I will first defend Sterling, in a team of mediocrity he has been carrying us as best he could all season much like Henderson.
It did? I think it has looked more solid or less prone to conceding after switch to 3-4-3 but it might be because of extra protection while defending. The defending in 2nd of half of season has been overall better than first half but I doubt it can be called 'immeasurable' improvement because Liverpool still don't look assured when defending.
Yeah, on reflection "immeasurably" is a bit much, but 37 goals conceded is a decent improvement on last year. Those numbers aren't far off Utd, Arsenal, City etc. Whereas last season our numbers were somewhere around lower midtable. Individually a lot of our defensive players have improved over the course of season, and I think there's at least promise that we can be a bit more balanced as a team than last season, we've swung the other way in terms of struggling to score because our striking options are piss without Sturridge.
Has Lovren improved or had some good games or is he still accident waiting to happen?
Knee injury in pre season.
Last few games he has done ok, there has been an improvement recently. Maybe just needs a run in the side.
As already stated suffered a really bad injury. Haven't heard much about his progress recently but he was back in light training.
He's basically a good player but his head sometimes is all over the place.
Because he's had one injury? Must be a really, really bad knee injury then.
We keep hearing that you need a couple of "big name" players to push you further. Even your manager said it yesterday.
Didn't realise that. But he performed quite well when he did play though didn't he? Certainly showed enough to warrant another contract. Guess it depends on the severity of the injury.
I don't think we need big name players, but we do need players that are ready to go, and not just youngsters with potential. Kinda like we did with Lallana (who I know we slightly overpaid for) last summer, but hopefully someone who can hit the ground running with less injury woes.
I agree on Sturridge which is why we have to add quality up front in the summer.
Not giving Cafu another contract?!
Feck me I hate that stuff. Hope he recovers well and can still fetch himself a decent career.
While you're doing that though, all of your "rivals" above you will be signing world class or top class players.
Ouch
Just noticed the stunned guy beside the headless guy, priceless lookSorry, but I just couldn't resist posting this again. Will it ever get old?
. Almost as though he can't take in what's unfolding in front of him.That's the beauty of that gif. No matter how many times one watches, there is something new to notice each time.Just noticed the stunned guy beside the headless guy, priceless look
Not true Tommy - even at his tender years Can has played all over the shop : CM, DM, LB, CB before he came to Liverpool.It's not even a question. It's the position he's always played... Well, until he joined us, that is. Might as well have kept Danny Agger as it stands right now
Which is why most of think he's not worth 150k a week (reputedly what his agent is holding out for) and why if City or anyone else are prepared to give us 40-50M I'd snap their hand off.
IF, and it's a nightly big if, we can keep Sturridge fit for the majority of next season, Origi will arrive of course and lets say for arguments sake Ings and one other good to very good striker (I believe we will splash the cash here - though I'm not sure who or what we'll get for the money) that's already going to be a major step up on a perms-injured Sturridge, Balotelli, Lambert and Borini this season. We don't have a bad team - considering how inconsistent we've been we're only a few points behind United .. and haven't they got a run of something like a single defeat in something like 23-25 games going ? I'll be very surprised if we are not battling for Top 4 next season with the good crops of youngsters who'll then all have at least a full PL season under their belts and a full pre-season (some didn't this season).
He's been a big miss IMO. He is certainly far more secure defensively than any other FB at the club and the fact that he can play RB & LB with equal conviction and quality has reduced our options when injury has hit the defence. New contract in the Summer and he'll now be good to go next season. I think both BR and Flanno have said as much and he is now nearing full fitness again - horrible year for the kid.
There is a long list of names being mentioned and that I could spew out ... but no-one really knows how this is going to pan out over the Summer. How much will a lack of CL affect us ? For established names or those on the track to stardom .. a lot. For those bright young things looking for the next step up, or established players hoping for a move to a big club ... not at all. We'll be shopping for the later two though I really don't think spending 30-35M on a player is beyond us it would have to be someone very special. I'm hoping for Firmino or Lacazette but that's probably pie in the sky.
Can played left back against us when we demolished Bayer Leverkusen 5-0.
And yet there's not much of a points difference for all that cash they've spent. Which goes to prove it's more about having the right manager and a TEAM rather than a bunch of superstars. Atletico are setting a perfect example in what can be achieved when you get it right.
Rodgers doesn't have the clout necessary to attract these players even without Cl you bring in Jurgen Klopp players heads are instanly turned, Van Gaal likewise theres players agents ringing him up telling him why he should buy there players just because he's Louis fecking Van Gaal. Mourinho needs three phones just to keep up to date with all the calls he receives whereas the only calls Rodgers gets is to confirm his teeth whitening and fake tan appointments
You can tell he never misses an appointment.
I actually think that this is nonsense. There are a couple of managers who have a special pull for some players, but usually thats overstated. I can see, that LvG has a special pull for dutch players, but beyond that its really just about what the club offers. I rarely agree with @Rafateria but I do on this issue. Liverpool isnt miles behind us. As sad as this is.
looking good is half the battle, mate
I'm not arguing about the strength of the squad we have some quality players in it. I'm questioning does he have the pull to attract those 2 or 3 top end players, the ones to perform consistently to high level week in week out and provide seniority and stability to a young but talented squad. That's what we need, as bleak as things look now football can change very quickly. I reckon bringing in Klopp can be a game changer for us but that's just my opinion. I don't think Rodgers is going to get the World class striker he needs and I think after three years he's had more than enough time, the defence is worse than when he came, the midfield woeful and it increasingly looks like he was bailed out by two world class strikers.
Atleti have had a bunch of superstars, though. Or at least a bunch of world class players.
I think the point might be that none of these players were brought into the Atletico team as already world-class. They were good players, and you could make the argument that Courtois was pretty much world-class form from the off, but they all progressed under a good manager in the right system. Liverpool have players who at the moment aren't obviously world-class, but there's plenty of players in the team that could feasibly put in world-class performances if they have a bit of development in a performing system.
Liverpool won’t attract established world-class players regardless of the manager. That is a no-brainer. If you have to compete with Real, Barca, Bayern, PSG, Chelsea + City, Arsenal, United, Juve you´ll lose 99 out of 100 times. If that’s your approach to solve your problems, you can already say good-bye to CL football. That’s said there is another way to do business. Considering how wasteful City and United are with their money, it is possible to finish ahead of both despite spending less.
That's what I was saying, I don't know what Rodgers system is and I don't think he does either. We might not compete with the big boys but even the next tier down having someone like Klopp in charge will convince players like Depay, Firmino, Lacazette and Vietto that we're ready to challenge, if you don't think having a big name manager with a proven track record and ability to develop players makes a difference then that's your prerogative, I whole-heartedly disagree.
