Liverpool 2014-15: Now Is Time On Merseyside When We Dance
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Yeah, he hasn't been so much the conductor of a smashing farewell tour as much as the drunk accountant at his retirement party that refuses to acknowledge his time's up.
That would've been a wonderful flashback to his header vs. Milan 10 years ago.
Shit, that was 10 years ago?
Shit, that was 10 years ago?
SoxFanInCali said:
The best part was the commentator accusing Balotelli of being lazy until he realized it wasn't offside.
I wonder if there is a psychological disadvantage to these yellow card kits they are wearing.
Annnd another over the top
Annnd another over the top
Or Balotelli being called offsides 5 times in 45 minutes, four being blatant and the fifth a potentially critical blown call.PedroSpecialK said:
Or Gerrard all but pulling out his phone on the pitch to look up real estate listings during the match.
Or Glen Johnson.
I mean, we have a lot of options, and there's still 4 weeks left.
Deservedly out. Poor effort and work rate from the players. They lacked motivation, discipline, and at times intelligence. The shot selection from Sterling and Lovren at the death was hilariously bad.
Absolute clownshoes performance from the EPL's Bobby Valentine. After the second formation change it took the side thirty minutes to find any shape at all. The Markovic change was correct, but Johnson for Allen? What the actual fuck?
Gerrard didn't even bring his set pieces today, making him nothing but a yellow cone with an 8 on the back. I'd hate for him to have played his last full game in the shirt with that performance, but he can't be granted another full 90. Barring injury to Allen, I find it hard to justify his selection at all while there is still meaning in games.
Horrible all around.
Absolute clownshoes performance from the EPL's Bobby Valentine. After the second formation change it took the side thirty minutes to find any shape at all. The Markovic change was correct, but Johnson for Allen? What the actual fuck?
Gerrard didn't even bring his set pieces today, making him nothing but a yellow cone with an 8 on the back. I'd hate for him to have played his last full game in the shirt with that performance, but he can't be granted another full 90. Barring injury to Allen, I find it hard to justify his selection at all while there is still meaning in games.
Horrible all around.
It's one of the saddest parts of being a sports fan, watching your favorite players get old.
I'm disappointed that Liverpool isn't going to the final, but I'm really bummed out that the Gerrard era is ending this way.
I'm disappointed that Liverpool isn't going to the final, but I'm really bummed out that the Gerrard era is ending this way.
SoxFanInCali said:
Just saw this stat kicked around: Liverpool have won 12 of 31 games (39%) when Steven Gerrard has started this season, compared to 13 of 21 (62%) when he hasn't.
I imagine this is how Yankee fans with functioning brains felt watching Jeter last yearSoxFanInCali said:
Those exist? I have an easier time believing in unicorns and the Yeti.
With regard to Gerrard, he's the sole reason I got pulled to LFC during the mid-2000s. Back then, he was a rare player that could play box to box and singlehandedly determine the outcome of a match. When they signed Torres, he finally had a running buddy, but both started to break down just as they found their groove. Last year's Gerrard was a mirage in the desert of his final days in the EPL, no longer having to shoulder the load for the team as Suarez and Sturridge and Sterling did the heavy lifting. As SFiC said, this isn't how I wanted to see him off. I didn't want to see one of the more influential players of my generation falling apart at the hinges, his body betraying his determination. I think the double nut punch of last season's end and captaining the worst England WC side in a LOOOONG time may have finally worn him down psychologically, and this year's squad is paying some of that price.
At least the season-long wake ends soon, and we can finally deliver our eulogies and put the body in the ground.
With regard to Gerrard, he's the sole reason I got pulled to LFC during the mid-2000s. Back then, he was a rare player that could play box to box and singlehandedly determine the outcome of a match. When they signed Torres, he finally had a running buddy, but both started to break down just as they found their groove. Last year's Gerrard was a mirage in the desert of his final days in the EPL, no longer having to shoulder the load for the team as Suarez and Sturridge and Sterling did the heavy lifting. As SFiC said, this isn't how I wanted to see him off. I didn't want to see one of the more influential players of my generation falling apart at the hinges, his body betraying his determination. I think the double nut punch of last season's end and captaining the worst England WC side in a LOOOONG time may have finally worn him down psychologically, and this year's squad is paying some of that price.
At least the season-long wake ends soon, and we can finally deliver our eulogies and put the body in the ground.
Between this performance, the no-show in the Champions League, and Jurgen Klopp's availability, I can't help but think Rodgers' situation is looking cloudy.
No words. This picture say it all . (Congratulation to Aston Villa) anyway.. And guys HEAD UP we are Liverpool and YNWA expecially when we lose
A photo posted by Mario Balotelli (@mb459) on Apr 19, 2015 at 10:48am PDT
A photo posted by Mario Balotelli (@mb459) on Apr 19, 2015 at 10:48am PDT
JayMags71 said:
I could be wrong but I'd be shocked if Klopp went to a club without Champions league. Then again I read something the other day that said City isn't interested so who knows.
