
I managed to watch the highlights but not the whole match. Question to anyone that did: how did we set up? Inverted fullbacks to dm's?
Double pivot and 10 in a 4231?
Just interested to see what sort of style is being practised.
1.) 04 Aug 2024 21:29:33
The formation was very fluid, 4-4-2 when defending the double pivot for build up play with other midfielder pushing more forward. Slot said in his press conference that he plays a 4-3-3 but it does often look like a 4-2-3-1 when we are attacking. The fullbacks tend to play more traditionally maintaining width but don’t tend to be as high and wide as we are used to under Klopp. Fullbacks ( in particular Bradley) doing a lot of underlaps and cutbacks which is exciting!
Last night I felt Elliott had a lot of missed passes in the 10 position and held onto the ball a lot, delaying passes and causing players to be caught way offside, teething problems I’m sure. We were defenitey pressed a lot more in our build up phase and Konate and Endo weren’t great passing out or receiving the ball on the turn but Quansah was immense and Gravenberch did well too! Special mention to Carvalho who got stuck in and did a lot of tracking back and winning back possession. My biggest take away from the friendly matches is our commitment to winning the ball back, we appear physically stronger and I lost count of the amount of times we bullied opposition off the ball.
2.) 04 Aug 2024 22:05:24
very fluid formation. try and watch a whole game especially the last two. You'll get a much better sense of how we set-up through different phases of the game.
Very impressed with how the team have responded to the new coach.
3.) 05 Aug 2024 02:35:33
lfctv go are doing first month free btw. all the pre-season games are on-demand there and remaining pre-season games will be live.
4.) 05 Aug 2024 06:05:19
Cheers chaps!
16 May 2024 05:54:18
Looks like VAR is being voted on then at the next PL club meeting. Personally I would not get rid of it, because if we do we'll all be complaining about the amount of offsides that would of been called but won't bez especially now the refs have got used to having that support.
No improvements on communication and removal of subjectivity need to be put i.
{Ed001's Note - forget offsides, they are not going to be included in this. There will be semi-automated offsides so that is not relevant. VAR is a terrible system which destroys the enjoyment of celebrating a goal, it needs to go.}
1.) 16 May 2024 07:24:17
Get rid of it, it's been a mess.
2.) 16 May 2024 07:27:59
I think after VAR, not many will be complaining about an on-field ref getting a few decisions wrong. It has sucked the last few joys left in football for me.
3.) 16 May 2024 07:51:13
Ed001, you are correct. That is the biggest problem with VAR.
4.) 16 May 2024 07:56:16
My only hope is that they don't then start looking at subjective offsides with the automated system. Like when Endo apparently blocked Colwill by standing still in the cup final. For me there are two ways to be offside; you are in an offside position and touch the ball, or you are in an offside position and block the keepers line of site. Everything else is just a convoluted nonsense. All this interfering with the defenders decision making or stopping them running back is horse ****. Defenders have enough advantages what with being able to wrestle players down in the box at set pieces, dive to get soft free kicks to break the press, obstruct the attacker to shield the ball out of play etc.
Got to scrap as much of VAR as possible. Goal line technology, automated offsides and mistaken identity for red/ yellow cards. Job done. That is ALL we ever needed.
5.) 16 May 2024 08:27:37
Not trying to be flippant here (hopefully it doesn’t come across that way), but how does semi automated offsides not also take the joy out of celebrating goals?
Eg goal goes in; players and fans celebrate; then semi auto offsides rule that the player was offside; goal is chalked off.
{Ed001's Note - that is the same as a flag going up. The difference is that it is not 3 minutes later, it is within seconds.}
6.) 16 May 2024 08:37:37
Won’t semi automated offsides spoil the celebrations of a goal or will it be immediate decision?
{Ed001's Note - be almost immediate yes.}
7.) 16 May 2024 08:59:17
Can't wait for the technology around semi-automated offsides to go wrong.
I'm probably in the minority who think that VAR in principle is a good idea. It's just not being implemented particularly well. They intermittently hide behind the 'clear and obvious error' directive to defend inaction, whilst at other times they correct what appear to be marginal decisions. And VAR refs make completely different calls from one week to the next which is mind-boggling.
