Liverpool Football Club Thread

[PaB]

We move on, they'll be another Sterling soon enough.

Really?

Making an England debut at 17 is pretty rare you know.

[Istanbul]

Really?

Making an England debut at 17 is pretty rare you know.

That's because he was being a little rat saying he was going to play for Jamaica instead.

Plus, although he completely deserved it, and is obviously more than good enough...the England team is hardly a barometer for talent these days, with every kid and his dog seemingly getting a cap in the worst England set up for years.

Ibe is near enough a replacement for him, and will no doubt become a first team regular this season.

[Timmo]

Why are some of you so confident about Ibe? He was pretty good at Derby (I saw most of his 20 games for us) but his decision making was poor and he's got a hell of a long way to go. He is yet to score for you. He seems incredibly cocky so maybe he'll take some of the pressure being piled onto him in his stride, but he really needs time. Also I very much doubt he'll ever have Sterling's versatility or creativity (as work in progress as they are).

[DeNeo]

Yeah, I really don't think we should be putting so much pressure on Ibe. I don't see him being a first team regular - there will be too many ahead of him, especially if we get another striker.

[Gabe]

for 50 mil id want more than potential from a 20 year old kid who sells his team out so openly, and is so professional that he takes laughing gas.

That's the key point. He's still just a kid.

There's no doubt he's been poorly advised, he's made some bad decisions and he's not helped his PR. But what can you expect? He's been touted by many as the next big thing by loads of people, he was called the most valuable youngster in the world only last year and many seem to think he'll become part of the spine of the England team. That's going to affect anybody and the failing here - depending on your point of view - is that he's had people around him who have encouraged that.

I personally am one of those who does think he is honest when he says he wanted to move to win trophies, rather than it being about money (the healthy pay rise is just part of the stuff above), but I also feel his development would have been better served staying with us for another year. Still, it matters not now.

[dogsout]

I agree with Timmo and DeNeo (as usual!) about Ibe. He looked fearless when he got his chance last season but it was playing at wing-back (loads of space to work in) and his overall contribution wasn't all that much. He looks promising for sure but I'm certainly not expecting him to force his way into the first team any time soon. I expect him to feature in certain games but I'd be surprised if it's more than the odd appearance, cup games aside.

[hmm]

he's made some bad decisions

Wish my bad decisions guaranteed me a minimum £50m of earnings...

[Chewylegs]

Why are some of you so confident about Ibe? He was pretty good at Derby (I saw most of his 20 games for us) but his decision making was poor and he's got a hell of a long way to go. He is yet to score for you. He seems incredibly cocky so maybe he'll take some of the pressure being piled onto him in his stride, but he really needs time. Also I very much doubt he'll ever have Sterling's versatility or creativity (as work in progress as they are).

I'm not one who thinks Ibe will be awesome and in the team week in week out this season, but the majority of what you said sounds like you could have been talking about Sterling.

Your last bit though, why do you think that?

[Chewylegs]

That's the key point. He's still just a kid.

I personally am one of those who does think he is honest when he says he wanted to move to win trophies, rather than it being about money (the healthy pay rise is just part of the stuff above), but I also feel his development would have been better served staying with us for another year. Still, it matters not now.

I'm with you on the moving for trophies reason, but What will be interesting to see is if he still feels that way when he realise he is getting paid nearly 6 times his current salary. Money can change most people, and that it's a ridiculous amount of money!

[Timmo]

Your last bit though, why do you think that?

I'll be very surprised if Ibe plays a position other than wide midfielder or winger and I'm almost certain he'll be way more effective in the latter role. He's a Robben or Ribery whereas Sterling could conceivably end up in any attacking position on the pitch and I think he's got a good chance of being someone who dictates his team's attack from behind the striker.

I'm quite excited to see how Ibe progresses as an England fan but I'm not holding my breath just yet. We've not had a truly exciting wide man for some time.

[Istanbul]

New away kit released today...

