The Official Liverpool FC Thread [Vol 9]

The Official Liverpool FC Thread [Vol 9]

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DSLiverpool

14,671 posts

201 months

Friday 27th February 2015
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hornetrider said:
BlackST said:
Paul Joyce - Liverpool will announce a first profit in seven years when their accounts are released on Monday.
Good. All the more to spend on a striker in the summer!
Ings - that's our lot I bet. (Hope I'm wrong)

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 27th February 2015
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DSLiverpool said:
Ings - that's our lot I bet. (Hope I'm wrong)
I agree

phil_cardiff

7,042 posts

207 months

Friday 27th February 2015
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New striker? Maybe. But we'd better be careful that we don't end up with Sturridge, Lambert, Borini, Origi, Ings and Mario cluttering the place up.

epom

11,398 posts

160 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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Sure it was disappointing last night, but hardly the end of the world is it? At the beginning of the season a lot of us (myself included) thought it would be a distraction. As always though the further you progress the smell of success gets that little bit stronger. Top 4 is obviously a must now, and I'm confident that we can achieve that going by how the last few weeks have picked up results wise.

RedTrident

8,290 posts

234 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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After the Champions League draw most of us thought we'd be good enough to get out of the group. Our European campaign this season has been a complete and utter disaster. There really isn't anyone that is going to disagree with that. The best we can say is that we gained some experience.

As for making a profit this year. I'm sure the profits will increase next year with the new tv rights, stadium increase, more corporate seats, marketing etc etc. We're also pretty much out of on pitch assets to sell unless Sterling goes. Be interesting to see whether our spend grows in line with our income...

Honestly, I think we need

a new keeper to at least compete with Mignolet
a centre back, Lovren is gash, Toure is of pensionable age and if we continue with 3 at the back we need at least one more quality centre back
a right sided full back/wing back though Ibe may become that player. I think he'd be wasted played there but he could do a Gareth Barry
a box to box centre midfielder that can control the tempo of a game and score 10 league goals a season
a dynamic striker that can create 10 goals and score 20 goals a season

Maybe not all in one go but those are the positions that need filling.


BlackST

9,079 posts

164 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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I agree with you RT on the majority of the signings. Unsure on the goalkeeper signing now though. Mignolet looks great atm apart from his kicking.

We have been abysmal in Europe.
The starting 11 when we played Ludogorets - Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Manquillo, Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Lambert, Allen, Sterling.

Our starting 11 looks much better now and the formation is pretty good.

DSLiverpool

14,671 posts

201 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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I would settle for one Souey, Masch type player - we wont get a big name but we need a hard man - a Yaya for the players to look to for motivation and strength. After SG goes we have no-one, Skrtel isnt hard or charismatic enough.

eyebeebe

2,962 posts

232 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
RedTrident said:
After the Champions League draw most of us thought we'd be good enough to get out of the group. Our European campaign this season has been a complete and utter disaster. There really isn't anyone that is going to disagree with that. The best we can say is that we gained some experience.

As for making a profit this year. I'm sure the profits will increase next year with the new tv rights, stadium increase, more corporate seats, marketing etc etc. We're also pretty much out of on pitch assets to sell unless Sterling goes. Be interesting to see whether our spend grows in line with our income...

Honestly, I think we need

a new keeper to at least compete with Mignolet
a centre back, Lovren is gash, Toure is of pensionable age and if we continue with 3 at the back we need at least one more quality centre back
a right sided full back/wing back though Ibe may become that player. I think he'd be wasted played there but he could do a Gareth Barry
a box to box centre midfielder that can control the tempo of a game and score 10 league goals a season
a dynamic striker that can create 10 goals and score 20 goals a season

Maybe not all in one go but those are the positions that need filling.

A keeper to compete with an established no. 1 is always going to be difficult. I think we'd need to spend silly money to get a significant step up on Mignolet and it would be better spent elsewhere. A keeper of similar quality is going to want assurances that he's going to play. Since he came back from being dropped, he's looked far better. However, he really needs to sort his distribution out. Maybe Pepe spoiled us, but it feels like 9 times out of 10 a long clearance goes straight to the opposition (quite often in our half) or out of play. Perhaps part of it is we don't have the players to physically challenge for high balls in midfield.

If we stick with 3 at the back, I actually think we need 2 more centre backs. I'm not convinced by Lovren playing in that system and I see Can playing as the box to box player you describe. That leaves Sakho and Skrtl. Anyone know how the Illori is getting on? What about Coates? Wisdom?

Agree Ibe is wasted at RWB, although he's playing well. If Ibe moves forward, I'd like to see if Manquillo could play there. He seems to be out of contention at the moment. Flanagan is also back in training now too. I'm not sure who Ibe would replace though.

