Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14

Pedalstool · 17-08-2013 04:00PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Two signings in these positions would reason to be optimistic and positive about our lot.

A lack of good investment in these positions is sufficient justification to be very wary about our chances this season, how we are progressing relative to our competitors, to wonder whether Rogers is really the one and whether the owners are blowing smoke up our holes.

I think today is the most cohesive the team has looked since Benitez was in charge. In terms of what he's trying to achieve on the pitch tactically, I think Rodgers is doing really well.

The quality of the players will, in the end, determine how many points we win.

mormank · 17-08-2013 04:00PM

Mr Alan wrote: »

Delighted with the win today. Pretty good performance overall.

Positives:

1) Toure
2) Lucas
3) Sturridge
4) Coutinho

Negatives:

1) Same weaknesses as last season
2) Sterling
3) Mignolet looks uncomfortable coming for the ball in the air & also with the ball at his feet

You thought Mignolet looked uncomfortable coming for crosses and with the ball at his feet?
I would have to disagree here, I thought he was quite commanding in his box from crosses to be fair and I was pleasantly surprised by his distribution also including one or two inch perfect longer passes to the full backs while being closed down.

SM01 · 17-08-2013 04:01PM

Re. Sterling: He's a kid still, prone to erratic performances and today's cameo was insignificant. He's still developing so expectations shouldn't be too high. The idea that his career has suffered because of last season I don't understand however. He doesn't suffer a significant amount of niggly injuries (to date), there is no suggestion of long-term muscular, tendon or ligamentous weaknesses present and his straight line speed, turning and acceleration have been consistent. I don't see any evidence of mental weakness either. His technique will be up and down as he's still learning and I expect his decision making should improve. I'd have liked to have seen him used a little less last season but don't see how his particular experience has been detrimental to his development. His preseason performances certainly show no evidence of this.

Call Me Jimmy · 17-08-2013 04:03PM

I think it would be mad to even talk about rogers negatively this season. Fair enough if the team is way off 4th most of the season then it won't be good, but I think he's the man to turn it around big-time at liverpool.

messinkiapina · 17-08-2013 04:03PM

I'm already nervous about next weeks game Vs Villa. We couldn't get 6 points out of 6 surely?

Nuri Sahin · 17-08-2013 04:04PM

Alan is right about Mignolet, when it came to the distribution side of things I thought he was quite poor. Hopefully that improves over time and the flapping at one or two crosses were down to just nerves. I remember reading he's usually excellent when in this area or at least he was for Sunderland. The double save at the deal are a foundation for him to build on.

People are reading far too much into Sterling's cameo btw, as well as over analysing the first game of the season IMO. Get 3 points in the board asap and we've done that.

jesus_thats_gre · 17-08-2013 04:04PM

Pedalstool wrote: »

If Liverpool were to add someone with the apparent quality of Willian into that front 4, I would expect us to have a real chance of pushing for 4th.

Again, I think it would be great if we after him as it is a clear statement of intend from the owners but I really do think that adding another forward should be way down our priority list - that is unless we are going to solve at least one of the CB/DM probs as well before the window closes.

I really do think that the CB and DM positions will have a more significant impact on our ambitions for 4th place.

Call Me Jimmy · 17-08-2013 04:05PM

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Alan is right about Mignolet, when it came to the distribution side of things I thought he was quite poor. Hopefully that improves over time and the flapping at one or two crosses were down to just nerves. I remember reading he's usually excellent when in this area or at least he was for Sunderland. The double save at the deal are a foundation for him to build on.

On the crosses: in fairness wasn't he up against Crouch?

Kirby · 17-08-2013 04:05PM

mormank wrote: »

You thought Mignolet looked uncomfortable coming for crosses and with the ball at his feet?
I would have to disagree here, I thought he was quite commanding in his box from crosses to be fair and I was pleasantly surprised by his distribution also including one or two inch perfect longer passes to the full backs while being closed down.

Er.....he nearly handed Stoke a goal when he came for a cross and got nowhere near it and crouch knocked it down to huth who hammered it against the crossbar. He looked mad shakey on another cross later in the game too.

Then ofcourse he was closed down and his clearance rocketed off a stoke player and could have gone anywhere....including straight into the goal. Was very lucky.

But for his peno save, he was pretty poor today. The save makes up for it because getting up so quick to stop Jones was excellent.

Grayditch · 17-08-2013 04:06PM

mormank wrote: »

You thought Mignolet looked uncomfortable coming for crosses and with the ball at his feet?
I would have to disagree here, I thought he was quite commanding in his box from crosses to be fair and I was pleasantly surprised by his distribution also including one or two inch perfect longer passes to the full backs while being closed down.

At his feet he pelted it into a Stoke player, and another time he left it very late to get rid of it and walked himself into some trouble. There were some shakey moments if I remember correctly. In the air there was a couple of flapping moments.

