Official Liverpool FC Thread @ The Phins

This season has been tough. Two semifinal defeats. The latest coming today against Aston Villa. Now, mind you, LFC were outplayed and didn't deserve to win. I do think we're a better side with Gerrard out of the lineup this year. Painful to say, but it is being honest. So if I'm keeping and dropping guys off the roster this offseason it might look something like this:

Keepers:

Coutinho - the best creative player we have
Henderson - the best two way player we have
Sterling - the fastest player we have. I'm cautious about overpaying him though.
Sturridge - can't do it all himself.
Lallana - needs to find himself in the right position.
Markovic - plenty of room to grow but not a defensive player
Skrtel - the best defender we have.
Sakho - I've done a bit of a 180 on him.
Moreno - worth keeping but he's got to get more consistent defensively.
Flanagan - he's an LFC favorite
Coates - would like to see him again, mind not made up
Manquillo - on loan here though I think
Allen - I did a complete 180 on him, but with all the comings and goings soon to happen in the midfield, might be a good idea to keep him around
Ilori - haven't seen him at all, but he was top rated
Ibe - could be a great one

Dropping:
Lovren - black cloud following this one.
Johnson - it's time
Brad Jones - need a better #2
Balotelli - please
Enrique - but I still love him
Toure - it's time
Gerrard - he's coming out here to play in LA
Lambert - beyond time
Lucas - sadly, it's time although I'm on the fence a bit
Borini - clearly not a fit, he was better at Sunderland

The youth players I do look forward to seeing more of... Sinclair, Wisdom and of course Origi.

What say you?

Not getting the 3 points today vs WBA ended the slim chances we had at the UEFA CL. I suppose the lone bright spot today was Lovren playing better. But he couldn't find the net on that last header :sad: And it was against WBA. Now comes the "are we better off in the Europa League or with nothing at all?" Young team, I say we need the reps. Wouldn't hurt to have a second goalie to get reps there too. A far cry from last season all around.. Chelsea will take the top spot... not much to get excited about except the CL itself playing out. Bayern vs Barca should be pretty decent :lol:

Ugh... not that it mattered but that was pathetic (v Hull). I suppose we're trying not to get in the Europa League if we keep trotting Balotelli out there. Pretty much a guarantee not to get a ****ing goal. Should put Hendo out there at CF, he certainly understands the position better than any CF we currently have not named Sturridge.

Well... ManU are keeping things interesting with their three straight losses.

I'd like to keep Lambert for another season. It seems like Rodgers prioritized giving Balotelli more time early in the season (I think rightfully so since Balotelli is much younger, but I hate seeing him on the field, he is such a horrible fit for what Rodgers tries to instill in his formations). He scored 13 and 15 goals with Southhampton the previous 2 seasons in the PL. Also with Sturridge's injury woes its always nice to have a capable striker in your pocket. Hope all this hub bub with Sterling blows over and he signs his new contract, would hate to lose him.

I don't think we make the top four even with United losing 3 in a row, but at least there is so hope. I think it all comes down to the Chelsea game this weekend, maybe they'll have a championship hangover after securing the title for this season.

"finattic79 wrote:

I'd like to keep Lambert for another season. It seems like Rodgers prioritized giving Balotelli more time early in the season (I think rightfully so since Balotelli is much younger, but I hate seeing him on the field, he is such a horrible fit for what Rodgers tries to instill in his formations). He scored 13 and 15 goals with Southhampton the previous 2 seasons in the PL. Also with Sturridge's injury woes its always nice to have a capable striker in your pocket. Hope all this hub bub with Sterling blows over and he signs his new contract, would hate to lose him.

I don't think we make the top four even with United losing 3 in a row, but at least there is so hope. I think it all comes down to the Chelsea game this weekend, maybe they'll have a championship hangover after securing the title for this season.

Just saw your post... welcome aboard :wink2: Now, the UCL is over, think LFC were the better side for much of the game vs Chelsea. "All" LFC needs to challenge legitimately next season are a couple of quality strikers. Not saying that's all that we need, need to see the fullback situation play itself out. But goodness, look at Juve taking out Real Madrid. Tevez and Morata aren't exactly top 10 strikers... but if LFC had them both, I would venture to say we'd have finished top 4 this season.

