Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Note in OP, 1/09

Hangballlouie · 01-09-2014 11:03PM

Rayne Wooney wrote: »

It doesn't matter really, they both still have similar goal scoring stats regardless of whether you think one had a better loan spell than the other

Welbeck is known for his awful finishing but so was Sturridge before Liverpool too

Was he? Genuinely I've never heard that criticism. It was usually that he was lazy, uninterested, selfish..

smileyj1987 · 01-09-2014 11:04PM

Rayne Wooney wrote: »

It doesn't matter really, they both still have similar goal scoring stats regardless of whether you think one had a better loan spell than the other

Welbeck is known for his awful finishing but so was Sturridge before Liverpool too

I'm sorry but welbeck is awful compared to Sturrigde they are both Strikers . Welbeck games played 175 goals 37 . Sturrigde has played 192 games and scored 74 goals .

Peist2007 · 01-09-2014 11:08PM

smileyj1987 wrote: »

I'm sorry but welbeck is awful compared to Sturrigde they are both Strikers . Welbeck games played 175 goals 37 . Sturrigde has played 192 games and scored 74 goals .

You're not being fair with that comparison though. How many of those 175 games was Welbeck playing on the right or left wing? I agree Sturridge is better. I really rate Sturridge. But i think Welbeck is a lot better than he is given credit for.

Rayne Wooney · 01-09-2014 11:11PM

smileyj1987 wrote: »

I'm sorry but welbeck is awful compared to Sturrigde they are both Strikers . Welbeck games played 175 goals 37 . Sturrigde has played 192 games and scored 74 goals .

See now you realise you are wrong and are moving the goal posts

As I said, pre Liverpool Sturridge and Welbeck have similar goal scoring stats, both were criticised about their finishing, it's complete double standards of you to say that Welbeck can't do what Sturridge has despite the situations being almost the exact same.

I'm no fan of Welbeck but it would be stupid of me to rule out him improving his finishing and becoming a good striker

smileyj1987 · 01-09-2014 11:12PM

Peist2007 wrote: »

You're not being fair with that comparison though. How many of those 175 games was Welbeck playing on the right or left wing? I agree Sturridge is better. I really rate Sturridge. But i think Welbeck is a lot better than he is given credit for.

He is greater worker and the likes but he isn't going to be a top striker . He isn't in the same league as sturrigde . I'm sorry if people think I'm being harsh but its my view on them as players .

Soups123 · 01-09-2014 11:13PM

smileyj1987 wrote: »

He is greater worker and the likes but he isn't going to be a top striker . He isn't in the same league as sturrigde . I'm sorry if people think I'm being harsh but its my view on them as players .

Would you have had the same opinion at the time Sturridge was signed?

smileyj1987 · 01-09-2014 11:15PM

Soups123 wrote: »

Would you have had the same opinion at the time Sturridge was signed?

I wasn't overly impressed with sturrigde when he signed . I thought a goal scorer but he was greedy and selfish . That was his main flaw in my eyes before he was signed . But if I was given the choice welbeck or sturrigde at the time I would have said sturrigde hands down .

Soups123 · 01-09-2014 11:17PM

smileyj1987 wrote: »

I wasn't overly impressed with sturrigde when he signed . I thought a goal scorer but he was greedy and selfish . That was his main flaw in my eyes before he was signed . But if I was given the choice welbeck or sturrigde at the time I would have said sturrigde hands down .

So Sturridge proved you wrong? And you didn't rate him as a top striker?

And yet after been proved wrong you don't think a similar player could do the same?

Peist2007 · 01-09-2014 11:18PM

smileyj1987 wrote: »

He is greater worker and the likes but he isn't going to be a top striker . He isn't in the same league as sturrigde . I'm sorry if people think I'm being harsh but its my view on them as players .

Well i think Sturridge is excellent but he aint a top striker either. Of course that depends on your definition of a top striker. A top striker to me is one that any fan across the world would name as a "top striker". I think Sturridge is widely acknowledged as excellent in Britain but wouldnt be on radars worldwide. I could be wrong of course but that's my opinion. Of course he is good enough to improve and playing in the Champions League this season will give an indication. He's second tier when you are talking guys like Zlatan and, dare i say, Falcao

Edit: and absolutely of course, Luis Suarez. I dont think you'd put Sturridge in the same bracket as Suarez

klose · 01-09-2014 11:22PM

Who are signing in january lads?

