The Official Liverpool FC Thread [Vol 9]
Discussion
m3sye said:
London424 said:
The first thing that most of your midfield need to learn to do is strike the ball. It's pathetic that professional footballers (attacking ones as well) can't seem to do this basic skill.
Gerrard needs to teach them!
Not just our team in the world whose players need to improve on with their finishing. - But yes you are right shooting being a weak part of an attackers game is poor, but the little magician is not aloneGerrard needs to teach them!
A bit more on BRs decision to bring Mario on mid week from The guardian...
With all eyes on Diego Costa and where he stamps his feet following Chelsea’s fractious Capital Cup semi-final win over Liverpool, the other striker who left an unfortunate mark at Stamford Bridge was relegated to a footnote. Fitting, for that is how Mario Balotelli’s Liverpool career is playing out.
Sky’s commentary team heralded Balotelli’s 70th-minute introduction for Lazar Markovic as a chance to put one over the former Internazionale coach who labelled him “unmanageable” – José Mourinho. Ultimately, his contribution amounted to no more than weakening a previously impressive, dangerous Liverpool performance and unwittingly assisting in Chelsea’s winning goal.
Not all substitutions succeed and not all the blame for Branislav Ivanovic’s header belongs to Balotelli. It was his poor pass to Eden Hazard that forced Lucas Leiva to concede the decisive free-kick, and sail close to a second yellow card in the process, but a poorly organised defence cost Liverpool as much as the striker’s failure to track Ivanovic once Costa ran into his space. A wild shot over Thibaut Courtois’s goal, admittedly after a slight bobble, and a selfish attempt to find the top corner from an improbable angle were also typical of a Liverpool career that started ineffectively and has gone steadily downhill.
What did surprise, however, was the level of faith Brendan Rodgers showed at a critical stage in a striker so unsuited to his team, a damning assessment that was delivered by the Liverpool manager himself following Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton Wanderers.
Balotelli, with two goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool (eight as substitute), was not included in the 18-man squad for the goalless draw with Bolton. Three days later he was selected for a place on the bench over Fabio Borini, who squandered decent chances against Neil Lennon’s team but at least enlivened the overall display, then introduced instead of Adam Lallana and before Rickie Lambert. One can only imagine Lambert’s thought process as a fellow striker with more natural talent but without the same application gets the nod before him once again.
The 24-year-old cannot play his way into form or favour sat in the stands, true, but Rodgers’ withering critique of Balotelli post-Bolton suggested his “calculated risk” on the striker had run its course. It was not the first time Liverpool’s manager had explained why Balotelli does not fit into his plans, and again revived the question of why he was acquired for £16m in the first place, but his latest offering was relatively unprompted. Tuesday provided a contradiction.
Rodgers had said on Saturday: “Mario is the same as any other player, there is no special treatment for anyone. Fabio and Rickie have been working tirelessly in training and have contributed when they’ve come on.
“I had a good chat with Mario for an hour or so yesterday [Friday] and he knows what’s required to be in this team. It’s difficult for him. He knows the level of this team, the pressing and the aggression that you need. If you can’t do that then you are not going to be part of what this team is trying to achieve.
“We suffered in the first part of the season and we can’t go back to that. It doesn’t matter who the player is or how much he was bought for, it is about the team. If you want to contribute you have to be ‘at it’ every day in training. Mario is a box player but much more is asked of the team. I’m confident he will respond.”
The cynical theory that Balotelli was put in the shop window against Chelsea does not apply. There is an acceptance the forward will not be sold this month and that was reinforced before the semi-final by his agent, Mino Raiola, who confirmed Balotelli’s future will be reassessed at the end of the season. “We didn’t ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January,” he said. “There are no big problems. He’s adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We’ll see in the summer.”
Perhaps Rodgers trusted that Balotelli’s natural ability would finally deliver for Liverpool, as he did last summer when weighing up whether to sign a player renowned more for his antics off the pitch than performances on it. The wait goes on.
