Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Note in OP, 1/09

kevohmsford

Losing Daniel Sturridge for another month is a disaster. We really needed him back. The team is lacking a quality goalscorer at the moment.
Borini has hardly played, Balotelli has yet to get going and Lambert looks finished. Why was Rodgers not able to bring in a quality striker in the summer ?

OwaynOTT

Never mind getting Origami in at the winter window. Just saw the Saints stuff Sunderland and there's was a player on display there today with a real eye for goal.
Do you think Sunderland still want Borini? Straight swap

klose

Can't imagine Lucas has travelled tomorrow seeing as he posted on Instagram he is having a pizza night with his family, can and Allen will be involved so of imagine

kevohmsford

Hopefully Gerrard, Allen and Henderson tomorrow. Sterling, Lallana and Balotelli upfront.

Hidalgo

Gbear wrote: »

Well if that's the way you see it you're going to be disappointed for as long as FSG are in charge.

They've decided (and I agree with them) that the best way to build sustainably are young talents and maybe quality players that have stalled in their careers who're good value.



This season isn't their only concern.

I'm all for building for the future. Liverpool don't have the draw or financial clout of teams like Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Bayern, Barca etc. Therefore it makes sense to get tomorrows stars before they get big. Sneak them under the noses of bigger fish if you will.

What I would like however is a slightly more balanced approach. Going only for young talent or players whose careers have stalled is a very risky strategy imo.
Id like the FSG married witb the odd safer buy, as in the odd proven player. Someone that will instantly improve the first 11.

Hidalgo

martyos121 wrote: »

So what you're saying is, we've spent the last 4 seasons building a team to get back into the Champions League, and now you think we just shouldn't be too arsed about it?
That's a small club mentality. We should be giving this completion our very best. Big Champions League performances are what attract top players, not grinding out league results against Southampton and West Brom.

Big cl nights won't attract top players if you're not in it next season.

Harry Palmr

The Football League shows featured game is Reading v Derby so you can get a look at Ibe.

Lille v Whoeveritwas ended in 1-2 defeat Origi didn't score.

J Mysterio

Hidalgo wrote: »

I'm all for building for the future. Liverpool don't have the draw or financial clout of teams like Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Bayern, Barca etc. Therefore it makes sense to get tomorrows stars before they get big. Sneak them under the noses of bigger fish if you will.

What I would like however is a slightly more balanced approach. Going only for young talent or players whose careers have stalled is a very risky strategy imo.
Id like the FSG married witb the odd safer buy, as in the odd proven player. Someone that will instantly improve the first 11.

I hear you and agree to a point but I think Lovren, Moreno, Lallana and Balotelli are all players who fit the general description of established players who can immediately improve the team. Granted, Balotelli was a risk.

Can looks like a great buy, Bayern wanted him back.

Manquillo and Markovic are the only ones I would identify as the signings with 'great potential'.

I actually think it was a good transfer window though obviously I would have preferred a more suitable striker than Balotelli - that really was a panic buy. With him it's obvious the other targets didnt work out and they took the best of the leftovers. Why always him?

NIMAN

How do you Pool fans think you'll do on Wednesday night?
Are you fearing it?
Or do you think the occasion will lift the team to produce a performance?

Harry Palmr

I'm backing Real big time. Might even go with a - 1 first half handicap.

They pull Liverpool's pants down and smack our arses till the cheeks are red. :eek:

martyos121

NIMAN wrote: »

How do you Pool fans think you'll do on Wednesday night?
Are you fearing it?
Or do you think the occasion will lift the team to produce a performance?

Gerrard was made for these sort of games, so I'm sure he'll score.
That would mean 6-1 Madrid.

ben.schlomo

NIMAN wrote: »

How do you Pool fans think you'll do on Wednesday night?
Are you fearing it?
Or do you think the occasion will lift the team to produce a performance?

Youd be daft to think it will be anything bar a comfortable Real win really, we are missing Sturridge badly and we concede far too many to be confident.

ben.schlomo

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Youd be daft to think it will be anything bar a comfortable Real win really, we are missing Sturridge badly and we concede far too many to be confident.

The bookies odds suggest a real win is slightly better than a 50/50 chance, a comfortable real win might happen but in betting land its not at all a sure thing

5starpool

I'd nearly take a 0-2 defeat now in that game if it was offered, but hopefully whatever happens we give it a good go. It could from anything to a poxy win (unlikely) to a hammering.

michael999999

5starpool wrote: »

I'd nearly take a 0-2 defeat now in that game if it was offered, but hopefully whatever happens we give it a good go. It could from anything to a poxy win (unlikely) to a hammering.

So you'd take a 2-0 defeat now?

Madness. I'd stop following us before I'd accept defeat before a game!

5starpool

michael999999 wrote: »

So you'd take a 2-0 defeat now?

