Liverpool Football Club Thread

[Gabe]

I wouldn't write us off just yet, because I think Milner could be a real treasure for us and solidify what has probably been one of our biggest problems - lack of cover from midfield. So many games could have been different had our defence had appropriate protection. Hopefully Can will have a place in midfield too, where those rampaging runs will be more dangerous.

Then we've got some proven Premier League experience up front in Benteke and Ings and who knows, Sturridge might not be broken all year and Balotelli might find a system that works for him.

Sure, United have signed a number of experienced internationals, but they may or may not gel. Arsenal have signed Cech and, whilst I think he's a great signing, who knows if they will have a traditional wobble or not. Chelsea are Chelsea; if Mourinho can get even 10-15 goals out of Falcao, that'd be a good return if Costa stays fit - they are still the best 'team' in the league, I think. Man City are the curious ones for me because they go through periods where they just look so vulnerable, and it's during these times they tend to lose too much ground to mount a title challenge and, once that starts to get talked about they seem to almost give up for a bit. Depending on whether Toure is in a good mood or not and if Aquero stays fit could have a disproportionate impact on their season. I really do think they could be the team propping-up 4th this year.

Realistically, yes, the likelihood is that we will need one the teams above us to have an off-season to grab 4th - but I don't think we're as far away as perhaps it can sometimes feel.

That said, we also need to be wary of those we're going to be challenging with to be in that group of 'the next best' - will Southampton be able to build on last years promising campaign? Will Tottenham be a bit more consistent and will Kane build on last season or will he be 'found out' by defenders and have a poor return?

I think it could be a very interesting season for all of the likely top-7.

[Stig]

I really think we might win the UEFA cup this year. Can see us going for it as Rodgers is under pressure to win something and might see it as achievable.

Not sure where these 'close to United' ideas are coming from, as much as I hate them I think they'll win the league this year. Chelsea are ageing and rarely repeat and City never look like enough of a team. Man U always have the ability to brute force it, look where they finished last season despite being shit for most of it.

Chelsea, aging? They have like 3 players over 30 and some players currently in their prime. Plus they have the best managing in the league. He's a prick, but he's good.

United seem the most catcable because they're still in a massive transitional phase and their defence is still quite weak. We only finished 8 points behind them last season and they had bad spells simular to ours. But they've made some very good attacking signings so who knows really.

[Istanbul]

If we're not getting top 4, a Europa League win would be the next best thing, due to the winners now qualifying for the Champions League. Even last season, England (fans, managers, media etc) appears to be the only country that doesn't seem to rate the competition, which is kind of strange, considering the prize. Just sheep following sheep I think. It is a good competition, and I'd love to win it.

[dizogg]

We did SO shit in Europe last season though, seems a massive leap to go from that to trying to win it. Would love it though.

[Stig]

He HAS to win something or get into the top 4 to keep his job I think. Especially with Klopp and Ancelotti being free agents.

[humdrum]

So have you guys sold ballet yet then? I only ask because...

[dizogg]

Lol

[DonJuan]

We have the players to challenge for Premier League, and the new faces are quality recruits. My hope is Rodgers able to motivate the team and play the mind games against other managers. Last season was not good after the second-place two seasons ago, my guess is the team mentality broke under pressure. Need to address this challenge. And I agree Milner will be a huge player especially with Gerrard gone.

[Istanbul]

Harsh that on Balo.

....

Official, Liverpool 3rd most hated club in the league...with Everton, Man Utd and Southampton fans leading the hate brigade.

For Liverpool fans, the most hated teams are Chelsea and Man Utd, with Everton coming in 3rd.

According to Liverpool fans, our most favoured Premier League teams are: Southampton, Swansea, Bournemouth and Leicester.

Full results not fully published yet.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-one-premier-leagues-9731766

I think the results are a fair reflection of this board in particular.

[Doomguy]

We have the players to challenge for Premier League, and the new faces are quality recruits. My hope is Rodgers able to motivate the team and play the mind games against other managers. Last season was not good after the second-place two seasons ago, my guess is the team mentality broke under pressure. Need to address this challenge. And I agree Milner will be a huge player especially with Gerrard gone.

You'll be shit out of luck then. The only person Rodgers plays mind games with are the interviewers.

'We showed a lot of pride and vision in the first half.'

'We didn't show enough character development on the ball.'

Standard Rodgers post match.

[Timmo]

I really think we might win the UEFA cup this year. Can see us going for it as Rodgers is under pressure to win something and might see it as achievable.