With all eyes on Diego Costa and where he stamps his feet following Chelsea’s fractious Capital Cup semi-final win over Liverpool, the other striker who left an unfortunate mark at Stamford Bridge was relegated to a footnote. Fitting, for that is how Mario Balotelli’s Liverpool career is playing out.
Sky’s commentary team heralded Balotelli’s 70th-minute introduction for Lazar Markovic as a chance to put one over the former Internazionale coach who labelled him “unmanageable” – José Mourinho. Ultimately, his contribution amounted to no more than weakening a previously impressive, dangerous Liverpool performance and unwittingly assisting in Chelsea’s winning goal.
Not all substitutions succeed and not all the blame for Branislav Ivanovic’s header belongs to Balotelli. It was his poor pass to Eden Hazard that forced Lucas Leiva to concede the decisive free-kick, and sail close to a second yellow card in the process, but a poorly organised defence cost Liverpool as much as the striker’s failure to track Ivanovic once Costa ran into his space. A wild shot over Thibaut Courtois’s goal, admittedly after a slight bobble, and a selfish attempt to find the top corner from an improbable angle were also typical of a Liverpool career that started ineffectively and has gone steadily downhill.
What did surprise, however, was the level of faith Brendan Rodgers showed at a critical stage in a striker so unsuited to his team, a damning assessment that was delivered by the Liverpool manager himself following Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton Wanderers.
Balotelli, with two goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool (eight as substitute), was not included in the 18-man squad for the goalless draw with Bolton. Three days later he was selected for a place on the bench over Fabio Borini, who squandered decent chances against Neil Lennon’s team but at least enlivened the overall display, then introduced instead of Adam Lallana and before Rickie Lambert. One can only imagine Lambert’s thought process as a fellow striker with more natural talent but without the same application gets the nod before him once again.
The 24-year-old cannot play his way into form or favour sat in the stands, true, but Rodgers’ withering critique of Balotelli post-Bolton suggested his “calculated risk” on the striker had run its course. It was not the first time Liverpool’s manager had explained why Balotelli does not fit into his plans, and again revived the question of why he was acquired for £16m in the first place, but his latest offering was relatively unprompted. Tuesday provided a contradiction.
Rodgers had said on Saturday: “Mario is the same as any other player, there is no special treatment for anyone. Fabio and Rickie have been working tirelessly in training and have contributed when they’ve come on.
“I had a good chat with Mario for an hour or so yesterday [Friday] and he knows what’s required to be in this team. It’s difficult for him. He knows the level of this team, the pressing and the aggression that you need. If you can’t do that then you are not going to be part of what this team is trying to achieve.
“We suffered in the first part of the season and we can’t go back to that. It doesn’t matter who the player is or how much he was bought for, it is about the team. If you want to contribute you have to be ‘at it’ every day in training. Mario is a box player but much more is asked of the team. I’m confident he will respond.”
The cynical theory that Balotelli was put in the shop window against Chelsea does not apply. There is an acceptance the forward will not be sold this month and that was reinforced before the semi-final by his agent, Mino Raiola, who confirmed Balotelli’s future will be reassessed at the end of the season. “We didn’t ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January,” he said. “There are no big problems. He’s adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We’ll see in the summer.”
Perhaps Rodgers trusted that Balotelli’s natural ability would finally deliver for Liverpool, as he did last summer when weighing up whether to sign a player renowned more for his antics off the pitch than performances on it. The wait goes on.
RedTrident said:
A bit more on BRs decision to bring Mario on mid week from The guardian...
With all eyes on Diego Costa and where he stamps his feet following Chelsea’s fractious Capital Cup semi-final win over Liverpool, the other striker who left an unfortunate mark at Stamford Bridge was relegated to a footnote. Fitting, for that is how Mario Balotelli’s Liverpool career is playing out.
Sky’s commentary team heralded Balotelli’s 70th-minute introduction for Lazar Markovic as a chance to put one over the former Internazionale coach who labelled him “unmanageable” – José Mourinho. Ultimately, his contribution amounted to no more than weakening a previously impressive, dangerous Liverpool performance and unwittingly assisting in Chelsea’s winning goal.