Can for me as the box to box midfielder.

20 goals and 10 assists don't grow on trees! Is that to play with Sturridge or to rotate/replace when injured? Using the stats here http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Comb... Danny Ings stands out as being affordable, attainable and likely to get near those numbers. I expect he would want to play every week though. We also have Origi to come in. I don't see us signing a big name striker.

Next season, assuming we line us as we do, I'd like to see the first X1 as:

Mignolet
New CB Skrtl Sakho
Ibe Can Henderson Moreno
Sterling Coutinho
Sturridge

Sell/Release Lovren, Mario, Borini, Johnson, Toure

Subs:
Jones/New GK
New/Returning CB
Lucas
Markovic
Origi
Lambert
Lallana

BlackST

9,079 posts

164 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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Priority should be a proper, decent striker. If Sturridge gets injured we have no one. That can't happen again like it did this season, we went out the Champions League because our only options were Lambert, Balotelli and Borini.

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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DSLiverpool said:
About last night, about Bren, about LFC - you say you filter out anything negative so share the positives
I don't filter out negatives, I filter out idiocy. I favour pragmatism over bipolar vitriol.

FWIW.

I thought the Besiktas game was a reflection of the depth of the squad, the lack of experience and the need to be clinical in front of goal, even more so in Europe. I think the Manager knew that one goal could kill the game but by naming the starting line up he did, he removed the opportunity to play an impact sub later in the game. After 60 mins the team looked tired. By injury time many were labouring. Over two legs, there were enough opportunities to win it. Besiktas are no mugs, they are well drilled and coached with a number of decent players and have beaten or troubled several "big names" recently. Success in European football is some way beyond the team this year.

At a push, Europa league may have been winnable, but at what detriment to the league and FA cup opportunities. If you're going to go out, I guess go out early. Also, could have done without the 120 mins and pens ahead of the City game. Thursday football too much for us to sustain this year. I'd have been happy for Spurs and Arsenal to go further in Europe if only to harm their domestic endeavours.

In terms of the bigger picture, losing Suarez and Sturridge for good/half a season cost us as we knew it would. Recently things have stabilised for the better. Gerrard leaving has the potential to be another Suarez type hole but there's enough notice to mitigate some of that risk in terms of personalities and growth of talent. Talismanic effect was on the wane but dressing room, and overall, presence of a Man like Gerrard is hard to replace.

Brendan is a young, developing manager. He's demonstrated his capability over the last few seasons and I think he's doing a good job with what he has available.

Hopefully some good transfer business can be conducted early in the next window and FSG can bankroll it. Ideally established talent rather than potential is required but, again, realistically, I don't think we're competing for top names and so we're buying more risky options. Bear in mind, players we're signing, or trying to, weren't born last time we won the league and geographically the location doesn't have the appeal of London. And we don't have the financial infrastructure of many of the clubs we aspire to compete with, yet. Marquee signings aren't going to be regular.

Liverpool's status as a footballing super power was removed a long time ago. People who believe we're entitled to compete for league titles and European cups every year purely based on history are deluded. Very few clubs have the resources to do that. Look at how much money Man U are spending trying to buy their way back.

Top 4 and occasional cup success is where the club is realistically aiming in the short to medium term. So much needs to happen to take us back to the point where we're at the sharp end of everything.

DSLiverpool

14,671 posts

201 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
DSLiverpool said:
About last night, about Bren, about LFC - you say you filter out anything negative so share the positives
I don't filter out negatives, I filter out idiocy. I favour pragmatism over bipolar vitriol.

FWIW.

I thought the Besiktas game was a reflection of the depth of the squad, the lack of experience and the need to be clinical in front of goal, even more so in Europe. I think the Manager knew that one goal could kill the game but by naming the starting line up he did, he removed the opportunity to play an impact sub later in the game. After 60 mins the team looked tired. By injury time many were labouring. Over two legs, there were enough opportunities to win it. Besiktas are no mugs, they are well drilled and coached with a number of decent players and have beaten or troubled several "big names" recently. Success in European football is some way beyond the team this year.

At a push, Europa league may have been winnable, but at what detriment to the league and FA cup opportunities. If you're going to go out, I guess go out early. Also, could have done without the 120 mins and pens ahead of the City game. Thursday football too much for us to sustain this year. I'd have been happy for Spurs and Arsenal to go further in Europe if only to harm their domestic endeavours.

In terms of the bigger picture, losing Suarez and Sturridge for good/half a season cost us as we knew it would. Recently things have stabilised for the better. Gerrard leaving has the potential to be another Suarez type hole but there's enough notice to mitigate some of that risk in terms of personalities and growth of talent. Talismanic effect was on the wane but dressing room, and overall, presence of a Man like Gerrard is hard to replace.

