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

Grayditch · 19-08-2013 11:18AM

Just watched the highlights again and I think Aspas was a good signing. So close to scoring or getting an assist, some of his movement and passing was top stuff.

bluefinger · 19-08-2013 11:19AM

Dickerty wrote: »

When he was waiting for the peno, he had his hands not quite straight and was pushing the bar with a slight hop.

So he's definately more than 5 feet tall.

Have to say i love how big he made himself in the goal, especially with the shaking of the bar. really put a little extra pressure on walters.

Raif Severance · 19-08-2013 11:19AM

Grayditch wrote: »

Just watched the highlights again and I think Aspas was a good signing. So close to scoring or getting an assist, some of his movement and passing was top stuff.

He did get an Assist for Sturridge's Goal.

Grayditch · 19-08-2013 11:22AM

Raif Severance wrote: »

He did get an Assist for Sturridge's Goal.

So he did, I dunno why I thought that was Henderson.

Dickerty · 19-08-2013 11:23AM

Grayditch wrote: »

Just watched the highlights again and I think Aspas was a good signing. So close to scoring or getting an assist, some of his movement and passing was top stuff.

Shame he's going to lose his place to Willian. Potentially.
Or certainly to Luis, although that might see him move left with Coutinho in midfield...

Raif Severance · 19-08-2013 11:29AM

Dickerty wrote: »

Shame he's going to lose his place to Willian. Potentially.
Or certainly to Luis, although that might see him move left with Coutinho in midfield...

Suarez is still serving his Ban. So he still can be a Starter, even with Willian's coming.

Willian/Cou--Sturridge--Aspas

Willian/Cou

Willian can play RW,LW and CAM.

shamrock55 · 19-08-2013 11:37AM

Its not so much his height its just that he seems a bit skinny and ganggly

IK09 · 19-08-2013 11:40AM

Thought id wait until today to give my 2 cents on the match...i was far too excited after it to post.

In a totally cliched way, there were positives and negatives.

Coutinho:
looked like he was ready to continue on as per last season, this was something i was worried about, I felt his performances last season showed signs of a player that would be world class. Thankfully he has continued his trickery at the start of this season.

Mignolet:
His slightly dodgy performance has been over looked because of the penalty save. Granted in his post match interview he said he was nervous. Fair enough, but he had a tough time handling crosses. That said, when he was really needed, he stood tall, something which he had been lacking in Reina for the last 2 seasons.

Toure:
Impressed me going forward, especially from corners, but i cant help but feel that something was amiss between him and Agger. They were caught as the last line on one or two occassions. Maybe this is a system which may see them have to use their abilities as man on man defenders more often...this makes me uncomfortable, they looked a little shaky.

Henderson & Lucas:
While watching the match I couldnt help but feel that they didnt fit the system. I understand that Lucas was always, and will always be more of a breaker than a footballer, and Henderson a CM but the gulf in touch and passing ability was a little too much between him and others, he just slowed the play down. While others were on the ball (johnson,gerrard, aspas, sturiddge, couthinho even enrique) everything was fluid and the movement was impressive. I can see why Lucas will prevail, as for Henderson....he just doesnt seem like he is awake to what is happening around him.

Ill keep the rest short. Sorry.

Gerrard:
Taking a much more "sit back" role which I liked to see. However, it should be noted that we did lack that option through out the game that was the cause of our goal, a shot from distance. We are in danger of doing a "bit of an arsenal" on it with too much pass and move, not enough bang bang.

Aspas:
Impressive turning ability, will win us a lot of free kicks. Finishing capability? questionable.

Sturridge:
Much love, scored the goal. Other than that didnt overly exert himself IMO.

As i said, positives and negatives.

Overall, im optimistic about this season, i hope Suarez was watching the meltdown and fan reaction of a defeat at the Emirates. He has it soft here. Great to get a win on the opening day. Rodgers is the man, great footballing philosophy, i just hope he lands Willian.

YNWA

Grayditch · 19-08-2013 11:42AM

Dickerty wrote: »

Shame he's going to lose his place to Willian. Potentially.
Or certainly to Luis, although that might see him move left with Coutinho in midfield...