The Mig · 01-09-2014 11:22PM

Victor Valdes rumoured to be signing when fit, to give myself a bit of coaching and competition!

Peist2007 · 01-09-2014 11:23PM

klose wrote: »

Who are signing in january lads?

Vidal, Suarez and Defoe

OwaynOTT · 01-09-2014 11:32PM

whatawaster wrote: »

Benitez inherited a team with a terrific spine to it – Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher, Finnan, Hamman, Gerrard, Owen (albeit sold in Rafa’s first summer)

Sure, Rodgers inherited some good players too – Suarez in particular, but in the main he inherited a bloated, overpaid, ageing squad. Our attack was creaking with Bellamy, Kuyt, Maxi, Carroll not performing.

He has completely transformed the profile of the squad, where we are now the youngest team in the league, playing some of the best football in the league.

The three seasons before Rafa came in Liverpool’s average position was 3rd/4th.
The three seasons before Rodgers came in Liverpool’s average position was 7th.

Rafa did a great job at Liverpool, but I think it’s fair to say he came in to a slightly better position than Rodgers.

The 5 course version of my Supermacs garlic cheese chip.
My sentiments exactly.

BenThere wrote: »

What series is that? I think I watched a few episodes of a (formerly) rich dysfunctional family but didn't keep up with it. Was it any good? Winter is coming so I need to build up a store of box sets for the nights there's no decent football to watch.

Ben

I always knew something was off with you Ben, now I know what it is that's off.
Come on! Never kept up with such a quality series, or maybe you just took a forget me now.

01-09-2014 11:44PM

Wellbeck is a decent replacement for bendtner, at a ridiculous price

garra · 02-09-2014 12:06AM

niallo27 wrote: »

Ya I agree. Sturridge has a touch of fowler about him he is a natural finisher. Wellbeck doesn't have that in his game.

2nd that. If he doesn't have the finishing by now he will always be average imo

Utopia Parkway · 02-09-2014 12:18AM

Peist2007 wrote: »

Well i think Sturridge is excellent but he aint a top striker either.

If Sturridge isn't a top striker I don't know who is to be honest. Bizarrely he still seems to be underrated by many.

36 goals in 50 games for Liverpool. He has a better scoring record in that time than Rush, Fowler, Owen, Suarez, etc.

Amazing consistency and regularity in scoring as well. Doesn't score in bunches like some strikers who get 2 or 3 but then don't score for a while. He has just one hat-trick and has scored two or more goals in just five games - but he finds the target in lots of matches.

He also outstrips Falcao (30 goals in his last half-century of appearances), Benzema (24 goals in his last 50 matches) and Cavani (32 goals in last 50).

~Rebel~ · 02-09-2014 12:49AM

One on one with the keeper, there are few players i'd trust more than Sturridge.

NukaCola · 02-09-2014 01:50AM

Soups123 wrote: »

So Sturridge proved you wrong? And you didn't rate him as a top striker?

And yet after been proved wrong you don't think a similar player could do the same?

How are Sturridge and Welbeck similar players?

NukaCola · 02-09-2014 01:54AM

Peist2007 wrote: »

Well i think Sturridge is excellent but he aint a top striker either. Of course that depends on your definition of a top striker. A top striker to me is one that any fan across the world would name as a "top striker". I think Sturridge is widely acknowledged as excellent in Britain but wouldnt be on radars worldwide. I could be wrong of course but that's my opinion. Of course he is good enough to improve and playing in the Champions League this season will give an indication. He's second tier when you are talking guys like Zlatan and, dare i say, Falcao

Edit: and absolutely of course, Luis Suarez. I dont think you'd put Sturridge in the same bracket as Suarez

I think Sturridge is a top player.....not a top top player.

Charlie19 · 02-09-2014 02:09AM

NukaCola wrote: »

How are Sturridge and Welbeck similar players?

Both Strikers of similar age, height, hair and color of jersey they wore.

Oh and they're both fond of dancing.

Muahahaha · 02-09-2014 02:19AM

~Rebel~ wrote: »

One on one with the keeper, there are few players i'd trust more than Sturridge.

