Liverpool Football Club Thread

[Chewylegs]

As much as we all like Rodgers, and how he's laid some great foundations, there isn't one of you that wouldn't be pumped for next season if Klopp was instated

Me, I'm one. I have no interest in giving up on Rodgers, he's 42 years old, he has a serious amount of time ahead of him to learn, progress and become a better manager. He's not old and set in his ways like Hodgson, Wenger etc, he will develop and he will get better and I don't want him coming back in 10 years time after winning things with other clubs. Klopp is a good manager, but to not give Brendan another season would be reactionary and stupid, let's stick by our young man and believe he will evolve!

[Stig]

Who would you have gone for?

IF we knew Suarez was going a year before he did they could have tried for the likes of the following, even if some wouldn't come, at least try their hardest.

Costa

Sanchez

Falcao

Benzema

Cavani

Higuian

El Shaarawy

Mandzukic

[Timbuktu]

They did try for Costa befire Suarez left but he turned them down and joined Chelsea a year later.

We went for Salah and Willian and they all end up at Chelsea too. They just can't land the big players they want most in the last few years, even after coming second last year and maybe just getting one of them, like Sanchez, could have made all the difference.

We have been pretty lucky for a while getting Torres and then Suarez that came good at the club.

[Radish]

4) If you know you are going to lose your most prized asset in Suarez, AND you know you're going to lose him 12months in advance, then give me £40m, and I'LL go and find us a bloody striker. I'll chose one that can chase and harry, one that has a will to perform, but not one in the twilight of his career, that doesn't fit our style of play, or a moody sod that cares more about tweeting. That on it's own is pretty inexcusable. And someone has shown complete incompetence. I'm certain if that scenario was replicated in the real world, then someone's balls would get a roasting

That's such a ridiculous thing to say. Do you really think it's as easy as just entering in a load of filters ("will to perform" ) and clicking Buy It Now at the bottom?

[Fr Chewy Louie]

IF we knew Suarez was going a year before he did they could have tried for the likes of the following, even if some wouldn't come, at least try their hardest.

Costa

Sanchez

Falcao

Benzema

Cavani

Higuian

El Shaarawy

Mandzukic

See, that illustrates the point exactly. That's just a list of strikers, of which only one fits the conditions imposed-Sanchez- and like all of them he wouldn't come to us.

[Adrock]

IF we knew Suarez was going a year before he did they could have tried for the likes of the following, even if some wouldn't come, at least try their hardest.

Costa

Sanchez

Falcao

Benzema

Cavani

Higuian

El Shaarawy

Mandzukic

That list is about as unrealistic as you could get. The majority aren't a replacement for Suarez and the couple that could do a job approaching what he did wouldn't join the club.

The problem with Balotelli isn't that he has become complete crap but that he is simply the polar opposite to what Suarez embodies. Which is what would happen with most of that list

[Poop who?]

See, that illustrates the point exactly. That's just a list of strikers, of which only one fits the conditions imposed-Sanchez- and like all of them he wouldn't come to us.

We'll never know who would/wouldn't come to us as we're on the other side of the fence and not party to types of conversations involved here

But nonetheless, the chasing Wenger did of Sanchez shows determination to get him. What did we do?

As for a striker, Bony was available (To pluck one off the top of my head), but the point still remains. We spent £20m on two strikers. But who out of you would love to see them hang around for the duration of their contracts?

My overarching point is that we are not aiming high enough (with the attraction of bigger salaries), which with Suarez on over a reputed 200k we can afford if we want to, or trying hard enough (like Wenger's courting of Sanchez)

We are a phenomenal club, with an astounding history, and we are not using those strengths to our advantage

[Poop who?]

That's such a ridiculous thing to say. Do you really think it's as easy as just entering in a load of filters ("will to perform" ) and clicking Buy It Now at the bottom?

Can you show me where I said it was that easy?

Do you also think Balotelli has shown a will to perform for our club?

As we were being linked with him last summer, one of the things he was accused of was not applying himself as well as he could. Were you blinkered enough to think that suddenly he's going to turn into a Torres mk2?

[Poop who?]

A question for all Liverpool fans in this thread:

Who actually feels like we are pulling out all the stops to close the gap on those above us?

[Adrock]

I think Balotelli has shown a desire in fits and starts but he is playing in a system that does not suit him. He will never, with any amount of training, become the kind of player the team require.

[Stig]

That list is about as unrealistic as you could get. The majority aren't a replacement for Suarez and the couple that could do a job approaching what he did wouldn't join the club.

The problem with Balotelli isn't that he has become complete crap but that he is simply the polar opposite to what Suarez embodies. Which is what would happen with most of that list

The list was just an example of top players out there that maybe we 'could' have tried to pursue. I'm under no illusions that any of them would have even wanted to come but it'd be nice if we'd have tried. No one was ever going to replace what Suarez did, Sanchez probably comes the closest and I'm not convinced we even tried that hard with him.

