Liverpool 2014/15 | WARNING: Contains strong amounts of Scouse nonsense

Why do you think you've started the last two seasons so poorly? You've picked up pace after new year, although you were far more convincing last year.

That's a good question actually. Maybe something Rodgers also needs to work on. Here are the three seasons he's had with us:

Season One: new manager, new club, whole lot of different expectations than Swansea. No Sturridge or Coutinho level players, had to deal with Roy's and Kenny's horrendous purchases. Suarez was in full idiot mode on the back of Kenny's final season. Still finished strongly surprisingly.

Season Two: No Suarez (surprise) to start this season off with BUT Sturridge surprisingly remained injury free until Christmas. As a result we were top. Nearly won the league.

Season Three: Suarez leaves and Sanchez doesn't want to come here. Then Sturridge gets injured and we're left with Balotelli and Lambert. Truly and F*cked were the words I was thinking at the time (despite my bravado on here). Couldn't play our wonderful diamond formation as no Suarez/Sturridge up front and Gerrard on his old man legs. Whomever was to blame for that fiasco, it still left Rodgers desperately trying to work out how to retire Gerrard while having zero strikers and a shit backline.

Season Four?: Origi finally to come in and stay in. Markovic/Can/Lallana/Ibe all settled in the squad. Formation for new season can be 4-3-3, 3-4-3 or diamond. Players will finally be accustomed to Rodgers changes. Mig, Sakho and Skrtel don't need a whole half season to work out how to defend. Only thing to worry about: Sterling staying or going. But that's hardly on the level of Suarez leaving as this time we have Ibe as a straight, or even better, replacement.

#gloryglorymanutd
 
Why do you think you've started the last two seasons so poorly? You've picked up pace after new year, although you were far more convincing last year.
Mainly due to the tactical periodisation methods we employ, our players are designed to reach peak fitness around the Christmas/January period, that's why our pressing game and overall play goes up a notch during the second half of the season. It's something Rodgers has favored for some time now, although Europe compounded with a lack of striker cost us about 5-10pts maybe even more which would've been vital in the run in. It definitely has its benefeits, but i'd like to see it tweaked somewhat as I'm not sure how viable it is in a season with midweek fixtures. Still, if every season we're around the 4-5th place mark around Christmas, we should be in a good position to challenge.
 
Do people think br is their Ferguson?

You can only use that comparison in hindsight. Ferguson's first 5/6 seasons were laughable. As a Liverpool fan I had many a jibe at my Man Utd schoolfriends because of Ferguson. He might have brought you 25 years of good times but he also brought me at least 5 good years of windup material. :)

To answer your question, no. We just want BR to be our BR and bring some happiness back through good football if nothing else. I've not enjoyed this level of consistently enjoyable football since Dalglish left in 1991.

#gloryglorymanutd
 
@Empire good post. Chelsea were so successful their last season because Mourinho knew exactly what Rodgers was going to do, too. He's an incredibly predictable manager, and I'm surprised more teams haven't either sucked the life out of the match, or played them at their own game.
The latter is difficult to counter because it depends on the technical skill of your own players i.e. when Liverpool press, you need to be able to move the ball fast and accurate enough. But yeah, I don't watch Pool often enough to know if teams park the bus/close spaces or not, but it would be a good strategy to adopt.
 
Season Four?: Origi finally to come in and stay in. Markovic/Can/Lallana/Ibe all settled in the squad. Formation for new season can be 4-3-3, 3-4-3 or diamond. Players will finally be accustomed to Rodgers changes. Mig, Sakho and Skrtel don't need a whole half season to work out how to defend. Only thing to worry about: Sterling staying or going. But that's hardly on the level of Suarez leaving as this time we have Ibe as a straight, or even better, replacement.

I'd be amazed if that happens. He isn't better than any of our current wingers and hasn't played as a pure striker since the World Cup. At the moment, he just isn't good enough to warrant a spot in our starting eleven.

Also disagree on the Sterling part - it would be a disaster for us if we lose him in the summer. Ibe isn't on Sterling's level and has only shown flashes of his abilities yet. We need Sterling if we want to improve in the next couple of years, him being here also attracts other top class players and that's what we need.
 
The latter is difficult to counter because it depends on the technical skill of your own players i.e. when Liverpool press, you need to be able to move the ball fast and accurate enough. But yeah, I don't watch Pool often enough to know if teams park the bus/close spaces or not, but it would be a good strategy to adopt.

Is the right answer. To 'suck the life out' of Liverpool's fast style you have to have good players. If 3 players chase down our midfielders winning the ball, and within seconds give it back to us, they're fecked. We'll go on to score. Or we have to have a really off day for that level of sucking to work.