Madness. I'd stop following us before I'd accept defeat before a game!

Well no obviously, but there is a little part of me that would be tempted as I really fear a hammering. Football is all about games like these and I'll be as excited and nervous as ever before a big game, but it's been a long time since I've been as fearful about the result of an individual game as well.

Demosthenese

5starpool wrote: »

Well no obviously, but there is a little part of me that would be tempted as I really fear a hammering. Football is all about games like these and I'll be as excited and nervous as ever before a big game, but it's been a long time since I've been as fearful about the result of an individual game as well.

Fear a hammering ... QPR, Bottom of the league ... seriously. Delirious. What a completely ridiculous way of thinking. Fearful is a sound of a guy that doesn't have an incling of what football is ...

mosstin

Demosthenese wrote: »

Fear a hammering ... QPR, Bottom of the league ... seriously. Delirious. What a completely ridiculous way of thinking. Fearful is a sound of a guy that doesn't have an incling of what football is ...

I'd suggest he's referring to the Madrid match.

Glico Man

Demosthenese wrote: »

Fear a hammering ... QPR, Bottom of the league ... seriously. Delirious. What a completely ridiculous way of thinking. Fearful is a sound of a guy that doesn't have an incling of what football is ...

Dunno what message you picked up, but you should retune your receiver... he's clearly talking about the Real Madrid game next week... not QPR.

J Mysterio

Think its ridiculous to be full of fear for Madrid. The players should be excited. Liverpool have every chance at home.

5starpool

Demosthenese wrote: »

Fear a hammering ... QPR, Bottom of the league ... seriously. Delirious. What a completely ridiculous way of thinking. Fearful is a sound of a guy that doesn't have an incling of what football is ...

Put away that glass and go to bed. Your post is not befitting of your username.

NyOmnishambles

Harry Palmr wrote: »

The Football League shows featured game is Reading v Derby so you can get a look at Ibe.

Lille v Whoeveritwas ended in 1-2 defeat Origi didn't score.

Hard to tell from highlights but Ibe didn't get much screentime which suggests he didn't offer much of a threat

He did well for his goal though, he seems to be in a good place to learn though with a team that is playing well

billymitchell

J Mysterio wrote: »

Think its ridiculous to be full of fear for Madrid. The players should be excited. Liverpool have every chance at home.

Playing the way they did last year, nothing to fear. This year we have shown nothing to make me believe we can get a result against RM.

Firstly,we need to get a result against QPR. But not a big victory, just a scrappy one. We win big against QPR, fans get expectant, and that might cause the team to not focus as much as they could against RM.

googled eyes

We need to play someone up beside Balotelli. He wants to play off someone.

1 up top doesn't work for us now.

EDIT: Obviously I mean Raheem up beside Ballo

googled eyes

googled eyes wrote: »

We need to play someone up beside Balotelli. He wants to play off someone.

1 up top doesn't work for us now.

EDIT: Obviously I mean Raheem up beside Ballo

One up top is the order of the day this season. It's working well so far though so it's only right to keep persisting..

googled eyes

rarnes1 wrote: »

One up top is the order of the day this season. It's working well so far though so it's only right to keep persisting..

Sorry rarnes but I have to disagree. I feel we'd be better off with two up top. Mario would prefer someone to work off . He gets too isolated on his own. With someone else up there he can drop off a bit an shoot with a bit less pressure.

brevity

I'd wager rarnes has been on the sauce tonight

googled eyes

googled eyes wrote: »

Sorry rarnes but I have to disagree. I feel we'd be better off with two up top. Mario would prefer someone to work off . He gets too isolated on his own. With someone else up there he can drop off a bit an shoot with a bit less pressure.

googled eyes

rarnes1 wrote: »

ah ha. my alchohol intake has inhibited my sarcasm detector..:p

T-K-O

I dont suppose Ross Barkley is a Liverpool fan?

NIMAN

Liverpools hopes will be based on Ballo deciding to turn up for this type of big game, and perhaps Sterling's pace scaring Madrid's backline.

Outside of those 2, can't see many other Pool players figuring in the tie. Including Gerrard.

T-K-O

NIMAN wrote: »

Liverpools hopes will be based on Ballo deciding to turn up for this type of big game, and perhaps Sterling's pace scaring Madrid's backline.

Outside of those 2, can't see many other Pool players figuring in the tie. Including Gerrard.

Henderson is key. If Madrid play all 4 (Bale,James,Benezema, Chrsitiano) attacking players they can be got at.

NIMAN

Benzema out injured, did not play today. Not sure if he will be available midweek.

Bale rested today, saving himself for Pool.

dogbert27

I think the club put all its eggs in one basket by making Sturridge the number one striker after Suarez left.
Decision consciously made not to bring in a bigger player than him.