I can understand that from an on pitch ref since they only have what they can see in front of them happening in real time, but from a guy who has multiple replays from multiple angles and slow mos, it's just not good enough. I'm not looking for refereeing perfection, but it should be possible to have broad consistency with VAR in place.
8.) 16 May 2024 09:31:01
I would only keep it for pens . but everyone knows sky etc will overdo every decision to the point of overkill. they only add to the problems . Some refs are awful but got to to let them ref games . we all jump up when we score n then sit back down to check if it's been called back for a var check . fun n excitement has all but gone.
9.) 16 May 2024 10:59:54
The semi automated offsides work in the CL and in Serie A that I know off. That thing is instant. As for VAR, I maintain that it is a good system that can be a lot better if people actually wanted it to work.
10.) 16 May 2024 13:54:47
Seconds are not the problem when it comes to celebrating a goal. Minutes are.
We've all celebrated a goal without realising that the whistle has gone or offside flag being raised but they're not the same as VAR.
I'm even waiting for VAR to intervene now. The moments that make football what it is are being lost.
11.) 16 May 2024 13:56:28
They aren't going to scrap VAR.
This is club's sending a message to Premier League and PGMOL about the performance this year. Its performative.
Webb should stand down. His leadership has been nothing short of shambolic.
12.) 16 May 2024 14:54:25
Getting rid of VAR would be insanity, people complaining about incorrect decisions would rather go back to putting the incorrect decisions back into the hands of the same people who run VAR. You just have to work out how to improve it, or restrict it for now till you can work out full proof methods.
And get these awful refs out of VAR booths, let some analyst run it and just advise the ref. at worst you can just the TMO like in rugby so they can have a chat and run the ref over to the screen and explain the rules to them.
Removing it doesn't fix the problem.
13.) 16 May 2024 09:21:19
Put ten refs in diffrent var rooms and play the same incident or offside and i would not be surprised that there would be ten diffrent outcomes and reasons.
In short var works but not with the people who use it .
14 Apr 2024 19:21:39
Well that's that then. Goodbye Klopp you absolute legend. Been great but I think he's spot on that there's nothing more that he can do for us based on how everything has fallen away the last few weeks. Hopefully Amorim can bring back some energy and good attacking football.
1.) 14 Apr 2024 19:54:32
It's more disappointing with the players we have and squad. Allison and virg aren't go into be here forever and we should have won more than we did and especially this season. The seasons not over yet but since the United fa cup game there's just a real tiredness to us now especially mentally. The constant going behind certainly doesn't help aided with the system. Klopp said post match trent came on and structurally we were better?! If klopp had stayed for another 4 years this inverted system was never going and the lack of width was never changing either. Robbo was fantastic today, it'd amazing when quaulty players play wide and put in some terrific crosses for players who are great in the air.
2.) 14 Apr 2024 20:46:49
This inverted fullback system does nothing against teams that sit in. We should be trying to open the pitch up. Our outball right is konate when Trent plays inverted, madness.
3.) 14 Apr 2024 21:18:20
I had made a couple of posts where I hoped that we would go back to basics tactically after trying to out-tactic the opposition over the last few weeks, but frustratingly Klopp had other ideas again.
Also, it was clear Endo/ Macca were exhausted on Thu. To start them both was surprising.
As it stands, it looks like the season and Klopp era is going to go out with a whimper - even with Arsenal's defeat.
4.) 15 Apr 2024 02:17:17
We created enough chances in the last 2 prem games to win 10 games, but if we don't have a proven goalscorer anymore what are we going to do. Mo hasn't been the same since the hamstring injury and for as much chaos as he causes, Darwin isn't that guy. We need a 20+ in the league goal machine and we need a settled central defensive partnership.
5.) 15 Apr 2024 03:02:40
100% our biggest issue. Nunez is not the answer, I think he could work on the left wing if Diaz were to leave but he is no way a striker out and out.
We need an injury free forward that can take his chances when they are presented.
I like Osmihen but probably beyond our budget.
Isla is also an upgrade.
