Liverpool Football Club Thread

[Gabe]

He did last season. This season he's had to contend with injuries and the failure of some important signings (Balo and Lovren) so had to try and find an alternative. Unfortunately he struggled to find one that consistently works. This transfer window I just hope that they bring in the players that suit the system that Rodgers wants.

dogsout has, as is often the case, explained this better than I can, but Rodgers has always mixed-and-matched. Plus, I do think the infectious nature of Suarez's will to win raised everyone's game last season. I would say Ronaldo has perhaps the most intense singular will to win (so long as he scores, he often looks annoyed when Madrid win and he isn't on the scoresheet), I've never seen such desire and drive to win every 50-50, chase every loose ball and run for everything as I did with Suarez. It's not just his goals and assists that we missed.

[JohnnyNolan]

Whoops, looks like I've said something humorous!!

I'd of thought it's pretty important to have coaching staff that can teach useful things like defending though?? You have goalkeeping coaches, so why not?

The question would be if it's specific defending errors, or the defence being exposed due to the formation of the team and players used. No team has no defending errors, no matter how defensively well they are set up.

I'd argue a lot of Liverpool's issues come from the defence being exposed due to the formation used and players being played out of position. Look at Sundays game. A ten year old could have told you Can would have problems with pace running at him all game. You can teach the basics of defending all day long. I'm pretty sure every professional player knows them well anyway, but if the formation is wrong and players are being played out of position then the opposition have a lot of room to exploit those issues.

[Doomguy]

No big names are coming to Anfield with Rodgers in charge. That's why I want someone with a bit more about them to take the helm.

[SMD]

As if we're going to buy big names anyway

[glb]

Our defending is already pretty special as it is. Although Mingolet did keep 13 clean sheets, apparently. I reckon he did so when no one was looking.

Ings, as is rumoured, will be a good adition as his work rate and movement is exactly what we need up front. Be great if Sturridge isn't made of cheese next season too but miracles are rarer than Mario goals these days.

[hmm]

dogsout has, as is often the case, explained this better than I can, but Rodgers has always mixed-and-matched. Plus, I do think the infectious nature of Suarez's will to win raised everyone's game last season. I would say Ronaldo has perhaps the most intense singular will to win (so long as he scores, he often looks annoyed when Madrid win and he isn't on the scoresheet), I've never seen such desire and drive to win every 50-50, chase every loose ball and run for everything as I did with Suarez. It's not just his goals and assists that we missed.

... which was all of course magnified by the fact that his theoretical replacement has the work ethic of a dying sloth.

No-one expected Balotelli to be a roaring success but there was general agreement that he had quality and talent. I haven't seen any evidence of that. He wasn't just a disappointment, he was disastrous; he actively detracted from the performance whenever he played, largely standing around between wasting promising build-up play with ludicrous 40 yard attempts on goal. We'd genuinely have been better off making no further signing and being forced to play Borini when Sturridge decided to skip this season. The guy may be far from a long-term option but he's demonstrated as least as much quality as Balotelli has for us, is certainly no worse at finishing than Sterling, and would have worked bloody hard. In fact, he's basically Dirk Kuyt and I'd take Dirk over Balotelli any day.

[Azrael]

Kolo and Wisdom sign extensions to their contracts. That's the defence sorted then...

I'm actually pleased with that, not going to the full answer to our defensive needs but I like both players so happy for them to stick around.

[ryodi]

Liverpool played fast counter attacking football last season so Borini would have been a better fit for the attack, just look at the goal he scored for Sunderland in the League Cup final. Yet Rodgers bought both Balotelli and Lambert who with the best will in the world don't fit that play style and because he didn't change the system they've ended up stuck on the bench alongside Borini whi he doesn't rate. I know Balotelli is the main fall guy this season but whenever he has played he's had no service at all so it's not surprising he's trying from miles out out of frustration.

[Gabe]

Nobody rates Borini do they? Whilst he is more mobile than anybody else we had, I don't think he's good enough to have led the line anyway.

[ryodi]

He had decent but not amazing scoring records for Roma and Sunderland and I think with a good run of games he could have worked up front, instead we end the season playing without a recognised striker and getting hammered by Stoke not least because they haven't got shy forwards to worry about defending.

[DeNeo]

And now we're being heavily linked with Benteke. Does he really fit into the system Rodgers wants to play?

[Oh Danny Boy]

I'd take Benteke, he's been a damn good goal scorer in a team which doesn't score goals.

If the rumours are true it looks like the club are about to go on a bit of a spending spree once the window opens. lf true its evidence enough that FSG are throwing their full backing behind Rodgers.

[hmm]

A good rule of thumb is that the rumours are never true.

[Chewylegs]

Wake me up when the season starts again, I don't think I can take another summer of being linked with good players then getting crap!

[Istanbul]

Benteke is a good player.