Squad depth:D If Aspas is a player on our bench, then things are looking better than last season in that regard.

19-08-2013 11:46AM

shamrock55 wrote: »

Its not so much his height its just that he seems a bit skinny and ganggly

Stripes Are very slimming dahling

Boom_Bap · 19-08-2013 11:46AM

IK09 wrote: »

Mignolet:
His slightly dodgy performance has been over looked because of the penalty save. Granted in his post match interview he said he was nervous. Fair enough, but he had a tough time handling crosses. That said, when he was really needed, he stood tall, something which he had been lacking in Reina for the last 2 seasons.

YNWA

All pre-season I have noted how composed Mignolet is coming for crosses, and holding on to the ball rather than punching or flapping.

I think the few times were he had problems at the weekend where when Crouch was jumping with him. It must be weird jumping next to Crouch him being so lanky and all, I can only gather that that and the nerves put him off a bit.
I've said it before, and I 'll say it again. We have an upgrade on Reina, once the nerves shake and there is more composure in his short game.

Dickerty · 19-08-2013 11:53AM

101001 wrote: »

Stripes Are very slimming dahling

Made me think of Edna -

Dickerty · 19-08-2013 11:56AM

Boom_Bap wrote: »

All pre-season I have noted how composed Mignolet is coming for crosses, and holding on to the ball rather than punching or flapping.

I think the few times were he had problems at the weekend where when Crouch was jumping with him. It must be weird jumping next to Crouch him being so lanky and all, I can only gather that that and the nerves put him off a bit.
I've said it before, and I 'll say it again. We have an upgrade on Reina, once the nerves shake and there is more composure in his short game.

I think he decides to go for the punch, and forgets/doesn't realise that it's Crouch, so he ends up being beaten to it just based on height. Aside from that one, I thought he looked ok. But that is as tough a game as you will have, with so many big guys up for set pieces...

Nuri Sahin · 19-08-2013 11:59AM

Just to continue from IK09's post, there was one turn from Aspas around 35 yards with the outside of his left foot where he immediately spun around to get away from the defender that was just sublime. Thought some of his defensive work was very good too in tracking the full back on both sides of the pitch, as well as general closing down.

He's no world beater it goes without saying. But he possesses some traits from the likes of Suarez, Bellamy and Kuyt going by what I've seen so far and that Celta Vigo v Real Madrid game I watched late last season, it's pretty nice to see.

edit -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HdgwXsvQIk

Kess73 · 19-08-2013 12:02PM

Some Twitter twaddle

Jack Sear @JackSear
Sounds like The Times have a further update on Willian. Gary Jacob saying he's 80:20 to join Spurs

@Richard_Buxton_: Liverpool confident of beating #Spurs in race to sign Willian http://t.co/IILbfbzEBE #LFC

Grayditch · 19-08-2013 12:03PM

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Just to continue from IK09's post, there was one turn from Aspas around 35 yards with the outside of his left foot where he immediately spun around to get away from the defender that was just sublime.

He's done it a couple of times in Preseason, it's a nifty little move. Very Suarez-like.

mike65 · 19-08-2013 12:04PM

Just a reminder amid the transfer nonsense that Liverpool play Man Utd in the U21 league at 7 pm. Hopefully the wankery behaviour of this game last season shall be avoided.

whatawaster · 19-08-2013 12:05PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Some Twitter twaddle

Two absolute spoofers

gafferino · 19-08-2013 12:05PM

Just reading there that the peno save was the first save in a league game at anfield in 14 years.
Westerveld save from Suker V Arsenal in 99 was the last and there was 14 in between that were all scored.

McSasquatch · 19-08-2013 12:05PM

Will be fairly dejected if we don't land Willian. The signing alone wouldn't solve the deficiencies in our squad. Far from it of course. But man, it was nice to be genuinely excited about a signing again.