He was definitely uncomfortable at a few points during the game, but I'd put that down to nerves. He more than made up for it.

mike65 · 17-08-2013 04:07PM

Kirby wrote: »

Er.....he nearly handed Stoke a goal when he came for a cross and got nowhere near it and crouch knocked it down to huth who hammered it against the crossbar. He looked mad shakey on another cross later in the game too.

Then ofcourse he was closed down and his clearance rocketed off a stoke player and could have gone anywhere....including straight into the goal. Was very lucky.

But for his peno save, he was pretty poor today. The save makes up for it because getting up so quick to stop Jones was excellent.

He also made a good "photographers dive" in the first half.

Pedalstool · 17-08-2013 04:08PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Again, I think it would be great if we after him as it is a clear statement of intend from the owners but I really do think that adding another forward should be way down our priority list - that is unless we are going to solve at least one of the CB/DM probs as well before the window closes.

I really do think that the CB and DM positions will have a more significant impact on our ambitions for 4th place.

Well certainly CB is a position that requires strengthening. No doubt.

Another midfielder has never really been mooted, which is surprising. That said, if Lucas plays like he did today, no one will get him out of the team.

jesus_thats_gre · 17-08-2013 04:10PM

Pedalstool wrote: »

I think today is the most cohesive the team has looked since Benitez was in charge. In terms of what he's trying to achieve on the pitch tactically, I think Rodgers is doing really well.

The quality of the players will, in the end, determine how many points we win.

I agree actually. I do think we are going in the right direction on the pitch, i.e. tactically.

Off the pitch, I am still not so sure.

- Not certain that Rogers does have final say on transfers - confidence is reducing on that.
- Not happy about the he said she said nonsense from ex players that is in conflict to what the club and/or Rogers is saying.
- Worried that the owners care more about financial success and on the pitch success
- Worried that the club is doing an Arsenal when it comes to big signings, i.e. a lot of bluster but no real desire to follow through, in order to placate fans.
- Worried that Rogers is too attack/flare focused and isn't giving the defence sufficient focus.

Just a few niggling doubts there. In isolation, they are nothing issues, but when rolled together, I can see why some fans aren't convinced - particularly on the owners.

My gut instinct is that they haven't enabled Rogers by backing him in the transfer market.

messinkiapina · 17-08-2013 04:10PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

I really do think that the CB and DM positions will have a more significant impact on our ambitions for 4th place.

I would love to see us sign a DM, even if its' a cheap option like Diame. A player like that would do a lot to sort out our shakyness at the back.

billy2012 · 17-08-2013 04:12PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Again, I think it would be great if we after him as it is a clear statement of intend from the owners but I really do think that adding another forward should be way down our priority list - that is unless we are going to solve at least one of the CB/DM probs as well before the window closes.

I really do think that the CB and DM positions will have a more significant impact on our ambitions for 4th place.

Completely disagree.

I think Willian replacing Henderson would have much more of a positive impact on the team than say a CB replacing Toure / Agger.

I don't think a new CB will offer alot more than Toure?
What do feel he is lacking that a new CB would bring to the team?

Nuri Sahin · 17-08-2013 04:12PM

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

On the crosses: in fairness wasn't he up against Crouch?

He was

I thought there was one instance in the first half where he badly hesitated when Crouch was like a yard or two away from him, but as I said, he made up for it in the end and we won. So I'm not going to overly worry about it.

Knex* · 17-08-2013 04:13PM

I do think Rodgers will be slow to bring in a CB this summer that will start ahead of Toure and Agger.

If Liverpool do sign one, I'd expect it to be someone like Papa, who is young and is coming off the back of an injury and maybe won't be put straight into the starting XI, but come end of year and next season onwards will be a mainstay.

Pedalstool · 17-08-2013 04:13PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

I agree actually. I do think we are going in the right direction on the pitch, i.e. tactically.

Off the pitch, I am still not so sure.
- Not certain that Rogers does have final say on transfers - confidence is reducing on that.
- Not happy about the he said she said nonsense from ex players that is in conflict to what the club and/or Rogers is saying.
- Worried that the owners care more about financial success and on the pitch success
- Worried that the club is doing an Arsenal when it comes to big signings, i.e. a lot of bluster but no real desire to follow through, in order to placate fans.
- Worried that Rogers is too attack/flare focused and isn't giving the defence sufficient focus.
Just a few niggling doubts there. In isolation, they are nothing issues, but when rolled together, I can see why some fans aren't convinced - particularly on the owners.

My gut instinct is that they haven't enabled Rogers by backing him in the transfer market.

Well all those doubts will disappear if we sign Willian I would imagine!

Knex* · 17-08-2013 04:14PM

Lucas Leiva ‏@LucasLeiva87 1m
My 150th league appearance today for LFC. Great achievement !!!

