Liverpool FC

[The Camel]

I think people are jumping the gun a little bit.
Pool are missing Suarez, that's obvious. But they are also missing Sturridge and that's huge. I think buying Balotelli was a mistake but an understandable one.
He was available for £16m and he is very naturally talented and Pool had a massive hole to fill. Unfortunately it looks like maybe he just doesn't have the mental strength to ever be a consistently top class player. But you'll just have to give him a chance. The season has only just started and if he gets games in his preferred position as a support striker in a front 2 and it still doesn't work, then you can think about getting rid.
You're struggling in the Champs League but you'd have to have expected that in your 1st season back. You can still qualify from the group. The league form has been patchy but you're ahead of your 2 real rivals for the 3rd/4th spot.

Missing suarez and sturridge are both massive misses but the thing everyone forgets is Gerrard is so far past his best it's frightening.  They are effectively missing 3 of their best players from 2 seasons ago.  On top of that have the total joker Mario to just make it 10 v 11 for many parts of the game effort wise.  On top of this the scousers have to play twice a week most weeks this season compared to once every week last season.  Going to be a long season chasing 4th spot.

I agree with all that.
I also don't think they'll get 4th spot but it'll be close. I also think that not having Balotelli at all would be better as I think Lambert would give you more but there are bright spots.
Henderson is really progressing well. Where was Sterling 2 years ago? Sterling 2 years ago wasn't the player he is now. Can and Markovic might turn out to be decent, we'll have to see.

Two years ago, Sterling was 17 years old.

Yeah I know, I meant to say Sturridge wasn't the player he is now, 2 years ago. And regarding Arbboys point that that are down 3 players from 2 years ago, I was saying that Sterling wasn't there either 2 years ago.

Remy was turned down for half what Liverpool paid for Mario.

He's lightning fast, skilful and got a decent footballing brain.

Might not work as hard as Suarez, but a much more similar player to him than Mario is.

They were going to sign Remy but he failed a medical.
Also isn't Remy a little too similar to Sturridge? I think Balotelli is a better footballing style fit to play with Sturridge, although as I said, I'm not a fan of his.
This is a problem I think United have with Falcao and RVP. They both like to take up the same positions which was very evident in the game against Everton.

RVP/Falcao/Rooney/Mata fighting over 3 places.

Think RVP will be gone in the summer if Falcao deal is made permanent.

[Waz1892]

Just been sent this;  i laughed,


David Blaine is furious!!.....
His record of doing fuck all in a box for 44 days has been smashed by Mario Ballotelli

[DropTheHammer]

Yeah I know, I meant to say Sturridge wasn't the player he is now, 2 years ago.

In what sense? He was prolific even on loan at Bolton, 4 years ago.

[The Baron]

Gerrard still pulling all the strings. Without this man were even more screwed than we are already. At 34 still incredible.

[TightEnd]

Whole team looks absolutely terrible, though

nothing at all happening going forward for long stretches, and the occasional bit of schoolboy defending is no recipe for success at all

[The Baron]

Whole team looks absolutely terrible, though

nothing at all happening going forward for long stretches, and the occasional bit of schoolboy defending is no recipe for success at all

Agree.

[Waz1892]

Woeful.  Lack of any movement, desire up top.

So any passing needs to be pin point as no-one is running into space.  Then as it is only to feet, backs to goal, it comes back into crowded midfield and becomes too slow.

Dreadful

[buzzharvey22]

Raheem who?

[booder]

Getting progressively worse game by game.


Embarrassing.  

[kinboshi]

Raheem who?

Hardly the right target to scapegoat for today's abysmal performance.  Dammit at left-back for Newcastle must have thought it was xmas when Liverpool decided to try and play Sterling in with 40 yard+ lofted passes.  He's 5 foot tall with blistering pace.  It'd be like trying to play Messi in with long hoof-ball from the keeper instead of giving him the ball at his feet or for him to run on to.

Balotelli offers nothing, and playing in front of that team today he had no chance.  But what Liverpool need is a forward who will bust a gut, run his balls off, make things happen.  Balotelli is the polar-opposite of that unfortunately.  Need Sturridge back, and quickly.  Baffled as to why Lallana didn't play today though.  Rodgers at fault today for a very lacklustre performance all round.  Newcastle weren't good, Liverpool were abject.

[The Camel]

Maybe Brenda isn't a genius after all. Maybe was just made to look like a genius by Suarez.

One thing for sure, if they carry on the way they are going this season's envelope is going to be choc full of names by May.

[kinboshi]

Maybe Brenda isn't a genius after all. Maybe was just made to look like a genius by Suarez.

One thing for sure, if they carry on the way they are going this season's envelope is going to be choc full of names by May.

Don't forget Sturridge.  I'm sure if you take the top two goal-scorers in the league out of any side they'd struggle?  Take the two key players (especially goal-scorers) out of any side and it'll affect them.

[TightEnd]

Why is he playing sterling as a wing back?

he gets the ball, he is isolated and double covered

so he cuts inside and its crowded

playing him in behind a front one/two with a free role and tell him to do his stuff

no point sticking a square peg in a round hole

[kinboshi]

Agreed. No point lobbing long balls say his head either. Waste of his talent.

[baldock92]

http://www.thesportbible.com/articles/are-these-liverpool-fans-serious

Surely this can't be happening?!