Well that was a forgettable send off... :pity:

What in the name of Kenny Dalglish was that? Five goals in the first half. 1-6 at the end to lose at Stoke... That first half was a bit reminiscent of the home game vs Real Madrid. In it for the first 1/4 of the game, and then a complete disaster for the 2/4 of it. Playing Can at right back in a four man final line is just not a good idea. It's a shame because Can was part of the reason LFC had a bounce to start the 2015 year when they went to 3 at the back. Not even sure what that lineup was either... playing four holding midfielders... well five if you count Can. There were players out of position not knowing who to mark on many of those first half goals. It was embarrassing to say the least.

It was almost as if Rodgers did it on purpose. In terms of not putting a true forward in the starting lineup. A 4-4-2 with Coutinho and Lallana as forwards? Holy 2014 Spanish World Cup side batman? We know you need a couple of center forwards BR, you don't have to make your case like this.

I don't think he should be sacked... is there a better alternative? I don't know enough about the state of European football to comment in terms of those options.

So we've gone from the obvious questions to even more questions after the last few games. :sad:

BTW, for anyone keeping score.. I'm dropping Moreno and Manquillo from the keeper list.

Onto the offseason... what now?

quite a hit piece.. disagree with most of it.

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/paul-parker/liverpool-s-biggest-problem-is-brendan-rodgers---the-time-is-right-to-call-on-juergen-klopp-135825320.html

James Milner and Danny Ings signed so far. Although the Ings thing is not completely done done, pending physical (remember Remy) and all of the transfer fee details. Both are good additions in terms of how they fit with the team.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/danny-ings-to-liverpool-reds-may-have-to-pay-record-8m-tribunal-fee-to-secure-free-agent-10284244.html

Brutal start in terms of first of two annual meetings with top four teams and WHERE LFC plays them (all on the road!??!?!)

2015-16 LFC fixture list

August

8 - Stoke City (A)
15 - Bournemouth (H)
22 - Arsenal (A)
29 - West Ham United (H)

September

12 - Manchester United (A)
19 - Norwich City (H)
26 - Aston Villa (H)

October

3 - Everton (A)
17 - Tottenham Hotspur (A)
24 - Southampton (H)
31 - Chelsea (A)

November

7 - Crystal Palace (H)
21 - Manchester City (A)
28 - Swansea City (H)

December

5 - Newcastle United (A)
12 - West Bromwich Albion (H)
19 - Watford (A)
26 - Leicester City (H)
28 - Sunderland (A)

January

2 - West Ham United (A)
12 - Arsenal (H)
16 - Manchester United (H)
23 - Norwich City (A)

February

2 - Leicester City (A)
6 - Sunderland (H)
13 - Aston Villa (A)
27 - Everton (H)

March

1 - Manchester City (H)
5 - Crystal Palace (A)
12 - Chelsea (H)
19 - Southampton (A)

April

2 - Tottenham Hotspur (H)
9 - Stoke City (H)
16 - Bournemouth (A)
23 - Newcastle United (H)
30 - Swansea City (A)

May

7 - Watford (H)
15 - West Bromwich Albion (A)

Well, Sterling has been sold to Man City for approx 49m pounds. I suppose that's not a bad haul for a player that didn't want to play under current coach even though he pretty much owed all his success to AR's system (well that and the lack of a striker last year). Not a bad haul for a young immature brat.... not a bad haul for a speed merchant that couldn't finish and lacked quality in the final third. Of course, you always want more in a transfer fee..... but that's just being greedy.

Hopefully the business is far from done for LFC in the transfer window. Still got work to do to bring in a striker (or three :shifty:). Firmino is a solid signing though, he'll get along fantastically with Coutinho. I like the addition of Clyne as well. Milner? I guess he fills in some veteran leadership. Curious to see what Origi can do. But think there's a couple more additions left. Think Jordan Ibe can fill in for Sterling in that role. Wouldn't mind another pacey winger though... and maybe a holding MF (Illaremendi). Although latest is they are going for Cheryshev.

I can tell by the views that some are just reading this and not posting... which is fine... but I do have a general question. When it comes to transfer reports... with any accuracy... how would you rank the local fish wraps there in England?

Sun Sport?
Sky Sports?
Mirror?
Star?
Daily Mail?
Metro?
Express?

I follow a twitter feed called @DeadlineDayLive and their sources (most mentioned above when it comes to English Football), well I've come to discover that most are fairly inaccurate :lol:

This was a fun little exercise... just putting names to potential formations this season... I left a couple of guys off on purposes because they are anticipated to move out. I've only gone two deep at each position. There's an impending transfer who could be announced as official as early as Monday. So we can just put his name where Sturridge's is if it happens (as Sturridge isn't healthy till... September?)...

