ES Soccer Thread

[Bozo the kKklown]

Come get your right back

 

 

[FanboyOf91]

Just a wee bit of pressure today.

[Est.1974]

City all over Mahrez, 3rd bid in at 55mil at present. 

[DC9]

****ING TACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS!

 

Clog that middle with some holding players and use the fullbacks for width... Narrow your front three and get the **** in there.

 

That's how it's done!

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Well that sent the delusional, bat**** crazy, reactionary fractions of the fan base back under the social media rocks they've crawled out of the last week after being in 'hibernation' for over 3 months. Yes, Swansea was garbage. (Interesting to see them do Arsenal last night and continue the new manager bounce impact. Swansea a serious proposition the minute and not easy the easy fodder their league position suggests ..... Who knew?). Yes, West Brom was absolutely appaling from 1 to 11. Which hurt more as it put us out of the Cup with all that means to Liverpudlians. And yes, you've been left cursing the frustrating lack of transfer activity whilst other clubs add for the second half slog. All the while with L'pool seemingly weakening themselves from a position of serious strength the start of January. 

But this had been a team coming off 18 undefeated. 14 the league. Not only playing some sparkling football that reaffirmed the general consensus of them being the second best footballing side the PL, but who'd shown a multitude of different facets to their game to combat and dog out a string of wins against sides they, as the narrative goes, can't beat/ struggle against. And for people to suddenly jump off cliffs head first with absolute, nonsensical bunkum, to be kind, like 'There's NO way this side is finishing top 4/ Klopp doesn't have a clue and needs binning/ Nobody at this club has any ambition to win anything/ We've the worst group of players and coaching staff the top 6' et all has been beyond belief to read. There's legit criticism. And there's being a legit narking gob****e just for the sake of it. Sadly, we have FAR too many of the latter among our number. 

Anyway, now that's off my chest, last night .....

Brilliant bounce back. Albeit against a pretty darn woeful Huddersfield outfit. (The less side about their lower league 'support' and the lame, embarrassing **** they chant the better. But at least it was aggro free and when you're home off the train in an hour and half you can't complain.). 

Real mature, professional display that was fully dominant without being crazy mad. We managed it superbly. From the subtle change of boxing off the midfield and standing up to Huddersfield's physicality with two wily arl heads Henderson. (Again, for all his critics, our game is SO much faster all round when he's dictating it. Always probing and trying to get us going. It's that simple and is often so madly overlooked when people ask 'Just what does Henderson bring to the table?'.). And he was noticeably more forward-thinking last night with it which was pleasing to see. Arguable shout for MOTM along with Can and the sublime Firmino.). And Milner who was tenacious all over with his non-stop harrying and pressing. Emre Can dominating in a further forward position he always flourishes more in when he can attack the opposition head-on. As frustrating as he is with his inconsistency that has you tearing your hear out, he should NEVER be sat deep as a 6. It just completely undermines his whole game. Particularly against sides that sit deep and leave him with little to engage himself with. Massive critic of him personally so fair play for a great game last night. Dejan Lovren stepping in and once again completely over-shadowing the continuingly shaky Matip. Surely he has put the marker down to be van Dijk's partner going forward? (Talking of, big Virge was 'rested?' SERIOUSLY? He's barely frigging played this year. Rested FFS! Man alive. Professional footballer. Nice 'work' if you can get it.). Through another goal from the ridiculous Salah and Bobby Firmino again showing why there's not a more complete forward IMHO the PL. He's just a dream of a footballer in every respect. 19 on the season now. (11 assists.). With 11 in the league. Matching Lukaku to name but one. Yet he STILL continues to go under the radar. As brilliant for us as it is mad on a National level. All done with brilliant fluidity that had Huddersfield completely confused as to where and what we were playing. All whilst managing the game superbly in a real mature manner that lost none of the dominance of our usual 'rock and roll' style. 

Real good showing that, that shouldn't be downplayed just because it was 'Huddersfield.' More composed games like that in the way we both tactically set-up and approach a lot of these 'lesser' sides the run-in will be really welcome. Now to flip that and hit 'Spurs hard and early from the get-go with our usual MO Sunday and get the arl place rocking!

