Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/2014

Morzadec

Francie Barrett wrote: »

2-0 England, Sterling.

Should be a nailed on starter for us at this stage imo

Raif Severance

As someone who've been watching Shelvey this Preseason, I really think that him coming to Swansea is proving to be a Blessing in Disguise for him.

Specially, when one of the Greatest Midfielders ever, is giving you Trust and Playing Time, it's just Massive.

I've said it before, but I think he'll not only Start for Swansea, he'll also be a Key Figure in their Season.

Strongbow10

daithijjj wrote: »

We didnt have to. The manager chose to.

We were busy trying to force players like Henderson out the door for pennies while selecting the 'king of the golf course'. People who understand football knew Sterling needed resting after a couple of months but he played on and got worse and worse until it almost became forced upon. How much football did Sterling/Shelvey play in the 2nd half of the season?, these were players who were first choice start of the season but barely played and now one is sold.

We were busy not talking to each other at the club. Assaidi!! who signed him and why?. Working on getting Sahin in, people creaming themselves in here at the thought. Comes in, played where doesnt want to be played and is gone in 4 months. People read his comments after he left right?.

Skrtel and Coates. Two players clearly unfancied, still here, still not playing much, young kid in Wisdom getting picked before them and anyone who saw the game the other day knows he is far from ready for this team.

Imo, when people get a glimpse of Borini at right wing forward this season they will be wondering why we dont still have Downing. Clearly Downing is no footballing genius but as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Im hopeful for Ibe but.....

We are far to reliant on kids in the squad. By this i mean, that if we get injuries, literally anywhere on the pitch, we will be bringing in players with no experience relative to the opposition they will likely play against.

One other point, i think its remarkable that people think we have even close to a better team this year. So what if Reina is gone, so is Carragher and to all intents and purposes, so is our best player. And its not just the goals we will miss with Suarez, its the general mayhem in opposing defences that he creates and others feed off around him.

Final point, its not even about money at this stage. Anyone with their head screwed on knows we have money. Its about what has come in. The manager people have faith in has said himself that we "now have to improve the first team". That quote is 5 weeks old and after signing all the names mentioned. We havent brought in anyone, not a single player and more have left. So, if we now "have to improve the first team" but nobody has come in, what are people supposed to be thinking?. "Ah, its grand"?. The manager himself clearly doesnt think we have improved the first team, he said so 5 weeks ago.........but im a negative nelly if i believe its actually true?.

Some 'peeps' are in for a bit of a shock this year imo if this current crop is what we take into the season.

When will people actually wake up and see our real problems?. We cant attract players because???. What are we not doing that Spurs are doing?. Hopefully more lightbulb's go off sooner rather than later.

sadly i'm starting to come around to this way of thinking, albeit not as sharp.

The honeymoon period is over, he will be judged from the off this season. Personally, I think (and its not a defence of the manager) the man does not wield any power whatsoever at the club. The whole appointment and "new philosophy" is an exercise in dampening expectations.

Some of Henry's comments were quite staggering last week, he inferred that 4th place and 2 cups are his ambition. If this is the case then its certainly unrealistic expectations. Rodgers will be sacked as he will certainly not reach those targets with the current personnel.

Now the question to ask is, whether its Rodgers who is failing to spend the money he has available to him? or whether the owners are the ones driving this sell to buy strategy. Personally I would believe its the latter.

I reckon Rodgers has minimal input in terms of new faces, thats a process that has largely been taken out of his hands. This transfer committee is a move towards continuity, should the manager be sacked for failing to get the best out of whats at his disposal.

Its frankly quite worrying the amount of people who seem to be clutching at straws that something will be pulled out of the fire at the 11th hour. Despite the fact most clubs have failed to do much business, I refuse to believe the club is close to landing targets of the calibre that are needed to see us kick on, and realise such targets set by FSG. no doubt there will be a signing or 2 made but I vehemently refuse to believe the club is doing anything but acting on the fly.

After the last game of the season it was unanimous that we needed to strengthen certain areas, namely centre back, central midfield (someone with physical presence but can also play) and basically improve our goal output. None of these areas have been significantly improved.

On the flip side, people seem to be celebrating shifting on underperformers on high wages, which I did myself last season. But the line coming from the club about "wages not justifiable for a squad player" should serve as a warning for the fans. I was never a Downing fan, but to champion his sale as some kind of victory is crazy. The only victory we should take is if we sign a player to replace him who will beyond all reasonable doubt improve upon what we just sold.

So far this season we cannot say that any of our signings will significantly improve our first XI. Mignolet possibly, but as for the rest? Its another cautious, calculated risk of rolling the dice and hoping one of these guys doubles in value come the next window.

