Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Warning in OP, 10/12

Vicxas

Only 16 points behind Chelsea. Come back is on!!

Agent Coulson

3rd on MotD.

T-K-O

garra wrote: »

One swallow does not make summer, GJ has a long way to go to redeem his reputation after his lethargic form of the last couple of seasons. Disgraceful is not too strong a word to describe his effort & commitment as a senior member of this squad,

Chucky the tree wrote: »

He turned 30 in August.It's not like he's on his last legs - although watching him you'd think different.

To me, Johnson is a guy past his best. Guys tend to notice this in his defending, slow, lethargic form but he's the same going forward.

Take Fernando Torres for example, I wouldn't describe Torres at Chelsea/Milan as a disgrace.

~Rebel~

Coutinho needs to start every game I think. Even when he's having an off day and his passing is errant, he still causes so many problems to the opposition with his pace, dribbling and the fact that he actually makes runs. Sterling plays better when Coutinho is on the field too.

Great second half from the team today, notably quicker tempo, more aggressive pressing etc. Nice to finally see some nice quick interchanges aroung their box again.

Only major negative was that we just drew them onto us for the last 10 minutes. very dangerous move, and got quite lucky.

Kerrigooney

Kerrigooney wrote: »

A few weeks ago I couldn't watch the Newcastle game live so I recorded it,turned off my phone,avoided the radio and managed to make it through the day unaware of the score. Watched it later and wanted to die tbh.

Anyway...similar situation today...should I do it? My heart isn't really in it.

Managed to do it again but I need to organise my life a bit better I think.

Woo,we won.

I slagged off Johnson a couple of times this morning and in the first half he was brutal but that was a very brave header for the goal so fair play to him. I still don't want him in the team tho.

Lucas was fantastic and has to start the next game. Allen and Lambert were great.

Don't know what was said at half time but the pace doubled in the second half and we played some nice stuff at times.

What the hell was Coutinho at during the first half? Some ridiculous(not in a good way)passes. Managed to compose himself a bit in the second half but still was a very disappointing performance from him.

Onwards \o/

atilladehun

Based on our squad the only player I'd change for the next game is glenjo.

I think we've had a few moments in the recent slump when we have played well but haven't scored and today was like that, with a bit more resolve.

A proper quick finisher at the top there would make the world of difference. Not just being a threat for chances created but also runs in behind, space created and pressure off the others. Drag the scouts all over europe and the Americas to find him and get him in. Even balotelli and Lambert would benefit.

garra

T-K-O wrote: »

To me, Johnson is a guy past his best. Guys tend to notice this in his defending, slow, lethargic form but he's the same going forward.

Take Fernando Torres for example, I wouldn't describe Torres at Chelsea/Milan as a disgrace.

Thats fine for you if you are happy to just assign his lack of endeavour to the aging process - most on here are not willing to give our senior squad leaders such an easy ride. He's 30 and has been in fine physical shape for long periods of the last 18 mths, so for me there is no excusing so many tepid performances.

klose

No game again for alberto for malaga, not sure if he was even on the bench. Malaga look a good side and are doing well so i guess the manager doesn't want to change things up.

pmy.murphy

klose wrote: »

No game again for alberto for malaga, not sure if he was even on the bench. Malaga look a good side and are doing well so i guess the manager doesn't want to change things up.

Bit irrelevant as I dont see Alberto having a future at LFC. Only a matter of time before hes sold id say

T-K-O

garra wrote: »

Thats fine for you if you are happy to just assign his lack of endeavour to the aging process - most on here are not willing to give our senior squad leaders such an easy ride. He's 30 and has been in fine physical shape for long periods of the last 18 mths, so for me there is no excusing so many tepid performances.

To be fair, I wouldn't take too much notice from most on here. Again I'll use Torres as an example. He has also been fine in terms of fitness, what happened there, not interested, disgraceful?