It's not even about replacing Suarez as such it's more how other than Sturridge our other striking options were shit and signing Rickie Lambert and taking a gamble on Balotelli just wasn't good enough to bolster that position. Balotellis scoring record isn't even that bad (although how many are penalties?) but I just don't think he was the right choice, even though I do quite like him.

[Oh Danny Boy]

The Rodgers out shit is just reactionary. I want to see him here for years to come and not be a club that disposes of its manager at the first rough patch.

Liking the team today, both Sterling and Ibe in the team, Balo too. Looks like a Sterling and Balo attack. Could be interesting.

[Fr Chewy Louie]

We'll never know who would/wouldn't come to us as we're on the other side of the fence and not party to types of conversations involved here

But nonetheless, the chasing Wenger did of Sanchez shows determination to get him. What did we do?

As for a striker, Bony was available (To pluck one off the top of my head), but the point still remains. We spent £20m on two strikers. But who out of you would love to see them hang around for the duration of their contracts?

My overarching point is that we are not aiming high enough (with the attraction of bigger salaries), which with Suarez on over a reputed 200k we can afford if we want to, or trying hard enough (like Wenger's courting of Sanchez)

We are a phenomenal club, with an astounding history, and we are not using those strengths to our advantage

We can have a fairly good educated guess as to who would come to us. That much is apparent from outcome of the negotiations for players we've been in for recently. There will be an element of fault falling on the club here granted- I agree that more should have been done to get Sanchez. Those are big players and as soon as we're in for them some other club will be and we're frankly not the big draw that some still seem to think we are.

However, my point is that it isn't that easy to buy a big name striker that suits our system. That's a reflection of where we are and the state of the market. You implied that you could have found someone and that this person could have come in under £40m and the only example you've found is Bony. Who doesn't fit the system at all.

I have reservations about the club, however we need to be realistic.

[Poop who?]

We can have a fairly good educated guess as to who would come to us. That much is apparent from outcome of the negotiations for players we've been in for recently. There will be an element of fault falling on the club here granted- I agree that more should have been done to get Sanchez. Those are big players and as soon as we're in for them some other club will be and we're frankly not the big draw that some still seem to think we are.

However, my point is that it isn't that easy to buy a big name striker that suits our system. That's a reflection of where we are and the state of the market. You implied that you could have found someone and that this person could have come in under £40m and the only example you've found is Bony. Who doesn't fit the system at all.

I have reservations about the club, however we need to be realistic.

As I said it was the first name that came to mind. Benteke would be another.

How are you so certain these players wouldn't fit this 'system'?

Our system is about pressing. If players can't implement that into their game, then isn't part of that down to the individuals attitude?

Players like Balotelli get paid tens of thousands a week. What is there about our system that can't be taught!?

Additionally, this 'doesn't fit the system' stuff is partly a message that the media have jumped on. I'm not saying I don't agree, but players like Sterling, Henderson, Ibe etc manage ok having never worked with BR until he became manager. It's a smokescreen for lack of Benitez's game intelligence

[Radish]

Can you show me where I said it was that easy?

Sure.

4) If you know you are going to lose your most prized asset in Suarez, AND you know you're going to lose him 12months in advance, then give me £40m, and I'LL go and find us a bloody striker. I'll chose one that can chase and harry, one that has a will to perform, but not one in the twilight of his career, that doesn't fit our style of play, or a moody sod that cares more about tweeting. That on it's own is pretty inexcusable. And someone has shown complete incompetence. I'm certain if that scenario was replicated in the real world, then someone's balls would get a roasting

You clearly think it's easy enough to go and find a striker that has the listed attributes because you think you could go and do it yourself, and you think Liverpool are incompetent for not managing to do it.

[Fr Chewy Louie]

As I said it was the first name that came to mind. Benteke would be another.

How are you so certain these players wouldn't fit this 'system'?

Our system is about pressing. If players can't implement that into their game, then isn't part of that down to the individuals attitude?

Players like Balotelli get paid tens of thousands a week. What is there about our system that can't be taught!?

Additionally, this 'doesn't fit the system' stuff is partly a message that the media have jumped on. I'm not saying I don't agree, but players like Sterling, Henderson, Ibe etc manage ok having never worked with BR until he became manager. It's a smokescreen for lack of Benitez's game intelligence

Our system isn't just about pressing. In fact, arguably it isn't about that at all anymore given the way we've set up recently!

You're not understanding the point anyway. Of course a player can adapt their game, but why not buy players whose strengths fit the way our manager wants us to play? Why neglect a player's strengths to make them play in a different way? For all his detractors Balotelli was working hard at the start of the season and was closing players down...but was utterly ineffective because he wanted to hold the ball up and couldn't be the spearpoint we needed.

So far you've named Bony and Benteke and that's it...I'm struggling to see how either would have helped us much this season. Would you genuinely have been happy if our 12 months of planning for post-Suarez was Bony or Benteke?

