Liverpool FC 2013-14: Pride Restored

[JayMags71]

"Due to all of the people's affection, I will be staying"  :globalsox:

Luis Suárez has apparently told a Uruguayan newspaper that he is staying at Liverpool. The striker, who is on international duty as Uruguay prepare to play a friendly against Japan in Tokyo, has said in El Observador that he will stay at Anfield and may even sign a contract extension.

Suárez is reported to have said: "For now, due to all of the people's affection, I will be staying."

Earlier on Wednesday, the GolTV Latin America journalist Martin Charquero tweeted: "Luis Suárez confirms to me that he will not leave Liverpool. The support of the fans in recent weeks influenced his decision. Suárez sees it as likely that he'll sign a renewal to the contract that binds him to Liverpool."

Yeah, even if that's accurate, that still seems like lip service from a player who has nowhere else to go. Dont get me wrong, I don't blame him for having the desire to go where he can play Champions League, or even if he just wants to leave for more money. Just don't piss in my ear and try to tell me its raining.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Doesn't change anything for me as LFC supporter, this is a full-blown circus at this point. Still want him gone come January. They'll be a bid from another club that's not in the EPL.

 

[DLew On Roids]

The Aly Cissokho loan deal with Valencia appears to be all but done.  Given the wages Downing was on, I'd bet this was a domino set up to fall once his transfer was done.
 
Cissokho's an attacking LB who some of you will recall (especially Vinho, I bet) was supposed to be the next big thing when he was at Porto.  He's underperformed his assumed potential, so I don't see him as a surefire replacement for Jose Enrique, but I expect Rodgers will see him as an upgrade.  And with little depth at left back, it's a needed addition regardless. 

 

[DLew On Roids]

Speaking of Stewart Downing....

<img src="http://i1.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article5712262.ece/ALTERNATES/s2197/2724576-5712262.jpg" width="800">

And then there was one.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Cissokho also gives them the freedom to push Enrique up into a more attacking role (where he thrived for a few games last season) in the event Sterling/Ibe scuffle while Suarez is out.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Pete O'Rourke ‏@SkySportsPeteO
Luis Suarez has apologised to his Liverpool team mates and returned to training with first-team squad. #LFC

 

[DLew On Roids]

Cissokho also gives them the freedom to push Enrique up into a more attacking role (where he thrived for a few games last season) in the event Sterling/Ibe scuffle while Suarez is out.

 
Yeah, given his performance there last year, I think he's more effective as a winger.  He doesn't position very well as a back and has trouble getting into attack because he's a below-average athlete for a top-level professional.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

#LFC team v @stokecity: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Toure, Agger, Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho, Aspas, Sturridge.

#LFC subs v @stokecity: Jones, Sterling, Wisdom, Ibe, Allen, Borini, Luis Alberto.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Scoreless 20 minutes in.  Both teams have hit the crossbar early, Sturridge put one in but was slightly offside. Mignolet is looking nervy.
 
I'm sleepy..

 

[URI]

We just got a couple kittens, and one of them is perched right in front of the TV, watching intently, putting his paw on the screen everytime Liverpool gain possession.

I would hate to think of the bitterness this cat will have at the end of the year being a Liverpool fan.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Does it look like this?

 

[URI]

Actually a little bit...check my Twitter, Michael.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

That one counts!  Sturridge 1-0.

 

[SoxScout]

The simplest shot finally gets it done

 

[URI]

That was the best non-shass goal I've seen out of Sturrage.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I can't tell if this is more a result of Liverpool being good or Stoke being bad.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Liverpool try to give it right back, but Mignolet comes up with a good save. Hopefully that settles him down.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Stoke nearly score off a corner given even though the ball was absolutely off Huth.  Living dangerously...
 
1-0 at the half.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

That was scary. Mignolet with that great save but shaky nonetheless.

 

[CPT Neuron]

Build up play has been crisp, but the finishing has been suspect at best thus far....

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Henderson's kept his form from the end of last season, he's been encouraging to say the least.

 

[SoxScout]

Henderson should have a hattrick

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Henderson could have a hat trick if not for Begovic.

 

[CPT Neuron]

Not enough to rattle the crossbar........Henderson finds the inner post - wow.......

