Liverpool Thread: Road to thinking we might get top 4, only to feel stupid at the end of the season

[Crimey]

First topic message reminder :

Transfer ins:
Kolo Toure (free transfer from Manchester City)

Transfers out:
Danny Wilson (free to Hearts)
Jamie Carragher (free to Sky)
Peter Gulacsi (free to Salzburg)

[Guest]

But Olly. The owners "know what we are trying to do....."

God I hate that phrase.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

On another point hasn't Rodgers said he is building his team around Suarez?

Strange thing to say, considering Suarez clearly doesn't want to be at Liverpool too long...

Gonna have massive egg on his face if he goes now

[Crimey]

I am just praying the Diego Costa move doesn't go through as I can see that being the trigger to allow Suarez to go, despite the fact that Costa is average.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

BBC Sport ‏@BBCSport
Luis Suarez says he has told Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave the club, in interviews with the Telegraph and Guardian #LFC

Build your team around that Brendo...

[Crimey]

Notts County in the Capital One Cup. Should be an easy win, we've got the squad depth to put out a fairly decent side against them, like to see the likes of Ibe, Assaidi, Alberto and Borini start against them, think Rodgers could do with a decent cup run this year to boost confidence in him.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

I think a trophy is a must for B-Rod this year. I still don't see us getting into the top four this year and so winning a trophy is vital for us and Rodgers keeping his job next year.

Notts County should be an easy tie but in these situations I always bring myself back to the defeat we suffered at the hands of Northampton a few years ago. So we need to play a mixture of young and experienced players.

[Guest]

I think it has to be a minimum of the FA Cup for Rodgers to keep his job. As I said a while back, FSG have set their stall out by providing funds for players after last season's debacle and I believe they're telling Rodgers there's no excuse for failure this time. However, if they finish fifth but are still someway of the pace, it could still cost Rodgers. I think FSG appreciate that there are seven or eight teams battling for four places with the first three pretty much sewn up and, I hope that if possible, they strengthen the squad even further in January.

The Suarez saga may distabilise the team slightly but given that they played a number of games last season without him and still managed to get a few wins should suggest that, whilst Suarez was a valuable player, he's by no means vital.

This issue with Suarez should have the likes of Sturridge chomping at the bit to show the management that he's up to the task of being our main goal provider. I just hope they keep it simple in front of goal this season as I felt that last year, at times, they wanted to put a ribbon on it rather than just stick it in the back of the net. I don't care if it clips someone's rear end on the way in, get in the goal.

[nasisillmatic]

Have the owners really backed Rodgers with money yet this summer? I believe after all our sales, only £1 million has been spent of their own money.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Raheem Sterling charged with common assault

[nasisillmatic]

Again? Wasn't he just aquitted of the same thing?

[Fernando]

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has been arrested for assaulting a woman. He was arrested at 10.30 pm on Thursday. He will have to appear in court on Friday.

Sterling has been charged with section 39 and could lead to imprisonment if the Englishman is found guilty.

Section 39 states: ’Common assault and battery shall be summary offences and a person guilty of either of them shall be liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.’

18-year-old Sterling is considered one of the most promising players for England, and is considered an important part of the Liverpool squad. He has also represented England in a solitary match in November 2012.

The former Queens Park Rangers player has faced disciplinary problems in the past as well, as he was accused of a similar charge in February 2013. However, no concrete evidence was found against him and the case was thrown out of court.

This does not bode well for Sterling or Liverpool, as the player’s reputation risks being permanently damaged

[nasisillmatic]

Get rid of him, not worth the hassle.

[Guest]

Unless this is a new charge, the original case was dropped due to lack of evidence when the witness failed to appear at court.

[Guest]

that witness was paid off.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

This is a new charge

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Well there goes his starting place, thought he would have started against Stoke but not after this!

[Kenny]

Have the owners really backed Rodgers with money yet this summer? I believe after all our sales, only £1 million has been spent of their own money.