Talking of, good luck Tottenham tonight. (And Bournemouth.). Hope they batter Utd to keep us to within a game of second. But it's nice to be in a watching situation where we can just sit back with most any result being a positive one for us. 

Up the 'Crisis? WHAT Crisis' Reds! 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Welcome to Yorkshire ..... People like this want putting down. Seriously! 

 

 

*This is more for the Brits .....

 

'This table is for LOCAL people!' 

 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

13 hours ago, UK SKINS FAN '74 said:

City all over Mahrez, 3rd bid in at 55mil at present. 

 

How does ANYONE compete with this?

Casually drop £57 million on a real promising young centre-half one day. Throw in bids of, reported to this point, £60 million for one of the best wingers. and most exciting players, IMHO, the league the next to add to an already ridiculous array of attacking talent. Pushed into that down to a player being out for SIX weeks. 

Teams strengthen January. Then City, already streets ahead of anyone else, steps up and blows them all out of the water. AGAIN! The later of which they don't even need but who would be another frighteningly good addition under Guardiola and his system. 

Talk about locking up the league for the next foreseeable years and throwing away the key. Geez.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

14 hours ago, BenningRoadSkin said:

Come get your right back

 

 

 

I don't know what's more perturbing. 

 

Him being on US TV when he's supposed to be out there rehabing. 

 

Or the frigging retard presenter introducing him as 'Nathanial Clyne -eeee'

 

WTF is all that about?

 

Hail. 

[DC9]

I'll take shared points today between the two.  Plenty of time for us to get at them both, starting Sunday at Anfield hopefully.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

 

Hail. 

[SkinInsite]

Klopp you gotta save me from the **** tornado that is the skins, please please spend some money.

 

Edited January 31, 2018 by SkinInsite

[FanboyOf91]

 

God has forsaken us!

 

[RichmondRedskin88]

City bought Harrison (To Loan out) specifically to screw over Stoke according to sources.  Wow that’s a dick move.  Word is a new FFP is coming and City is trying to make every deal beforehand. 

[Berggy9598]

One team in this match so far. 

[Berggy9598]

Sunday league center backs. 

[Morrison J]

Think the last time Man Utd played a decent team away from home without Matic and Herrera starting was when they played Arsenal and conceded about 25 good chances.

 

Same again today, look absolutely wide open. Great game.

Edited January 31, 2018 by Morrison J

[FanboyOf91]

 

 

Sad!

 

(loses possession again)

[FanboyOf91]

...so basically Dortmund is going to get destroyed on Friday.

[Berggy9598]

45 minutes ago, FanboyOf91 said:

 

 

Sad!

 

(loses possession again)

Being trounced by Swansea is clearly the better option. 

The self satisfaction seeping from that Micky mouse club bodes well for Liverpool. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Superb night. Up to third. A game out of second. 6 and 5 goal swings on Chelsea and Utd respectively in two days.

Set's up the game Sunday with Tottenham at r's superbly. 

 

1 hour ago, Berggy9598 said:

Sunday league center backs. 

 

Missing Bailey massively but above and beyond him, your defence remains a mess. Take de Gea out of the equation and your goals against record would be up there with ours. 

 

Hail. 

Edited January 31, 2018 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Berggy9598]

5 minutes ago, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

Superb night. Up to third. A game out of second. 6 and 5 goal swings on Chelsea and Utd respectively in two days.

Set's up the game Sunday with Tottenham at r's superbly. 

 

 

Missing Bailey massively but above and beyond him, your defence remains a mess. Take de Gea out of the equation and your goals against record would be up there with ours. 

 

Hail. 

Bailly and Rojo for that matter were a solid pair last season. I'm not buying the lovefest for Spurs it was utter self distraction and mental fragility on United's part that put this game into garbage time very early on. Herrera for whatever reason is a shell of himself offensively but he should have come on for Lingard after halftime. Ultimately besides being mentally fragile i can't fault them Smalling and Jones are an utter embarrassment with their passivity and lack of composure. Stole a game check today imo. 

[DC9]

So Pep is over a billion added to a side thats won the league and made the semis in champions league...