Agreed, when he is one on one with the keeper he is as cool as ice and he seems to have this uncanny knack of firing a remarkably accurate shot low into the corner of the goal, I remember a few of his one on ones last season where his shot almost hit the post on the way in and I had thought at first that he was a bit lucky. But then he scored other similar goals one on one and its not luck that was doing it, it has became evident that the lad has some serious skill at beating an on rushing keeper and keeping his shot on target. Interestingly I cant seem to ever remember him taking the ball around the keeper, maybe its because he backs himself so much to not have to as he's confident in scoring with a shot past the keeper every time.

not yet · 02-09-2014 07:08AM

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

If Sturridge isn't a top striker I don't know who is to be honest. Bizarrely he still seems to be underrated by many.

36 goals in 50 games for Liverpool. He has a better scoring record in that time than Rush, Fowler, Owen, Suarez, etc.

Amazing consistency and regularity in scoring as well. Doesn't score in bunches like some strikers who get 2 or 3 but then don't score for a while. He has just one hat-trick and has scored two or more goals in just five games - but he finds the target in lots of matches.

He also outstrips Falcao (30 goals in his last half-century of appearances), Benzema (24 goals in his last 50 matches) and Cavani (32 goals in last 50).

If I'm honest I underestimated him last year, but probably based on Saurez and how he just outshone everyone.

I've looked closer at him in the past few weeks and boy has he some moves, his footwork is stunning and the pass with the outside of his left foot for the sterling goal was magic.

BenEadir · 02-09-2014 07:19AM

mosstin wrote: »

A man who not only signs himself off on his posts but who also answers his own questions. Bravo. I bet you never need to leave the house.

Oooohhhh, who stole the jam out of your doughnut? Were you up past your bedtime last night mossy?

Ben

Underpaid Mike · 02-09-2014 07:33AM

Just thinking about yesterday and the fact that we didnt sign a goalie or sell borini and I have to say deep down im delighted. We now have a front 4 of Sturridge Balotelli Lambert and Borini. That is serious firepower and three of them are lightening quick while Lambert allows for a battering ram approach should we need it.

Compared to our rivals here are our strikers

Im also happy we didnt sign Romeo as our goalie. Valdes signing next month would be a great coo, he is only 32 and easily has 3 season left in him. He was the standout goalie in Spain for two seasons until 2012 when he lost form and then eventually got that horrible injury. A new start could be just what both he and Liverpool need.

Just reading this about Balotellis performance against Spurs, stats are pretty awful but I thought he actually played very well. Worked harder than he ever did at City and is obviously rusty but he will get endless chances with Liverpool in front of goal. Cannot wait until he gets his shooting boots on.

Balotelli Statistics
Minutes Played – 61
Shots – 5
Shots on Target – 1
Take Ons – 1
Passes – 16
Passing Accuracy – 50%

SHOT MAP: Mario Balotelli had 5 shots in the first half. 4 off target.

Dickerty · 02-09-2014 07:36AM

So, the window -

Defence - Excellent work overall, what appears to be 3 new starters, giving us an entirely new back 5 in the last 12 months. Choice of 2 solid players in each position, although keeper competition is definately on the cards.
A touch of class letting Agger go back to Brondby, moving on some fat in Reina, Kelly and Robinson, and smart loans for Coates, Ilori and Wisdom.
Midfield - Added some steel in Can, and creativity in Lallana. Henderson, Coutinho and Allen are still young and improving. Some questioned the need for a better DM, but since Stevie will play there most weeks, Lucas will be cover there. Still maybe short of a player overall, but we can address that in Jan or 2015, as Stevie starts to recede.
Loans for Assaidi (again), Alberto, Ibe and Teix.
Attack - A potentially great move in Balotelli, if we can harness that energy the right way, along with some spark in Markovic and experience in Lambert. Borini returns from loan and WILL be used when the games start rolling. Maybe he can do a Henderson, and go from "almost gone" to "key player" with hard work and focus on where he needs to improve. We bought him for a reason, and other clubs also see his potential. Origi to come in next season, another player with pace and trickery.

Overall - 8/10. A big name midfielder to take some weight of Stevie would have gone down well, but maybe Lallana can do that. Not sure who our long term RB is, but at least we have good options. And we need Lovren and Sakho to forge a good partnership. But given the parcity of players in the market and us remaining behind many of them in terms of attractiveness, we did very well. And for a change, we didn't get screwed over too badly! Balotelli, Moreno and Origi were all great deals. And given the money we got for Suarez, we should have lots of money to spend in Jan and next year!

Underpaid Mike · 02-09-2014 07:40AM

Dickerty wrote: »

So, the window -

Defence - Excellent work overall, what appears to be 3 new starters, giving us an entirely new back 5 in the last 12 months. Choice of 2 solid players in each position, although keeper competition is definately on the cards.
A touch of class letting Agger go back to Brondby, moving on some fat in Reina, Kelly and Robinson, and smart loans for Coates, Ilori and Wisdom.
Midfield - Added some steel in Can, and creativity in Lallana. Henderson, Coutinho and Allen are still young and improving. Some questioned the need for a better DM, but since Stevie will play there most weeks, Lucas will be cover there. Still maybe short of a player overall, but we can address that in Jan or 2015, as Stevie starts to recede.
Loans for Assaidi (again), Alberto, Ibe and Teix.
Attack - A potentially great move in Balotelli, if we can harness that energy the right way, along with some spark in Markovic and experience in Lambert. Borini returns from loan and WILL be used when the games start rolling. Maybe he can do a Henderson, and go from "almost gone" to "key player" with hard work and focus on where he needs to improve. We bought him for a reason, and other clubs also see his potential. Origi to come in next season, another player with pace and trickery.

Overall - 8/10. A big name midfielder to take some weight of Stevie would have gone down well, but maybe Lallana can do that. Not sure who our long term RB is, but at least we have good options. And we need Lovren and Sakho to forge a good partnership. But given the parcity of players in the market and us remaining behind many of them in terms of attractiveness, we did very well. And for a change, we didn't get screwed over too badly! Balotelli, Moreno and Origi were all great deals. And given the money we got for Suarez, we should have lots of money to spend in Jan and next year!

To be honest I can see Coutinho doing that role very well in time. He has adapted to the pace of the premiership and when he gets a little more consistency I think that role would suit him very well. Same is true for Joe Allen if he stops the repeated cheap fouling.

Dickerty · 02-09-2014 07:45AM

Underpaid Mike wrote: »

Compared to our rivals here are our strikers

On paper, United have the best 3, but they need to get the best out of them.
Chelsea did well to get Remy, I hope we don't regret that, but will rely heavily on Costa. But I am very happy with ours, and it also ignores Borini, and the fact that Raheem plays as a pseudo-striker, and has already scored twice.

If I had to rate them -

1. United - 3 strikers capable of scoring 20 in a season
2. City - Aguero's injuries aside, all 3 are capable of scoring regularly
3. Us - 1 proven, 1 huge potential, 1 experienced & good from the bench
4. Chelsea - Great first choice, but quality drops after that, cannot afford to lose Costa
5. Arsenal - Even with Giroud, it's the weakest, Alexis will need to chip in.

Benzino · 02-09-2014 07:46AM

Happy with our window, I do feel we have missed a trick with Di Maria and Falcao, but I guess realistically we could never afford them (esp falcao).

P. S. Damn this international break!

Dickerty · 02-09-2014 07:47AM

Underpaid Mike wrote: »

To be honest I can see Coutinho doing that role very well in time. He has adapted to the pace of the premiership and when he gets a little more consistency I think that role would suit him very well. Same is true for Joe Allen if he stops the repeated cheap fouling.

Yes I agree, and Coutinho will have spells where he is like Silva or Hazard.
But at some point, we need someone to really control the midfield - when defending, when attacking, whether chasing the game or defending the lead. Stevie does that, maybe Hendo can, but in the next year we need to replace Stevie, and it's going to be a huge decision...

Underpaid Mike · 02-09-2014 07:50AM

Dickerty wrote: »

Yes I agree, and Coutinho will have spells where he is like Silva or Hazard.
But at some point, we need someone to really control the midfield - when defending, when attacking, whether chasing the game or defending the lead. Stevie does that, maybe Hendo can, but in the next year we need to replace Stevie, and it's going to be a huge decision...

You could also argue that if Lovern lives up to his potential then it might eliminate the need to have such a deep lying midfielder capable of starting attacks. We could instead go for a more traditional midfielder in the position such as Can and that would be a role Coutinho can play very well. Exciting times

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Note in OP, 1/09

Comments