{Ed001's Note - Osimhen misses as many as Nunez, so does Haaland. All strikers miss sitters, I can remember Rush kneeing one over from inside the 6 yard box with an open goal. That is not our biggest issue, it is the quality of chances we are creating that is the problem. Every single shot the box is full of opposition players, we no longer get in behind, we don't drag their defenders out of position, so they can get bodies in the way. While that happens, the chances of a shot finding the back of the net are massively reduced. How many 1-on-1s did we get against Palace? I think it was 1 if I remember correctly. And that fell for Jones. We are getting off lots of shots, but rarely are we getting open space to aim at.}
6.) 15 Apr 2024 06:44:13
I think it was V V in the chat who said ‘Nunez has the touch of an axe murderer’. Hard to argue with that observation.
For a £90m striker his technique is poor. It feel like he’s always snatching at chances, head down and smash it as hard as he can - the knock down from the corner being an example. 5 yards out, smash it at the keepers knee. He didn’t have a lot of time but take a second and try and miss the keeper.
He doesn’t time his runs well either, there are a lot of offsides.
For me, he’s not good enough technically but I completely appreciate his good points - pace, strength, tenacity, work rate. I get it why people appreciate him, this is no slight on them, he just needs to be better.
His transfer fee does him no favours.
7.) 15 Apr 2024 07:07:21
Who's great in the air?
8.) 15 Apr 2024 07:14:26
I'm with Ed001. I think Nunez has been incredibly unlucky to not score more than he has this season. Yes he 'smashes' the ball slot but most of the time in football those go in. No Nunez is not the problem. He's a 24 YO striker who has everything in his locker and will this year and ongoing be a 20 goal a season striker minimum. The tactics and lack of width when teams sit deep is what does us. So sick of watching us play short passes around the 30 years mark from oppos goals, all within the width of the 18 yard box. So easy to defend, press and counter against.
Klopp has been amazing but as I said 2 years ago the persistence of backing Peps style with this slow possession based inverted system is woeful. Feels like he has betrayed the original version of him to be frank. It's the right time to leave and let someone else (Amorim fingers crossed) have a crack.
9.) 15 Apr 2024 07:39:44
At some point during the international break we decided to try and become Brighton.
Neil from Anfield Wrap asked why does it seem like we continuously use the first half as a fact finding mission. Are we not doing our opposition analysis anymore? Or are we being arrogant and choosing to start with a handicap?
Ed001, is right about the chance types for the forwards. Crowded boxes, scrambles or difficult angles.
10.) 15 Apr 2024 09:00:50
I disagree with the quality of the chances.
Look at the goals we concede. They are not always clear 1-1 chances. There are a lot of crowded penalty areas (yesterday) .
I think of some of the Atalanta goals, some of the Man U goals.
How much easier does it get than 5 yards out with just the keeper in front of you?
I don’t need a striker who can score open goals, I expect them to be able to score other types of goals. Like the ones we concede.
{Ed001's Note - but we do not have bodies in the way, everyone is just stood off, no one is closing down. Our opposition are throwing themselves into the challenge, getting their bodies in the way, rather than standing off and waiting.}
11.) 15 Apr 2024 09:49:21
Well that is certainly true Ed, we have bodies all around them but they aren’t trying as hard to block the shots.
{Ed001's Note - that is a problem all over the pitch, the press is non-existent and no one is closing down and getting in people's faces. Most of the time the only one trying is Endo and it is easy to bypass one player. It is so sad to see the season petering out this way.}
12.) 15 Apr 2024 09:54:02
Robbo was our best player yesterday and terrific the first half. I don't believe if i remember he did the same second half which was a great option for us. Very poor decisions from the staff.
13.) 15 Apr 2024 17:12:39
Ed, is it the exhaustion of a long season that is now showing it's ugly face, or specifically how we have set the team up which is making is turgid?
{Ed001's Note - we have gone back to the way the team was being set up to play this season. It is nothing to do with exhaustion.}
14.) 15 Apr 2024 20:37:57
thanks Ed, so it's back to the inverted RB schtick that basically nullifies any width in play and focusses on possession?
{Ed001's Note - yes.}
04 Mar 2024 20:50:46
Sly reporting that Bayern have opened discussions with Alonso and have received a positive response to the possibility of joining them over LFC, as following Klopp would be "too difficult".
I personally doubt their is any truth in this (eds? ) as why would he get into a chat, direct or indirect, with the main rival to winning the league with his current team? Also, whilst, disappointing if true, anyone that is afraid to follow Klopp definitely should not be the manager.