 

And he's won nothing yet.  But all of a sudden he's fantastic....cause City might do the quadruple.

 

How about this.  If you don't get at least a treble you should go to prison for embezzlement.

 

Right.

 

I guess Mahrez is off.  Still... when exactly does FFP kick in?

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

So now the January transfer window is in the books, let's recap L'pool's 'mixed' business: 

Started with a bang with van Dijk finally inked for what will run to £75 million. If anything, this being clinched the end of December, it probably happened too early as in today’s transient, ‘What have you done for me lately’ World, with next to nothing following him, it’s left a very flat feel to L’pool’s January business. Had he come in say deadline day, the perception of our window would probably have been totally different. The only other incomings have been 2 for the youth ranks. Although in the case of the young Colombian U-20 International FB/ Winger (either side) Anderson Arroyo he’ll have to be flipped out on loan for the purpose of the permit. (More than likely to Malaga, where he impressed on trial in December, for the next 2 years to gain a European Visa. And Tony Gallacher, the Scottish U-17 International LB from Falkirk for £200,000. Although by all accounts 2 very promising 18 year-olds, not exactly the additions you’d of hoped to compliment van Dijk for the second half push. Particularly as the window started to fall flat with the outgoings .....

The biggie, of course, was Coutinho who finally forced through his dream Barcelona move to the tune of what may well eventually tally £142 million. A move that sadly had to be made for the good of the bad atmosphere we now know he was creating around the team. Not only moping around Melwood, letting it be known to everyone he didn’t want to be here, but flat-out refusing to play for the second transfer window in a row. Basically making his position untenable and L’pool open to him pulling more similar, disgraceful **** the rest of the year. (What would he have done had we pulled Barcelona for example Europe? Would he have quit again the end of the season to be fully healthy the WC?). When the very core of the club, the changing room, comes under threat from one bad apple, you have to remove that for the good of the team. The problem though in not replacing him leaves L’pool light a top-drawer creative talent from the midfield who could also equally fill in the front three. We’re basically now down to Chamberlain, Lallana who’s struggling for fitness, and the very up and down Can as a creative force in midfield. Slim pickings and the manager is going to have to be creative to juggle the best out of them game-by-game the run-in. The other two permanent departures were Cam Brannagan, to Oxford. And Lloyd Jones, to Luton. Both for undisclosed fees. Neither of whomever really showed any difference-making ability to suggest they’d cut it the top level so no real future loss as they start out on their pro-careers at 21 and 22 respectively. And Corrie Whelan All the best fellas regardless. Hope you both have long, healthy and successful careers.

And 9 players left on loan for the remainder of this season. Ryan Kent was recalled from Germany after a very lean time at Freiburg to be immediately flipped to Bristol City. Interested to see how he copes the top of the Championship as to whether he may stick around. At 21 he needs to really grasp this chance fully and kick on again like the big leap he made at Barnsley last year or he may well be moved on the summer. Marko Grujic has gone out to another Championship high flyer Cardiff. Which should be just what he needs to get regular games and learn the dark arts from Neil Warnock. A proper **** if ever there was one who breeds proper ****s on the pitch. Grujic has all the tools to be a solid member of the squad going forward. He just needs rounding out and hopefully, this experience will do wonders for him. Ovie Ejaria has gone to Sunderland and their relegation fight. Personally really like him. Real classy player. But he’s that many hoops to still jump through to get back the first team picture you can’t help sadly thinking his career will be away from Anfield. Harry Wilson has gone to Hull but despite all the hype and ridiculous goals/ assists the last few years from the consensus best player in all of PL2, there’s just something lacking to think he’ll do it the next step up. Physically undersized which doesn’t bode well against grown men. Be nice to be wrong there but not expecting a L’pool career there personally. Matty Virtue went out to Notts County. He'll have a good career somewhere. Solid pro. Corey Whelan went out to Yeovil. Same as Matty. Both could do with being moved on the summer to start their pro-careers in earnest. But I seriously doubt it's at the top level. And the less said about Ladzar Markovic and that cretin Flanagan the better who’ve gone to Belgium and Bolton respectively. Sooner both are out the club on permy deals the better. Which leaves the late biggie and cause of much contentious debate the last few days among Reds. Daniel Sturridge and his move home to West Brom. Brilliant for both new club and player. Daniel gets to play regularly. Albion get a top class striker if they can keep him healthy. But another one that leaves Liverpool real light in the out-and-out striking department with now only the very raw Dom Solanke and the nowhere near fully recuperated Danny Ings. Quite the gamble on Firmino staying fit and managing him so his legs don’t fall off late again from the manager.