The three shirts for the season:

[Commander Jameson]

That white one is lovely. Feels strange not having a wacky third kit though.

[JamesTW]

Rather have black shorts which is classic Liverpool away but with kit clashes these days probably use black 3rd shorts anyway, just glad there's no all yellow kit, always hated them

[dam_aks]

Wow, we've managed to not produce a disgusting shirt. Good work New Balance.

And for the first time in my life I want United to beat us to a player. For the love of god, please sign Benteke so we don't drop £32.5million on him.

I am also aware that if they do sign him, even if he is completely shite in every other game he will score against us.

[Commander Jameson]

Since when were they ever in for him? Is there new news?

[dam_aks]

Since when were they ever in for him? Is there new news?

It's all over the papers. Some (admittedly shit papers) are saying United have got him, better ones are suggesting it's likely.

[JamesTW]

He would be good for them and their atrocious football

[SMD]

The source is The Sun.

I don't know why anyone would want the club to miss out on a top target.

[Timmo]

More than ever this window I've seen people talking about transfer fees and wages. He's not worth that. I wouldn't pay that. Look at this transfer for X amount, that shows that this is bad value. Why do you care? It's not your money.

And strikers are at such a premium because there's a real lack.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/09/strikers-premier-league-gonzalo-higuain

[dam_aks]

More than ever this window I've seen people talking about transfer fees and wages. He's not worth that. I wouldn't pay that. Look at this transfer for X amount, that shows that this is bad value. Why do you care? It's not your money.

And strikers are at such a premium because there's a real lack.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/09/strikers-premier-league-gonzalo-higuain

The money side isn't what bothers me about Benteke. We will need to spend a lot on a player for that position - that's the way the market is. I just don't think what he does is what we need.

[ryodi]

He also plays in a similar style to Balotelli and Lambert who do not suit Rodgers style of play.

[angel]

He also plays in a similar style to Balotelli and Lambert who do not suit Rodgers style of play.

came to post, benteke wont suit liverpool at all

[gospvg]

I like that white shirt, I'll be buying one of those.

[Gabe]

I quite like all of those kits, though I do like a bit of piping down the side usually.

[SMD]

Barrett says we're paying the money for Benteke.

[Istanbul]

More than ever this window I've seen people talking about transfer fees and wages. He's not worth that. I wouldn't pay that. Look at this transfer for X amount, that shows that this is bad value. Why do you care? It's not your money.

And strikers are at such a premium because there's a real lack.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/09/strikers-premier-league-gonzalo-higuain

Don't really agree with this. It is my money, in a very, very small way, since I pay for tickets, merchandise and membership. It all goes into the larger coffers.

[DeNeo]

Barrett says we're paying the money for Benteke.

Which definitely has nothing to do with Villa leaking that Utd interest to the papers...

Ah well. I still don't think he's a great fit for the team, but I'll be very happy if he proves me wrong.

[V3zna]

Fair play to FSG for backing Rodgers in the transfer market and with staff changes. He's got pretty much everything he wanted this summer.

Don't forget his elegant Swansea side had Danny Graham as a pivot up front. Benteke may fit in better than we think.

[dogsout]

I've been watching a lot of footage of him over the last few weeks (not talking youtube highlights reels here) and I've come away from it with a very different opinion on him to the one I held when we were originally linked with him. I know I'm pretty much alone in here on this, but I really hope we get him. I think he is actually a very good fit for us indeed. He's not some crude target man - he scores every kind of goal, he can beat a man and he is very aggressive in possession. I think he may be a bit overrated as a goalscorer in England (although 1 in 2 is pretty damn good, however you look at it), but he's quite underrated as a player, if that makes sense. There's a lot that he does that will fit in with what we need: He will take defenders on, he will make runs in behind, he will hold the ball up for the runners from midfield, and he will take his fair share of chances.

[SMD]

Nah I'm on board with Benteke, I reckon 1 in 2 for a mostly Paul Lambert managed Villa is a massive achievement and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in a more attacking team.