Brendan is a young, developing manager. He's demonstrated his capability over the last few seasons and I think he's doing a good job with what he has available.

Hopefully some good transfer business can be conducted early in the next window and FSG can bankroll it. Ideally established talent rather than potential is required but, again, realistically, I don't think we're competing for top names and so we're buying more risky options. Bear in mind, players we're signing, or trying to, weren't born last time we won the league and geographically the location doesn't have the appeal of London. And we don't have the financial infrastructure of many of the clubs we aspire to compete with, yet. Marquee signings aren't going to be regular.

Liverpool's status as a footballing super power was removed a long time ago. People who believe we're entitled to compete for league titles and European cups every year purely based on history are deluded. Very few clubs have the resources to do that. Look at how much money Man U are spending trying to buy their way back.

Top 4 and occasional cup success is where the club is realistically aiming in the short to medium term. So much needs to happen to take us back to the point where we're at the sharp end of everything.
I broadly agree with that, I would only change one word - 1st para 3rd word from the end change "team" to "manager" as he hasn't learnt from the CL games and now for Sunday we have several very knackered key players. If we even get a draw tomorrow I will be over the moon, I just can't see it but live in hope.

DSLiverpool

14,671 posts

201 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
United are stuffy gits, play st but get points - wheels have to come off soon or another £200m to be spent on journeymen badge kissers.

RWD cossie wil

4,295 posts

172 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
DSLiverpool said:
United are stuffy gits, play st but get points - wheels have to come off soon or another £200m to be spent on journeymen badge kissers.
They have an interesting run now, if they come out of that with many points then I will be amazed.

Good on West Brom for doing us a favour though, a win tomorrow puts us right up there.

DuncanM

6,109 posts

278 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
RWD cossie wil said:
DSLiverpool said:
United are stuffy gits, play st but get points - wheels have to come off soon or another £200m to be spent on journeymen badge kissers.
They have an interesting run now, if they come out of that with many points then I will be amazed.

Good on West Brom for doing us a favour though, a win tomorrow puts us right up there.
United just have to hit a bad run of form playing so badly, it's killing me! frown

It sounds bitter but it's the truth, even their own fans hate the way they play.


NRS

22,079 posts

200 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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This is why some of the critism of Allen could be viewed as wrong. RT, you mention he should be getting a lot of goals and assists, but we risk doing an Arsenal if we try and get him doing that. Yes, we have Lucas and Can, but with Lucas and injuries and Can being used in defense we need someone else.

BBC said:
Too many players of similar style

There appears to be nothing Wenger likes more than adding to his collection of technically gifted, central attacking playmakers.
The number of Arsenal's squad who would probably regard this as their ideal position is high. This season alone, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky have had turns in the pivotal role.
In a bid to fit as many of these creative outlets into his team, some have to play either deeper, or wider, than is preferred.
Adding Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott into the mix, there is no question that the attack is well manned in terms of numbers and options. The same cannot be said in defence, where Per Mertesacker has been played into the ground and looks like he needs a rest.
Likewise in midfield, Francis Coquelin has been shouldering all the defensive responsibilities. Injuries in that department haven't helped, but the crucial Matic-esque position still needs addressing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31662274

BlackST

9,079 posts

164 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
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Southampton lost smile

RWD cossie wil

4,295 posts

172 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
quotequote all
DSLiverpool said:
United are stuffy gits, play st but get points - wheels have to come off soon or another £200m to be spent on journeymen badge kissers.
They have an interesting run now, if they come out of that with many points then I will be amazed.

Good on West Brom for doing us a favour though, a win tomorrow puts us right up there.

Scousefella

2,243 posts

180 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
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Sterling, Couthino and Lallana starting upfront? No Striker? WTF?

type-r

13,918 posts

212 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
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Scousefella said:
Sterling, Couthino and Lallana starting upfront? No Striker? WTF?
Exactly my thoughts. We always look blunt with Sterling playing up front on his own.

Playing devils advocate, only thing I can think of is that he doesn't want to risk injury to Sturridge and he is still to reach peak match fitness and with such a short turnaround between games, he is er-ing on the side of caution?

With this team and setup, I only see one winner I'm afraid.

Scousefella

2,243 posts

180 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
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Mario as an impact sub banging in the winner against his previous employers would be great but no striker from the start does irk me somewhat.

Yes I accept the short turnaround between games can be an issue for DS as he is still regaining his match fitness but there are others available.

Borini being the little "Rat up a drainpipe" kind of frontman he is, he could have city down to 10 men in the first half, frustrate and punish that defence and we will be laughing.
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