[hmm]

Impressive that our game was so utterly dull and our season is so clearly over that there's not even one comment about it. Anyway, it was and it is so fair enough I suppose.

[Azrael]

In work so missed it, least we kept a clean sheet/didn't lose.

Disappointing result mind. How did Balotelli play? Shit? Where was Moreno?

[DeNeo]

Impressive that our game was so utterly dull and our season is so clearly over that there's not even one comment about it. Anyway, it was and it is so fair enough I suppose.

But there was a chance we could still make the top 4, albeit a very slim one.

If Rodgers couldn't motivate the players to play for that, or an FA Cup semi final, maybe he isn't the best man for the job.

I can't see us playing well in these last few games - we've got absolutely nothing to aim for now.

[christaylor]

Annoying that we couldn't capitalise on the Southampton Spurs result to put a bit of distance between us.

[Gabe]

Impressive that our game was so utterly dull and our season is so clearly over that there's not even one comment about it. Anyway, it was and it is so fair enough I suppose.

First game I've missed in a few seasons (other than due to being out of the country), where I made a conscious decision to do something else.

[DeNeo]

Brendan Rodgers: "I thought the players were outstanding, their courage and play on the ball. Across the team there were some outstanding performances."

He's annoying me now. I don't think anyone in their right mind could call that performance outstanding.

[SaintM]

I think that was a scathing attack on his own players. He didn't say they showed great character.

[Poop who?]

Our system isn't just about pressing. In fact, arguably it isn't about that at all anymore given the way we've set up recently!

You're not understanding the point anyway. Of course a player can adapt their game, but why not buy players whose strengths fit the way our manager wants us to play? Why neglect a player's strengths to make them play in a different way? For all his detractors Balotelli was working hard at the start of the season and was closing players down...but was utterly ineffective because he wanted to hold the ball up and couldn't be the spearpoint we needed.

So far you've named Bony and Benteke and that's it...I'm struggling to see how either would have helped us much this season. Would you genuinely have been happy if our 12 months of planning for post-Suarez was Bony or Benteke?

I agree with buying players that fit the system. But all you're really doing is agreeing with the points I've made earlier. Bad planning has put us in this situation

A sum of money should have been put aside to cover the striking dept much more thoroughly than the two we purchased in the Summer. Someone, or a collective such as the committee should be accountable

As for Bony and Benteke, I was just plucking names out of the air to prove that strikers of a pedigree were available at a price that wasn't too far from what we paid. Do you want me to name more? It was obvious Balotelli was a misfit. It was Rodgers thinking he could change him was where the mistake lies

You're point is fully understood. I suspect it's my point you're failing to see clearly

Would I have been happier if we'd have gained either player? Possibly. Difficult to tell as it didn't happen. Are you happy with Balotelli and Lambert? I'm guessing by the way you defend him then you must be

[spork]

He's annoying me now. I don't think anyone in their right mind could call that performance outstanding.

You sure that isn't a David Moyes quote?

[Fr Chewy Louie]

I agree with buying players that fit the system. But all you're really doing is agreeing with the points I've made earlier. Bad planning has put us in this situation

A sum of money should have been put aside to cover the striking dept much more thoroughly than the two we purchased in the Summer. Someone, or a collective such as the committee should be accountable

As for Bony and Benteke, I was just plucking names out of the air to prove that strikers of a pedigree were available at a price that wasn't too far from what we paid. Do you want me to name more? It was obvious Balotelli was a misfit. It was Rodgers thinking he could change him was where the mistake lies

You're point is fully understood. I suspect it's my point you're failing to see clearly

Would I have been happier if we'd have gained either player? Possibly. Difficult to tell as it didn't happen. Are you happy with Balotelli and Lambert? I'm guessing by the way you defend him then you must be

Your point was that it was a simple matter of just finding a striker. You've failed to name any that suited your own conditions. Do I want you to name more? Yeah, it you can.

My point is that it wasn't an easy task.

I was completely against Lambert but thought that he could have offered an alternative if managed properly. Which he hasn't been. He should be moved on. And replaced. With someone suitable. It won't be Benzema though! That's where we are.

On Balotelli I was on board for what it was- a calculated gamble in a poor market. I wasn't sure if he would fit us, but at £16m and in the absence of any other options I was willing to see how it went. He could have turned out to be a £35m player or a £5m player. Unfortunately it's been the latter. Benefit of hindsight and all that.

I agree that the committee have been poor, but it has to be put in context. We're not a top tier club that can attract those players, pay those fees and sustain that sort of wage. Nor is there an abundance of top talent out there.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Looks like we are trying to get our moneys worth from Balo

[hmm]

In what bizarre alternate reality is that even a distant possibility?

[Gabe]

My stream has been terrible all evening so I'm officially giving up and listening to it on the radio. At least on the radio I can imagine that we aren't tripe (apart from Phil )

[Chewylegs]

Might get 5th if we are lucky, there goes any chance of 4th though! :-(