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

So is Liverpool's form of striking wood.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

At this point I'm just waiting for Pennant, Adam, and Crouch to combine for an equalizer.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Begovic is insane

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Adam nearly Alonsos Mignolet

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

If Adam were still with Liverpool, that'd be in Row Z.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Agger's got to be smarter than that, are you kidding me?

 

[SoxScout]

You can not be serious

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

So Liverpool..

 

[PedroSpecialK]

MIGNOLET!

 

[SoxScout]

 

[SoxFanInCali]

MIGNOLET SAVES.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Top of the table!

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Liverpool 1-0 Stoke
 
First win in the opener for the Reds since 2008.  Mignolet looked shaky throughout, but obviously was the hero with the late penalty save.  Sturridge got the goal, and this one could have been over early if not for Begovic.
 
5 games left on Suarez's suspension, one of which will be covered by the League Cup match against Notts County in 10 days.  Assuming, of course, he's still a Liverpool player then.

 

[soxfaninyankeeland]

So, was that typical of the way Mignolet handles the ball, or was that a nervous performance by a young player in his big club debut?

 

[Snakebauer007]

I thought the second save after the penalty was the bigger/better

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Willian to choose between Liverpool and Tottenham tomorrow.
 
After seeing Lennon's service from the wing today, I can see why Spurs is keen on getting him - but if they lose another player to them I'll need a support group.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Serious question, does Spurs actually have scouts? Seems they are always trying to hijack signings. The last 2-3 seasons I've really started to build a hatred towards them. Would love if Willan came to us and then Bale takes off to Madrid. Dream scenario.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

That's not a serious question.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

This is reassuring but could well be a smokescreen:
 

André Villas-Boas has denied reports that Tottenham have bid for Willian, although he concedes he is a fan of the Anzhi Makhachkala forward.
 
Tottenham have spent almost £60m on signings this summer but Villas-Boas is still looking for additions to his squad as he looks to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
 
The Tottenham manager was interested in signing Willian when he was at Shakhtar Donetsk last season and the Portuguese was also linked with the Brazilian when he was in charge of Chelsea.
 
Anzhi's owner, Suleiman Kerimov, is looking to sell most of the club's highly paid personnel in order to shrink their vast wage budget.
 
At a press conference to announce Tottenham's support for the NHS campaign "Get to know cancer", Villas-Boas was asked whether he had made a bid for the 25-year-old former Shakhtar player.
 
"No, no," he replied.
 
When asked whether he admired the player, the Tottenham manager said: "Yes. This is a player who I have spoken about in the past, not very long ago. He is a player who I appreciate. He belongs to them and I respect them so I wouldn't like to extend myself too much."

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Aly Cissokho is official now - full-season loan (with possible option to buy) is what I've read recently.
 

 

[DLew On Roids]

Liverpool Offside is reporting that Liverpool is preparing to move for Internacional's Leandro Damiao if they can't get Willian. Leandro Damiao has long been linked with a move to...Spurs.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Landing either while keeping Suarez would be a coup for Liverpool and would cap off a great window, assuming there's a CB like Ilori, Alderweird, or Papadapolous on the way in as well.

 

[URI]

Serious question, does Spurs actually have scouts? Seems they are always trying to hijack signings. The last 2-3 seasons I've really started to build a hatred towards them. Would love if Willan came to us and then Bale takes off to Madrid. Dream scenario.

You know Spurs have been linked to Willan and Damiao for like...years, right?

Serious question, does Pool actually have scouts? Seems they are trying to hijack our targets and drop £20m mediocre Villa wingers.

See how fun this game can be?

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

You know Spurs have been linked to Willan and Damiao for like...years, right?

Serious question, does Pool actually have scouts? Seems they are trying to hijack our targets and drop £20m mediocre Villa wingers.

See how fun this game can be?

 
Actually, I didn't to be honest with you until late last night. Thanks for getting pissy and informing me though. Hope you continue to enjoy Sigurdsson. 

 

[URI]

You think that was pissy?

The Arsenal thread is right this way, my thin-skinned, perspective-lacking friend.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

I've been enjoying that thread as well. It makes sense that Spurs and LFC have the same transfer targets. Both managers have a somewhat similar attacking style. Name calling seems a bit childish in the thread/board, dope or not. If you have an issue with me personally, feel free to pm me. Nothing personal from my end.