Hope it's all nonsense but no smoke without fire in my book.
1.) 04 Mar 2024 22:17:17
for me not really going to be paying attention to anything in the media that suggest who is more likely or whatever. not saying they don't have any inside oil, but just not sure how helpful it's going to be to follow each article as it changes week to week.
In general I'd agree that the next manager who doesn't want the challenge would be the wrong manager to take over.
2.) 04 Mar 2024 22:49:10
Have this dreadful feeling we’re going to end up with dross like DeZerbi.
3.) 04 Mar 2024 22:54:17
I would imagine Xabi’s focus will be fully on Leverkusen right now, and rightly so.
4.) 04 Mar 2024 22:58:01
Same way as we ended up with Sander Berge and Adama Traore right?
5.) 04 Mar 2024 23:38:06
Bayern based Media doing anything they can to distract Leverkusen from winning the title imo.
This story has many more chapters before it is settled once and for all.
6.) 04 Mar 2024 23:41:53
Don't forget Mount as well! We did get Grav though so at least VV got that right.
But all joking aside, I can relate to the worry that VV has. It's going to be a monumental task replacing Klopp and we need to get it spot on if we want to continue competing. Get it wrong and we may very much end up like how we were pre-klopp.
7.) 04 Mar 2024 23:55:10
It'll all be nonsense, nobody knows anything right now.
8.) 05 Mar 2024 06:12:01
Think it will be nagelsmann to be honest, think people are nailing alonso to be the next manager, got to keep an open mind so not to be disappointed.
9.) 05 Mar 2024 06:16:31
Can’t think that Alonso would be so disrespectful to agree to anything while trying to win the League with BL, especially a team and competition from the same country.
That said I don’t think it’s a given that he’ll manage Liverpool, regardless of how many times he has said he wants to manage us or who his kids support.
10.) 05 Mar 2024 07:03:25
I feel sorry for leverkusan in all this, on verge of winning 1st ever league title and everyday 1 story r another about there manager. Even tho they continueing to win bound to be a distraction and destabilising.
11.) 05 Mar 2024 07:39:13
I'm leaning the same way fatwallet. I think people are so focussed on Alonso that they're overlooking JN. He is a top coach, gets on with Klopp and also the timings work out with him leaving his current role in the summer.
It's being reported the compensation fee to get Alonso would be over £20m, could be a factor.
12.) 05 Mar 2024 07:48:39
To be fair FSG listened to advice when they brought a Jurgen in. They did a good job there so hopefully they can do it again.
13.) 05 Mar 2024 08:08:37
I've the feeling that we will get a dof before a manager. The club will purchase players and sell a few.
The new manager possibly Nagelsman then we struggle due to having the wrong players for the system he wants to play.
All in all it will take 4 or so transfer windows if he's given time to get us back up the league.
14.) 05 Mar 2024 08:11:48
German media talking about a german team getting the manager whos currently top of the german league.
15.) 05 Mar 2024 08:15:15
Are we looking at thiago motta eds in case alonso doesn't come or even hansi flick or what's people's opinions of them, motta seems to be doing a great job at bologna and flicks style seems similar to klopps heavy metal football.
{Ed002's Note - No.}
16.) 05 Mar 2024 09:39:46
Very much doubt the team going for their 1st ever Bundesliga would be allowing their manager to talk to the team also going for the title. talk about conflict of interests, would be amazed if this is true.
17.) 05 Mar 2024 09:40:38
It’s clickbait I wouldn’t give it any credibility whatsoever.
I could report that he’s leaning towards Liverpool because he doesn’t want to play against Leverkusen. Makes perfect sense but doesn’t make it true.
Likewise I could say he wants to stay at Leverkusen and defend his title.
The truth is nobody knows and Alonso is unlikely to make any decisions until he’s lifted the title. Rightly so.
18.) 05 Mar 2024 10:18:44
Agreed BP, he should just be left alone until he wins the title. Let them enjoy it.
19.) 05 Mar 2024 10:22:21
Our job is to concentrate on this season. Beat them lot on Sunday.
20.) 05 Mar 2024 10:23:02
WDW3, It's been reported that Theo Epstein (title winning ex-manager of Boston Red Sox and new partner in FSG) is heading the search for Klopp's replacement. Given that he doesn't have any background in football (the round kind and not the egg shaped kind), I imagine he is consulting with experts and being aided by some trusted people in the organization.