Liverpool would probably provide the closest connection to Dortmund from a fan/club passion perspective. Klopp's clubs always seemed to revel in that stadium and atmosphere.
And I fire Rogers yesterday if Klopp was willing to come aboard.
And I fire Rogers yesterday if Klopp was willing to come aboard.
Klopp seems like a difficult guy to predict. I'm not sure the conventional assumptions about managers just wanting to go to the biggest possible clubs with the best possible chance at silverware will necessarily hold for him. I could see him being a good fit at Liverpool.
If Liverpool truly had the choice of hiring Klopp, I think you'd have to fire Rodgers. That would be harsh on Rodgers but managers like Klopp don't come available that often and his name recognition might help the club recruiting and retaining higher caliber players. For me, this is one of the big problems with having a guy like Rodgers at a club like Liverpool (or, frankly, Arsenal): Supporters might love the manager and believe in him, but your average non-English player has never heard of the guy and doesn't see him as a draw. If Klopp had been at Liverpool last summer, the chances of signing a player like Alexis would have been substantially higher. If reports are to be believed, in the last couple years players like Mikhitaryan and Griezmann also chose clubs like BvB and Atletico over Liverpool, and not for the money either. Liverpool will never win a recruitment war with the massively rich clubs because wages usually trump everything. But they should be able to hold their own in recruitment wars with the likes of Arsenal, Dortmund, and Atletico. Having a manager like Klopp would give them a big boost in that respect.
If Liverpool truly had the choice of hiring Klopp, I think you'd have to fire Rodgers. That would be harsh on Rodgers but managers like Klopp don't come available that often and his name recognition might help the club recruiting and retaining higher caliber players. For me, this is one of the big problems with having a guy like Rodgers at a club like Liverpool (or, frankly, Arsenal): Supporters might love the manager and believe in him, but your average non-English player has never heard of the guy and doesn't see him as a draw. If Klopp had been at Liverpool last summer, the chances of signing a player like Alexis would have been substantially higher. If reports are to be believed, in the last couple years players like Mikhitaryan and Griezmann also chose clubs like BvB and Atletico over Liverpool, and not for the money either. Liverpool will never win a recruitment war with the massively rich clubs because wages usually trump everything. But they should be able to hold their own in recruitment wars with the likes of Arsenal, Dortmund, and Atletico. Having a manager like Klopp would give them a big boost in that respect.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
Is the manager really more important than location + consistent Champions League football? I imagine a lot of players would rather be playing Champions League football under a mediocre manager in London or Madrid than UEFA league football under a great manager in Liverpool. The Manchester clubs have the same problem, but they can solve it by throwing tons of money around. Liverpool can't.
coremiller said:
I think those are all factors. Location clearly matters, although its likely somewhat idiosyncratic to the particular player. Champions League football is obviously a big part of the picture. But Liverpool could offer that last summer. That might have been their first entrance in a while but that is not much different than clubs like Atletico or Dortmund, both of which have only been back in the Champions League for a few seasons (2 for Atleti, 4 for BvB) after significant spells out and neither of which can take participation in the future for granted (as shown by Dortmund's season this year).
My overall point is not that a manager trumps other factors, but that if you don't have other factors in your favor, its doubly important for a club like Liverpool to get a manager like Klopp that would be a draw for players...if that manager is actually available (which is, of course, total speculation).
Liverpool Echo (via Yahoo) is reporting the board has no plans to replace Rodgers
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-liverpool-board-plans-sack-brendan-rodgers-115552596--sow.html
Doesn't exactly sound like a ringing endorsement. Wouldn't be surprised if they sniff around Klopp. You can't make it public though as you don't want to undermine Rodgers in the event Klopp goes elsewhere.
It has to be pretty tempting though.
Has there ever been any real clarification on who actually does the player recruitment? Given the original denials of interest and then the volteface signing of Balotelli one can assume that it wasn't just Rodgers doing the shopping.
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-liverpool-board-plans-sack-brendan-rodgers-115552596--sow.html
Doesn't exactly sound like a ringing endorsement. Wouldn't be surprised if they sniff around Klopp. You can't make it public though as you don't want to undermine Rodgers in the event Klopp goes elsewhere.
It has to be pretty tempting though.
Has there ever been any real clarification on who actually does the player recruitment? Given the original denials of interest and then the volteface signing of Balotelli one can assume that it wasn't just Rodgers doing the shopping.
Never having to watch Glen Johnson again is a hell of a silver lining regardless of the outcome this season
...what the hell Sterling
Broken record but Johnson is having another shockingly poor match
...what the hell Sterling
Broken record but Johnson is having another shockingly poor match
SoxFanInCali said:
Sorry I missed it. But Brendan said the players were "outstanding", so it must be you.SoxFanInCali said:
Whenever a politician says he "has no plans" to run for president, it means he's waiting for a chance to run for president. When a player says he "has no plans" to leave a club, it means he hasn't received the right offer yet.