City, Utd and Chelsea, and this season I believe Arsenal (surprisingly), have the ability to do that. All PL teams below that tier dare not risk it, we're just too good a team. People don't honestly think PL level managers sit there clueless about this, surely? They know what to do and what they can't do against us. We play a game of chicken, come and get us if you can. If you can't you're fecked. :)

#gloryglorymanutd
 
You can only use that comparison in hindsight. Ferguson's first 5/6 seasons were laughable. As a Liverpool fan I had many a jibe at my Man Utd schoolfriends because of Ferguson. He might have brought you 25 years of good times but he also brought me at least 5 good years of windup material. :)

To answer your question, no. We just want BR to be our BR and bring some happiness back through good football if nothing else. I've not enjoyed this level of consistently enjoyable football since Dalglish left in 1991.

#gloryglorymanutd

You were too stupid to see his genius. I think the same goes for LVG. Pretty foolish of you to dismiss him like you did earlier in the season.
 
You were too stupid to see his genius. I think the same goes for LVG. Pretty foolish of you to dismiss him.

I don't believe I have ever dismissed LvG. I did agree with Rodgers though that the first season for any manager in this country would not be as easy to instill any philosophy because the PL is a different beast.

Ergo, LvG has finally dropped his 3 at the back. Sadly for us that is.

#gloryglorymanutd
 
I don't believe I have ever dismissed LvG. I did agree with Rodgers though that the first season for any manager in this country would not be as easy to instill any philosophy because the PL is a different beast.

Ergo, LvG has finally dropped his 3 at the back. Sadly for us that is.

#gloryglorymanutd

Weren't you were predicting he would lose the plot, start rows and in general be a lunatic.

The three at the back was due to a crazy injury crisis. His preferred formation has always been a 433.
 
I'd be amazed if that happens. He isn't better than any of our current wingers and hasn't played as a pure striker since the World Cup. At the moment, he just isn't good enough to warrant a spot in our starting eleven.

Also disagree on the Sterling part - it would be a disaster for us if we lose him in the summer. Ibe isn't on Sterling's level and has only shown flashes of his abilities yet. We need Sterling if we want to improve in the next couple of years, him being here also attracts other top class players and that's what we need.

I have kept a keen eye on our youngsters for many years, Sterling was the only one I believed could make an impact out of his lot (not Suso, Ngoo or Ince). Even then Sterling was hardly breaking the ice until Rodgers coaxed it out of him. Ibe on the other hand really excited/excites me. Derby fans keep downplaying his 'game intelligence' yet he comes here and wins all sorts of plaudits for his 'game intelligence' so far. No offence, but they only look like 'flashes' to you because you're just looking for the headline stories. Just like the Derby fans were.

What Ibe and Origi bring that Balotelli and Lallana don't is pure unadultered pace. I have seen Origi hit the ball sweetly with his left and right feet (much like Sturridge) and produce moments of skill that can take one or two defenders out of the game. Admittedly all a lot less than I hoped (coupled with the boos by the Lille fans) but Lille truly, truly are a dreadful footballing club. Awful. I can only imagine the impact he'll have under Rodgers' guidance.

However, we do need to pay a big packet on a Lacazette/Vietto type to convince him to come here (even without CL next season if that happens). As Sturridge will not be playing much more for us I fear. He's as injury prone as Owen Hargreaves.

#gloryglorymanutd
 
Is the right answer. To 'suck the life out' of Liverpool's fast style you have to have good players. If 3 players chase down our midfielders winning the ball, and within seconds give it back to us, they're fecked. We'll go on to score. Or we have to have a really off day for that level of sucking to work.

City, Utd and Chelsea, and this season I believe Arsenal (surprisingly), have the ability to do that. All PL teams below that tier dare not risk it, we're just too good a team. People don't honestly think PL level managers sit there clueless about this, surely? They know what to do and what they can't do against us. We play a game of chicken, come and get us if you can. If you can't you're fecked. :)

#gloryglorymanutd
Absolutely. There's a high emphasis on "transition" i.e. the period between defending, pressing, winning the ball back and shifting it to attack. It's when the opponent is at his weakest/most vulnerable.

I actually think, of the lesser teams, Soton and Swansea do it well, and use the ball well enough. Swansea caused you some trouble as well, but couldn't capitalise on their early dominance.
 