Dickerty · 19-08-2013 12:06PM

IK09 wrote: »

Henderson & Lucas:
While watching the match I couldnt help but feel that they didnt fit the system. I understand that Lucas was always, and will always be more of a breaker than a footballer, and Henderson a CM but the gulf in touch and passing ability was a little too much between him and others, he just slowed the play down. While others were on the ball (johnson,gerrard, aspas, sturiddge, couthinho even enrique) everything was fluid and the movement was impressive. I can see why Lucas will prevail, as for Henderson....he just doesnt seem like he is awake to what is happening around him.

Henderson reminds me of an underage player, all energy and pegging about, but not that much composure or guile. I think he suited yesterday's game, and maybe for Villa, but I'd have Allen back as we progress, gives us much better passing and more clinical.

He also messed up his best chance on goal when he inexplicably came onto his left having been put through. Any of Aspas, Coutinho, Sturridge, Gerrard or Johnson would have have just stroked that inside the right hand post. Great run to get in there, and his brain got in the way.

mike65 · 19-08-2013 12:09PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Some Twitter twaddle

Gary Jacob

and Buxton is a LFC head, they post what they think we want to read.

K-9 · 19-08-2013 12:09PM

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Just to continue from IK09's post, there was one turn from Aspas around 35 yards with the outside of his left foot where he immediately spun around to get away from the defender that was just sublime. Thought some of his defensive work was very good too in tracking the full back on both sides of the pitch, as well as general closing down.

He's no world beater it goes without saying. But he possesses some traits from the likes of Suarez, Bellamy and Kuyt going by what I've seen so far and that Celta Vigo v Real Madrid game I watched late last season, it's pretty nice to see.

Have to say I've been very impressed, no world beater but a very useful squad player to have, I'd have more confidence with him on the bench than Downing or Borini.

Kess73 · 19-08-2013 12:11PM

mike65 wrote: »

Gary Jacob

and Buxton is a LFC head, they post what they think we want to read.

Would have thought me calling it twaddle and adding a

, made it clear I was mocking the tweets.

mike65 · 19-08-2013 12:12PM

Oh I know just re-enforcing the point.

K-9 · 19-08-2013 12:16PM

If the club are willing to match the 100k wages he wants, and are offering 50% of any fee over £30 Million, there isn't much more they can do really.

murpho999 · 19-08-2013 12:16PM

K-9 wrote: »

Have to say I've been very impressed, no world beater but a very useful squad player to have, I'd have more confidence with him on the bench than Downing or Borini.

Hold on I thought the wise ones here decided after his second pre season match that he was useless, "smell of Borini" was one comment.

murpho999 · 19-08-2013 12:17PM

K-9 wrote: »

If the club are willing to match the 100k wages he wants, and are offering 50% of any fee over £30 Million, there isn't much more they can do really.

Get Sterling to promise to show him the local Liverpool talent!

Raif Severance · 19-08-2013 12:20PM

murpho999 wrote: »

Get Sterling to promise to show him the local Liverpool talent!

But the ones Sterling knows are either Nursing or already Swollen. :P

Kess73 · 19-08-2013 12:20PM

Dickerty wrote: »

Henderson reminds me of an underage player, all energy and pegging about, but not that much composure or guile. I think he suited yesterday's game, and maybe for Villa, but I'd have Allen back as we progress, gives us much better passing and more clinical.

He also messed up his best chance on goal when he inexplicably came onto his left having been put through. Any of Aspas, Coutinho, Sturridge, Gerrard or Johnson would have have just stroked that inside the right hand post. Great run to get in there, and his brain got in the way.

To be fair he was not the only player yesterday who did not just stroke the ball beyond a very good keeper.

He was a bit headless off the ball at times, especially in the first half where he seemed to struggle badly trying to work out the movement of Coutinho and Aspas, but I certainly would not be overly harsh on him for not getting a few goals to his name.

I think his best strengths and biggest weaknesses were all on show on Saturday, but that he was a bit unlucky in front of goal.

Do agree that we would need a better player instead of him for games when game intelligence/guile/creativity would be needed from his position. Then again if we do get Willian or a similar type of player for the wide left slot, then Coutinho will becomes the guile/creativity provider and Henderson will go back to being a back up player who can bring great energy to the team coming off the bench.

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

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