In all honesty i can't see who we could of bought , i wouldn't be happy paying the likes of Falcao or Cavanni if they would of come over £230,00 a week in fact i wouldn't pay anyone that . They only striker i am disappointed we missed is Salgado going to Spurs .
There just isn't any value for money available , thankfully the Costa bid has fallen through as he has signed a new contract at Athletico

I do think the money is there lets not waste it for buyings sake

Have to add I will be very impressed if the board stick to their guns over Suarez and don't sell , sick of players thinking they can just do what they want

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ed Malyon ‏@eaamalyon
Luis Suarez tells @MartinCharquero he won't be leaving Liverpool and will probably extend his LFC contract. Big.

Does this mean Liverpool fans love him again?

[Guest]

Depends if he knuckles down and gives us another season like last (minus the suspensions and bad press) as football fans are notoriously/pathetically hypocritical (I'm as guilty as the rest of 'em)

[Hulking_up]

Who's Ed Malyon and Martin Charquero?

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Who's Ed Malyon and Martin Charquero?

Uruguyan Reporters.

Suarez is one of the best footballers in the league, if Liverpool want to get into the Champions League, we need to play him. I say forget about all this, after his bans go away, Suarez should go back into the starting line and begin where he left off last season. Once he begins performing great again, the fans will totally forget about this whole transfer fiasco.

[Guest]

Of course Suarez is going to play for Liverpool if he stays. He will eventually apologise but not before his agent has demanded a new deal with a fixed get out clause that Liverpool can't stop for next summer. If Liverpool get off to a bad start, Rodgers is under pressure to keep his job and playing Suarez will be a no-brainer. Football fans are fickle, he scores and plays the way he did last year, then everything in the past get's put to the side, not forgotten, just neatly moved aside.

Even if Arsene comes in with a desperational £50m+ bid on deadline day, I can't see Liverpool accepting. Too late, no replacement and just doesn't set the right ambition for the club and would ultimately mean a failed season without him.

[Crimey]

Apparently Suarez trained with the first team squad today which is a good thing, I think the ban will be a bit of a blessing in disguise as hopefully by the time it has ended he will have his head in gear.

Got to admit, I was sceptical of how the club handled the whole situation at first but it seems to have worked.

[Crimey]

Hoping to see us play:

Aspas

Sterling Coutinho Alberto

Gerrard Lucas

Enrique Agger Skrtel Johnson

Mignolet

Think we'll play more:

Aspas

Coutinho-------Borini

Gerrard 

Lucas------Allen

Enrique Agger Toure Johnson

Mignolet

[Crimey]

Sturridge starts, which is surprising, didn't think he'd be fit.

Aspas

Coutinho-----Sturridge

Henderson

Gerrard-----Lucas

Enrique Agger Toure Johnson

Mignolet

Glad to see Henderson get a start, much better than Joe Allen.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Really strong team, probably the strongest we can field. I would like to see Coutinho in the position henderson is in as it could give him more freedom.

Im also glad Hendo is given the nod, our bench looks strong too. Only one defender in Wisdom.

[Crimey]

Seem to be playing 4-4-2, albeit a very fluid one, Henderson and Coutinho coming inside from the wings allowing the full backs to give the width. Think this is the kind of attacking side we should be playing against sides below us and then a more solid one when we're up against the top 5.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Phew. What a relief, should have been 5-6 goals there but whatever, 3 points to start!

Mignolet you hero!

[Crimey]

My ratings:

Simon Mignolet: 7

Had a horrible start really, was lucky not to concede a goal early on and was flapping at crosses, taking too long to distribute and looked so nervous. The penalty save and the save afterwards will give him such a confidence boost and push his rating up to a 7. 

Glen Johnson: 6

I think Johnson played competently today but didn't offer a good enough final ball in attack that would have allowed us to put Stoke down earlier on. Defensively he was fine and didn't seem to get caught out.

Kolo Toure: 7

Very happy with Toure who showed his experience with a good defensive display and didn't allow Peter Crouch any real chances. He also looked a threat from set pieces and good to see him being comfortable with the ball at his feet. Would still rather Skrtel started in the future.

Daniel Agger: 6

Played quite well but giving away a last minute penalty was pretty stupid. Not sure he knew much about it hitting his hand, but he shouldn't be flinging his arms out like that anyway. 

Jose Enrique: 7

I thought Enrique put a good performance in to try and cement his spot in the first team, defensively he basically didn't put a foot wrong, was very strong and he offered a lot going forward. I wish his final ball was a little bit better, but he gets into great positions and links up with most players really well.

Steven Gerrard: 6

Thought he struggled to put his mark on the game today and perhaps we'll see a slow start to the season from Gerrard as we did last year. A great free kick and his delivery from set pieces in general was good against shorter teams should get a few goals.

Lucas: 6

A good enough performance from Lucas, was very good in the tackle and didn't allow Stoke's midfield a lot of time on the ball. Will have much harder games where he will have to do a lot more work but a decent start and think he may be close to his best again. Needs to cut out little fouls though.

Jordan Henderson: 6

Thought the game passed him by a little, grew into it though and got into some good positions to perhaps get a goal and was unlucky not to score after a great save by Begovic and hitting the inside of the post. Think he deserved the start and offers so much more than Allen.

Iago Aspas: 6

Good debut for Aspas, would have liked to see him be a bit more clinical, seemed too happy to pass in decent positions. Promising link up with Coutinho and Sturridge and think he just needs time to grow into the side. Stoke are hard team to play against when you're a small, technical forward.

Daniel Sturridge: 7

Good game from Sturridge who wouldn't have been 100% having not played much pre-season. Took his goal very well and seems to becoming a lot less selfish. Makes some great runs and his partnership with Coutinho is still there and it's a joy to watch.

Phillipe Coutinho: 8

For me the best Liverpool player on the pitch, think he'll have better games against less physical sides but even with limited space and being physically harassed he still was so creative. Thought he held himself up well against some strong players and showed he's not going to be outfought.

Substitutes:

Raheem Sterling: 6

Didn't really have chance to do anything in the game as Liverpool started to drop deeper and allowed Stoke back into it. Hopefully he can pick up some of the form from last year but he has a much harder job getting back into the first eleven.

[Colan (niner)]

Maybe I'm wrong but I feel like Gerrard has lost it a bit. I watched him against Celtic and he was bossed by young Jackson Irvine! Then against Scotland he was washed out by Brown and co, and then today I felt he struggled to impose himself. He has been one of my favourite players ever but don't think he is the player he was

[Guest]

He isn't, it's a shame but the reality. He hasn't got the engine anymore but I'm sure the majority of Liverpool fans will give him more time than most to get into this season. He's still a good, effective player & his set-piece delivery is still exceptional but his level has certainly dropped.

[Crimey]

I'll just say keep watching him, the same was said last season and he really grew into the season and by December I'd say he was playing better than he had since 2009.

[Hulking_up]

He did provide the ball for Englands second goal.

[Kenny]

Looks like we will miss out on Willian , from what i have read we made an offer of £26 million but Zenit then offered £34 million but Willian doesn't want to stay in Russia , we wont go higher and now Spurs have offered £30 million

[Crimey]

Ridiculous negotiating again, I'm sure we might have struggled to match Tottenham's lure, but the fact that we're not willing to push the deal up a relatively small amount of £4 million to sign a top European player is ridiculous.

It stinks just like when we refused to bid £1 million more to secure Clint Dempsey. 

Willian and Dempsey before him had both expressed strong interest in joining the club, but we just don't act on it. Still think new signings are needed before the start of the season, Willian would have been an absolutely class signing.

[Kenny]

I agree he looks class , we seem to have the Wenger mentality of having a price in our head for a player and not willing to go above it

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

From what I've heard is that we had agreed a fee in principle before Spurs gazumped us with an £30mill offer which we refused to match. But on the other hand we have been linked with him for more then a week so we still had plenty of time to strike a deal before Spurs came sniffing round.
 
He would have been a good addition but I feel he was very much an impulse buy. He would not have been extensively scouted as he only moved to Anhzi in Jan and they now only want to sell to due to the clubs financial mess.
 
Can't see any 'marquee' signings for Liverpool now which is a bit of a shame.

[Kenny]

Don't get me wrong i am annoyed another player we obviously want looks like getting away but given the way Coutinho has started his Anfield career i would rather we strengthen other areas of the team like CF or CB even a DMF

[reallybored]

Don't care about Willian, £30m is a lot for someone who could be gash. Prefer Chelsea get him though.

If there's £30m to spend, would prefer Ilori and Sakho for around £6m and £10m respectively.  That's a snip for two young centre backs, both internationally capped, played in CL and are big units capable of mixing it in the Prem.  Could develop into a cracking partnership, Sakho the brute and Ilori the Thiago Silva type CB.

Rodgers should sell Skrtel if he doesn't like him and get a few bob, possibly have a final crack at Eriksen.  I know he said he wants CL but none of the bigs boys have picked him up yet so maybe he'd be more open now.  Really isn't the type of player Livepool need as he wouldn't provide width but if a top player is going for less than £15m just sign him.  

With those 3 (all under 23) in the squad, I'd say Liverpool would be well positioned to challenge for 4th this season.

People seems to have over-looked the fact Suarez ain't going anywhere anytime soon and seeing as it's a WC year he'll want to get back to his form of last season, even if he's got one eye on the door.  He'll score more than Soldado next season that's for sure.

[westisbest]

What are your thoughts on the game tomorrow?
 
Can see it being a tight game.
We've started well so far, still very early.
Confidence is certainly up at Villa.
Benteke already got 3 goals.
Teams playing better.
 
Think it will be a draw actually, although the heart says a narrow hard fought Villa win.

[Guest]

Given Villa did us twice last season, the start they've had and the way they've played, you would actually favour Villa especially at home. However, being the eternal optimist, I'd like to think that we have a bit of intestinal fortitide in the team and may just ride the luck that's gone our way and against Villa recently.

I wouldn't be that surprised if they beat us but would like to see us start sticking away some of the chances we're creating. We need a good start to the season and a win would put us in a good frame of mind for Utd especially if they come a cropper against Chelsea

[Crimey]

If we sign them two, where does that leave Agger? I would consider Sakho, but he's a left-footed, left-sided defender just like Agger so unless there are plans to sell him, which I doubt considering he's just been made vice-captain then there is no point signing Sakho, looking to the future or not.

Willian is a much better player than Eriksen who has looked pretty poor every time I've seen him play, be it for Ajax or Denmark, I'm just not sure he's worth the hype where as Willian has looked very good for Shaktar Donetsk. I know the prices are far apart, but like you said, when there are top players available you sign them. I think with Chelsea in for him though, we're out of the race which is disappointing. Also we really don't need Eriksen.

I can't see us signing any attacking players now because of the Coates injury I think they're focusing on bringing in a new centre back.

[westisbest]

Dave

You beat us 2-1 at Villa Park last season.

Lets hope its not the same result.

[Guest]

Dave

You beat us 2-1 at Villa Park last season.

Lets hope its not the same result.

I'm clearly muddling Villa and West Brom aren't I? Oh well, at least now there's hope (cue humiliating 5-1 thrashing)

[Kenny]

Villa have looked good in both games so far ( they should of got at least a point from Chelsea ) so todays game will be very tough for us . But if we can convert more of the chances we are creating then i think we can win .

Let's just hope Guzan doesn't have the game of his life like most keepers seem to have against us ....

[Crimey]

Expecting a more conservative line up today, Allen likely in for Henderson and playing two sitting midfielders.

[Kenny]

Crimey

Have you heard anything of a Real bid for Suarez ? i got a message saying they are preparing a bid once Bale has signed which would be £20 million plus either Khadira , Di Maria or Ozil .

[Crimey]

Expect them to make a bid if Benzema is sold or they plan to sell Benzema. I doubt there will be a player-exchange deal which just aren't as common as the papers believe, too complicated to negotiate usually. Would expect a £30 million bid, apparently they only value him at £26 million, which is far too low. 

I expect the club would accept £40m+ but otherwise they'll be rebuffed.

[Kenny]

I honestly don't understand how anyone could value Bale at nearly 3 times the amount for Suarez .............but then i think Bale is way overated

[Crimey]

I honestly don't understand how anyone could value Bale at nearly 3 times the amount for Suarez .............but then i think Bale is way overated

I think it's because of the similarity to Ronaldo, to be honest I think Suarez is better and more use to Real Madrid who don't need an attacking midfielder like Bale but they could do with a top class centre forward.

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