I have kept a keen eye on our youngsters for many years, Sterling was the only one I believed could make an impact out of his lot (not Suso, Ngoo or Ince). Even then Sterling was hardly breaking the ice until Rodgers coaxed it out of him. Ibe on the other hand really excited/excites me. Derby fans keep downplaying his 'game intelligence' yet he comes here and wins all sorts of plaudits for his 'game intelligence' so far. No offence, but they only look like 'flashes' to you because you're just looking for the headline stories. Just like the Derby fans were.

What Ibe and Origi bring that Balotelli and Lallana don't is pure unadultered pace. I have seen Origi hit the ball sweetly with his left and right feet (much like Sturridge) and produce moments of skill that can take one or two defenders out of the game. Admittedly all a lot less than I hoped (coupled with the boos by the Lille fans) but Lille truly, truly are a dreadful footballing club. Awful. I can only imagine the impact he'll have under Rodgers' guidance.

However, we do need to pay a big packet on a Lacazette/Vietto type to convince him to come here (even without CL next season if that happens). As Sturridge will not be playing much more for us I fear. He's as injury prone as Owen Hargreaves.

#gloryglorymanutd
I just meant that I still need to see him do it on a consistent basis for us. He'd probably be an adequate replacement for Sterling but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be a problem if we lost Sterling in the summer, imo.

Lille are indeed very poor this year, no doubt he'll improve under Rodgers and will probably be a good addition to our squad, but he won't be an automatic starter as I feel he'll need some time to adapt to our playing style and surely the Premier League itself.

I'd be over the moon if we get either one of Vietto/Lacazette though :drool:
 
Is the right answer. To 'suck the life out' of Liverpool's fast style you have to have good players. If 3 players chase down our midfielders winning the ball, and within seconds give it back to us, they're fecked. We'll go on to score. Or we have to have a really off day for that level of sucking to work.

City, Utd and Chelsea, and this season I believe Arsenal (surprisingly), have the ability to do that. All PL teams below that tier dare not risk it, we're just too good a team. People don't honestly think PL level managers sit there clueless about this, surely? They know what to do and what they can't do against us. We play a game of chicken, come and get us if you can. If you can't you're fecked. :)

#gloryglorymanutd

Nope. You just need a decently coached team. Any average European team is able for Liverpool. It shows the weakness of the current PL if anything.
 
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Only thing to worry about: Sterling staying or going. But that's hardly on the level of Suarez leaving as this time we have Ibe as a straight, or even better, replacement.

:lol:

What?! Ibe has played a total of 7 games for Liverpool in the League, 10 across his entire career. Sterling has as many goals this season alone (10) than Ibe has games played for Liverpool over his career, yet he is already as good or even a better replacement?
 
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You can only use that comparison in hindsight. Ferguson's first 5/6 seasons were laughable. As a Liverpool fan I had many a jibe at my Man Utd schoolfriends because of Ferguson. He might have brought you 25 years of good times but he also brought me at least 5 good years of windup material. :)

To answer your question, no. We just want BR to be our BR and bring some happiness back through good football if nothing else. I've not enjoyed this level of consistently enjoyable football since Dalglish left in 1991.

#gloryglorymanutd

Laughable really?

In his first 6 full years he won the F.A. Cup, Cup Winners Cup, League Cup and the League.

You must be hoping Rodgers first 6 years turn out as laughable.
 
That's a good question actually. Maybe something Rodgers also needs to work on. Here are the three seasons he's had with us:

Season One: new manager, new club, whole lot of different expectations than Swansea. No Sturridge or Coutinho level players, had to deal with Roy's and Kenny's horrendous purchases. Suarez was in full idiot mode on the back of Kenny's final season. Still finished strongly surprisingly.

Season Two: No Suarez (surprise) to start this season off with BUT Sturridge surprisingly remained injury free until Christmas. As a result we were top. Nearly won the league.

Season Three: Suarez leaves and Sanchez doesn't want to come here. Then Sturridge gets injured and we're left with Balotelli and Lambert. Truly and F*cked were the words I was thinking at the time (despite my bravado on here). Couldn't play our wonderful diamond formation as no Suarez/Sturridge up front and Gerrard on his old man legs. Whomever was to blame for that fiasco, it still left Rodgers desperately trying to work out how to retire Gerrard while having zero strikers and a shit backline.

Season Four?: Origi finally to come in and stay in. Markovic/Can/Lallana/Ibe all settled in the squad. Formation for new season can be 4-3-3, 3-4-3 or diamond. Players will finally be accustomed to Rodgers changes. Mig, Sakho and Skrtel don't need a whole half season to work out how to defend. Only thing to worry about: Sterling staying or going. But that's hardly on the level of Suarez leaving as this time we have Ibe as a straight, or even better, replacement.