Suarez has been embarrassing, but i'm more worried he is looking on at this, seeing no GENUINE effort being made to sign GENUINE quality to match the promises made by these owners. Masch, Torres and Alonso saw through the rubbish of false ambition at making a challenge, and shagged off.

I've said this countless times, i'm going to sound like a broken record but I hope our owners are not taking a leaf out of Randy Lerners book. Being happy playing kids and finishing outside the relegation zone every season. Its more financially rewarding than spending with a view to top 4 and finishing 5th.

Except in our case the owners have huge revenues to line their pockets, and probably would differ with Villa in that Europa league is a minimum requirement despite their reluctance to spend.

ThunbergsAreGo

Raif Severance wrote: »

As someone who've been watching Shelvey this Preseason, I really think that him coming to Swansea is proving to be a Blessing in Disguise for him.

Specially, when one of the Greatest Midfielders ever, is giving you Trust and Playing Time, it's just Massive.

I've said it before, but I think he'll not only Start for Swansea, he'll also be a Key Figure in their Season.

I hope so always had time for him. Looked like a nasty injury to Chabolah,

Vanolder

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Shelvey has been absolutely outstanding, even go as far as saying it's the best half of football I have ever seen from him.

How did he go in the recent euros?

Francie Barrett

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Shelvey has been absolutely outstanding, even go as far as saying it's the best half of football I have ever seen from him.

It was stupid to let him go. Rodgers will regret that decision.

Is Wickham seriously the best England have to offer?

GTR63

Vanolder wrote: »

How did he go in the recent euros?

He is great at this level U21's vs average teams or in the Europa League its the consistency at a high level thats a problem.

mada999

Raif Severance wrote: »

As someone who've been watching Shelvey this Preseason, I really think that him coming to Swansea is proving to be a Blessing in Disguise for him.

Specially, when one of the Greatest Midfielders ever, is giving you Trust and Playing Time, it's just Massive.

I've said it before, but I think he'll not only Start for Swansea, he'll also be a Key Figure in their Season.

a joke that we let him leave

jesus_thats_gre

SlickRic wrote: »

Rodgers can talk about "working hard behind the scenes" all he likes, but words are worth nothing if the signings that were promised, and that he said were absolutely needed, don't come in.

All while more players have left than have joined, two summers in a row??

Turtyturd

Shelvey won't be missed.

jesus_thats_gre

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Rodgers confirming what I said on here weeks ago - the number 10 role is probably already filled by Coutinho and Alberto. Considering the fact that we bid for Mkhitaryan (whose natural position is no. 10) - it seems to me that Rodgers has seen enough from Coutinho in his pre-season to justify his thoughts. Coutinho occupying this position also makes Eriksen redundant - even if we paid the money for him, he won't sit on the bench to play second fiddle to Coutinho.
.

If we were really in of Mikataryan, was the original plan for Coutinhio to be a winger this season? Was Alberto signed before or after the Mikataryan bids?

You seem to be under the impression that the comments clear everything up but for me, it raises more questions?

We either need a top class number 10 or we don't. That doesn't change based on pre-season form of a player.

Grayditch

Turtyturd wrote: »

Shelvey won't be missed.

It's hard to call. Even if he does brilliantly with Swansea, who's to say he'd have done the same at Liverpool? Different pieces in different jigsaws.

Francie Barrett

Deleted User wrote: »

Is Wickham seriously the best England have to offer?

Looks lost among the rest of the quick passing, quick moving England players.

Nathan Redmond on the other hand did quite well. Could be a very useful Premier League player and only cost Norwich £2M.

Mr Alan

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

We either need a top class number 10 or we don't. That doesn't change based on pre-season form of a player.

And if it does change it, as the managers comments seem to indicate it does, then it says a lot about the state of things under the FSG/Rodgers.

Raif Severance

Turtyturd wrote: »

Shelvey won't be missed.

You really don't like Shelvey, do you?

Like I've said before, no Liverpool Player infuriates me more than Shelvey. Not even Enrique.

Not because he is not Good, but because he has all the Talent and the Skills, just not the Mentality.

I've always liked Shelvey, hope he does well for Swansea.

Grayditch

Even at that, Spearing didn't infuriate you more than Shelvey?

whatawaster

Mr Alan wrote: »

And if it does change it, as the managers comments seem to indicate it does, then it says a lot about the state of things under the FSG/Rodgers.

Unless we saw MKH as a better 10 than Coutinho, but Coutinho as a better 10 than any other alternatives

Raif Severance

Grayditch wrote: »

Even at that, Spearing didn't infuriate you more than Shelvey?

No. I love Spearing, but I know he is a Limited Player, who can only give us his all.

klose

Grayditch wrote: »

Even at that, Spearing didn't infuriate you more than Shelvey?

Spearing broke his balls for us anytime he played, half the time shelvey played last season he didnt look arsed, thought he made it already.


In any case, i wish him well.

Seamu$

Raif Severance wrote: »

You really don't like Shelvey, do you?

Like I've said before, no Liverpool Player infuriates me more than Shelvey. Not even Enrique.

Not because he is not Good, but because he has all the Talent and the Skills, just not the Mentality.

I've always liked Shelvey, hope he does well for Swansea.

You wish him well?

Kerrigooney

All we need now is for Hansen to say "you win nothing with kids" and we'll be laughing.

Raif Severance

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

If we were really in of Mikataryan, was the original plan for Coutinhio to be a winger this season?

Winger. HM would play CAM, but because of his Skill and Pace, he can Interchange with any of the Wing.

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Was Alberto signed before or after the Mikataryan bids?

Before

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

You seem to be under the impression that the comments clear everything up but for me, it raises more questions?

We either need a top class number 10 or we don't. That doesn't change based on pre-season form of a player.

Based on Rodger's Comments, he sees Coutinho as our 10. That means Wingers/Wide Forwards are what we are after.

Grayditch

klose wrote: »

Spearing broke his balls for us anytime he played, half the time shelvey played last season he didnt look arsed, thought he made it already.


In any case, i wish him well.

Spearing broke his balls and was still a goal threat on the wrong end, that was my problem with him. Shelvey was still better for the team than Spearing when he wasn't focused.

I wish them both well

I am pie

Need a CB, DM and a sub GK, I am happy to be lumped in the "positive" camp, but we would be exposing ourselves at CB and get another player in who is immediately ready to be a starter to keep minds focused in there. Need a DM to cover Lucas, ball winning distribution specialist, not Allen or Henderson who are not cut out to be the player directly in front of the back 4. Need a sub gk because none of us, not even the most rosy eyed would relish a season of Jones starting in the event of Mignolet getting injured.

That's the urgent "positions vacant" for me, not so concerned about the attacking options as we have goals in there i believe and a bit in depth too.

Raif Severance

Raif Severance wrote: »

You really don't like Shelvey, do you?

Like I've said before, no Liverpool Player infuriates me more than Shelvey. Not even Enrique.

Not because he is not Good, but because he has all the Talent and the Skills, just not the Mentality.

I've always liked Shelvey, hope he does well for Swansea.

Agreed but he's only gone 21 a few months. The mentality side could be sorted as he matures. I feel we let him go way too soon.

Francie Barrett

whatawaster wrote: »

Unless we saw MKH as a better 10 than Coutinho, but Coutinho as a better 10 than any other alternatives

Exactly. I think Coutinho's form in pre-season will also have had an impact.

5live

whatawaster wrote: »

Unless we saw MKH as a better 10 than Coutinho, but Coutinho as a better 10 than any other alternatives

Ah for pitys sake.

Will you just stop the bloody talking sense, its simply not appreciated here?

Now off with you...

:P

jesus_thats_gre

Strongbow10 wrote: »

sadly i'm starting to come around to this way of thinking, albeit not as sharp.

The honeymoon period is over, he will be judged from the off this season. Personally, I think (and its not a defence of the manager) the man does not wield any power whatsoever at the club. The whole appointment and "new philosophy" is an exercise in dampening expectations.

Some of Henry's comments were quite staggering last week, he inferred that 4th place and 2 cups are his ambition. If this is the case then its certainly unrealistic expectations. Rodgers will be sacked as he will certainly not reach those targets with the current personnel.

Now the question to ask is, whether its Rodgers who is failing to spend the money he has available to him? or whether the owners are the ones driving this sell to buy strategy. Personally I would believe its the latter.

I reckon Rodgers has minimal input in terms of new faces, thats a process that has largely been taken out of his hands. This transfer committee is a move towards continuity, should the manager be sacked for failing to get the best out of whats at his disposal.

Its frankly quite worrying the amount of people who seem to be clutching at straws that something will be pulled out of the fire at the 11th hour. Despite the fact most clubs have failed to do much business, I refuse to believe the club is close to landing targets of the calibre that are needed to see us kick on, and realise such targets set by FSG. no doubt there will be a signing or 2 made but I vehemently refuse to believe the club is doing anything but acting on the fly.

After the last game of the season it was unanimous that we needed to strengthen certain areas, namely centre back, central midfield (someone with physical presence but can also play) and basically improve our goal output. None of these areas have been significantly improved.

On the flip side, people seem to be celebrating shifting on underperformers on high wages, which I did myself last season. But the line coming from the club about "wages not justifiable for a squad player" should serve as a warning for the fans. I was never a Downing fan, but to champion his sale as some kind of victory is crazy. The only victory we should take is if we sign a player to replace him who will beyond all reasonable doubt improve upon what we just sold.

So far this season we cannot say that any of our signings will significantly improve our first XI. Mignolet possibly, but as for the rest? Its another cautious, calculated risk of rolling the dice and hoping one of these guys doubles in value come the next window.

Suarez has been embarrassing, but i'm more worried he is looking on at this, seeing no GENUINE effort being made to sign GENUINE quality to match the promises made by these owners. Masch, Torres and Alonso saw through the rubbish of false ambition at making a challenge, and shagged off.

I've said this countless times, i'm going to sound like a broken record but I hope our owners are not taking a leaf out of Randy Lerners book. Being happy playing kids and finishing outside the relegation zone every season. Its more financially rewarding than spending with a view to top 4 and finishing 5th.

Except in our case the owners have huge revenues to line their pockets, and probably would differ with Villa in that Europa league is a minimum requirement despite their reluctance to spend.

Remarkably balanced post.

Francie Barrett

A cracker from Shelvey.

5-0 England.

kingshankly

Did anyone avail of Boyles special today 4/1 liverpool to finish top 4 price is normally 2/1 only thing was its a 100 euro limit but nothing to stop you going to different Boyles shops.
Great arbing opportunity if nothing else

jesus_thats_gre

Mr Alan wrote: »

And if it does change it, as the managers comments seem to indicate it does, then it says a lot about the state of things under the FSG/Rodgers.

Hence the raising more questions. It suggests we are either stumbling into solutions or having to "make do".

Couthinio is more than suited for that position and he will be effective but why were we trying to spend 20 plus million for someone in the same position?!?

Francie Barrett

Sterling misses an easy chance. Scotland being battered.

mike65

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Hence the raising more questions. It suggests we are either stumbling into solutions or having to "make do".

Coutinho is more than suited for that position and he will be effective but why were we trying to spend 20 plus million for someone in the same position?!?

Armenian bloke can play AM, CM and ALW

whatawaster

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Hence the raising more questions. It suggests we are either stumbling into solutions or having to "make do".

Couthinio is more than suited for that position and he will be effective but why were we trying to spend 20 plus million for someone in the same position?!?

Perhaps we saw MKH as a better 10 than Coutinho, but Coutinho as a better 10 than any other alternatives.

Perhaps we saw both (rightly) as extremely versatile players who could play together in multiple positions

opr

Shelevy off now after scoring from that wonder strike. I know others have said he likes to put in performances against rubbish sides which is true but he has been nothing short of unbelievable tonight. It's not just that his passing has been good but he has dictated play from the centre with short, long, first time passing etc. He has slowed it down or played it short when needed showing real maturity. Honestly a little scared we may have made a mistake watching him tonight. He's been around so long that it's crazy to think he's still only 21.

Opr

jesus_thats_gre

Raif Severance wrote: »

Before

So was he signed as third choice with the expectation of developing over the next few seasons? Or was he signed as 2nd choice to MHK?

Raif Severance wrote: »

Based on Rodger's Comments, he sees Coutinho as our 10. That means Wingers/Wide Forwards are what we are after.

See my previous question. That appears to be in conflict to what the plans were a few weeks ago.

I am asking that in the context of him possibly changing his mind but also in the context of were we ever really in the market for MHK to start with?

Paulegend

kingshankly wrote: »

Did anyone avail of Boyles special today 4/1 liverpool to finish top 4 price is normally 2/1 only thing was its a 100 euro limit but nothing to stop you going to different Boyles shops.
Great arbing opportunity if nothing else

jesus how many people are putting more than 100 quid on that?? dont get me wrong i have faith that we will come close but i still think there are 5 better first teams right now than us

jesus_thats_gre

whatawaster wrote: »

Perhaps we saw MKH as a better 10 than Coutinho, but Coutinho as a better 10 than any other alternatives.

Perhaps we saw both (rightly) as extremely versatile players who could play together in multiple positions

Possible alright - even likely. Just wondering why we aren't going after an alternative if that was the strategy just a few weeks ago.

plannerscanner

Long time viewer and odd time poster - time to get my views out there!!