But is he a good player for the system we play? No, I'd say not.

We need fast strikers which supply plenty of movement, getting behind the defence for the through balls we like to play.

Benteke isn't that player. Balotelli obviously wasn't either. They're cross into the box players...

We'd be much better spending the money elsewhere, on who exactly...I don't know. But buying off Villa is just to much hassle due to their turd storm they always create when selling a top player. Plus, the fee will be inflated.

Nah, I'm more happy with Danny Ings than Benteke to be honest. At least Ings suits the system. Benteke is another square peg in a round hole.

If we're going to change our style and pattern of play, then fair enough...he'll be good, but if not...it's another waste of £30m.

[Adrock]

Ings would be a decent addition. Benteke has some pace and it's all down to whether he actually has the mindset for the hard running and chasing down that was apparent when the club was challenging for the title.

Also, a single striker is definitely not enough so Ings + another would be the least you'd expect to arrive.

I'm not entirely convinced on Benteke but I struggle to identify a player who has the attributes and is available. Is Benteke even available?

[Guest]

What is ridiculous is - why wasn't Benteke signed at the end of last season?

You can say this and that and all you want about what Benteke is, yet he's more of a goalscorer than anyone we've got - Mr Glass aside.

Our biggest problem is we can't attract the bigger names. Mourinho easily gets in Costa, Fabregas etc. We lose out on Sanchez, now Delpay, and anyone else we want. William a couple of seasons back. In fact most ANYONE we've tried to sign has gone elsewhere the past few season - even Spurs! EVEN SPURS.

Our transfer policy is terrible and the handling of Sterling ticks that box somewhat - yet we only have to look as far as Gerrard to see that they can't even get contracts right with their own players. With a guy who's been integral to the club! How can you get that so wrong, keeping him about could have been useful (even if he was playing a lot less) [although his time is probably run to be fair, the point remains is that it seems they tried to sign him again, yet too late?]

It is a top-down problem, and I don't feel Rodgers is entirely to blame here. If we'd bought Costa and Fabregas I think we'd have had a very, very different season.

[glb]

Well, we'd have got to see what Fabregas is like as a wingback. Probably Costa too.

[gospvg]

From the legend that is Steven Gerrard

To all my fans,

Saying goodbye hasn't been easy.

Liverpool Football Club has been such a massive part of my life since I was eight years old and I know how much I'm going to miss it.

It's been an emotional time for my family and I with my final game at Anfield against Crystal Palace and then my last appearance away to Stoke City.

But I've been blown away by the send-off I've been given by the supporters and I'd like to thank every one of you. It's been very humbling and it's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

It's been an absolute privilege to represent this football club for so long.

When I was a kid, kicking a ball around in Ironside Road in Huyton, all I ever wanted to do was play for Liverpool. I dreamed of pulling that shirt on just once.

I never thought I'd get close to achieving that so to be able to look back on a first-team career of 710 appearances spanning 17 years I'm immensely proud.

I've loved every minute of playing for the best supporters in the world.

It's been an amazing journey. There have been some glorious highs and some crushing lows, but throughout you have given me fantastic support and I'll never forget that.

The highs have been all the sweeter because they have been achieved with my boyhood club. We have shared those special moments together.

Of course the pinnacle of my career arrived in Istanbul 10 years ago. That was the best night of my life. When I lifted the European Cup, there was no prouder man on the planet.

It meant so much to me to deliver that trophy for you. The supporters played such a big part in helping to inspire that famous comeback against AC Milan. I'll never forget how they helped to lift our chins off the floor after that nightmare first half.

People have often asked me about the pressure on my shoulders to deliver for Liverpool but I've never seen that as a burden.

There's been huge responsibility on me but I've always loved and embraced that.

It's been a massive honour to be captain of this club for so long. I've always given my best and tried to lead by example.

I've been very fortunate to play alongside some incredible players and for managers who have all helped me to improve and develop. I'm proud of what I've given back - the sacrifices, the dedication and the loyalty over the years.

But more than anything I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to play in front of these fans for so long.

Liverpool is my home and I love this city. But I believe the time is right to open a new chapter as I prepare to move to America.

I want to keep playing every week in the final few years of my career and I'm looking forward to embarking on a new challenge with Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS.

I'll be away for the next couple of years but this isn't the end of my long association with Liverpool FC. I've been a supporter all my life and that will continue.

I hope to get the opportunity to come back and serve the club again one day. I feel that I can make a contribution in some role in the future.

But today is all about looking back and saying thank-you to the fans for the magnificent support you have given me over the past two decades. You have helped me to fulfil my dreams over and over again and given me memories I wouldn't swap for anything.

Thank you.

