Liverpool Football Club Thread

[Naysonymous]

Liverpool lost their last game in front of the old Kop too. Maybe it's tradition or something.

[DeNeo]

Well, that hasn't changed my 'Klopp In' stance...

I don't get why Rodgers persisted with things for so long. Lucas needed to come on at half time really. Palace looked like we did last season - piling players forward, attacking with speed. We looked lethargic in comparison, much like we have for the majority of the season.

The stats for the final third of the season must be pretty awful.

[Gabe]

Gerrards probably glad to see the back of us after that. Did any of our players even care? Some of then seriously need to have a good hard look at themselves. Losing faith in Rodgers and last years 2nd place looks more and more like a fluke every week. We could sti end up finishing 7th now too.

Thanks for the memories Stevie, shame the team couldn't have done better for you today.

I do think Gerrard has taken a lot of flak this season for the failings of the team. Everybody always talked of his legs going, but part of that was because we were used to seeing him doing those long surging runs which he couldn't keep on doing. He had a very good season last year because the team around him worked well with him in that deeper position. He hasn't had a good season in fairness, but part of that is because the press and too many fans keep expecting heroics every match.

I do wish he had accepted a reduced role as a squad player, though. Look at how Giggs kept going for the last 4-5 years of his career; Gerrard could have been managed and still probably have been able to contribute for a few years yet.

I feel sad

[Stig]

????????????????????????????

[Gabe]

I'm proud that I at least saw him play live (very early in his career, I remember him coming on as a second-half substitute against Tottenham and coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and even at right-back he was making long-raking runs.)

What's more, is that he is the last of the established home-grown players gone. Feels strange, a bit like when the last link to the boot room disappeared into the night.

From that Sky interview he seems quite certain he won't be back on loan though. I think that's probably the right decision, him coming back wouldn't help the team move on.

[JamesTW]

Not a good day for LFC legends then

[tenrou]

I saw 2 main problems watching the game.

Sterling can't play up front, there were a dozen crosses he had no chance of getting and the goal came from a palace mistake. Lots of possession but absolutely no cutting edge. Winning teams turn possession into goals.

I saw lovren beat a lot trying to get a jump on defenders, he was rolled multiple times by the strikers. Either he needs a hiding to get him into shape or binned or sold. Realistically I can't see him in the team in the future.

2 strikers are an absolute must. Apart from a broken sturidge there isn't anyone at the club who you would want upfront.

[glb]

Last season was like a legendary house party where the tunes are awesome, you snog the fittest girl (or boy) and generally think you won't top the feeling only right at the end your parents come home and ruin it.

This season has been the morning after the night before. Grounded, hungover, only brief recollections of the previous good times as you stumble around cleaning up juvenile vomit and half-empty beer cans. Rubbish.

[gospvg]

We should now just lock this thread on the post above.

[Adrock]

BBC reporting Sterling is to request a transfer during the Summer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32789389

My opinion hasn't changed, he isn't worth the money he is asking for so they may aswell sell him and use the money to purchase an established striker, if one is available that will do the job required.

[Doomguy]

He's delusional get rid.

[JamesTW]

Where does he want to go? we obviously wouldn't sell to Man Utd, then you've got Arsenal, City & Chelsea above us who I doubt would be willing to pay a big fee and wages for someone who can't shoot and whose performances always fall off a cliff, he hasn't even had a good full season yet.

He isn't good enough for any big European team apart from some team really shit and in the wilderness like AC Milan

[Oh Danny Boy]

He thinks he is much better than he is. Players like that always crash and burn. Any team will be insane to pay what it would cost to take him off our hands.

He thinks he has a right to success. He had a good chance this year. The semi against Villa, where was he?

[gospvg]

Silly silly boy, happy to get rid of him. He's been rubbish this season & is no way the finish article.

[squirtle]

He's a talent, all right, but fuck that shit. Get rid of him if he doesn't want to be there.

[ryodi]

He's the new Sean Wright-Phillips.

[Timbuktu]

I'm less worried about him leaving than the ability of the club to spend the money even if we get a decent sum for him. Their general approach to player contracts don't give much confidence in keeping any kind of talent that we have, it's been the same every summer for years now.

It is also a bit baffling to me that it's generally accepted that it's better to be like Torres and get into the squad of a team winning things without performing or contributing and not do a 'Gerrard' and not have every single medal possible.

[Chooch]

I'm less worried about him leaving than the ability of the club to spend the money even if we get a decent sum for him. Their general approach to player contracts don't give much confidence in keeping any kind of talent that we have, it's been the same every summer for years now.

It is also a bit baffling to me that it's generally accepted that it's better to be like Torres and get into the squad of a team winning things without performing or contributing and not do a 'Gerrard' and not have every single medal possible.

