Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours 2018

Charlie19

MD1990 wrote: »

Would love to see Croatia win it.

Incredible achievement population of only 4 million.

Not much between Ireland and Croatia in terms of Population and Area size, Its a pity Ireland cant compete like the Croats in the major competitions.


Then again I'd say Croatia can probably call on a larger group of players from other break away countries in the old Yugoslavia region.

54and56

Charlie19 wrote: »

Not much between Ireland and Croatia in terms of Population and Area size, Its a pity Ireland cant compete like the Croats in the major competitions.


Then again I'd say Croatia can probably call on a larger group of players from other break away countries in the old Yugoslavia region.

Plus their kids aren't also torn between playing GAA and Rugby leaving Croatia with a much bigger pool of football playing talent to choose from Vs Ireland.

What's the big alternative to playing soccer in Croatia? Olympic wrestling??

~Rebel~

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Plus their kids aren't also torn between playing GAA and Rugby leaving Croatia with a much bigger pool of football playing talent to choose from Vs Ireland.

What's the big alternative to playing soccer in Croatia? Olympic wrestling??

Mentioned it in match thread, but basetball, ice hockey and handball are all very popular in Croatia. Obviously football is well ahead in terms of the number of players - as it is in Ireland - but the others are still major draws.

Was over in Zagreb when some league basketball game was on (wasn't a final or anything), and the whole place was going mad for it, at least GAA levels of interest, and much more than you'd see for a club rugby match. They're ranked in the top ten in the world in handball too.

Wheety

Most fans probably support a Croatian team instead of one from a neighbouring country like we do. And I say that as a Liverpool supporter.

noodler

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Mentioned it in match thread, but basetball, ice hockey and handball are all very popular in Croatia. Obviously football is well ahead in terms of the number of players - as it is in Ireland - but the others are still major draws.

Was over in Zagreb when some league basketball game was on (wasn't a final or anything), and the whole place was going mad for it, at least GAA levels of interest, and much more than you'd see for a club rugby match.

I haven't done the research but I doubt they have basketball clubs in every parish in Croatia or a centralised organisation with anything like the clout of the GAA.

People sometimes feel it as an excuse but I really think we are special cases when it comes to competing sports.

~Rebel~

noodler wrote: »

I haven't done the research but I doubt they have basketball clubs in every parish in Croatia or a centralised organisation with anything like the clout of the GAA.

People sometimes feel it as an excuse but I really think we are special cases when it comes to competing sports.

Sorry, that was poorly written - I meant the furore over that one random league match was equal to what you see on any given GAA match weekend here.

No one is saying they have the same level of competition for players as we do, but I was responding to a post intimating there was no competition. There are scales. But football is clearly not the only sport hoovering up players there. Their basketball and hockey leagues must be up to some sort of decent standard at least, for the NBA and NHL to steal players from them occasionally.

sabat

noodler wrote: »

People sometimes feel it as an excuse but I really think we are special cases when it comes to competing sports.

The difference is that getting a trial with a club, any club, in England is the holy grail for any Irish kid, even if it's some 2nd division jokeshop where the training consists of hoofing it up to the big lad, 'getting it in the mixer', 'getting stuck in' etc. When you send talented 15 and 16 year olds abroad to live in digs in some god forsaken post-industrial kip it's no wonder the majority come back disillusioned and quit the game.
Even with the popularity of other sports, we should still always have at least one world class player, a few more 7.5/8s and some solid pros filling out the national team-just like Croatia.

Blame the FAI and no one else.

J Mysterio

Nerdlingr wrote: »

Well, it didnt take long for another karius f*ckup.
Some people saw nothing wrong with the warm-up video against chester where he let two shots drop. Wondering why he was being 'targeted'. Well, this is exactly the reason that was highlighted. What he's doing /or not doing on the training ground is transferring onto the pitch.

It was the same with Sturridge warming up last year i think. I remember bringing it up here. He was just going through the motions of stretching while the rest of the team were pushing themselves to the limit.
They might not seem like much, but its the little tell tale signs that can give something away about where the players i mentally/physically.

I dont think i can say any more about Karius that hasnt been said, hes doing his talking out on the pitch.

