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

mosstin

5starpool wrote: »

Alleged starting team tomorrow. Truckload of salt, etc. From @MarkHughes_ on twitter.

Mingolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Markovic, Sturridge, Sterling

Nice to see Gerrard make such a swift recovery from that three month lay off.

5starpool

mosstin wrote: »

Nice to see Gerrard make such a swift recovery from that three month lay off.

I've no idea where that came from. If it was likely to be true then it'd be all over twitter, and it really isn't, at least not by the ~200 nearly all LFC related people I follow.

Harry Palmr

5starpool wrote: »

I've no idea where that came from. If it was likely to be true then it'd be all over twitter, and it really isn't, at least not by the ~200 nearly all LFC related people I follow.

:eek:

5starpool

Harry Palmr wrote: »

:eek:

It can be a cacophony of annoyance at times for sure, but It can be entertaining as well. I'm sure 204 (to be exact) is a modest number by most twitter user standards.

pmy.murphy

I see QPR are signing Lassana Diarra. Hes someone whos been very much forgotten about after playing in Russia for a few years. Very good player and hes a defensive midfielder, could have done a job for us without being overly expensive. We may have missed a trick there

Knex*

So has Gerrard called in dead for tomorrow, or is he alright?

Charlie19

Knex. wrote: »

So has Gerrard called in dead for tomorrow, or is he alright?

Gerrard still alive:) Nothing on twitter, so I guess that he'll probably score the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Washington Irving

Knex. wrote: »

So has Gerrard called in dead for tomorrow, or is he alright?

Text him there and he says he's sound and still on for bowling tomorrow evening.

Soft Falling Rain

I'd be careful if I was Rodgers with Balotelli, I'm not sure I like his approach towards him. I don't think Balo would be the type of guy to react well to repeated public attempts to deflate his ego.

By all means have the talk privately but I'm not sure what Rodgers is trying to prove by doing it publicly. If it was me I'd drop the amateur psychology and leave it to the actual psychologist, you know, the guy who seemingly worked wonders with Suarez.

Fescue

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

I'd be careful if I was Rodgers with Balotelli, I'm not sure I like his approach towards him. I don't think Balo would be the type of guy to react well to repeated public attempts to deflate his ego.

By all means have the talk privately but I'm sure what Rodgers is trying to prove by doing it publicly. If it was me I'd drop the amateur psychology and leave it to the actual psychologist, you know, the guy who seemingly worked wonders with Suarez.

Rodgers is pretty astute. The path he is taking with Balotelli, is carefully planned. If he reacts poorly to being told he is no more special than anyone else in the squad, then he can pack his bags and hit the road. The financial hit is minimal.

Soft Falling Rain

Fescue wrote: »

Rodgers is pretty astute. The path he is taking with Balotelli, is carefully planned. If he reacts poorly to being told he is no more special than anyone else in the squad, then he can pack his bags and hit the road. The financial hit is minimal.

That's fair enough but I think for someone with such a good man manager record, he's needlessly taking a very cold approach towards Balo. Yeah, he can hit the road if he doesn't like it, but that doesn't mean Rodgers would be right in his approach. I think there are other, less risky ways, to get the best out of him.

Fescue

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

That's fair enough but I think for someone with such a good man manager record, he's needlessly taking a very cold approach towards Balo. Yeah, he can hit the road if he doesn't like it, but that doesn't mean Rodgers would be right in his approach. I think there are other, less risky ways, to get the best out of him.

I don't think this cold approach is just for the benefit of Balotelli, I also think its aimed at showing the rest of the squad that Balotelli will not be getting preferential treatment.

Rodgers biggest concern is probably how Balotelli's attitude could impact negatively on the harmony amongst the other players.

michael999999

Fescue wrote: »

I don't think this cold approach is just for the benefit of Balotelli, I also think its aimed at showing the rest of the squad that Balotelli will not be getting preferential treatment.