I wont loose any sleep if GJ never starts again but there is no question he has been a target in here. The easy out lazy commentary.... 'God Johnson starts' :rolleyes:

Mr Alan

Good to get a win & clean sheet. Although hardly a convincing day at the office, however obvious improvement today was good to see. If Gerrard comes back into the DM role again on Tuesday I'll tear my hair out.

Kerrigooney

T-K-O wrote: »

To be fair, I wouldn't take too much notice from most on here. Again I'll use Torres as an example. He has also been fine in terms of fitness, what happened there, not interested, disgraceful?

I wont loose any sleep if GJ never starts again but there is no question he has been a target in here. The easy out lazy commentary.... 'God Johnson starts' :rolleyes:

He's been a target in here and EVERYWHERE because he's been absolute shit.

T-K-O

Kerrigooney wrote: »

He's been a target in here and EVERYWHERE because he's been absolute shit.

He's in good company.

mosstin

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Coutinho needs to start every game I think. Even when he's having an off day and his passing is errant, he still causes so many problems to the opposition with his pace, dribbling and the fact that he actually makes runs. Sterling plays better when Coutinho is on the field too.

Great second half from the team today, notably quicker tempo, more aggressive pressing etc. Nice to finally see some nice quick interchanges aroung their box again.

Only major negative was that we just drew them onto us for the last 10 minutes. very dangerous move, and got quite lucky.

:eek: You're kidding? Even today, though he looked decent in possession he scarcely influenced the game. Sure, he made that 'Brazilianesque' slalom run in the first half but he isn't working near a level which would have him as one of the first names on the team sheet. I'd be happy if Lallana started on Tuesday night instead of him.

mosstin

T-K-O wrote: »

He's in good company.

Credit where it's due, Johnson has operating at a superior level of **** than any other squad member for well over a year now.

Knex*

Mr Alan wrote: »

Good to get a win & clean sheet. Although hardly a convincing day at the office, however obvious improvement today was good to see. If Gerrard comes back into the DM role again on Tuesday I'll tear my hair out.

Absolutely. Far too often this season a player has come in, played better than the guy he replaces, and then is dropped for the next few games.

That midfield trio needs to stay the same for a few games now.

Knex*

Also, Rodgers needs to fix his teeth again, or get them re-whitened, or something. It was obviously that that made the team perform for him.

Kerrigooney

T-K-O wrote: »

He's in good company.

This season yes. What's his excuse for last season?

T-K-O

Kerrigooney wrote: »

This season yes. What's his excuse for last season?

He's a greedy, disgraceful, headless chicken. Check your memo's

Kerrigooney

Knex. wrote: »

Also, Rodgers needs to fix his teeth again, or get them re-whitened, or something. It was obviously that that made the team perform for him.

If he drops Lucas and puts Gerrard back in the DM position I'll fix his teeth for him.

Kerrigooney

T-K-O wrote: »

He's a greedy, disgraceful, headless chicken. Check your memo's

Yes he is. You've kind of lost me now.

Would much rather see Lallana starting instead of Coutinho as I think there's goals in Lallana.

Happy with today though, Stoke are no pushovers and Liverpool went into the game in 11th so 3 points is decent.

I fully expect to see Gerrard start against Leicester, mixed feelings, part of me is very hopeful that Gerrard will find some form soon, also winning is a habit and going into the Leicester game after beating Stoke might give the team a boost.

Lambert continues to impress imo, credit to him for the goal (and Glen too of course, he was in the right place at the right time and got the job done when many others wouldn't have fancied it), it was a great header and he gave the Stoke defence something to think about, he's a great pro to be fair, recent two goals in two games has lifted the monkey off his back, 33 in Feb but he'll score when played consistently, we definitely will need him next year too even if two very decent strikers come in.

Borini might get a game or two in a shopwindow type opportunity but he clearly should have taken the managers advice and left at the beginning of the season.

Lucas wasn't bad at all, I feel him and Allen combine well and have a decent understanding of what's needed to cover the back four, all things being equal Gerrard should be a threat to neither for a DM position. I'd like to see Can but today was not the day, no harm in that.

Gotta love Sterling, he's not getting pushed off many balls these days

Plenty of food for thought for Rodgers.