So from starting from a serious position of strength and a bang with big Virge, we’ve ended with a whimper and somehow depleted the squad the other end the park. It’s certainly a gamble from a manager who you have to admire for not settling and waiting until the summer to get his men. The right men for L’pool. Can’t say I wholly agree but then he’s delivered and not really let us down thus far so he deserves our trust and continued support. His choice and his choice alone which he’s hung his hat on the next 4 months. 

I still have every faith we can take 2nd and go deep into Europe. We’ve proved we’re the best side out there behind City. But that’s now predicated to having no key injuries like we suffered last year. 

Here’s hoping the mad German ****s gamble pays off as this season still promises so much. 

Is it Sunday and Tottenham already?

 

Hail. 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2018 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Berggy9598]

2 hours ago, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

So now the January window is in the books, let’s recap L’pools, ‘mixed’ business. 

Started with a bang with van Dijk finally inked for what will run to £75 million. If anything, this being clinched the end of December, it probably happened too early as in today’s transient, ‘What have you done for me lately’ World, with next to nothing following him, it’s left a very flat feel to L’pool’s January business. Had he come in say deadline day, the perception of our window would probably have been totally different. The only other incomings have been 2 for the youth ranks. Although in the case of the young Colombian U-20 International FB/ Winger (either side) Anderson Arroyo he’ll have to be flipped out on loan for the purpose of the permit. (More than likely to Malaga, where he impressed on trial in December, for the next 2 years to gain a European Visa. And Tony Gallacher, the Scottish U-17 International LB from Falkirk for £200,000. Although by all accounts 2 very promising 18 year-olds, not exactly the additions you’d of hoped to compliment van Dijk for the second half push. Particularly as the window started to fall flat with the outgoings .....

The biggie of course was Coutinho who finally forced through his dream Barcelona move to the tune of what may well eventually tally £142 million. A move that sadly had to be made for the good of the bad atmosphere we now know he was creating around the team. Not only moping around Melwood, letting it be known to everyone he didn’t want to be here, but flat out refusing to play for the second transfer window in a row. Basically making his position untenable and L’pool open to him pulling more similar, disgraceful **** the rest of the year. (What would he have done had we pulled Barcelona for example Europe? Would he have quit again the end of the season to be fully healthy the WC?). When the very core of the club, the changing room, comes under threat from one bad apple, you have to remove that for the good of the team. The problem though in not replacing him leaves L’pool light a top drawer creative talent from the midfield who could also equally fill in the front three. We’re basically now down to Chamberlain, Lallana who’s struggling for fitness, and the very up and down Can as a creative force in midfield. Slim pickings and the manager is going to have to be creative to juggle the best out of them game-by-game the run-in. The other two permanent departures were Cam Brannagan, to Oxford. And Lloyd Jones, to Luton. Both for undisclosed fees. Neither of whom ever really showed any difference making ability to suggest they’d cut it the top level so no real future loss as they start out on their pro-careers at 21 and 22 respectively. All the best fellas regardless. Hope you both have long, healthy and successful careers.

And 7 players left on loan for the remainder of this season. Ryan Kent was recalled from Germany after a very lean time at Freiburg to be immediately flipped to Bristol City. Interested to see how he copes the top of the Championship as to whether he may stick around. At 21 he needs to really grasp this chance fully and kick on again like last year or he may well be moved on the summer. Marko Grujic has gone out to another Championship high flyer Cardiff. Which should be just what he needs to get regular games and learn the dark arts from Neil Warnock. A proper btard if ever there was one who breeds proper btards on the pitch. Grujic has all the tools to be a solid member of the squad going forward. He just needs rounding out and hopefully this experience will do wonders for him. Ovie Ejaria has gone to Sunderland and their relegation fight. Personally really like him. Real classy player. But he’s that many hoops to still jump through to get back the first team picture you can’t help sadly thinking his career will be away from Anfield. Harry Wilson has gone to Hull but despite all the hype and ridiculous goals/ assists the last few years from the consensus best player in all of PL2, there’s just something lacking to think he’ll do it the next step up. Physically undersized which doesn’t bode well against grown men. Be nice to be wrong there but not expecting a L’pool career there personally. And the less said about Ladzar Markovic and that cretin Flanagan the better who’ve gone to Belgium and Bolton respectively. Sooner both are out the club on permy deals the better. Which leaves the late biggie and cause of much contentious debate the last few days among Reds. Daniel Sturridge and his move home to West Brom. Brilliant for both new club and player. Daniel gets to play regularly. Albion get a top class striker if they can keep him healthy. But another one that leaves Liverpool real light in the out-and-out striking department with now only the very raw Dom Solanke and the nowhere near fully recouperated Danny Ings. Quite the gamble on Firmino staying fit and managing him so his legs don’t fall off late again from the manager.

So from starting from a serious position of strength and a bang with big Virge, we’ve ended with a whimper and somehow depleted the squad the other end the park. It’s certainly a gamble from a manager who you have to admire for not settling and waiting until the summer to get his men. The right men for L’pool. Can’t say I wholly agree but then he’s delivered and not really let us down thus far so he deserves our trust and continued support. His choice and his choice alone which he’s hung his hat on the next 4 months. 

I still have every faith we can take 2nd and go deep into Europe. We’ve proved we’re the best side out there behind City. But that’s now predicated to having no key injuries like we suffered last year. 

Here’s hoping the mad German ****s gamble pays off as this season still promises so much. 

Is it Sunday and Tottenham already? 

 

Hail.

The most frustrating thing (for me) about today's game was Tottenham even after scoring so quickly were not nearly as dominant as the score line would suggest. The majority of the chances they created came after United decided to call it a day. Playing two slow fullbacks that high against what Liverpool do is like jumping into a pool full of piranhas with a ribeye strapped to your junk. 

[Long n Left]

10 hours ago, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

 It’s certainly a gamble from a manager who you have to admire for not settling and waiting until the summer to get his men. The right men for L’pool. Can’t say I wholly agree but then he’s delivered and not really let us down thus far so he deserves our trust and continued support. His choice and his choice alone which he’s hung his hat on the next 4 months. 

I still have every faith we can take 2nd and go deep into Europe. We’ve proved we’re the best side out there behind City. But that’s now predicated to having no key injuries like we suffered last year. 

Here’s hoping the mad German ****s gamble pays off as this season still promises so much. 

Is it Sunday and Tottenham already? 

 

Hail.

I agree here. Tiring reading all the knobs in the Echo comments whining on about FSG and Klopp. Guy has got this ship sailing in the right direction, IMO, and deserves no less than every fan's full respect and support.

 

I'm actually glad they don't splash cash just for the sake of it, or to appease the whiners. Let Klopp get EXACTLY the player he wants for his system, and if you gotta wait till summer...so be it.

 

Hopefully Lallana and Clyne can get fit for the stretch run and CL, and I keep waiting for young Ben to get the call. Think he may be able to add some creativity to the midfield.

 

Sturridge wasn't playing anyway, so I don't count him as a huge loss. Never thought he was a Klopp type of player anyhow. Work rate wasn't there. Ings looked okay the FA match, but have seen so little of him, not sure if he can be a guy to consistently give Firmino some rest without a major drop off. He does look a little terrier in front of goal though.

 

I'll hold my thoughts till the summer, when I'd expect some real doings. Hoping for a keeper, another CB, and possibly Lemar and/or Pulisic to add more pace and creativity to midfield. I would consider that a rightful summer bounty. Securing a CL spot is paramount.

 

Until then...Onward you mighty Reds!

 

Tip Tottenham for a nice hold on the top four, and breathing heavy down second's back.