Not all substitutions succeed and not all the blame for Branislav Ivanovic’s header belongs to Balotelli. It was his poor pass to Eden Hazard that forced Lucas Leiva to concede the decisive free-kick, and sail close to a second yellow card in the process, but a poorly organised defence cost Liverpool as much as the striker’s failure to track Ivanovic once Costa ran into his space. A wild shot over Thibaut Courtois’s goal, admittedly after a slight bobble, and a selfish attempt to find the top corner from an improbable angle were also typical of a Liverpool career that started ineffectively and has gone steadily downhill.
What did surprise, however, was the level of faith Brendan Rodgers showed at a critical stage in a striker so unsuited to his team, a damning assessment that was delivered by the Liverpool manager himself following Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton Wanderers.
Balotelli, with two goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool (eight as substitute), was not included in the 18-man squad for the goalless draw with Bolton. Three days later he was selected for a place on the bench over Fabio Borini, who squandered decent chances against Neil Lennon’s team but at least enlivened the overall display, then introduced instead of Adam Lallana and before Rickie Lambert. One can only imagine Lambert’s thought process as a fellow striker with more natural talent but without the same application gets the nod before him once again.
The 24-year-old cannot play his way into form or favour sat in the stands, true, but Rodgers’ withering critique of Balotelli post-Bolton suggested his “calculated risk” on the striker had run its course. It was not the first time Liverpool’s manager had explained why Balotelli does not fit into his plans, and again revived the question of why he was acquired for £16m in the first place, but his latest offering was relatively unprompted. Tuesday provided a contradiction.
Rodgers had said on Saturday: “Mario is the same as any other player, there is no special treatment for anyone. Fabio and Rickie have been working tirelessly in training and have contributed when they’ve come on.
“I had a good chat with Mario for an hour or so yesterday [Friday] and he knows what’s required to be in this team. It’s difficult for him. He knows the level of this team, the pressing and the aggression that you need. If you can’t do that then you are not going to be part of what this team is trying to achieve.
“We suffered in the first part of the season and we can’t go back to that. It doesn’t matter who the player is or how much he was bought for, it is about the team. If you want to contribute you have to be ‘at it’ every day in training. Mario is a box player but much more is asked of the team. I’m confident he will respond.”
The cynical theory that Balotelli was put in the shop window against Chelsea does not apply. There is an acceptance the forward will not be sold this month and that was reinforced before the semi-final by his agent, Mino Raiola, who confirmed Balotelli’s future will be reassessed at the end of the season. “We didn’t ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January,” he said. “There are no big problems. He’s adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We’ll see in the summer.”
Perhaps Rodgers trusted that Balotelli’s natural ability would finally deliver for Liverpool, as he did last summer when weighing up whether to sign a player renowned more for his antics off the pitch than performances on it. The wait goes on.
I dont think you will find anyone saying it was a mistake - in hindsight - I could possibly understand it though after all the press in the week leading up to it - I could imagine being his manager and thinking, I bet he has something to prove here and expect him to put a real shift in.With all eyes on Diego Costa and where he stamps his feet following Chelsea’s fractious Capital Cup semi-final win over Liverpool, the other striker who left an unfortunate mark at Stamford Bridge was relegated to a footnote. Fitting, for that is how Mario Balotelli’s Liverpool career is playing out.
Sky’s commentary team heralded Balotelli’s 70th-minute introduction for Lazar Markovic as a chance to put one over the former Internazionale coach who labelled him “unmanageable” – José Mourinho. Ultimately, his contribution amounted to no more than weakening a previously impressive, dangerous Liverpool performance and unwittingly assisting in Chelsea’s winning goal.
Not all substitutions succeed and not all the blame for Branislav Ivanovic’s header belongs to Balotelli. It was his poor pass to Eden Hazard that forced Lucas Leiva to concede the decisive free-kick, and sail close to a second yellow card in the process, but a poorly organised defence cost Liverpool as much as the striker’s failure to track Ivanovic once Costa ran into his space. A wild shot over Thibaut Courtois’s goal, admittedly after a slight bobble, and a selfish attempt to find the top corner from an improbable angle were also typical of a Liverpool career that started ineffectively and has gone steadily downhill.