SlickRic

Gerrard will be back Tuesday, if only for the fact Lucas won't start 3 games in 7 days.

However, it must be obvious that Lucas, even though he's about 40% of what he was 3 years ago, is still easily our best DM.

there's something very depressing about that.

PropJoe10

SlickRic wrote: »

Gerrard will be back Tuesday, if only for the fact Lucas won't start 3 games in 7 days.

However, it must be obvious that Lucas, even though he's about 40% of what he was 3 years ago, is still easily our best DM.

there's something very depressing about that.

I'd rather see Allen play DM than Gerrard. Gerrard is not suitable for the deep-lying midfield role, mainly because his main strength from that position (long range passing) is pretty irrelevant in our current side. In my opinion, Gerrard should either play further up the field, or not at all.

klose

The fact gerrard has played further forward the last two games is hopefully evidence his days as a dm are over. Lucas played very well today, allen/hendo/can can put in shifts in a midfield two if rodgers wants to persist with the 4231 aswell. Obviously a matic-esque dm should still be a priority for the club in the future .

Hidalgo

SlickRic wrote: »

Gerrard will be back Tuesday, if only for the fact Lucas won't start 3 games in 7 days.

However, it must be obvious that Lucas, even though he's about 40% of what he was 3 years ago, is still easily our best DM.

there's something very depressing about that.

And despite the money spent on cbs the best is 33??

Whilst Gerrard will most likely start, hopefully he's shoehorned in well up the pitch. Main problem there of course is no pace between himself and Lambert.

Personally I'd be curious to see Balotelli off Lambert.

~Rebel~

mosstin wrote: »

:eek: You're kidding? Even today, though he looked decent in possession he scarcely influenced the game. Sure, he made that 'Brazilianesque' slalom run in the first half but he isn't working near a level which would have him as one of the first names on the team sheet. I'd be happy if Lallana started on Tuesday night instead of him.

He actually didn't have a great game today, but that's what made me post about him. Even on an off day, he's one of the only players who plays like we did last year and I think that rubs off on others.

He had a hand in just about everything good we did. Most impressively, he pressed the opposition and made runs. So often this year we look so stationary, but he constantly opened space up for others to exploit with his movement. Sterling in particular got a great benefit from this - where he would have been double marked, Coutinho would make a run and pull a man away, giving Sterling a chance 1 on 1 with his man. They had some great interplay with each other too.

For me right now, the most important thing is getting the attitude right - everything else will improve if that does. He moreso than most brings that back. I'd have him starting over Gerrard every day of the week right now, with Sterling and Lallana. Lambert ahead, and Henderson and Allen/Lucas behind.

djPSB

Hidalgo wrote: »

And despite the money spent on cbs the best is 33??

Whilst Gerrard will most likely start, hopefully he's shoehorned in well up the pitch. Main problem there of course is no pace between himself and Lambert.

Personally I'd be curious to see Balotelli off Lambert.

I'd be curious to see a proper striker linking up with Sterling and Coutinho like we saw last season.

shamrock55

Was that ger canning commentating for the qpr game on motd?

djPSB

djPSB wrote: »

I'd be curious to see a proper striker linking up with Sterling and Coutinho like we saw last season.

Lambert has come into an underperforming team and in 3 consecutive starts has 2 goals and an assist... He's no nutmeg master but he's definitely a proper striker

djPSB

Augeo wrote: »

Lambert has come into an underperforming team and in 3 consecutive starts has 2 goals and an assist... He's no nutmeg master but he's definitely a proper striker

He's a back up striker and is doing a grand job.

By no means a long term option though. Nor are Balotelli or Borini.

Turtyturd

He's not a proper striker for the type of football this team are supposedly set up to play. If you want to play Gerrard as a DM knocking long balls up he's your man, but to get the best out of the team a much more mobile player is needed.

Rega

shamrock55 wrote: »

Was that ger canning commentating for the qpr game on motd?