100%. Need a new keeper in the summer.

J Mysterio

gimli2112 wrote: »

I've tried saying "World Cup winner, Dejan Lovern" out loud and it just sounds daft

It does sound daft. Lovren ffs! Still though, I agree.

HandsomeBob

Harry Palmr wrote: »

He is a big mouth at the best of times, imagine him with a WC winners medal in every social media pic. Unbearable.
It's only the thought of Giroud with the World Cup in his hands that could allow me to back Croatia.

Have to admire him in a way. He had the belief in himself to big head his way out of his awful form. Poor oul Karius is the opposite.

ThunbergsAreGo

Lovren was really good second half onwards, one last ditch clearance especially

Hope he does it Sunday

54and56

Oh dear - Lovren at it again!!

https://twitter.com/MattCritchley1/status/1017186161662443520

corwill

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Oh dear - Lovren at it again!!

https://twitter.com/MattCritchley1/status/1017186161662443520

**** me, what's he going to do in the final after that spectacular, fully-operational-Death-Star of a self-jinx? Perfect hat-trick of OGs, before killing Modric stone-dead with a bicycle kick?

ERG89

corwill wrote: »

**** me, what's he going to do in the final after that spectacular, fully-operational-Death-Star of a self-jinx? Perfect hat-trick of OGs, before killing Modric stone-dead with a bicycle kick?

Or worse, allow Giroud score even though he hasn't had a shot on target at the world cup yet.

Thud

noodler wrote: »

I haven't done the research but I doubt they have basketball clubs in every parish in Croatia or a centralised organisation with anything like the clout of the GAA.

People sometimes feel it as an excuse but I really think we are special cases when it comes to competing sports.

They are pretty handy at water polo too:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_men%27s_national_water_polo_team

and tennis

corwill

Thud wrote: »

They are pretty handy at water polo too:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_men%27s_national_water_polo_team

and tennis

Look, you'd swear Ireland is the only country on the planet where more than one sport is played. It's a horse**** excuse, really. Football is simply administered appallingly here, from top to bottom.

murpho999

noodler wrote: »

I haven't done the research but I doubt they have basketball clubs in every parish in Croatia or a centralised organisation with anything like the clout of the GAA.

People sometimes feel it as an excuse but I really think we are special cases when it comes to competing sports.

Really don't agree with this. Other countries have different sports to contend with.

The problem in Ireland is not numbers as then China should beat India in every world cup but quality and development.

The youth set up in Ireland is poor and clubs are badly funded by the FAI.

I'm sure if you were to look at how players are developed and how clubs operate it would be very different to here.

mosstin

murpho999 wrote: »

Really don't agree with this. Other countries have different sports to contend with.

The problem in Ireland is not numbers as then China should beat India in every world cup but quality and development.

The youth set up in Ireland is poor and clubs are badly funded by the FAI.

I'm sure if you were to look at how players are developed and how clubs operate it would be very different to here.

I think the fundamental difference between Croatia and Ireland is that there is no translation in the Croatian language for "Shur, it'll be grand."

kopite386

That new third kit is rotten. I will definitely only be getting the home kit this season.

https://twitter.com/NBFootball/status/1017302539509944320?s=19

5starpool

Some dodgy Italian source suggesting we have made a bid of 60m _5m in add ons for Allison. Roma holding out for 70m. Dodgy Italian sources are considered reliable, aren't they?

MD1990

Roma will end up selling Alisson to someone.

If Real don't want him we have a great chance.

5starpool

Imagine the craic if we signed Allison and he missed a cross in the last minute against West Ham and Any Carroll headed home an equaliser.

DrumSteve

MD1990 wrote: »

Roma will end up selling Alisson to someone.

If Real don't want him we have a great chance.

I can't be the only person who thinks he's vastly overrated.

asteroids over berlin

what do you think of Butland? think i'd prefer him to Alisson, wasn't particlarly blown away by Allison although never seen much of him in action

MD1990

DrumSteve wrote: »

I can't be the only person who thinks he's vastly overrated.

Been out of form a bit last few months.

Was incredible before that especially against Shaktar & Napoli in particular.