What did surprise, however, was the level of faith Brendan Rodgers showed at a critical stage in a striker so unsuited to his team, a damning assessment that was delivered by the Liverpool manager himself following Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton Wanderers.
Balotelli, with two goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool (eight as substitute), was not included in the 18-man squad for the goalless draw with Bolton. Three days later he was selected for a place on the bench over Fabio Borini, who squandered decent chances against Neil Lennon’s team but at least enlivened the overall display, then introduced instead of Adam Lallana and before Rickie Lambert. One can only imagine Lambert’s thought process as a fellow striker with more natural talent but without the same application gets the nod before him once again.
The 24-year-old cannot play his way into form or favour sat in the stands, true, but Rodgers’ withering critique of Balotelli post-Bolton suggested his “calculated risk” on the striker had run its course. It was not the first time Liverpool’s manager had explained why Balotelli does not fit into his plans, and again revived the question of why he was acquired for £16m in the first place, but his latest offering was relatively unprompted. Tuesday provided a contradiction.
Rodgers had said on Saturday: “Mario is the same as any other player, there is no special treatment for anyone. Fabio and Rickie have been working tirelessly in training and have contributed when they’ve come on.
“I had a good chat with Mario for an hour or so yesterday [Friday] and he knows what’s required to be in this team. It’s difficult for him. He knows the level of this team, the pressing and the aggression that you need. If you can’t do that then you are not going to be part of what this team is trying to achieve.
“We suffered in the first part of the season and we can’t go back to that. It doesn’t matter who the player is or how much he was bought for, it is about the team. If you want to contribute you have to be ‘at it’ every day in training. Mario is a box player but much more is asked of the team. I’m confident he will respond.”
The cynical theory that Balotelli was put in the shop window against Chelsea does not apply. There is an acceptance the forward will not be sold this month and that was reinforced before the semi-final by his agent, Mino Raiola, who confirmed Balotelli’s future will be reassessed at the end of the season. “We didn’t ask to leave. It is too early, with the injury, to say we leave in January,” he said. “There are no big problems. He’s adapting to a new style that the manager wants. We’ll see in the summer.”
Perhaps Rodgers trusted that Balotelli’s natural ability would finally deliver for Liverpool, as he did last summer when weighing up whether to sign a player renowned more for his antics off the pitch than performances on it. The wait goes on.
BR will make mistakes, he will make more over the years but so LVG makes them too and he has winners medals from all over -
Nothing positive about the way we are playing now and how since he realised this formation is good for us? 17 points behind Chelsea this season, 2 since he changed to this way of playing. No positives for that ?
TaylotS2K said:
Adam B said:
fine work GR, I had to double-take and laugh when I read this, from a cross section of friends and acquaintances there is a clear dislike for one club over all others, and it's not LFC
I think your memory is a little short. I know it's not a competition, but LFC are a horrible club. The Suarez t-shirt gate summed them up. Edited by GloverMart on Thursday 29th January 12:40
m3sye said:
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/178874...
Good to see the little Magician doing this - he has all the talent in the world to become one of the best for me.
Hopefully Henderson, the so called captain-in-waiting, follows suit. He and a few of the other midfielders including Sterling need to work on their shooting. After 3.5 years at Liverpool, Henederson whilst his game no doubt has improved immensely, has not improved his shooting one bit. Just makes you wonder what the coaches are actually focussing on. Tippy-tappy fast-paced football is all pretty to look at and admire, but if there is no end product especially when the season has unfortunately relied on the midfield to score due to the lack of striking options, then the pretty football is for nothing.Good to see the little Magician doing this - he has all the talent in the world to become one of the best for me.
m3sye said:
I dont think you will find anyone saying it was a mistake - in hindsight -
Did you mean WASNT a mistake Sye as it was a huge one that whilst not costing us the game (!) didn't help us win it and kicked lala and Lambo in the nuts at the same time.These things I cannot forgive, I loved the effort over 2 legs and the play was the best I have seen all season but spoilt by not making the right choice when the only viable option was obvious and most unlikely option was the one he took. If Bren was a workmate you would leave.