Rodgers biggest concern is probably how Balotelli's attitude could impact negatively on the harmony amongst the other players.

Which begs the question. Is he's signing really worth the risk?

I don't think Rodgers needs to be investintg this much time in one player when he's facing he's first ever stint in the champs league.

Fescue

michael999999 wrote: »

Which begs the question. Is he's signing really worth the risk?

I don't think Rodgers needs to be investintg this much time in one player when he's facing he's first ever stint in the champs league.

Well the reward for the risk is potentially huge. That's the motivation.

livinginkorea

I think BR is doing the right thing...we are not like Man City or AC Milan parading their players for the media. We are a hard working club that focuses on the football. I think Mario will see that and enjoy it. Brendan seems really good at man management so I will be surprised if Mario reacts negatively for a couple of months. Hell he might even thrive in this environment and score some goals!

Soups123

I agree with SFR, his approach is strange. You would expect they a full on conversation before he signed and they start with a slate wiped clean approach.

Surprised BR is commenting on him so publicly and he hasn't done anything yet.

Time will tell if the approach is right!

Soups123

Fescue wrote: »

Well the reward for the risk is potentially huge. That's the motivation.

I agree, although I don't think he is the circus the media make him out to be.

All great players have a streak of madness on them

livinginkorea

Soups123 wrote: »

I agree, although I don't think he is the circus the media make him out to be.

All great players have a streak of madness on them

I recon so too. A lot of this BS is stroked by the media. I say they were delighted that Mario was coming back to England.

He has a lot to prove all the same. If he keeps the head down then he will do really well. Hopefully we have someone to watch his off-field antics.

Fescue

Soups123 wrote: »

I agree, although I don't think he is the circus the media make him out to be.

All great players have a streak of madness on them

The media is fixated on Balotelli. As Jonathan Northcroft just commented the Sunday papers asked Rodgers 15 questions ahead of the game, all were about Balotelli.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Losing to Spurs will be a bigger deal than losing to City. It's not season defining but it'll set down a big marker for who'll get a CL spot. Hard game to call.

Agent Coulson

Pochettino has a good record against us and knows how to set his teams up to counter us. I really wouldn't be surpised with a draw or Spurs winning.

We are still in the bedding period with new players.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Fescue wrote: »

The media is fixated on Balotelli. As Jonathan Northcroft just commented the Sunday papers asked Rodgers 15 questions ahead of the game, all were about Balotelli.

Is having a 'bogeyman' in the team a good thing? Acting like a sort of lighting rod for all questions and criticisms. Nothing about should Mignolet be doing better, is Moreno too nervous, is Johnson passed it, will Markovic get his first competitive start, are Gerrards legs a problem in midfield ect. etc... Brendan might be happy about the media constantly blabbering on about Super Mario and nothing else.

rob316

Don't think there is much wrong with rodgers said regarding balotelli. At other clubs he has been indulged and shown to be the superstar maybe rodgers approach is better. Man city at the time had too many egos, inter also did and the same for ac milan. We have a real close knit young group something mario might never been in before and could well thrive in.
The similar young black profile of sterling and Sturridge will really help him gel easier imo.

djPSB

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Pochettino has a good record against us and knows how to set his teams up to counter us. I really wouldn't be surpised with a draw or Spurs winning.

We are still in the bedding period with new players.

Feeling it could be a Spurs win today

djPSB

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

I'd be careful if I was Rodgers with Balotelli, I'm not sure I like his approach towards him. I don't think Balo would be the type of guy to react well to repeated public attempts to deflate his ego.

By all means have the talk privately but I'm not sure what Rodgers is trying to prove by doing it publicly. If it was me I'd drop the amateur psychology and leave it to the actual psychologist, you know, the guy who seemingly worked wonders with Suarez.

You do realise that Rodgers had a massive part to play in Suarez' word class performances and keeping him on the straight and narrow behavior wise?

rob316

Rodgers has 20 years experience of coaching young players this is his bread and butter. He has probably dealt successfully with bigger problem children than balotelli in his time. Pretty confident he knows what he is doing.