Knex*

5starpool wrote: »

Imagine the craic if we signed Allison and he missed a cross in the last minute against West Ham and Any Carroll headed home an equaliser.

I'd rather that than another round of Karius concussion jokes anyway.

5starpool

Knex. wrote: »

I'd rather that than another round of Karius concussion jokes anyway.

True. Something has to be better than nothing.

x43r0

I'm apathetic about Karius but if him going means we can put this never ending discussion to bed then ship him out ta ****. Sick of seeing it

Nerdlingr

martingriff wrote: »

Just wondering do you watch every warm up you can or just warm ups with Karius?

Whatever warm ups are shown. They usually broadcast a bit before the matches. Have a look next time you might spot something.

murpho999

What do people think of Allisson?

I've only seen him a few times for Roma in the CL and in the World Cup in Brazil and he does not strike me as a €70m keeper.

Is it just hype? Am I missing something?

5starpool

Dave Maddock of the Mirror (he who said Fekir is still pushing for the move) says we have definitely not bid for Allison and any interest we had has definitely cooled.

Potential Underachiever

So, we're back in for Fekir or more so he's saying he still wants the move? It's a bit confusing because I thought we passed up on him because of a dodgy medical? That was never to my knowledge confirmed but people were definitely taking it as gospel. Surely the deal would be dead in the water if the medical rumours were true.

Potential Underachiever

Knex. wrote: »

I'd rather that than another round of Karius concussion jokes anyway.

Same as everyone joking that Lovren does an interview and then plays crap. Not really true and fair play to him, he does take enough $hit so let him have a pop back, no denying that he's achieved alot in the last year. Let him come back full of confidence.

OwaynOTT

Potential Underachiever wrote: »

So, we're back in for Fekir or more so he's saying he still wants the move? It's a bit confusing because I thought we passed up on him because of a dodgy medical? That was never to my knowledge confirmed but people were definitely taking it as gospel. Surely the deal would be dead in the water if the medical rumours were true.

They might be willing to take the chance if they can get the price lowered or Fekir was willing to alter his wages to be more geared towards appearances etc.
Don't think it's confusing at all.

5starpool

Potential Underachiever wrote: »

So, we're back in for Fekir or more so he's saying he still wants the move? It's a bit confusing because I thought we passed up on him because of a dodgy medical? That was never to my knowledge confirmed but people were definitely taking it as gospel. Surely the deal would be dead in the water if the medical rumours were true.

All just speculation of varying reliability. Allegedly Fekir has told Aulas that he wants the move to Liverpool and to re-open talks. It seems like it is the structure of the deal, not the fee that is potentially to be agreed again. That or else Liverpool have fully pulled out of the deal because of old injury concerns and no restructuring of terms will change that. Who knows.

Potential Underachiever

So if the rumours are true regards previous injuries and an inability to train much, would people be happy to spunk the money on what was described in here as another Sturridge. I guess the club and club doctors will know what they're doing!. Maybe the injury rumours are all complete bs too.

I'm not overly bothered what players cost. Klopp and his team have a budget and it's up to them to spend it.

In saying that it's hard to get away from the price as it does sort of set an expectation level. ..............We expected a lot from Virgil and he's delivered Salah has delivered 4 fold on the expectation of him IMO

Ox cost £35m iirc and is on £120k/week, bought with a year left on his contract. As good as he's been (far, far better than I'd have expected due to his Arsenal form) he's about what you'd expect from that wad of cash.

Matip and Karius were decent signings if you consider they cost effectively nothing or very close to it. If either had cost £20m+ back when they were signed they'd be brutal signings. If either are were sold shortly they wouldn't fetch £20m IMO

It's like anything, spend more and you expect more.

SlickRic

ah Lovren.

you weren't even very good yesterday.

if England were in any way competent, they'd have been 3 goals up at half time.

if the referee was in any way competent, you'd have been booked and on a tightrope from midway through the first half, and certainly by half time.

you are not one of the best defenders in the world (unless 'one of the best' means top 50), and believing it, in your case, doesn't make you any better, so please stop.

Christ Almighty.

.red.