DSLiverpool said:
Did you mean WASNT a mistake Sye as it was a huge one that whilst not costing us the game (!) didn't help us win it and kicked lala and Lambo in the nuts at the same time.
These things I cannot forgive, I loved the effort over 2 legs and the play was the best I have seen all season but spoilt by not making the right choice when the only viable option was obvious and most unlikely option was the one he took. If Bren was a workmate you would leave.
Sorry I mean wasnt - in hindsight it was - but we know nothing about how Mario reacted in training this week to the press - he could he been totally different.These things I cannot forgive, I loved the effort over 2 legs and the play was the best I have seen all season but spoilt by not making the right choice when the only viable option was obvious and most unlikely option was the one he took. If Bren was a workmate you would leave.
It could quite easily have not been a mistake though, balls falls to him he scores and BR is a LEGEND
Football is easy to talk about after the game but at the time he felt MARIO may offer him something but he didnt so BR is costing us.
Look at LVG now playing his 60M winger upfront - this guy has won stuff all over but is making a massive mistake playing him there, everyone can see it -
Bring on Lambert or Lallana might also not have worked - simple thing is we are playing well, we look more solid and we are creating - we all know with Sturridge in our team and this formation we would not be far behind anyone right now -
we f
ked up with strikers in the summer, cant see it happening this yearLAST thing in the world I would want no is BR not our manager -
Edited by m3sye on Thursday 29th January 15:01
m3sye said:
LAST thing in the world I would want no is BR not our manager -
I agree, he has found the way to make us play and the football is lovely - hence my frustration at him doing a "Brendan" when he has recently done so much good. Take this from him and he will be the manager he already thinks he is ;o)Edited by m3sye on Thursday 29th January 15:01
Of course I see an improvement. He has adapted and we are playing this weird 3421 that is working. But the mistake midweek wasn't hindsight. It was obvious at the time.
Hopefully Sturridge is back and the 2 behind him in the formation can be fought out between Lallana, Sterling, Gerrard and Coutinho.
Hopefully Sturridge is back and the 2 behind him in the formation can be fought out between Lallana, Sterling, Gerrard and Coutinho.
curlie467 said:
TaylotS2K said:
Adam B said:
fine work GR, I had to double-take and laugh when I read this, from a cross section of friends and acquaintances there is a clear dislike for one club over all others, and it's not LFC
I think your memory is a little short. I know it's not a competition, but LFC are a horrible club. The Suarez t-shirt gate summed them up. Edited by GloverMart on Thursday 29th January 12:40
I prefer to look at the positives achieved over the last few weeks rather than being a negative winger all the time,
Surely 'The manager' who has the privelege of seeing players in training, talking with them, coaching them, monitoring them, discussing them with the rest of the coaching staff is in a slightly better position to decide who best to bring on than we are?? I wasn't particularly happy when Balo was brought on but being the sort of player he is he could of won us the game as he has been known to do for other clubs.. Then he and BR would have been getting patted on the back by everyone saying what a fantastic tactical decision it was to bring him on, blah blah blah,
Fans are so fickle these days and seem to have all the answers after the game has finished, Maybe they have crystal balls who knows, Or could even become advisers to all the top managers lol.
