14/15 Liverpool FC Thread - Luis who?

[Crimey]

First topic message reminder :

Considering how fantastic last year was, this season will be a lot less fun but with a lot less heartbreak at the end.

[compelling and rich]

16 mil could easily tempted swansea for the likes of bony, who i think id rather have other mario. he's never going to be a top player because of his attitude

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

This made me laugh

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

You had one good season............Just be grateful for that...

Balotelli big mistake.

Only in September.........................Keep Calm.

[LastDamnation]

Sturridge and Sterling where living in Suarez's shadow last season. Neither are anywhere near world class and it's showing this season.

Sterling is an absolute class player, arguably the best winger in the league...

[Guest]

Sturridge and Sterling where living in Suarez's shadow last season. Neither are anywhere near world class and it's showing this season.

Sterling is an absolute class player, arguably the best winger in the league...

Sterling is 19 for god's sake, Ronaldo was nothing at 19, just a pure trickster with no end product. Sterling has three goals already this season too. Sturridge has been injured aswell. Pointless post, without these two occupying defences & creating stuff for the Uruguayan, Suarez would of not been as successful.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Anfield Stadium Expansion Approved by 5-1 Vote

Planned work on Main Stand to start Jan 15, expansion to be completed for Aug 16..

[Guest]

You had one good season............Just be grateful for that...

Balotelli big mistake.

Only in September.........................Keep Calm.

Sounds like a bitter Jennifer Aniston warning Angelina Jolie about Brad Pitt

[Guest]

Mignolet is terrible

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

BIG WIN IN ROUND THREE OF THE RESERVE TEAM CUP

[Fernando]

BIG WIN IN ROUND THREE OF THE RESERVE TEAM CUP

Shouldn't try banter people when you've lost to Shrewsbury Atleast we lost to Southampton's 1st XI

[lfc91]

Another disaster of a performance in my eyes. I understand we won which is great, but some of the mistakes from Liverpool was beyond belief!

Defence looked hideous as it always has this season, teams will always get plenty of chances against us from set pieces as long as our defenders can't mark and we have the liability in nets.. I wonder what it would take to get toure banned from anfield for life, he's absolutely stealing a living as a pro footballer, isn't fit to draw the lines on the pitch at anfield!

Must be painful for Rodgers to watch this from his players..

[Guest]

Second half of extra time was about the only period in the game when we showed a glimpse of last year's good football. The potential for it is obviously there but there seems to be a mental blockage with some players and Rodgers will need to ring that Sports psychologist Steve Whatisface and see if he fancies a bit of over-time. Lambert was poor again. Lallana needs to start gambling a little more and the front men need to get into the box and leave the wide men to knock balls in.

Surreal night all in all and whilst a win is a win, I'll be damned if I can sit through much more of that sort of football.

[dyrewolfe]

Well it would hardly be the first time a PL side has underestimated a lower league side, would it?

I thought Boro more than played their part in an epic match, creating a little bit of history in the process.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

I was three last night, proper tired in work today. Sort of jinx it when I said to Miss Fortune on my way out 'I hope it doesn't go to extra time and pens'

We were poor yesterday, game changed when Suso came on, shame that Suso looks to be on his way to Milan aswell...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Suso impressed me when we played you last year at the Carra

Looked a handy little player

[lfc91]

Yeah suso has always been a favourite of mine, no idea what Rodgers has against him! Would have been a better option than Lallana for the last few games as he was clearly lacking fitness. Last night was the first time I've been anywhere close to impressed by Lallana.

Ballotelli has been really disappointing too. Don't know what I actually expected from such a hit and miss player but he doesn't seem to fit into our style of play at all.(Or to be specific what our style of play used to be, because it certainly hasn't been this season!). He wants far to much time on the ball, doing stupid tricks and fake passes, which slows out game right down...which is the opposite of what we were best at last year! Lambert has a mare as well, could pass 5 yards most of the night! Anyone know if sturridge will be fit for Everton??

[lfc91]

Couldnt**

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I was three last night, proper tired in work today. Sort of jinx it when I said to Miss Fortune on my way out 'I hope it doesn't go to extra time and pens'

We were poor yesterday, game changed when Suso came on, shame that Suso looks to be on his way to Milan aswell...

Happy birthday for yesterday SOF

[compelling and rich]

I was three last night, proper tired in work today. Sort of jinx it when I said to Miss Fortune on my way out 'I hope it doesn't go to extra time and pens'

We were poor yesterday, game changed when Suso came on, shame that Suso looks to be on his way to Milan aswell...

Happy birthday for yesterday SOF

always thought he was pretty childish

[Crimey]

Think Lambert is lacking fitness, been playing almost constantly for years so must be hard to stay fit with such little game time.

Balotelli was never going to work and I don't think it ever will. Too slow, not a good enough dribbler and too petulant.

[hampo17]

Think Lambert is lacking fitness, been playing almost constantly for years so must be hard to stay fit with such little game time.

Balotelli was never going to work and I don't think it ever will. Too slow, not a good enough dribbler and too petulant.

I'm going the other way, he won't work because there isn't enough creativity in the midfield. Balotelli is a finisher, and if we create chances for him he will score goals, however it appears that International midfielders don't appear to be able to create him one clear cut chance.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Gotta have some form of movement to help create these chances, Baloteli's isn't anywhere near good enough

[Crimey]

It would help if he ever got into good positions, he's too eager to drop deeper to get on the ball without having the talent on the ball to actually affect things. His movement is so, so poor.

[hampo17]

He drops deep to get the ball, how frustrating must it be to watch the midfielders consistently lose the ball in the final third time after time? If he didn't come deep to get the ball people would just say the exact opposite. Frustrating enough for the fans, never mind playing as the lone striker. He's had a decent scoring record everywhere he's been and writing him off at such an early stage is ridiculous.

[Crimey]

I didn't want him to sign and maintain that his first few games have already shown exactly why it was a bad signing. It was a panic buy from the club and Rodgers who were desperate for a big name signing.

[kingraf]

Yeah he was a last minute buy, but you needed a striker, and outside of Ronnie, Falcao, and Messi, anyone else you bough would have been a step back. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, in the same vein, a genuinely world class forward on the team sheet is better than £75m to go looking for one.

With that said, quite harsh on Balotelli, ooh he hasn't slotted in seamlessly after his month. Absolute concrete proof that he never will... I suppose one can and will ignore the fact that Suárez only had four goals at the end of his first half season at 'Pool, and followed it up with an electrifying 11 goals in 31 league matches in his first full season. Balotelli isn't gonna give you Suárez numbers. He's way too moody, and needs the mood to take for him to fire, but it's quite early to be crucifying him, wouldnt you say?

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Have to agree with Raf on this one.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

I was three last night, proper tired in work today. Sort of jinx it when I said to Miss Fortune on my way out 'I hope it doesn't go to extra time and pens'

We were poor yesterday, game changed when Suso came on, shame that Suso looks to be on his way to Milan aswell...

Happy birthday for yesterday SOF

always thought he was pretty childish

unfortunately and 3 & 0 next Birthday

[Guest]

3 and 0 added together still makes 3................

[Crimey]

I think the problem with comparisons with Suarez is that it wasn't Suarez's goals that actually put him on the map, from his first game he had an incredible work-rate and creativity that hadn't been seen. His goalscoring was actually a very welcome bonus when he finally started to find the back of the net. Balotelli on the other hand has neither the work-rate, the creativity or the movement even if he can score a similar amount to the early Suarez.

[Guest]

This is the issue Rodgers faces. Can he instill a greater work ethic into Balotelli and in fact the team as a whole?

Look at West Ham, look at Leicester, look at MK Dons, look at Middlesborough. Without wanting to disparage those teams, on paper they didn't have the ability of Man Utd or Liverpool but have beaten them/given them a run for their money with a superior work rate and ethic. They harried, hassled, fought and out-worked the "bigger teams" and that drive and passion seems to be the missing ingredient at Liverpool at the moment.

Suarez is something of a freak of nature when it comes to football and we won't see his like for many a year at Anfield but his legacy should be one of hard work, hard work and more hard work and anyone wearing the shirt could do a damn sight worse that try emulate that aspect of his game.

Sooner rather than later though, boys!!!!!!!

[Josiah Maiestas]

Daniel Agger has been hugely missed, then with Mignolet letting it soft goals it's harder to compete. Kolo is miles past it if I was the pool manager I'd have kept Coates over him. We won't know until Nov/Dec how the top 4 will be looking, still too early to panic.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Half the problem might be the fact that, on paper, your team without Suarez and the injured Sturridge isnt that good. Take this weekend: Borini, Lucas, Gerrard, Lovren, Mignolet, Manquillo. None of them make me think "Poopie, we'll be overwhelmed". Even Moreno, Skrtel and bringing on Lallana and Lambert doesnt make you shake.

Sterling, Sturridge and Suarez are top notch, Henderson is a good player but isnt going to carry the team without its stars. Balotelli is world class but only on occasions. I think we'd have looked at your team sheet on Saturday and thought "shackle Sterling and we win this game".

[Guest]

To be fair, outside of City and Chelsea, no-one looks at a team sheet and thinks "Oh bloody Hell" so we're not alone in that respect

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Got me ticket to the Derby

My friend has to work away this weekend and she said I could have it for face value.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

To be fair, outside of City and Chelsea, no-one looks at a team sheet and thinks "Oh bloody Hell" so we're not alone in that respect

To some extent I agree, but I do think Liverpool have lost so much of the fear factor now Suarez has gone. Liverpool, on paper, are weaker than United and Arsenal now. What they do have is a settled manager and squad with momentum from last year.

[Guest]

To be fair, outside of City and Chelsea, no-one looks at a team sheet and thinks "Oh bloody Hell" so we're not alone in that respect

To some extent I agree, but I do think Liverpool have lost so much of the fear factor now Suarez has gone. Liverpool, on paper, are weaker than United and Arsenal now. What they do have is a settled manager and squad with momentum from last year.

But United have a tactical genius at the helm and Arsenal have the infallible Mr Wenger so they're better than us.

[compelling and rich]

To be fair, outside of City and Chelsea, no-one looks at a team sheet and thinks "Oh bloody Hell" so we're not alone in that respect

To some extent I agree, but I do think Liverpool have lost so much of the fear factor now Suarez has gone. Liverpool, on paper, are weaker than United and Arsenal now. What they do have is a settled manager and squad with momentum from last year.

But United have a tactical genius at the helm and Arsenal have the infallible Mr Wenger so they're better than us.

nope the league table does that for us

[Guest]

Aye, you can't argue with the stats or facts can you? Anyway, good luck for your upcoming midweek Champions League game...oh wait...........

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

compelling and rich

[compelling and rich]

Aye, you can't argue with the stats or facts can you? Anyway, good luck for your upcoming midweek Champions League game...oh wait...........

jesus we've only been out one year, remind me again how your champions league campaigns have been going in recent years? oh wait..................

one year wonders you lot, or was this year going to be your year.........again

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

I think Man U must have won a game on the weekend....

[Guest]

That rock they crawl out of will be getting revolving doors fitted....

jesus we've only been out one year,

...and counting...anyway, I'm only Jesus on weekends



Anyway, disappointed with the result on Saturday (some days you just got to tip your hat and say with gritted teeth "Nice strike mate!" like Gerrard did at the full time whistle) but very pleased with the improvement in the team overall. Lallana seemed to have got his act together a bit more, much better passing and movement in attack and the return of Sturridge should also see a further improvement. Balotelli also improving but disappointed with his play acting. Henderson getting better with every game....

Defence relatively solid but it's undoubtedly going to be squeaky bum time at every set piece and whenever there's five minutes left to play if it's tied or we have a one goal lead. Still plenty of time for things to click into place but would sooner rather than later eh boys?

[Stella]

This isn't meant to be a dig at Heskey, or Balotelli for that matter, but to me they're quite similar, in the fact they're strong, hold it up, can be good in the air, and will score a few (not loads) goals. So, to cut a long story short, will the £16m man be any better for you than Heskey was?

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

This isn't meant to be a dig at Heskey, or Balotelli for that matter, but to me they're quite similar, in the fact they're strong, hold it up, can be good in the air, and will score a few (not loads) goals. So, to cut a long story short, will the £16m man be any better for you than Heskey was?

Hopefully......

[Fernando]

And the Balotelli crusade is underway from the media

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11135027/Brendan-Rodgers-said-signing-Mario-Balotelli-was-no-brainer-but-really-hes-doing-Liverpools-brains-in.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2777580/Mario-Balotelli-Danny-Welbeck-moved-16million-point-prove-evidence-suggests-Arsenal-bargain-Liverpool-trouble.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2777112/Mario-Balotelli-snubs-Brendan-Rodgers-orders-applaud-Liverpool-fans-Champions-League-defeat-Basle.html

[compelling and rich]

liverpool fans being very touchy with me, its not my fault your one and only season in the champions league is going to be a massive failure

[Guest]

Given people don't rate our chances anyway, the only way it could be deemed a failure is if we were so poor that after three games they gave our spot to Everton and let them take over instead.

Many predict (quite rightly on current form) we'll be lucky to get out of the group so if we do get knocked out we've lived up to everyone's expectations.

[compelling and rich]

when the draw was made you had to be happy, you have a better team than basel who are solid but no world beaters, most had you going through second anything else would have be a failure

[Guest]

People based our passage through the group stages on the belief that we would be replicating last season's form. Had we played like we did last season and still lost, it would be a disappointment but this result seems par for the course

Basel have previously beaten Spurs, Chelsea (twice) and Man Utd. They clearly no mugs, coupled with our abject start to the season, the feeling is that we need to get our sh!t together and quite rapidly otherwise failure will be a forgone conclusion.

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