Not sure where these 'close to United' ideas are coming from, as much as I hate them I think they'll win the league this year. Chelsea are ageing and rarely repeat and City never look like enough of a team. Man U always have the ability to brute force it, look where they finished last season despite being shit for most of it.

If either of these happens I'll eat my cat's hat. Liverpool will finish 5th-8th and United 3rd or 4th.

[JohnnyNolan]

I'd be shocked if we won the UEFA cup. Mostly as I think we'll treat it with the contempt all English sides do and put out reserve sides to "concentrate on the league", which will probably see us finish in a league position to qualify for the UEFA cup again!

I think the league is Chelsea's to lose.

[Istanbul]

Lol, neg stalking again.

There's ab undercurrent of prejudice, culture of bullying and sheep negging that exists amongst a few here, and as such permeates the entire football section of this forum.

I'm not afraid to go against it, or speak up like I am doing here, despite the attacks.

I will continue to do so as I find it utterly abhorrent and sad that so many seem willing to put up with it.

[spork]

Lol, neg stalking again.

There's ab undercurrent of prejudice, culture of bullying and sheep negging that exists amongst a few here, and as such permeates the entire football section of this forum.

I think the issue, that everyone apart from you can see, is that you have recently been acting like a knob.

[Istanbul]

I think the issue, that everyone apart from you can see, is that you have recently been acting like a knob.

Nah, the football section of this forum is insidious.

The fact that people can't see that, refuse to see it, or choose instead to be a part of it...is worrying, and somewhat depressing.

It's just the same people following me around every thread and every post, utterly obsessed with taking issue with everything I say, because I dared to stand up to the insipid behaviour of a few individuals, and as such the 'mateyness' and sheep mentality of others has taken precedence over anything else.

Please though, no abuse. There's really no need.

[Stig]

He's right about the neg stalking though. It pretty pathetic to go into threads about other teams just to neg someone.

[Timmo]

Nah, the football section of this forum is insidious.

The fact that people can't see that, refuse to see it, or choose instead to be a part of it...is worrying, and somewhat depressing.

It's just the same people following me around every thread and every post, utterly obsessed with taking issue with everything I say, because I dared to stand up to the insipid behaviour of a few individuals, and as such the 'mateyness' and sheep mentality of others has taken precedence over anything else.

Please though, no abuse. There's really no need.

You and SaintM were told to stop bickering by a mod, you both apologise and agree to put it behind you.

Today you post a link to an article saying that Southampton fans hate Liverpool (among some other irrelevant and uninteresting stuff) and say it is a 'reflection of this board in particular'. You've obviously not put it behind you.

It's the first post of yours I've negged. I also negged the follow up, because neg-moaning is an automatic neg - I don't make the rules.

Also, this forum is incredibly civil, well-intentioned and tame compared to most.

[Rev]

You and SaintM were told to stop bickering by a mod, you both apologise and agree to put it behind you.

Today you post a link to an article saying that Southampton fans hate Liverpool (among some other irrelevant and uninteresting stuff) and say it is a 'reflection of this board in particular'. You've obviously not put it behind you.

It's the first post of yours I've negged.

Also, this forum is incredibly civil, well-intentioned and tame compared to most.

I read "this board" as in "this boardroom/chairman/owner".

[Istanbul]

You and SaintM were told to stop bickering by a mod, you both apologise and agree to put it behind you.

Today you post a link to an article saying that Southampton fans hate Liverpool (among some other irrelevant and uninteresting stuff) and say it is a 'reflection of this board in particular'. You've obviously not put it behind you.

It's the first post of yours I've negged. I also negged the follow up, because neg-moaning is an automatic neg - I don't make the rules.

Also, this forum is incredibly civil, well-intentioned and tame compared to most.

'Obviously not put it behind you' - you see, point proven. A complete fabrication.

That post has nothing to do with SaintM, I want nothing to do with him. I haven't responded to any of his posts, deleted a PM from him and only negged him twice since (I think), as I didn't like what I read - one were Liverpool were referred to as 'clowns'.

The article which I found interesting, and I'm sure other would too; mentions Southampton fans hating Liverpool, it also mentions Liverpool fans loving Southampton. Yet you've focused on one thing and made a big conclusion based on that and my final, playful statement.

It's all about who's mates with who, and existing prejudices. I know it is impossible for people to see that from inside their bubbles, but that is just the way it is...

I agree this forum is one of the best, I have said so many, many times...but the football section is the polar opposite to the rest of it.

[Rev]

'Obviously not put it behind you' - you see, point proven. A complete fabrication.