As far as Alonso is concerned, I think people are placing too much emphasis on Alonso's history with the club and what he's said to the media. I think Bayer Leverkusen getting what they want will be crucial, and I think that all managers are very media-savvy nowadays and will always use it to further their agendas. Given the "Manager of the Year" performance Klopp is delivering at the moment, it's going to take someone with supreme self-confidence to want to come in, given that expectations will be sky high and he'll be expected to "hit the ground running". And I doubt a new manager will be given the 2-3 years Klopp was given to right the ship, since the team is in very good shape right now.
21.) 05 Mar 2024 11:22:31
Exactly, Beckers pecker. If you were a journalist, that scenario you said would be more than believable even tho, you just made it up out of thin air. Typical clickbait nonsense to drive clicks and conversation.
IMO, nobody knows anything about anything hence, a lot of guess work and if Paul Joyce ain't saying nothing then, it means there is nothing to see here. We're all going to have to sit tight, be patient and wait for the actual news to drop. It is what it is. And I hope it's Alonso.
22.) 05 Mar 2024 12:07:54
I don't see Alonso coming immediately after winning the title with BL. It seems too short a time at a club before taking over at an ‘elite’ club., too fast a career trajectory. My money is on him staying at Leverkausen a few years and then taking the Madrid job. I have a hunch we will get Nagelsmann (and i wouldn't be overly disappointed either) .
23.) 05 Mar 2024 12:09:19
BP/ Salah - I actually think the opposite, I think Alonso's agent will ver much much better in discussions at this point in time, leaving Alonso to focus on BL.
Any type of process like this would likely take several weeks if not months anyone, so leaving it until he has lifted the title would not really benefit him or LFC as he would want as much time with a new team as possible before the new season.
Whoever the manager will be, most of the T&C's would likely be sorted before the end of the season if all goes well I would think.
24.) 05 Mar 2024 12:29:56
11 managers at Bayern in Klopps time here, like Coutinho and others know, go somewhere and be forgotten or come here and be a legend, loved and worshiped by fans, its a no brainer, he wants to come and will do, don't be disappointed if Almorin was to come either, we know how our business goes sometimes, especially when it comes to finances.
25.) 05 Mar 2024 14:38:54
Last year we all nailed our hopes to Bellingham coming and it didn’t come to fruition.
Just out of interest only because I don’t have a clue myself and would like to hear others. Say if we couldn’t get Alonso who would be fans next option.
26.) 05 Mar 2024 15:50:07
I'm struggling to think of an alternative, JK23. I'm not an expert on European football, so I wasn't looking beyond Alonso. Ruben Amorim is well thought of, but I know nothing about him. He sounds like a Chelsea appointment to me. It will get to the stage where we will be hoping for Lijnders!
27.) 05 Mar 2024 16:00:07
I personally would love Alonso to manage us. I feel like he has unfinished business here as he left so abruptly.
I also think all of the names we are being linked with in the media have come from Ed002s notebook.
Amorim has done a great job with Sporting, winning their first title in 19 years (echoes of Klopp) .
Arne Slot lost out on the league in 2020 with AZ on goal difference, then led Feyenoord to the league title last season, in his second season as their manager. However Feyenoord were disappointing in the Champions League, losing to Celtic, the only team in their group to do so. On the flip side, using aggregate scores they would have beaten both Celtic and Lazio. He only extended his contract last May but football management and contracts are a funny business. Jury is definitely out on him for me. Very risky.
Nagelsmann seems to be a really convenient choice. He is bright, crazily young (36! Just how? ) and did a great job at Hoffenheim (age 28) and then Leipzig (age 31), taking the former to the Champions League for the first time ever in their history and the latter to the Champions League knock-out phase for the first time in their history.
Now this is where it gets strange. The season after winning the league and DFL-Supercup, Kahn and Salihamdžić decided to sack him when he had a 100% win rate in the Group stages of the Champions League and 1 point behind the league leaders Dortmund.
A crazy sacking in my opinion, just days before they could have de-railed Man City’s treble challenge (no conspiracy theories please) and precedented the downturn of the club’s fortunes this season and the eventual sacking of both Kahn and Salihamdžić from the board on the same day.