Surely 'The manager' who has the privelege of seeing players in training, talking with them, coaching them, monitoring them, discussing them with the rest of the coaching staff is in a slightly better position to decide who best to bring on than we are?? I wasn't particularly happy when Balo was brought on but being the sort of player he is he could of won us the game as he has been known to do for other clubs.. Then he and BR would have been getting patted on the back by everyone saying what a fantastic tactical decision it was to bring him on, blah blah blah,
Fans are so fickle these days and seem to have all the answers after the game has finished, Maybe they have crystal balls who knows, Or could even become advisers to all the top managers lol.
mr sagman said:
I prefer to look at the positives achieved over the last few weeks rather than being a negative winger all the time,
Surely 'The manager' who has the privelege of seeing players in training, talking with them, coaching them, monitoring them, discussing them with the rest of the coaching staff is in a slightly better position to decide who best to bring on than we are?? I wasn't particularly happy when Balo was brought on but being the sort of player he is he could of won us the game as he has been known to do for other clubs.. Then he and BR would have been getting patted on the back by everyone saying what a fantastic tactical decision it was to bring him on, blah blah blah,
Fans are so fickle these days and seem to have all the answers after the game has finished, Maybe they have crystal balls who knows, Or could even become advisers to all the top managers lol.
TBH I agree - my thoughts were 'id rather Borini' (even though he was not on the bench) but like you say, NONE of us know how Mario reacted in training to the stories coming out. BR told him he needed to up his game in training to be considered - we dont have a clue if he did this? BR has always gone on record as saying anyone performing well in training WILL get their chance.Surely 'The manager' who has the privelege of seeing players in training, talking with them, coaching them, monitoring them, discussing them with the rest of the coaching staff is in a slightly better position to decide who best to bring on than we are?? I wasn't particularly happy when Balo was brought on but being the sort of player he is he could of won us the game as he has been known to do for other clubs.. Then he and BR would have been getting patted on the back by everyone saying what a fantastic tactical decision it was to bring him on, blah blah blah,
Fans are so fickle these days and seem to have all the answers after the game has finished, Maybe they have crystal balls who knows, Or could even become advisers to all the top managers lol.
At the end of the day like I said every manager in the world will make decisions as fans we dont agree with - we just need to get over that and look at the bigger picture - do you see us improving - YES, are we a threat - YES , do we have promising young players - YES, Can you see potential in our group to be challengers - YES
Its simple for me, if we had found this system at the start of the season we would be in top 3, we found this system at start of the season and had a proper striker we would be challenging - so based on that why the hell would I not want BR in charge. 1 is already fixed , 1 is close to getting fixed and come summer I hope the striker situation does not happen again and we get back up in who complement the way we play.
One thing for sure is come summer I imagine he will try ship out our current 3 reserve strikers .
TaylotS2K said:
curlie467 said:
TaylotS2K said:
Adam B said:
fine work GR, I had to double-take and laugh when I read this, from a cross section of friends and acquaintances there is a clear dislike for one club over all others, and it's not LFC
I think your memory is a little short. I know it's not a competition, but LFC are a horrible club. The Suarez t-shirt gate summed them up. Edited by GloverMart on Thursday 29th January 12:40
You have to try and protect your players to some degree and that is why he got help after the first biting incident, after the second one we pretty much distanced ourselves from him.
You are strange.
RedTrident said:
Of course I see an improvement. He has adapted and we are playing this weird 3421 that is working. But the mistake midweek wasn't hindsight. It was obvious at the time.
Hopefully Sturridge is back and the 2 behind him in the formation can be fought out between Lallana, Sterling, Gerrard and Coutinho.
Did anyone get injured the other night to cause substitutions or were they trying to be tactical?Hopefully Sturridge is back and the 2 behind him in the formation can be fought out between Lallana, Sterling, Gerrard and Coutinho.
That was easily our strongest line up and only Lallana had the ability to come on and change that game even though he would be like for like.
If there were no injuries then in hindsight we really shouldn't have used the one sub in Lallana and that would be purely for fresh legs if needed.
curlie467 said:
Did anyone get injured the other night to cause substitutions or were they trying to be tactical?
That was easily our strongest line up and only Lallana had the ability to come on and change that game even though he would be like for like.
If there were no injuries then in hindsight we really shouldn't have used the one sub in Lallana and that would be purely for fresh legs if needed.
Maybe the reason he didnt bring Lallana on was cos he was fThat was easily our strongest line up and only Lallana had the ability to come on and change that game even though he would be like for like.
If there were no injuries then in hindsight we really shouldn't have used the one sub in Lallana and that would be purely for fresh legs if needed.
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