So when Liverpool say they "have no plans" to replace Rodgers, I assume it means they would be happy to replace him if they can get the right candidate to say Yes.
So when Liverpool say they "have no plans" to replace Rodgers, I assume it means they would be happy to replace him if they can get the right candidate to say Yes.
I disagree wholeheartedly.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
The seeds of this downturn were planted while the team was still winning. Relying on incredible strikes from outside of the box isn't a formula for long term success. The system was broken long before the results started disappearing.
Sterling is a mediocre striker. Sturridge hasn't been himself. The roster of attacking players isn't conducive to a single man up front. Lambert, Balotelli, Borini, etc all rely on a strike partner. That brief spell Balotelli and Sturridge shared on the pitch showed glimmers that were immediately snuffed, and for what?
Constantly shoehorning Gerrard into the lineup is played out and sentimental. He doesn't have 90 minutes in him anymore, he's constantly exposed defensively, and his delivery is either rusty from injury or has deserted him entirely. The inclusion of Glen Johnson is absolutely and inarguably wrong. The man is gone after the season on a free transfer so you aren't building value. He's totally lost on the pitch and he's blocking minutes from the young players that should be getting their licks while the season is lost.
I'm saying nothing new when I echo the sentiment of picking a system and sticking with it. Go to a dual striker attack, get Sterling in off the wing, staple Gerrard to the substitute bench if he must be included in the squad at all, dress Johnson in blue and hope Everton trot him out... Whatever it takes, just play to a few of the strengths instead of shoehorning everybody into a lineup where all the players are out of their natural roles.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
The seeds of this downturn were planted while the team was still winning. Relying on incredible strikes from outside of the box isn't a formula for long term success. The system was broken long before the results started disappearing.
Sterling is a mediocre striker. Sturridge hasn't been himself. The roster of attacking players isn't conducive to a single man up front. Lambert, Balotelli, Borini, etc all rely on a strike partner. That brief spell Balotelli and Sturridge shared on the pitch showed glimmers that were immediately snuffed, and for what?
Constantly shoehorning Gerrard into the lineup is played out and sentimental. He doesn't have 90 minutes in him anymore, he's constantly exposed defensively, and his delivery is either rusty from injury or has deserted him entirely. The inclusion of Glen Johnson is absolutely and inarguably wrong. The man is gone after the season on a free transfer so you aren't building value. He's totally lost on the pitch and he's blocking minutes from the young players that should be getting their licks while the season is lost.
I'm saying nothing new when I echo the sentiment of picking a system and sticking with it. Go to a dual striker attack, get Sterling in off the wing, staple Gerrard to the substitute bench if he must be included in the squad at all, dress Johnson in blue and hope Everton trot him out... Whatever it takes, just play to a few of the strengths instead of shoehorning everybody into a lineup where all the players are out of their natural roles.
I copuldn't agree more....trying to pick an XI on this team with the manner with which the roster is constituted is damn near impossible. The number of redundant parts is mind boggling. Pick a system - play 3 in the back if that is what you think works for your squad, but recognize that the ability to play a single target striker isn't there - Lambert, Balotelli can't do it, they need someone to play off of. Couthino or Sterling playing the 10 could work well, but they can't both do it. Allen to a certain degree, and Henderson to a better degree can play the 6, but it wastes Henderson's greatest asset, his ability to run himself dead in to the ground. I don't mind the 3 back system with strong wingbacks, but they only have 1 marginal wingback at this point - Moreno, and he just doesn't get the defending portion, he can bomb forward and serve the ball well to the box, but is constantly exposed defensively. I'd alos like to personally fly to Liverpool and help Lovren find his game, where is the dominant central defender that they purchased? I think BR has gotten more right than wrong - yes, he covered some glaring holes last year with brilliance from Suzrez, but he's adjusted reasonably well this year - fix the roster, not the manager. Now, the arguement that the roster is the manager's fault is a completely different story and may have some merit to it...
Twitter seems to be certain that Samed Yesil will get his first-team debut at striker today. He's missed almost two full years with an ACL injury but is still only 20.
DLew On Roids said:
He doesn't, which is a shame as I'd like to see him given a try. Allen for Gerrard the only change from WBA.
Hull City XI: Harper, Chester, Huddlestone, Brady, Livermore, McShane, Dawson, Aluko, Elmohamady, N'Doye, Quinn.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Allen, Henderson, Ibe, Sterling, Coutinho, Balotelli.
Have I mentioned that Glen Johnson is god damn awful?
Jesus how did he concede a 2 throws and a corner in that sequence?
Jesus how did he concede a 2 throws and a corner in that sequence?
Coutinho needs to be outfitted with a collar that electroshocks him whenever he gives the ball to Johnson
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