I dont think players signing for clubs who have a more realistic chance of winning trophies do so with the intention of not performing or being a bit part player. Its not really baffling at all, is it?

[dam_aks]

I'm less worried about him leaving than the ability of the club to spend the money even if we get a decent sum for him. Their general approach to player contracts don't give much confidence in keeping any kind of talent that we have, it's been the same every summer for years now.

This is also my concern. I would have no problem selling Sterling and using the money to buy a proven goal scorer.

Who is that goal scorer? A 20 goals a season player who doesn't want champions league football or astronomical wages, who City, United and Chelsea (and possibly even Arsenal) don't want... That isn't a long list.

[Oh Danny Boy]

I have to say that Sterling is one of the players who has worn the shirt which I have the most dislike for. And I'm including Diouf in that.

I've never seen a player at his age who holds himself up at such delusional levels of grandeur. Here's his three biggest gripes; £100k a week is undervaluing him, lets ignore the spoilt brat footballer mentality which deems a £100k as an insult, he's been a first team regular for one whole season, during the three seasons he's been here he has shown periods of huge promise followed by periods where he has been useless to the point of losing his place in the team, the last three months has been one of those periods and Rodgers should have dropped him again. Good enough to be on Suarez/Torres/Gerrard levels of wages? No where close. If he took his head out of the clouds and was able to evaluate his contribution this season he'd see that.

Deserves to play champion's league football; it must be all those shisha pipes damaging his short term memory, he played Champion's league football this season; he was poor to average during it, he didn't set the competition alight like Bale did with Spurs, he just wasn't good enough. He has to accept his failure in the competition along with the rest of the team. He was proven not to be Champion's League quality, not yet. Liverpool also set themselves up well to have another season in the Champion's League but the team surrendered the opportunity, Sterling's form throughout that run has been as poor as anybody's. Again it just smacks of Sterling not wanting to take his share of the responsibility for his team's failure.

Finally wants to win silverware; No player has a God given right to win silverware, but its not like Sterling has been on the outside looking in, he's only 20 yet he contested for the Premiership title last season, and was in a team which featured in the League cup semi's and FA cup semi's this season. Again it seems like he doesn't want to take his share of the responsibility in the team's failure in securing any silverware. To win silverware great players pull out great performances; where was he against Villa? Having another one of his stinkers. He'll win more silverware warming the bench at City I'm sure but he'll be a worse player for it.

All in all I'll be happy to see Sterling leave. Unless he gets an attitude transplant I don't think he'll become the player he could be. I don't like seeing some delusional kid trying to take the club to the cleaners. I'm also not going to want Liverpool to get mugged off over this and only a silly offer should allow a transfer to go ahead. Only City are rich/daft enough to do this coupled that it is looking like they are going to have to buy English this summer to fulfil home grown quotas we should be able to fleece them out of £40m. Neither do I think that he needs to be replaced; Ibe, Markovoc, Lallana and Coutinho can all play in his position. That money should be spent (hopefully wisely) on the best striker we can attract.

[Azrael]

Not bothered if he goes. Would prefer if he stayed, changed his attitude and continued to develop and improve, but if he wants out and we can get a decent sum for him then get rid.

Will hopefully mean more game time for Ibe in a better position.

[kempstar]

What I would really like, and what seems more and more likely by the day, is for this to backfire spectacularly on Sterling. Like most people have said, he is good, but he is not that good. I would absolutely love it if the club just let him rot in the reserves for a while. Although of course with the sums of money involved these days, that would never ever happen. With the way he has acted though, it looks almost certain now that he will be leaving.

[JamesTW]

I'd just let him do what he wants to do and good luck to him, get the money in quickly

[Gabe]

Urgh, Kempstar, I find that a really sad attitude to have towards a player. Just accept that players move on, some on better terms that others, but just like when Torres left there were people who hoped he'd fail and I never really got that, either.

[JamesTW]

I hoped Torres failed because he was world class going to Chelsea and was gutted even with 50m, not really Sterling, I'd rather have the money that pays for his potential rather than his value, if he plays the same as at Liverpool and he's doing those air shots and missing lots of 1 v 1s whoever fans will be on his back because remember he'll be a big signing for them, I worry for him because he is mentally weak

[tenrou]

Sell him, buy a striker. I'm thinking higuain, he's hit 1 in 2 for napol is, played for Real Madrid so knows the big games. He's a known quantity which is something we lack at the moment.

I'd also take ings for small money and if we can get konnoplyanka (sp?) and Milner who are both out of contract this season then that would be good as well. I believe both are on high wages though and that might price Liverpool out.

I don't really know what to do for the defence. Lovren is a disaster, just not good enough but I'm loathe to say it's worth buying another mid table somebody who turns into a nobody. We'll be light in defence I suspect though as it looks like a few of the older members are leaving.