Agent Coulson

If anyone has or watches Netflix US ESPN's 30 for 30: Soccer Stories: Hillsborough has been added to it.

klose

Awesome looking team on paper atleast, good options on the bench too.!

rob316

Lallana didn't make the squad that's a real shame.

Vicxas

No lallana tho

Talisman

Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Sterling, Balotelli, Sturridge

ratracer

The starting 11 is strong on paper, however only Toure and Enrique as defensive options are not great.

rob316

ratracer wrote: »

The starting 11 is strong on paper, however only Toure and Enrique as defensive options are not great.

Can can also play lb I think.

5starpool

FFS Sky Sports. Such crap time filler.

Charlie19

5starpool wrote: »

FFS Sky Sports. Such crap time filler.

Stevie up next to talk about his retirement from internationals.

5starpool

Charlie19 wrote: »

Stevie up next to talk about his retirement from internationals.

More rubbish time filler. I suppose Redknapp/Lennon aren't going to sit and talk tactics for an hour though.

Benimar

ratracer wrote: »

The starting 11 is strong on paper, however only Toure and Enrique as defensive options are not great.

In fairness, 3 of last seasons back 4 are injured. Any team would struggle for cover in that situation.

Neither Toure nor Enrique will get on bar an injury anyway.

Benimar

Charlie19 wrote: »

Stevie up next to talk about his retirement from internationals.

Sky News tore the ass out of that yesterday. Must have shown it 10 times.

ASOT

rob316 wrote: »

Can can also play lb I think.

He can play anywhere across the back & midfield.

Talisman

5starpool wrote: »

More rubbish time filler. I suppose Redknapp/Lennon aren't going to sit and talk tactics for an hour though.

LFC TV trump Sky in the build up to games.

BenEadir

Jones and Toure the weak points on the bench, we need better back up in those positions.

Ben

5starpool

Talisman wrote: »

LFC TV trump Sky in the build up to games.

Ya, sometimes I switch over, but can't be bothered today. I'll do my own internet build up

mosstin

5starpool wrote: »

Ya, sometimes I switch over, but can't be bothered today. I'll do my own internet build up

Porn and a packet of Tayto.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

Nothing at all to do with the match but I found this kind of funny/amusing on buying Andy Carroll.

Foul-mouthed quotes from then Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias were later leaked which summed up the whole deal:

"He's worth f*** all. It is about control. We had the control. We knew the Torres deal was there…So £30m? F*** off! Don’t waste my time - and I slammed the phone down. £35m? Everybody including Pardew all agreed. We got it all up front and then they never paid us on time and we charged them 12 grand f****** interest."

:pac:

Link

tomaussie

Guys. Where do I go to ask about online feeds ? My usual website is down. I'm based in Australia so I think I can buy it online legally but not sure where.

I'll delete this if advised to.

Mr Alan

BenThere wrote: »

Jones and Toure the weak points on the bench, we need better back up in those positions.

Ben

Like Reina & Agger maybe?

BenEadir

Mr Alan wrote: »

Like Reina & Agger maybe?

Just like Reina and Agger really but with a better attitude (Reina) and a body which is not beginning to fail under the physical duress of the PL (Agger).

Ben

Agent Coulson

Mr Alan wrote: »

Like Reina & Agger maybe?

If we are talking about former players why not Grobbelaar & Hansen?

Knex*

Mr Alan wrote: »

Like Reina & Agger maybe?

Nah.

jasonb

Agent Coulson wrote: »

We are still in the bedding period with new players.

This. We've got 8 new players, it's going to take a lot of time to figure out which ones slot right in, which ones get there in a little while, and which ones will never get there. I'll be happy to get 4th this year, and then push on next year. Last year was amazing and you never know, it could happen again, but with 8 new players you'd expect an adjustment period.

I'd be happy enough with a draw today, and delighted with a win...

J.