Connor McNamara

Pulsating Star

Kerrigooney wrote: »

A few weeks ago I couldn't watch the Newcastle game live so I recorded it,turned off my phone,avoided the radio and managed to make it through the day unaware of the score. Watched it later and wanted to die tbh.

Anyway...similar situation today...should I do it? My heart isn't really in it.

I couldn't watch it as was working. Don't have the means to record it so I decided to avoid looking up the score and read the match thread instead. So as to get a flavour of the rollercoaster of emotions a live viewing gives. Sounds a bit sad but I get to see the game vicariously through the eyes of ye folks! Worked for me, thanks guys.

Augmerson

Some of our play in the 2nd half was really good but I have to ask do people think Stoke were just rubbish or did Liverpool really do alright?

Mr Alan

Augmerson wrote: »

Some of our play in the 2nd half was really good but I have to ask do people think Stoke were just rubbish or did Liverpool really do alright?

Bit of both, but there has been times this season when we've not been able to get a result even when the opposition hasn't been good. So it's still a positive.

daRobot

Knex. wrote: »

Also, Rodgers needs to fix his teeth again, or get them re-whitened, or something. It was obviously that that made the team perform for him.

A winning smile, one might say.

Lessons from the past 9 hours, Kerrigooney needs to keep recording games and avoiding weirdos like us until game end. Also Kerrigooney needs to keep Brendans teeth intact. Also, dissing Lambert cluelessly is also loltastic

shamrock55

Rega wrote: »

Connor McNamara

I could have sworn it was canning:D

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Pulsating Star wrote: »

I couldn't watch it as was working. Don't have the means to record it so I decided to avoid looking up the score and read the match thread instead. So as to get a flavour of the rollercoaster of emotions a live viewing gives. Sounds a bit sad but I get to see the game vicariously through the eyes of ye folks! Worked for me, thanks guys.

Jesus, as if suporting Liverpool in the first place wasn't maschostic enough!

niallo27

What a win today. I think it will kick start the season. What was said at half time. Different team second half.

Augmerson

citytillidie wrote: »

Off to Liverpool 1st thing for this weekends game, just hope for same result as last time o went to see Liverpool v Stoke which was 4-0

The real reason we won :pac:

jebidiah

Didn't see the match, just the highlights. Johnson did very well with the goal. Great reading of the situation and super brave to dive in there.

Its his job and he gets paid a **** load as we all know. But fair play to him. Vital goal.

brevity

https://twitter.com/JimBoardman/status/538989080579948544

I couldn't care less what time Ballotelli goes to bed if he was banging in goals and busting a gut for the team.

He's not though and tbh I'd be delighted to see the back of him on January 1st.

Kerrigooney

rarnes1 wrote: »

Lessons from the past 9 hours, Kerrigooney needs to keep recording games and avoiding weirdos like us until game end. Also Kerrigooney needs to keep Brendans teeth intact. Also, dissing Lambert cluelessly is also loltastic

It's pretty tricky but if I thought it would work,I'd do it. No problem.

Lambert has shown more in the last 2 games than Mario has in all his games combined and has to stay in the team for now.

Turtyturd

Turtyturd wrote: »

And someone needs to stick that picture of Fritzel, Hitler et al as Liverpool fans in every match thread.

As a Liverpool fan I went back looking for this and it's gone.

Also a shame to see what's been done to the thread since then.

Kerrigooney

Turtyturd wrote: »

As a Liverpool fan I went back looking for this and it's gone.

Also a shame to see what's been done to the thread since then.

I thought I was losing my mind. Or all of you were...

Hidalgo

Augmerson wrote: »

Some of our play in the 2nd half was really good but I have to ask do people think Stoke were just rubbish or did Liverpool really do alright?

There was definitely an improvement in the 2nd half. Intensity picked up which shouldn't be directly affected by the opposition. That needs to be a constant.
Liverpool have played worse against worse teams.

djPSB

niallo27 wrote: »

What a win today. I think it will kick start the season. What was said at half time. Different team second half.

Gerrard asked Bemitez to leave the dressing room.