That post has nothing to do with SaintM, I want nothing to do with him. I haven't responded to any of his posts, deleted a PM from him and only negged him twice since (I think), as I didn't like what I read - one were Liverpool were referred to as 'clowns'.

The article which I found interesting, and I'm sure other would too; mentions Southampton fans hating Liverpool, it also mentions Liverpool fans loving Southampton. Yet you've focused on one thing and made a big conclusion based on that and my final, playful statement.

It's all about who's mates with who, and existing prejudices. I know it is impossible for people to see that from inside their bubbles, but that is just the way it is...

I agree this forum is one of the best, I have said so many, many times...but the football section is the polar opposite to the rest of it.

I think the problem is that everyone is mates with everyone except about 5 people who just write constantly weird/wrong stuff.

[JohnnyNolan]

Can you fannies take it to PM, so we all don't have to suffer another tedious rendition of Istanbul versus the world?

[SMD]

Fucking hell, the season starts next month

[Rev]

Fucking hell, the season starts next month

12

DAYS

:

01

HOURS

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21

MINUTES

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31

SECONDS

Approximately.

[Radish]

'Obviously not put it behind you' - you see, point proven. A complete fabrication.

That post has nothing to do with SaintM, I want nothing to do with him. I haven't responded to any of his posts, deleted a PM from him and only negged him twice since (I think), as I didn't like what I read - one were Liverpool were referred to as 'clowns'.

The article which I found interesting, and I'm sure other would too; mentions Southampton fans hating Liverpool, it also mentions Liverpool fans loving Southampton. Yet you've focused on one thing and made a big conclusion based on that and my final, playful statement.

It's all about who's mates with who, and existing prejudices. I know it is impossible for people to see that from inside their bubbles, but that is just the way it is...

I agree this forum is one of the best, I have said so many, many times...but the football section is the polar opposite to the rest of it.

I'm not "mates" with anyone that posts in the football section but I think a lot of what you post (when it's not football related) is often pretty delusional.

He's right about the neg stalking though. It pretty pathetic to go into threads about other teams just to neg someone.

No, he's wrong. People come in here because we're interested in football and are curious to see how Liverpool fans think their team is doing pre season. The fact that every now and then Istanbul goes off on one and gets negged for it is unrelated to that. Well, except for the clear indication that everyone would rather he got back to talking about football rather than some conspiracy the "insidious" forum users have against him.

[gooner4life]

Istanbul should change his name to Istanbulshit what a load of crap that geezer posts constantly.

Pockets - I think you will go for it in the Europa League depending on what your league form is like, the Europa League is an entry point to the Champions League now as the Winners enter it.

[Rev]

Istanbul should change his name to Istanbulshit what a load of crap that geezer posts constantly.

Pockets - I think you will go for it in the Europa League depending on what your league form is like, the Europa League is an entry point to the Champions League now as the Winners enter it.

In Football Manager, I'd definitely be going for the Europa League. Competing for fourth is going to be incredibly difficult, but the new-look Liverpool squad are definitely good enough to go all the way in the Europa. Not easy, but by the time it really steps up the new players should be bedded in and if they're managed well shouldn't be too fatigued since the squad is deeper now. Add in historical Liverpool-in-Europe-ness and it seems like a great season.

[PaB]

I wouldn't say Liverpool are "definitely" good enough to win the Europa league, they would need a slice of luck, which is possible. Would I give them a definite two leg win over, say, Shalke, Napoli, Villareal or even Spurs, probably not.

I think from a long term point of view, they have to give getting forth a priority. Altough, looking at the other teams in the prem, though, I don't think that's on for them either this year. I think Arsenal are a real threat finally, I think United are looking better than last year and I think Chelsea and City will be as strong as ever.

I think if Liverpool finish 5th with a solid foundation for the future and the signings they have made have bedded in, it will be a good season for them.

[Commander Jameson]

I think we as a team (both squad and manager) still have an awful lot to learn about playing in Europe. The entry of the third placed CL teams always brings about some seasoned names. Personally, I'm thinking last 16 or quarter finalists. I'd be delighted with a semi final appearance.

[Rev]

I wouldn't say Liverpool are "definitely" good enough to win the Europa league, they would need a slice of luck, which is possible. Would I give them a definite two leg win over, say, Shalke, Napoli, Villareal or even Spurs, probably not.

I'm not saying they're sure-fire certs, but that with the required amount of luck any team needs in any cup competition they've got enough quality to take chances.

[JamesTW]

one were Liverpool were referred to as 'clowns'.

gutted! Cuts deep that one