Coutinho

Sturridge

Ings




Firmino

Origi

Lallana































Henderson

Lucas

Milner




Allen

Can

Markovic






























Moreno

Sakho

Skrtel

Clyne


Gomez

Lovren

Toure

Wisdom























Mignolet








Bogdan

Sturridge














Origi


























Coutinho






Lallana






Firmino






Ings




































Moreno


Henderson


Milner


Clyne


Markovic


Allen


Lucas


Ibe




















































Sakho


Skrtel


Can






Gomez


Lovren


Toure


























































Mignolet














Bogdan

Sturridge








Origi
























Firmino

Coutinho

Lallana




Ibe

Markovic

Ings
































Henderson

Milner






Lucas

Can































Moreno

Sakho

Skrtel

Clyne


Gomez

Lovren

Toure

Wisdom
































Mignolet








Bogdan

I really like the look of that last formation, the 4-2-3-1. It gets the best attacking players on the field all at once (with Firmino/Coutinho/Lallana and a lone striker).

"Aqua4Ever04 wrote:

Sturridge is still missing time? My goodness his health is a pain in the ass.

Aye, he's out till at least September. He can't be counted on. Koa Misi laughs at his medical history.

"Aqua4Ever04 wrote:

That's disappointing. It's nice having a guy that can consistently win one on ones down in the penalty area.

I hope he can get healthy because then we'll see what type of footballer he really is without Luis Suarez. He played a little for England last year too before.... getting injured (again).

Benteke is a good signing. Net every LFC fan is happy though. That's three Belgium national team members now in Origi, Benteke and Mignolet. I reckon that helped us land Benteke... the Belgian connection. Add in Lukaku and Mirallas at Everton, and the city of Liverpool is quite the De Rode Duivels hub. :lol:

LFC just drew 1-1 with the Malaysian All Stars. It's their last match of their Asian/Australian (Aisralian?) tour. They return now to the home land for their last exhibition games ahead of August 9th season opener at... Stoke! (well that will be interesting).

The dark cloud is apparently still following Dejan Lovren around. Or is he just not that good? :pity: Probably a little of both. He's failed to live up to expectations and is just flat pressing things the wrong way... and if he starts this season will likely be a reason that LFC fails to get top 4 and ultimately could lead to Rodgers departure. Sakho and Skrtel can't start every game. Toure should be used sparingly. That leaves Lovren unless they are bringing in someone else (maybe??). Or perhaps another reason to go three at the back? ugh...

:lol: at the media reports that Arsenal is "set to hijack" Liverpool's target of Marco Reus. Not since Yevhen Konoplyanka has their been such false rumours of an LFC signing. I don't think we need another oft injured player.

A back 3 of Can,Skertl, and Sakho played extremely well last year until Sakho got injured. It really benefited our offense with those three holding really holding down the fort.

"finattic79 wrote:

A back 3 of Can,Skertl, and Sakho played extremely well last year until Sakho got injured. It really benefited our offense with those three holding really holding down the fort.

you are correct, it did change the whole season when they went to a back three. It sparked the 2nd half winning streak. But IMO, if one of those three goes down (or just needs a breather), they don't have anyone near as good to come in and play the same system at the back. Every preseason game has seen LFC with a back four. So unless it's another emergency situation (like last year), I'd expect that to continue.

Side note, was wrong about LFC playing at home this weekend, well sort of, their first team is playing in Helsinki, Finland (Firmino and Benteke are not travelling with them). Their second side is playing at Swindon Town FC (League One, or two leagues below the premiership). Curious if Firmino or Benteke travel with them? Doubt it.

"Aqua4Ever04 wrote:

Honestly, any time Toure has a contested touch, I worry.

he shouldn't see the field in any big matches... maybe some of the Europa stuff or Cup ties.

Man... today was like the night before Christmas. Can't wait for tomorrow morning's match vs Stoke. I watched a lot of the other games today. I was impressed with Swansea. Ayew is a handful. Crystal Palace were solid as well. Both teams will be very solidly in the middle of the standings and give some of the contenders trouble.

exhale... stunning goal from Coutinho to save the day... although honestly a 0-0 draw wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world and certainly a far cry from last season's finale (1-6).

I thought starting out in the first half there were some early nerves from a couple of the new additions (Gomez and Clyne) but they got better as the game went. Particularly Clyne, who headed away a sure opportunity for Diouf (sp) and a likely goal for Stoke.