Lambert, to me was obviously signed as a squad player to start League Cup games and the first few rounds of the FA Cup and to come on late in games already won to give Sturridge a rest.
The criticism towards him is a little unfair.

Borini screwed up the transfer merry go round that would have happened if we got the 14 million for him. Rodgers stuck with a player he wants rid of and now in a position of needing him.
In fairness to Borini, why would he move to a smaller club on less money?

Balotelli: Rodgers said in the States that he would not be a LFC player. Either he was trying to be clever or someone at the club made the decision to buy Balotelli.
Either way he's here now and is the best fit striker we have so Rodgers should be playing to his strengths instead of making him fit a system.
He changed the system to accommodate Sturridge and Suarez together. He now needs to change the system to fit Balotelli.
That change could be playing Sterling up front with him.

dogbert27

If we end up losing today to a Bobby Zamora goal I'll eat my hat!

5live

Hidalgo wrote: »

I'm all for building for the future. Liverpool don't have the draw or financial clout of teams like Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Bayern, Barca etc. Therefore it makes sense to get tomorrows stars before they get big. Sneak them under the noses of bigger fish if you will.

What I would like however is a slightly more balanced approach. Going only for young talent or players whose careers have stalled is a very risky strategy imo.
Id like the FSG married witb the odd safer buy, as in the odd proven player. Someone that will instantly improve the first 11.

Lovren was that 'safer' buy that would instantly improve the first 11.

Now, he may well turn out to be that player but, atm, our formation or the way it is being set-up is making good defenders look poor.

It's a good job our rivals for top 4 have been just as rubbish tbh.

Iused2likebusts

NIMAN wrote: »

How do you Pool fans think you'll do on Wednesday night?
Are you fearing it?
Or do you think the occasion will lift the team to produce a performance?

I wouldn't rule out a Liverpool win. It's not such a big game for real as it is for liverpool they know they will qualify and I wouldn't be surprised to see them rest a few players. Real play barca next sat night a much bigger game for them.

doc_17

I'd wouldn't be too hopeful going to the Bernabau but we could sneak a point at home

MD1990

Id expect Sterling to be getting 50-60 goals a season in a few years:p

5live

Hidalgo wrote: »

I'm all for building for the future. Liverpool don't have the draw or financial clout of teams like Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Bayern, Barca etc. Therefore it makes sense to get tomorrows stars before they get big. Sneak them under the noses of bigger fish if you will.

What I would like however is a slightly more balanced approach. Going only for young talent or players whose careers have stalled is a very risky strategy imo.
Id like the FSG married witb the odd safer buy, as in the odd proven player. Someone that will instantly improve the first 11.

Lovren was that 'safer' buy that would instantly improve the first 11.

Now, he may well turn out to be that player but, atm, our formation or the way it is being set-up is making good defenders look poor.

Francie Barrett

If you dropped Sterling in a Real or Barca team he would be absolutely lethal.

MD1990

Francie Barrett wrote: »

If you dropped Sterling in a Real or Barca team he would be absolutely lethal.

Needs to improve his shooting & finishing though. But im sure he will.

8-10

rarnes1 wrote: »

It's a good job our rivals for top 4 have been just as rubbish tbh.

This is an important point. To have played as badly as we have for 2 months of the season and still be 3pts off 4th with a game in hand is actually a huge positive. Looking at the other teams I reckon if we start playing better and conceding less we'll be thereabouts after Christmas and down the stretch which is what you want.

Still early days and if this was our bad patch for the season so be it. Good result today will get us back on track and some decent fixtures coming up over the next 6 weeks.

Harry Palmr

NIMAN wrote: »

Benzema out injured, did not play today. Not sure if he will be available midweek.

Bale rested today, saving himself for Pool.

and they still put 5 past whoeveritwas

Mr Alan

8-10 wrote: »

This is an important point. To have played as badly as we have for 2 months of the season and still be 3pts off 4th with a game in hand is actually a huge positive.

It's a positive if there's any sign of us actually putting together some form & learning from our mistakes. Which at this point, we're not.

8-10

Mr Alan wrote: »

It's a positive if there's any sign of us actually putting together some form & learning from our mistakes. Which at this point, we're not.

Agreed, we need to use today as a springboard to push on. QPR are a bad side that a top 4 contender should easily beat. Comfortable win today sets us up for a good run of league fixtures

Charlie19

8-10 wrote: »

Agreed, we need to use today as a springboard to push on. QPR are a bad side that a top 4 contender should easily beat. Comfortable win today sets us up for a good run of league fixtures

Yup.. These clashes between sides at the opposite end of the table are always a banker.

Mr Alan

Charlie19 wrote: »

Yup.. These clashes between sides at the opposite end of the table are always a banker.

Good to see potential excuses being rolled out already :rolleyes:

joe123

T-K-O wrote: »

I dont suppose Ross Barkley is a Liverpool fan?

Read somewhere way back that he is/was!