Steven Gerrard

[Istanbul]

Hahahahahaha

[Gabe]

Our biggest problem is we can't attract the bigger names. Mourinho easily gets in Costa, Fabregas etc. We lose out on Sanchez, now Delpay, and anyone else we want. William a couple of seasons back. In fact most ANYONE we've tried to sign has gone elsewhere the past few season - even Spurs! EVEN SPURS.

As my friend at work - who is a Tottenham fan - likes to annoy me with, we've only finished above them once in the last 6 seasons. Once!

When you consider that, along with the London factor, it isn't too much of a shock that some players may prefer there to Liverpool.

[V3zna]

What is ridiculous is - why wasn't Benteke signed at the end of last season?

He was injured with a ruptured achilles tendon.

[dogsout]

I'm wondering just what is going on. On the one hand, maybe the pursuit of Benteke is an indication that Rodgers won't be here next season because he's a target man. On the other, maybe it's an indication that he will be here because during Rodgers' time here, we have signed and pursued quite a few of them.

Does this mean he intends to move back towards his Swansea team's style? With a mobile target man providing the platform for two inside-forwards? Or does it mean we'll see the return of the 4-4-2 diamond?

Rafa looks nailed on for the Real Madrid job, and any approach from FSG for his services has always seemed incredibly unlikely. There are noises indicating Klopp will take a sabbatical. The same goes for Ancelotti. None of those are particularly realistic candidates, anyway. The only other name I've seen mentioned anywhere was when SMD spoke of Garry Monk the other day - fuck that, by the way. I guess we won't know for sure until this fabled end of season review takes place but it seems quite likely that Brendan will get another season, at least.

What do we think the committee is up to with this one? For the record, I rate Benteke as a player. I said last summer that we should go for both him and Bony to replace Suarez. I think he's probably overrated as a goalscorer in a sense and wouldn't expect him to ever be consistently prolific, but I do think he has a lot going for him as a player. Aside from the obvious physical gifts, he's extremely aggressive, plays with intelligence and is a natural and composed finisher. Given the problems with Balotelli and Lambert this season, I can't help but feel like we'd struggle to get the best out of him. However, I do feel like a change of style would be a better course of action than trying to play this open, expansive style of football that is so reliant on having a pacey striker that will press from the front.

Thoughts?

[jcafarley]

AVB?

[Guest]

As my friend at work - who is a Tottenham fan - likes to annoy me with, we've only finished above them once in the last 6 seasons. Once!

When you consider that, along with the London factor, it isn't too much of a shock that some players may prefer there to Liverpool.

They're probably hoping it to be a stepping stone and move across to Arsenal

[Opinionated Ham Scarecrow]

AVB?

The bit-less-special one

[Poop who?]

I don't quite get the line that we can't attract certain players

It's not rocket science. Pay the extra. It's the only way to get the players here that we need. God knows they shout about it enough on TAW

We dilly dally agreeing a fee, then we dilly dally getting the contract signed. There are a number of players we've missed out on because of this, and it's been documented a myriad of times

Carragher has come out and said that we can afford it as a club. We just don't show the ambition to go the extra mile monetarily as the board are too fixated on getting value for money. If it's VFM they're after then they should get out of football and go down to TKMaxx

Suarez was on an alleged 200k, and Gerrard is on way over 100k. That's pretty conclusive that we can afford it when we want to

Tight fisted owners will not win the Premier League. I think the history of the league has shown that

[JamesTW]

To attract big name players Rodgers would probably have to be sacked, then they'd have to sack all his coaches and whoever else, then bring in a big name coach and his coaches, how much is that all going to cost before weve even bought anyone? He has to go now, not for this season but the way the team played in the last month but I can't see us having loads of money to spend and no big name manager will come so it probably will end up with Garry effing Monk

[Gabe]

I think pursuit of Benteke just shows how confused things are around the club at the moment. He's a good player, no doubt, and our defence have never been able to handle him - but how would he fit in? If we were to play a diamond you'd assume Coutinho would (should) play at the head of that, with Ibe/Markovic/Lallana/Henderson fighting out for the central positions and then presumably Lucas/A.N. Other as the holding player. That doesn't exactly scream 'defensive protection' to me.

I was going to say that the alternatives would consign Sturridge to playing out wide, because you wouldn't buy Benteke and play him anywhere other than central but hey, this is Rodgers we're talking about, he'd probably try him in goal if he hadn't scored for a few games.

The point remains though that it's hard to see how, without a number of other personnel changes, Benteke would live up to his potential.

And whilst I it's based only on SMD's comment rather than any rumours (I hope!), but the idea of getting rid of Rodgers to replace him with Monk would show just how frazzled the management are.

[tenrou]

Talk is that Liverpool are looking at anchelotti (sp?). Whether you think Rodgers should get another chance or not surely anchelotti would have to get the job, were he interested. The guy has true pedigree and won 4 champions leagues as a manager? He could surely attract world class players?