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

5starpool wrote: »

We were top though on Christmas day? Obviously our post new years form was better, but Suarez had scored about 20 goals by Christmas.

With Suarez supposedly at his top form, we lost 3 games out of 7 in December. There were also 2 disappointing draws to Newcastle and Everton as well as a pretty weak performance away to Arsenal.

Given how Suarez relatively speaking went off the boil in the 2nd half of the season, clearly the form of Coutinho and Sterling and the consistently match-winning performances of Sturridge were a huge part of what we did.

Suarez's form obviously helped before we got that going to keep our points ticking over, but the leap forward came when all of our attack clicked - not just when Suarez was tearing **** up.

It's hard to factor in the intangible effect of Suarez drawing defenders onto him and clearly we're worse off, but how good a season we're going to have, with or without someone like Suarez, is heavily dependant on all of our attackers and not just one superstar.

rob316 wrote: »

Looking forward to playing qpr, for all united good play qpr are leaving spaces you could drive a bus through. Hate to say it but di maria looks sensational.

Signing ready made, world class game changers will get them top 4 IMO.

what was the story with the serious lack of urgency yesterday? twas like a preseason game as p as et from the odd rash challenge. really liking more no, surprised to see him settle so quickly. A bit suspect defensively at times.

Markovic for me was an unneccesary signing imo. We have Sterling & Ibe both very young. We should have signed a player who had a better goalscoring record rather than another prospect. Griezmann would have been perfect imo.

Harry Palmr wrote: »

LOAN WATCH

Texieria - 75 mins for Brighton & HA, a set up a goal in 3-2 away defeat
Wisdom - (West Brom) Full game in 0-2 defeat to Everton
Alberto - Played 56 mins for Malaga in 0-0 draw with Lavente (Nabil El Zhar came on for away side two mins later!)
Ibe - on bench for Derby came on for last 25 mins or so
Origi - Started Lille game and scored a goal and set up another
Smith - Played 90 mins as left back in 1-2 away win for Swindon Town.
Ilori - Played 90 mins for Bordeaux in 2-1 away defeat
Ossiadi - played last 10 for Stoke in 0-1 defeat to Leicester City
Coates - no game for Sunderland

Origi looked brilliant today, caught a bit of the match on a stream. Can't wait to see him in a Liverpool shirt.

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Just read that Ludorgets are down to their third keeper for the CL game.

You just know now he is going to have one of those superman goalkeeper games against us.

The important thing with the Ludo game is not to take any unnecessary risks in the team selection. Play the diamond with Balotelli and Lambert up front, Lallana in behind, and a three man midfield of Gerrard, Henderson and Coutinho. Skrtel and Sakho in defence and the fullbacks pick themselves at this stage.

martyos121 wrote: »

The important thing with the Ludo game is not to take any unnecessary risks in the team selection. Play the diamond with Balotelli and Lambert up front, Lallana in behind, and a three man midfield of Gerrard, Henderson and Coutinho. Skrtel and Sakho in defence and the fullbacks pick themselves at this stage.

Sterling? After that fiasco yesterday surely he will start.

Lol, haven't got a clue how I forgot Sterling. I was thinking about him alongside Balo as a striker, but I thought it was too much of a risk. Sterling behind the strikers, drop Lallana, and that's it fixed then.

SlickRic wrote: »

Lallana must start IMO.

Sterling for Markovic.

If we play the diamond, there's no room for Lallana OR Markovic, and after the Villa "performance" (hate to even call it that), we shouldn't go near that system ever again, no matter who our new signings are. Lallana is a best used as a winger, and Coutinho has the quality to unlock a defence when the game is played through him.