In respect of FSG: Anything other than G&H was welcome back in 2010 and since then FSG have made a lot of the correct noises. Installing a popular manager and subsequently backing him in the transfer market certainly endeared the new owners during an artificially prolonged honeymoon period.

While not overwhelmed by BR's appointment I accept the logic of having an ambitious young manager and his football is very pleasing to the eye. However, a few recent developments worry me. They include the stadium announcement, the wage restructuring process and the unusually overt courting of Middle-Eastern 'sponsorship'. I'm not trying to come up with a conspiracy theory but if I bought a bloated company with unattractive capital assets and was looking to turn a profit in a 3-5 year period I think I would tackle the very issues FSG have clearly made a priority.

To those on here who insist on coupling 'FSG/Rodgers' please come out of the fog. Rodgers is an employee of FSG and is seen merely as a football expert by the company. I agree with posters who say that his input into transfers is far from being the executive decision maker but he has an input no different to many continental managers.

Mr Alan

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Hence the raising more questions. It suggests we are either stumbling into solutions or having to "make do".

Couthinio is more than suited for that position and he will be effective but why were we trying to spend 20 plus million for someone in the same position?!?

This seems to be missed by the usual suspects.

Raif Severance

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

So was he signed as third choice with the expectation of developing over the next few seasons? Or was he signed as 2nd choice to MHK?

More as a Shelvey Replacement.


See my previous question. That appears to be in conflict to what the plans were a few weeks ago.

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

I am asking that in the context of him possibly changing his mind but also in the context of were we ever really in the market for MHK to start with?

We were.

Like Mike said, HM can play a number of Positions (False 9, Both Wings, CAM, CM).

So having him doesn't mean Coutinho sits on the Bench. Or we can play Coutinho as CAM and him on the Wing. With a Versatile Player like that, we can put him anywhere and still make it work.

We have to remember Coutinhio has only turned 21 !

I'd hate if our season relied on him. Really hope Suarez stays, if for anything to see them both link up again. Two players on the same wavelength.

Strongbow10

plannerscanner wrote: »

Long time viewer and odd time poster - time to get my views out there!!

In respect of FSG: Anything other than G&H was welcome back in 2010 and since then FSG have made a lot of the correct noises. Installing a popular manager and subsequently backing him in the transfer market certainly endeared the new owners during an artificially prolonged honeymoon period.

While not overwhelmed by BR's appointment I accept the logic of having an ambitious young manager and his football is very pleasing to the eye. However, a few recent developments worry me. They include the stadium announcement, the wage restructuring process and the unusually overt courting of Middle-Eastern 'sponsorship'. I'm not trying to come up with a conspiracy theory but if I bought a bloated company with unattractive capital assets and was looking to turn a profit in a 3-5 year period I think I would tackle the very issues FSG have clearly made a priority.

To those on here who insist on coupling 'FSG/Rodgers' please come out of the fog. Rodgers is an employee of FSG and is seen merely as a football expert by the company. I agree with posters who say that his input into transfers is far from being the executive decision maker but he has an input no different to many continental managers.

excellent first post and welcome

Hopefully there will be more where that came from.

kingshankly

Paulegend wrote: »

jesus how many people are putting more than 100 quid on that?? dont get me wrong i have faith that we will come close but i still think there are 5 better first teams right now than us

So do I but its value say you did 10 shops got 1000 on layed 1250 on betfair @3/1 (current price but need more liquidity ) you win 250 either way

Raif Severance

rarnes1 wrote: »

We have to remember Coutinhio has only turned 21 !

I'd hate if our season relied on him. Really hope Suarez stays, if for anything to see them both link up again. Two players on the same wavelength.

That's why we have Luis Alberto and even played Texeira during Closed Doors.

They'll probably get to play CAM during Cup Games or the ones when we rest Cou.

In fairmess HM is a serious goalscoring AM. Coutinhio is a long way from that.

Grayditch

Coutinho adapted freakishly well to the Premiership, and he wasn't patchy. He was stellar til the end. It'd take Aspas and Alberto to do the same to look near getting 4th. Sturridge would have to be prolific, too. We've a lot of "ifs' to get by with our options as streamlined as they are.

Vanolder

If anything sums this thread up It's the posts on Shelvey tonight, Christ above. He was beyond hopeless for us and in the recent u21 euros but he has a half decent game in a u21 friendly and fellas are lamenting his sale as a disaster.

Raif Severance

rarnes1 wrote: »

In fairmess HM is a serious goalscoring AM. Coutinhio is a long way from that.

Yeah, I'm still Bitter about the Bumblebees getting both HM and Abumeyang.

To quote Klopp, both would have fit us like an Arse in a Bucket.