He finished in Bayern with a points average only bettered by Pep, Flick and Ancelotti. No mean feat.
Style of play is very similar to Klopp, although his affair with the journalist from the Bild is not a good look. Does one mistake make him a bad bet? His resume is more of a concern. 3 years in first role, 2 years in second, less than 2 years in third. Is he going to stick around?
28.) 05 Mar 2024 16:01:10
JK, absolutely no idea. I think it's such a gamble this day and age, no real guarantees. I remember when Klopp came in it was very 50/ 50 as Ancelotti was also in the frame. I myself was leaning towards Ancelotti at the time but look how that turned out!
Personally, I would like to see Alonso given a go, but if not, Julian Nagelsmann would be interesting.
29.) 05 Mar 2024 16:22:47
Like you Rome1977!, I have no idea cos I know want nothing to do with Naggelsmann nor DeZerbi at all. People say Amorim but I don't know that much if anything at all about him.
30.) 05 Mar 2024 16:34:58
Good news is that football insider are also saying their senior source says Alonso prefers Bayern move to Liverpool and they never get anything right. Literally nothing.
Sounds like a move to Liverpool is still on.
31.) 05 Mar 2024 16:34:58
Good news is that football insider are also saying their senior source says Alonso prefers Bayern move to Liverpool and they never get anything right. Literally nothing.
Sounds like a move to Liverpool is still on.
32.) 05 Mar 2024 17:19:44
Aray I think it’s quite the opposite.
Anyone who goes into Bayern Munich next season will be expected to win the league. In fact nothing else will do.
Whoever comes into Liverpool will be given time to put their stamp on the club and the team given what a huge character Klopp is. Anyone expecting someone to come in and ‘hit the ground running’ at Liverpool is just not very clever.
Bayern is a win or nothing club, Tuchel has lost his job for coming second. I just don’t see the following Klopp argument as a realistic one. If you’re concerned about that then you don’t have a clue about this club and don’t belong here anyway.
33.) 05 Mar 2024 18:28:29
JK - Can't see past Naggelsmann if Alonso doesn't want it.
34.) 05 Mar 2024 23:19:35
Beckers Pecker I hadn’t realised that the bundesliga had ended 3 weeks ago when it was announced that Tuchel was leaving? Or are Leverkusen over 30 points in front of Bayern and unable to be caught up since there’s 10 games left?
Tuchel isn’t being sacked for coming second (since that’s not even confirmed yet ?) it’s due to disagreements both with the board and with members of the squad.
The whole Alonso will get time at Liverpool, so if he were to drop out of the top 4 and finish 5 or 6 after Klopp potentially winning the Quadruple you think everything will still be sunshine and rainbows?
35.) 05 Mar 2024 23:48:05
If we don't get Alonso (which I believe we will) it's going to really concern me because I don't think there is anybody else out there to suit this club right now. In a few years that may well change but at this moment in time, Alonso is the perfect fit for Liverpool.
28 Jan 2024 01:13:23
Right so I am looking ahead massively but bare with me. Let's say we have Alonso at the helm next season. He plays a 3421 with wing backs, double pivot and two sort of 10's/ inside forwards either side of the central striker like we do now but a bit wider to make room for the wingbacks.
I think this could be really good for our squad, GK, defence and wingbacks positions fill themselves. Nunez and Jota for striker duties, and the 10/ inside forward positions can be filled by Gakpo, Diaz, Salah and maybe even Elliot and a way back into the squad for Carvalho perhaps? Szob and Macca can both play that role.
1.) 28 Jan 2024 04:08:36
How long do we have to bare with you, Westwood? Im getting cold mate ;)
2.) 28 Jan 2024 08:41:03
Hit send too early then fell asleep lol. Basically I don't think our midfielders fit Alonso's style as he plays a double pivot and we have lots of B2B players. I can see an overhaul happening if he does come.
3.) 28 Jan 2024 08:49:53
Westwood based on the analysis, Xabi is very adaptable with his tactics so although he plays 3 at the back, it could simply mean that this is due to the players he has and the system that works for them esp. since before Leverkusen, Xabi played a back 4 system. For ex., I do not rate Jonathan Tah as a CB cos he is not good enuff individually, IMO. Now if he played in a back 4 like he had been doing, he is not the best indiviually in that role. However in a back 3, he is not as exposed and his flaws can be hidden. That's just my assessment.