SlickRic wrote: »

ah Lovren.

you weren't even very good yesterday.

if England were in any way competent, they'd have been 3 goals up at half time.

if the referee was in any way competent, you'd have been booked and on a tightrope from midway through the first half, and certainly by half time.

you are not one of the best defenders in the world (unless 'one of the best' means top 50), and believing it, in your case, doesn't make you any better, so please stop.

Christ Almighty.

That's a bit harsh, he's just gotten to a world cup final, the pinnacle of any footballers career and gave some back to the media who have ridiculed him before as he's just knocked out their darlings.
On his day he can be one of the world's best, but he always has that brain fart moment in him that can ruin the previous 5/6 great games. Hopefully he'll still be smiling come Sunday evening

BeepBeep67

OwaynOTT wrote: »

They might be willing to take the chance if they can get the price lowered or Fekir was willing to alter his wages to be more geared towards appearances etc.
Don't think it's confusing at all.

I think it's more XX% upfront + XX% per year of the contract, 50% + 10% x 5 for example. If he gets a serious re-occurrence in year 2 then LFC are less exposed.

noodler

murpho999 wrote: »

Really don't agree with this. Other countries have different sports to contend with.

The problem in Ireland is not numbers as then China should beat India in every world cup but quality and development.

The youth set up in Ireland is poor and clubs are badly funded by the FAI.

I'm sure if you were to look at how players are developed and how clubs operate it would be very different to here.

Heading very OT now but Ireland has loads of sports, cricket, tennis, badminton, big athletics scene etc.

But Gaa (both forms) and rugby are absolutely huge.

SlickRic

.red. wrote: »

That's a bit harsh, he's just gotten to a world cup final, the pinnacle of any footballers career and gave some back to the media who have ridiculed him before as he's just knocked out their darlings.
On his day he can be one of the world's best, but he always has that brain fart moment in him that can ruin the previous 5/6 great games. Hopefully he'll still be smiling come Sunday evening

i don't think it's harsh.

he's measuring himself as 'one of the best in the world'. that is a level occupied by the likes of Ramos, Varane, Godin, Silva, Vertonghen, Hummels, Chiellini IMO.

if you're saying you're one of the best in the world, harshness comes with that territory.

Cyrus

SlickRic wrote: »

i don't think it's harsh.

he's measuring himself as 'one of the best in the world'. that is a level occupied by the likes of Ramos, Varane, Godin, Silva, Vertonghen, Hummels, Chiellini IMO.

if you're saying you're one of the best in the world, harshness comes with that territory.

lost me at Vertonghen

SlickRic

Cyrus wrote: »

lost me at Vertonghen

fair enough. you disagree with one name. my point stands.

and I'd take Vertonghen tomorrow over Lovren. in a fúcking heartbeat.

noodler

Jesus Lovren.

"I took Liverpool to the CL final"


My god.

I think that was Salah, Mane and Firmino.

Agent Coulson

Well I hope Lovren wins the World Cup and gives a MOTM performance and then goes on social media and shoves the medal in the face of everyone who has abused him on those platforms.

SlickRic

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Well I hope Lovren wins the World Cup and gives a MOTM performance and then goes on social media and shoves the medal in the face of everyone who has abused him on those platforms.

So do I.

It doesn't mean he's one of the best in the world though.

Knex*

Potential Underachiever wrote: »

Same as everyone joking that Lovren does an interview and then plays crap. Not really true and fair play to him, he does take enough $hit so let him have a pop back, no denying that he's achieved alot in the last year. Let him come back full of confidence.

He's been talking in the media pretty much after every game all year. It's going alright for him!

murpho999

Wouldn't worry too much about an ecstatic, adrenaline pumped up statement of self admiration from Lovren after just getting to a WC final. I'm sure you're bound to feel good about yourself after that.

He'll be brought back down to earth with a howler against Huddersfield or Cardiff next season.

brevity

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Well I hope Lovren wins the World Cup and gives a MOTM performance and then goes on social media and shoves the medal in the face of everyone who has abused him on those platforms.

I hope he does too as it would be cruel for him to lose two high profile finals in the space of a couple of months.