[Naysonymous]

I don't suppose any of you guys know where Steve Finnan is? Someone is trying to organise a 10th anniversary reunion of the Champions League winning squad at the Echo arena and nobody can trace Steve Finnan.

[SMD]

Holy shit he really is anonymous.

[dogsout]

He's in London according to Daniel McDonnel:

"I did make some enquiries today and Steve Finnan's in London, enjoying life out of the limelight and not seeking any form of post-football fame or media work or anything like that. I believe he's pretty contented and happy about that."

[dogsout]

It's all a bit depressing at the moment, isn't it? I do think we can't really complain at being the fifth richest team, finishing fifth in a league where there is a pretty direct correlation between how much is spent and how much is won. But at the same time, I've all but lost faith in the manager and his supposed vision for the club. I don't think there's much evidence at all of any philosophy in terms of the tactical framework at all, but I wont start banging on about that as I'll only be repeating myself.

As far as I can see, he's completely incapable of getting performances out of strikers that aren't quick. Obviously Lambert and Balotelli are just shit players. The fact that in their limited performances they've had absolutely woeful service seems to have been overlooked by almost everyone. We don't cross the ball, we don't play it direct to them; they're just expected to run the channels and chase onto balls played in front of them. I can't remember the game but earlier in the season Balotelli and Markovic had a few minutes together (a rarity this season), and Markovic instantly seemed to understand - instead of just flicking cute balls behind, he got close to Balotelli and played it direct, into his feet. They linked up quite well and I remember thinking that was a combination that looked like it had potential. I don't recall ever seeing it again.

I don't agree with the notion that Baloteli is incapable of playing without a strike partner. We've seen him do well in the past for Italy, Milan and Inter without a traditional strike partner. The problem for me is he's unsuited to playing as the lone striker in a Rodgers team because doing so requires making endless runs behind the defence and being very isolated. He needs people linking up with him and making runs off him.

I'm also struggling to see what has been so bad about Lovren's game since he came back into the team, to have so many people still coating him off. Even at the start of the season when he actually was playing badly, was it really because he's just some shithouse player? Does nobody else think the midfield was absolutely shocking during that time? It's not much better now, either. There's no value placed in controlling the space at all. The defenders are just left to get on with it, often in 1v1 situations or worse. It's a joke.

Then there's the small problem of so many players being played out of position. So, so many. For all of you getting stuck into Sterling for his performances, have any of you considered what it must be like to lose your place to Adam Lallana (I'll come back to him in a moment) playing with a cracked rib? The kid has been shunted out all over the place this season: he's played at left wing-back, right wing-back, left back in a back four (Mancs at home after Stevie's red), both wings, and as the lone striker. He always puts a shift in, he is constantly fouled, and he's a 20 year old lad playing with the pressure of expectant LFC fans on his back. I don't think he's money-hungry. if he was he'd have taken the extra 65k p/w he's been offered and then agitated for a move anyway. I believe he's cost himself a couple million quid by rejecting that contract so that he is in a stronger position to force his way out of the club. I also don't think he thinks he's the finished article yet or that he thinks he's already arrived. He seems to me to be highly competitive - I can relate - and I'd be pissed off with this shambles as well.

Now for Lallana: what was the point in buying him? Seriously. What was the point? He's a nice enough player, but what on earth made Rodgers think he was the answer to a single problem we had? We already had two great options for #10s. Coutinho, who has found himself out on the wing at times again, and Gerrard. Gerrard has lost his legs this season. It happens to everyone eventually, but I think the way Rodgers has handled it has been appalling. He left him at CM long after it had become apparent he no longer had the legs to play there, not in this crazy Rodgers 4-2-3-1 where the CMs go box-to-box behind the 10. He should have been playing as the 10 in a 4-2-3-1, there's no other position for him, and he's fucking great at it. Better than Lallana, even now. Then you look at the other positions Lallana can play in and wonder why we bought him. Well, I do. £25m? He's a good player but he isn't what was needed at all.

Markovic has barely been used, and again, it's mostly been out of position when he has been picked.

Moreno looked miles better in a back four but since we went back to playing that way he's been left out in favour of Glen Johnson so that Emre Can can continue to destroy our shape from right-back. I know he missed a couple of those due to injury but still.

I'm going to stop there but I could go on and on. We don't control games. We don't control the space and we don't control the ball. Watching us play reminds me of playing clubs on Fifa: everyone running around with the sprint button held down leaving gaps everywhere, conceding the same goal over and over again, and nobody knowing why. Laughable, bar that spell of unbeaten games before teams figured out how to break our lines.

Do any of you trust that the right players will be bought? Or even that the manager's 'philosophy' today will be the same come September?