Therefore should he come to us, I don't think he will stick with a back 3 esp. if the defenders we have have played in a back 4 for near a decade and most importantly, we may not have the personel to play a back 3 cos well IMO, we don't and have never had it. Just my take.
4.) 28 Jan 2024 08:58:14
Before the rise of Endo 8 thought we should be playing double pivot with any of macca, Jonez, Szobo and Gravenberch together. Those players are adaptable.
The owners should be looking to bring in a manager to be able to work with the majority of this playing group. A major overhaul would be a disaster transition imo.
5.) 28 Jan 2024 09:43:33
OR, I’ve a slightly different view
I do think we have the players, especially defenders to play 3-4-2-1
But agree with you that, do we need to? As long as we have top level VVD, I think we can play 2v2 in defence all day long so a back 4 with flying fullbacks May work better for us
Regardless, I’d Xabi is the next manager, I’m sure he’ll figure a way to get the best out of the players
If it’s someone else, I do hope he has the nuance to bring out the full potential of the players too.
6.) 28 Jan 2024 13:14:14
Sgynwa, that's fair enuff on the personal for the back 3 and I do agree that we don't need to change it and Xabi is intelligent enuff to realise this, I hope.
And @Faith said, we need to hire a manager who fits with the players and system (to some extent) that we currently (2 v 2 and flying FB's, the press etc. ) and should Xabi be the guy, I am very hopeful he will do this and NOT rip the whole thing up and start again.
Now if someone else comes in, this would be my fear.
07 Nov 2024 09:08:57
For now flash, people are fickle, he isn't playing the best for sure and I have my own doubts over his ability to play within slots system, but not his actual ability. There are plenty of brilliant footballers that just didn't fit for whatever reason with us, and Macca may well be one of them.
Anyway give it a couple of weeks until Macca makes a few assist and scores a worldy and I'm sure we'll switch back to Jones, Jota, Nunez or Dom Zob.
03 Nov 2024 21:39:03
Defo not convinced by Hughes, not for anything he's done but more by what he hasn't and hasn't yet. Not making signings I can understand but the contracts is ridiculous plus reports that he is looking at Semenyo and Mbeumo from Bournemouth. Not convinced by either being honest.
30 Oct 2024 19:07:59
Great post there MK. I agree with pretty much everything you say.
30 Oct 2024 17:14:42
Umm the eds might know, don't really see what's so funny there. Next time Ed002 gets pelters for anything (despite the fact that his insights are the main reason most of us are here) I'll remember that we shouldn't be here for any such insider info. If you've got nothing decent or helpful to say, why not just keep quiet ay? This forum is going down the pan with the amount of negativity and trolling. Honestly go strangle a kitten or something if you need to get your superiority kicks from somewhere. Kids ay.
25 Oct 2024 11:58:20
He's not happy about being injured? That's not really anyone's fault though is it. Surely he needs to give it a chance. All seems a bit premature.
03 Dec 2024 18:43:59
Defo doing very well, although I do worry and wonder about how long he will stay with his family staying in The Netherlands. It shouldn't be underestimated how much that can affect someone especially if he has a hugely successful season?
02 Dec 2024 20:25:37
Salah looks like the best player in the world right now and has well and truly made me eat my words, long may it continue. Virgil is back to being the best. Miss either of them and we are not top of the league and I am not sure we will find like for like replacements.
We already have Trents replacement if he goesz so that dictates the order of importance for me. Hope they all stay though.
25 Nov 2024 07:08:11
I actually thought it was a pen, by the rules regarding VAR anyway. It was so touch and go I actually think VAR did the right thing by not getting involved. Looking at positions of the feet, I would be pretty annoyed if that wasn't given for us.
23 Nov 2024 08:12:50
Until such time as we inevitably find out who he was, this is how I will picture the chap, although probably without the chap. RIP Ed002, I very rarely agreed with his more personal opinions and methods of communication, but he was a big part of why I come to this site. Thoughts to friends and family.
16 Nov 2024 06:06:01
Let's just agree to ignore each other from now on then. You are not a part of this community I have any interest in continuing to engage with cheers.