It was mostly par for the course for an early contest where the crispness was just not there. Benteke is playing his first game with his new teammates. They will learn to get better with some of the timing and one two stuff. As I thought there were some opportunities early on to pass behind Stoke's back line that were either not taken or off the mark. Four yellow cards for LFC symbolized the physical approach to the game against a gritty Stoke side.

Starting the match with a 4-2-3-1 side was ambitious from Rodgers. But it seemed that switching to the 4-3-3 when Can came on helped propel LFC to the victory. Make no mistake, this was a match that could have gone either way with Charlie Adam's viscous services into the box from set plays.

Rating the players...

Mignolet - 7. He didn't have a lot to do, only one save on the stat sheet. But he was solid on a couple of set plays.
Gomez - 6. Was on a yellow card. Had a physical battle with Walters for most of the game. Had a couple of nervy moments. To be expected from a player his age (18). Didn't make any long runs going forward and wasn't really a threat in that department which was again to be expected considering the matchup. His height afforded Lovren to back off and not get sucked into too much with Walters when the ball was in the air.
Lovren - 7. Mostly solid for the game. Was a bit of a surprise start for me considering Sakho is the better player. But apparently Sakho's wife just had a baby and that was perhaps the reason he wasn't even on the bench today. Lovren also got a yellow card. But was physical in the air and for the most part in position (except for one moment in the first half) when Adam got to the end line for a cross/shot.
Skrtel - 7. Another player who picked up a yellow. Made me nuts on a couple of back passes to Mignolet though. Clearance off the line and keeping things organized at the back contributed to this score. The back line were well organized on many of the set plays. Although a Glen Johnson cross (the one that Clyne nodded over) could have been called offside had Skrtel stepped out sooner.
Clyne - 8. The clearance over the bar was very good. Became a more ambitious player moving forward than his left back counterpart. Perhaps that was a bit of respect played to Glen Johnson in Gomez not going forward, I don't know. He was pacey, solid on the ball and looks to be an improvement.

Henderson - 7. Could have been better, was a bit symbolic of the game in how he played vs the team. Got forward more when the team went to a 4-3-3 and looked more of a threat offensively. Didn't have a lot to do on the defensive side of the ball really.
Milner - 7. I thought his work rate was wonderful for the entire game. Picked up a yellow. But set the tone early and often with his chasing down the ball and being really physical. Next to Henderson, you've got two really fit midfielders who apparently can run and chase all day.

Lallana - 5. For me he was just kind of average. not enough of an attacking posture going forward. He does work very hard getting back on the defensive side. So perhaps I'm being a bit harsh here.
Coutinho -9. It would have been a 7 until the goal. He was just a little off for most of the game in the final third. Had some wonderful touches and is IMO right now LFC's best player. The touch and turn on his run towards the goal was sublime. Rodgers was going to sub him off just before he scored with Ings. That was mighty fortuitous not to happen.
Ibe -6. A bit like Lallana, I wanted more from Ibe. At times he made the Stoke LB look very good, which when you consider that Stoke had two LB's play in the game and there was no drop off between them is quite stunning. He's only 19 and with opportunity comes experience. He's solidly in the first team here although I'm not sure he gets the start next time out. Might be a better option as a player coming off the bench with his pace rather than starting the game against a fresh defender. Maybe LFC needs to add another player before the transfer window closes to add more pace to the team? I don't know.. maybe they wait until January. It's a fair question though.

Benteke -7. Well I think he was again a little off in regards to his timing with the other players. Certainly an example of that was a clean whiff on a ball into his feet (although getting the ball in the net with the pace of that cross was asking a lot from that far away / edge of the 18). He seems to have a really good camaraderie going with his teammates though (especially Coutinho), unlike Balotelli last year. :lol:

I won't rate the bench players that came on in the second half. Other than to say Can coming on allowed a different approach to the attack with one of those three always joining in and perhaps keeping the Stoke defenders guessing as to who was going to be that attacker. Firmino (is it pronounced FirminYO or FirmiNO?) was average, not a knock on him just not enough of play time to rate above or below that. He did almost make a bad play in LFC's own half, which if he's going to play that far back (as a mid and not as a forward) he needs to move the ball quickly and not be such a Brazilian :shifty:

In closing, the service into the box for Benteke is going to need to be there on a more consistent level. Whether that's one of (Can/Milner/Henderson) getting forward into the attack to provide that or if it's a winger using his pace to get closer to the end line.

Hopefully, someone reads this and finds it interesting :wink2: