Liverpool 2015-16: We Didn't Want To Play in Europe Anyway
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ehaz said:
Sky is reporting that Liverpool and Hoffenheim have struck a deal. No idea if true but Sky is usually fairly careful with these reports.
Promising signing if true. I haven't really watched him but he has been a very productive player statistically, especially in 2013-14, and at Hoffenheim its not like he's been getting carried by the surrounding talent. He seems best as a #10 or SS so it will be interesting to see how he and Coutinho fit into the team together.
Coutinho's dribbling skills and ability to shoot from distance seem like they would make him a better fit at left wing, dribbling past men down the flank or cutting inside to shoot. Then you could play Sturridge up top and Firmino in the hole, maybe with eithar Markovic or Milner at right wing providing more work rate and defensive responsibility. Or you could play like Juventus has recently, lining up 4-3-1-2 with Firmino and Sturridge in front of Coutinho and with Milner and Henderson playing the all-action wide midfield roles like Pogba and Marchisio.
German news reporting the same, but medical check have to be cleared (so final news may come out after Brazil drops out from Copa or some doctors from Liverpool go to South America i guess).
He can play every position up front, as his coach at Hoffenheim, Markus Gisdol, changed systems quite a few times (in matches) due to his flexible offensive players like Firmino and German U21 captain Kevin Volland. Both can play on the wings, as a hanging striker besides a big man (that was mostly Antony Modeste, who was sold to 1.FC Köln), as a striker in a system with two strikers. So expect a flexible, fast and technical superb player.
I´ve never heard any bad rumors in the press and never heard him give any interviews after matches, either. I don´t know how good he speaks german, so i don´t know how fast he will learn english or if he speaks it already. I´ve seen an interview of Gisdol where he said that Firmino speaks and understands better than we can guess, but he never speaks it in an interview, every interview is done in porguese with an interpreter. At Bayern, you see every players speak german really fast, i guess that´s his star treatment at Hoffenheim. And he is also playing like that on the field:
Hoffenheim played a great attacking football, but had problems in defense in last years (this season was better). Firmino was often said to not help much on the defense and as a midfielder or winger, he needed to help, so that caused many problems, which were accepted.
He can play every position up front, as his coach at Hoffenheim, Markus Gisdol, changed systems quite a few times (in matches) due to his flexible offensive players like Firmino and German U21 captain Kevin Volland. Both can play on the wings, as a hanging striker besides a big man (that was mostly Antony Modeste, who was sold to 1.FC Köln), as a striker in a system with two strikers. So expect a flexible, fast and technical superb player.
I´ve never heard any bad rumors in the press and never heard him give any interviews after matches, either. I don´t know how good he speaks german, so i don´t know how fast he will learn english or if he speaks it already. I´ve seen an interview of Gisdol where he said that Firmino speaks and understands better than we can guess, but he never speaks it in an interview, every interview is done in porguese with an interpreter. At Bayern, you see every players speak german really fast, i guess that´s his star treatment at Hoffenheim. And he is also playing like that on the field:
Hoffenheim played a great attacking football, but had problems in defense in last years (this season was better). Firmino was often said to not help much on the defense and as a midfielder or winger, he needed to help, so that caused many problems, which were accepted.
Clyne done? https://twitter.com/TimesSport/status/614017745110216710
I'm more excited by this than Firmino. This addresses a clear need that can't really be dunked by tactics. I can totally see Firmino wasted and considered a "bust" because Rodgers won't budge and he's played as a target striker. You can't screw up a back, can you?
Can you?
I'm more excited by this than Firmino. This addresses a clear need that can't really be dunked by tactics. I can totally see Firmino wasted and considered a "bust" because Rodgers won't budge and he's played as a target striker. You can't screw up a back, can you?
Can you?
Clyne appears to be done.
Liverpool signs a back away from Southampton. [url="https://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/dejan-lovren-penalty-kick-miss-besiktas-liverpool.gif?w=600&h=332]What could possibly go wrong?[/url]
Liverpool signs a back away from Southampton. [url="https://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/dejan-lovren-penalty-kick-miss-besiktas-liverpool.gif?w=600&h=332]What could possibly go wrong?[/url]
Hearing a lot of rumors about Christian Benteke (again). Here's an interesting (I thought) scouting report.
Apparently Liverpool have signed highly rated 16 year old winger Bobby Adekanye from Barcelona's academy.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9902210/bobby-adekanye-confirms-liverpool-move-after-barcelona-exit
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9902210/bobby-adekanye-confirms-liverpool-move-after-barcelona-exit
Henderson was officially named the new captain, and Skrtel signed his new contract.
Liverpool fans also pulled a Kansas City Royals and got Henderson on the UK/Ireland cover of FIFA 16 (along with Messi), winning an online vote against Aguero, Courtois, and Kane.
Liverpool fans also pulled a Kansas City Royals and got Henderson on the UK/Ireland cover of FIFA 16 (along with Messi), winning an online vote against Aguero, Courtois, and Kane.
Gary McAllister has been named as a first team coach under Rodgers.
I consider that an excellent excuse to post a video of his last-second derby winner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bc0wWMNT0
I consider that an excellent excuse to post a video of his last-second derby winner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bc0wWMNT0
https://twitter.com/carra23/status/620305843066699776
https://twitter.com/carra23/status/620305843066699776
link to tweet
https://twitter.com/carra23/status/620305843066699776
link to tweet
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33497488
He might be referring to the Sterling deal that's yet to be confirmed. And Torres to Chelsea.
He might be referring to the Sterling deal that's yet to be confirmed. And Torres to Chelsea.
Indeed he is. I'm sorry for not providing that context.
At the risk of sounding like one of our resident Arsenal supporters, I'm not sure I have a lot of faith in the transfer committee to find an adequate replacement.
Lovren, Balotelli, Joe Allen, Iago Aspas, Andy Carroll, etc. have really sapped my enthusiasm for dipping into the transfer market.
At the risk of sounding like one of our resident Arsenal supporters, I'm not sure I have a lot of faith in the transfer committee to find an adequate replacement.
Lovren, Balotelli, Joe Allen, Iago Aspas, Andy Carroll, etc. have really sapped my enthusiasm for dipping into the transfer market.
There have been rumors of a £46M bid for Marco Reus floating around.
That's the danger to City of making deals like this domestically. FFP may not have the teeth once expected, but financing a rival's purchase of a player who's better today--and whom Sterling may never surpass--runs the risk of making Liverpool that much more competitive in the league.
That's the danger to City of making deals like this domestically. FFP may not have the teeth once expected, but financing a rival's purchase of a player who's better today--and whom Sterling may never surpass--runs the risk of making Liverpool that much more competitive in the league.
There's also a Higuain rumour today (Bleacher Report) (can't link as I'm on a phone) .. Much rather see him than Benteke
Knowing nothing about Higuain's strengths or weaknesses, why do you prefer him to Benteke? What does he bring to the table?
He scored 53 goals over the past two seasons (Benteke has 26). Over the past 7 seasons he's scored over 20 in 5 of them (Benteke just once).
Higuain seems old because he's been around forever but he's a striker that doesn't rely on pace and is 27 years old. I really like Benteke, and wouldn't mind him on United, but Higuain is on a higher tier.
Higuain seems old because he's been around forever but he's a striker that doesn't rely on pace and is 27 years old. I really like Benteke, and wouldn't mind him on United, but Higuain is on a higher tier.
Here's the BR link on Higuain
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2521640-liverpool-transfer-news-gonzalo-higuain-targeted-christian-benteke-rumours
And what Zomp said
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2521640-liverpool-transfer-news-gonzalo-higuain-targeted-christian-benteke-rumours
And what Zomp said
Thanks. I hope my question was taken in the spirit it was intended. Namely, I don't know shit about Serie A.
Liverpool win 4-0 against the True Thai All-Stars in the opener of their preseason Asian tour. Goals from Markovic, Sakho, Lallana, and Origi. They were awarded something called the True Super Trophy, which I'm sure will go right next to the five giant jugs.
This all means nothing except Liverpool usually win or lose these openers 1-0, and this isn't similarly fucking depressing.
This all means nothing except Liverpool usually win or lose these openers 1-0, and this isn't similarly fucking depressing.
Teixeira is a guy I've been waiting for for a couple of years. He's played in a couple of first-team games and looked promising, so I'd like to see him get a run of games in the preseason.
DLew On Roids said:
Liverpool have a great chance to buy some real quality with the Sterling money. And thank the Lord City have more money than sense. Liverpool's squad is pretty good, the players they signed last year weren't bad, they just didn't have enough game changers/world class talent. Suarez was a great example (Bale too) of what a world class player can add to a (very) good team and Liverpool despite the late season drop off were not all that far off the pace.
Like the Dude's rug can tie a room together i do believe one or two real world class players can tie a team together. Sanchez had a galvanzing effect at Arsenal, he makes good players play better. On the other hand DI Maria might be going to PSG, which tells us that he was not like the Dude's rug...he hasn't proven to be a good fit.
For some reason I am cautiously optimistic about this season.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-brink-completing-christian-9669677
Sturridge and Benteke up front could be decent, Ings is a big upgrade on Lambert. I wonder if they'll offload him and Mario and reinforce the defense.
Sturridge and Benteke up front could be decent, Ings is a big upgrade on Lambert. I wonder if they'll offload him and Mario and reinforce the defense.
They also have Borini to potentially loan - I know he turned down Lazio but even he's gotta see the writing on the wall at this point.
Turning down Sunderland may end up being his biggest regret
Turning down Sunderland may end up being his biggest regret
I have to think that Rodgers is planning on playing the 4-4-2 diamond again, or something like the 4-3-1-2 that Juventus played a lot last year. You don't buy this many strikers unless you're planning on playing two of them at a time.
------Benteke-Firmino------
----------Coutinho----------
---Henderson---Milner-------
----------Can---------------
With Sturridge potentially partnering Benteke and either Firmino or Coutinho on one of the sides of the diamond if everybody is fit I guess. That looks potentially pretty good. But they'll need Firmino and Coutinho to really establish themselves as the guys who stir the drink and create chances on a regular basis, as there isn't a lot of creativity behind them and Benteke is a pure finisher without much shot creation ability.
------Benteke-Firmino------
----------Coutinho----------
---Henderson---Milner-------
----------Can---------------
With Sturridge potentially partnering Benteke and either Firmino or Coutinho on one of the sides of the diamond if everybody is fit I guess. That looks potentially pretty good. But they'll need Firmino and Coutinho to really establish themselves as the guys who stir the drink and create chances on a regular basis, as there isn't a lot of creativity behind them and Benteke is a pure finisher without much shot creation ability.
Firmino plays best as an attacking midfielder, and I don't believe that the diamond is Rodgers' preferred formation. I think they might use it on occasion when (or if) Sturridge is fit, but Sturridge can also play on the right of a 4-3-3 and drift/cut inside. We know that the 4-3-3 is Rodgers' preference, but I think that he might tinker and tailor it to the strengths of the squad. His best two players that will available to start the season (Firmino/Coutinho) are both attacking mids although Firmino does have some experience as second striker. You might see something like the 3-4-2-1 with two #10s that Rodgers used during the 11 game unbeaten streak, albeit with 4 in the back. I'm envisioning:Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
-----------------Benteke-----------------
-----Coutinho--------------Firmino---------
------Hendo------Can/(Lucas)-----Milner-------
With Daniel healthy, go back to the preferred 4-3-3 - Sturridge and Firmino are given all the freedom they want to cut inside rather than being out-and-out wingers. Fluid front three.
---Firmino----Benteke----Sturridge---
----------------------------------------------
----------------Coutinho----------------
--------------------------------------------
-------Milner--------Lucas/Allen/Can-----
It's a good day for Brendan.
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Brendan Rodgers after Liverpool FC agree to pay Christian Benteke's release clause fee
Posted by talkSPORT on Thursday, July 16, 2015
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Brendan Rodgers after Liverpool FC agree to pay Christian Benteke's release clause fee
Posted by talkSPORT on Thursday, July 16, 2015
The plethora of attacking options would seem to lead some credence to the rumours Ibe would be going out on loan again. Which would seem to be a shame given how well he played last year. He would seem to be the direct replacement for Stirling - but there's no room in the Starting XI
Ings had a hat-trick in a 60 minute practice game against a Malaysian league side yesterday, and Teixeira scored one on a 40 yard chip over the keeper. Milner scored a couple in the games in Australia, and Ibe and Markovic have impressed. Last game of the Asia tour is tomorrow against a Malaysian All-Star team. They've got a couple of friendlies scheduled after that, so we should get to see Benteke and Firmino get a bit of game time with the squad before the Stoke game on August 9th.
Oh, and Sakho and Ibe made Subway sandwiches for some Malaysian people.
Oh, and Sakho and Ibe made Subway sandwiches for some Malaysian people.
Eleanor Barlow (@eleanorbarlow) has been live-Tweeting the raising of the new Main Stand roof today. She has some pretty amazing pictures.
Andre Wisdom heads to Norwich on loan.
This one surprises me because Wisdom is 22 and should be pushing for a starting spot if he's ever going to be good enough to become a regular. He also just signed a four-year extension, so presumably Liverpool think he has a future there.
This one surprises me because Wisdom is 22 and should be pushing for a starting spot if he's ever going to be good enough to become a regular. He also just signed a four-year extension, so presumably Liverpool think he has a future there.
1.25million for a Season Loan is a good bit of business for Liverpool as they have Clyne locked up now. After getting benched by Pulis last year another string of first team matches in the top flight will be good for Wisdom anywho, sure he could be breaking into the first team at Anfield, but Carrow Road will get him plenty of time defending this season.
tmracht said:
Considering his transfer value is no more than four times the loan fee, if he could be a regular at Norwich, it could make sense for everyone.