Hope he can regain his form and push on even more. He's come through more than most to get to that milestone.

mav79 · 17-08-2013 04:15PM

Very hard to dominate your area against the players stoke have unless the ref is very critical of physicality around the box. I can't think of too many keepers that would look comfortable against them.

jcsoulinger · 17-08-2013 04:15PM

Liverpool were very good today for most of the game just got a bit nervous towards the end but lots of positives like sturridge and especially inho who's frequency of decisive passing is something to behold.
Couldn't believe the double save for the peno and then the reaction of the players was great

jesus_thats_gre · 17-08-2013 04:16PM

billy2012 wrote: »

Completely disagree.

I think Willian replacing Henderson would have much more of a positive impact on the team than say a CB replacing Toure / Agger.

I don't think a new CB will offer alot more than Toure?
What do feel he is lacking that a new CB would bring to the team?

Do you really think that we have sufficient cover if Toure or Agger sustain a medium to long term injury. Do you think that we have sufficient competition to prevent either becoming complacent?

I think no is the glaringly obvious answer to both. Skrtel was good enough but obviously isn't rated by the manager.

As for Willian being an improvement over Henderson. Do they even play the same position - that is a genuine question.

I assumed that he is a wing forward.

jesus_thats_gre · 17-08-2013 04:17PM

Pedalstool wrote: »

Well all those doubts will disappear if we sign Willian I would imagine!

The last one won't. Which, if you hadn't noticed from my incessant posting on the subject, is a major one for me

Devilman40k · 17-08-2013 04:18PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

As for Willian being an improvement over Henderson. Do they even play the same position - that is a genuine question.

I assumed that he is a wing forward.

Yes he does play on the left but can also play AM, and would most likely swap during a game with Coutinho

Pedalstool · 17-08-2013 04:19PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Do you really think that we have sufficient cover if Toure or Agger sustain a medium to long term injury. Do you think that we have sufficient competition to prevent either becoming complacent?

I think no is the glaringly obvious answer to both. Skrtel was good enough but obviously isn't rated by the manager.

As for Willian being an improvement over Henderson. Do they even play the same position - that is a genuine question.

I assumed that he is a wing forward.

Henderson seemed to be playing wide right today. Or was I the only one who thought that?

mormank · 17-08-2013 04:22PM

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Alan is right about Mignolet, when it came to the distribution side of things I thought he was quite poor. Hopefully that improves over time and the flapping at one or two crosses were down to just nerves. I remember reading he's usually excellent when in this area or at least he was for Sunderland. The double save at the deal are a foundation for him to build on.

People are reading far too much into Sterling's cameo btw, as well as over analysing the first game of the season IMO. Get 3 points in the board asap and we've done that.

I'll have to rewatch the match so and look out for that. I remember one long ball which he played to Enrique I think that Walter's tried to close down and it sailed over Walter's head inch perfectly to Enrique's feet. Didn't notice him doing too much wrong but I will admit I missed the first 5-10 minutes of the game due to streaming issues.

billy2012 · 17-08-2013 04:22PM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Do you really think that we have sufficient cover if Toure or Agger sustain a medium to long term injury. Do you think that we have sufficient competition to prevent either becoming complacent?

I think no is the glaringly obvious answer to both. Skrtel was good enough but obviously isn't rated by the manager.

As for Willian being an improvement over Henderson. Do they even play the same position - that is a genuine question.

I assumed that he is a wing forward.

Do you really feel that having a backup CB to cover Toure / Agger will really push the team on more than adding a player like Willian to the team?

I've no problem adding cover, I always want to improve the squad, but IMO Toure Agger SKrtel Coates Wisdom Kelly will manage to Xmas atleast untill we can see how Papa is. (ideal situation)

Forget about Wisdom against Celtic, he is alot more comfortable playing on the right.

It would be Henderson getting dropped if Willian came into the team, regardless if he played AM or WF.

Raif Severance · 17-08-2013 04:24PM

Pedalstool wrote: »

Henderson seemed to be playing wide right today. Or was I the only one who thought that?

Yes and No.

He was playing CAM. It's just that our Front 3 loves to Roam across the field, so Hendo has to Slot in the Space they aren't.

In this case, He went Right, because Aspas either dropped Back or went Central.

Grayditch · 17-08-2013 04:24PM

We're down to 3rd already

mormank · 17-08-2013 04:24PM

Kirby wrote: »

Er.....he nearly handed Stoke a goal when he came for a cross and got nowhere near it and crouch knocked it down to huth who hammered it against the crossbar. He looked mad shakey on another cross later in the game too.

Then ofcourse he was closed down and his clearance rocketed off a stoke player and could have gone anywhere....including straight into the goal. Was very lucky.

But for his peno save, he was pretty poor today. The save makes up for it because getting up so quick to stop Jones was excellent.

Ok, ok I missed that! I do admit to having missed a few minutes due to streaming issues. Will have to rewatch obviously.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14

Comments