#gloryglorymanutd

Sadly it seems pretty clear that you've got yourself a very good manager in Rodgers. The way he gets his side playing has to be admired & he's also not afraid to blood in youngsters either. He's building an exciting squad (albeit fairly slowly) which is definitely superior to the one that he inherited. He's basically been great at blowing out the deadwood (Cole, Carroll, Charlie Adam, Aquilani etc) but not so good at buying in players. But with more time he'll probably get there considering his buys are mostly young and suited to his style. You've got some good players right now - i think Sakho is very good, Coutinho, Henderson, Sterling, Ibe... Can is only 20.

The problem for Rodgers is the level of competition. Mourinho being in the league means winning a title is going to take something special like our side of 2007. There's also Van Gaal, Wenger, and whoever the next heavyweight manager City bring in to compete with. Who knows, in a year or two we could see a PL that has some of Mourinho, LvG, Poch, Koeman, Guardiola Simeone/Anchelotti/Benitez in it, all with money to burn.
 
Is the right answer. To 'suck the life out' of Liverpool's fast style you have to have good players. If 3 players chase down our midfielders winning the ball, and within seconds give it back to us, they're fecked. We'll go on to score. Or we have to have a really off day for that level of sucking to work.

City, Utd and Chelsea, and this season I believe Arsenal (surprisingly), have the ability to do that. All PL teams below that tier dare not risk it, we're just too good a team. People don't honestly think PL level managers sit there clueless about this, surely? They know what to do and what they can't do against us. We play a game of chicken, come and get us if you can. If you can't you're fecked. :)

#gloryglorymanutd

Fecking Swansea pressed you and would have got something from you if it weren't for a dodgy deflection.
 
Fecking Swansea pressed you and would have got something from you if it weren't for a dodgy deflection.

So basically, what you're saying is, they played the game of chicken and lost. Didn't have a Mata on their team.

Man Utd did.
 
However, we do need to pay a big packet on a Lacazette/Vietto type to convince him to come here (even without CL next season if that happens). As Sturridge will not be playing much more for us I fear. He's as injury prone as Owen Hargreaves.

He's on a £150k per week contract keeping him at Anfield until 2019. The only way he'll be leaving is if he becomes consistently great and moves to a wealthier club willing to pay him more. If his injuries continue he'll be at Anfield picking up his salary every month until his contract expires (see John Glenson).
 
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I don't believe I have ever dismissed LvG. I did agree with Rodgers though that the first season for any manager in this country would not be as easy to instill any philosophy because the PL is a different beast.

Ergo, LvG has finally dropped his 3 at the back. Sadly for us that is.

#gloryglorymanutd

That was always just a temporarily solution because he felt he didn't have the squad to play the way he wanted to.
 
So basically, what you're saying is, they played the game of chicken and lost. Didn't have a Mata on their team.

Man Utd did.

No, what I'm saying is it's clear that a team doesn't need to have top 4 quality players to not be fecked when they play you.
 
What makes me laugh as a fan since the late 80s is that with every year without a league title Liverpool the pressure increases, this then shows st the business end of the season once 'fan expectation' kicks in, a mixture of history, delusion and outright denial combines into this dark cloud which smothers the dippers and predictably they fall apart in spectacular fashion.

It's like watching home alone every year at xmas, you know what's coming yet you watch it every year and still can't help laughing. As long as the dippers continue this self righteous delusional crusade to faux glory the will forever be in our shadow.
 
You can only use that comparison in hindsight. Ferguson's first 5/6 seasons were laughable. As a Liverpool fan I had many a jibe at my Man Utd schoolfriends because of Ferguson. He might have brought you 25 years of good times but he also brought me at least 5 good years of windup material. :)

To answer your question, no. We just want BR to be our BR and bring some happiness back through good football if nothing else. I've not enjoyed this level of consistently enjoyable football since Dalglish left in 1991.

#gloryglorymanutd
Think you will find, in his first full season he came second to you boys, so hardly laughable, he then went on to finish second to Leeds a few years later, won the league cup, FA cup and European trophy in his first 6 years. Then the league title became a common fixture.

So in first 3 years, the consistency wasn't there, but he still managed a second place finish, in an era where Liverpool had no serious challenger.
 
Funny how the resident Dippers are straight on here at the sign of anything going against United but today……nada!
I know lots of Scousers and they wouldn't dream of coming on here, and why would they? I can't think of a bigger waste of my time than going and posting on RAWK. I just don't get why you would post on a rivals website. Some of them have thousands of posts. Clowns.
Funny how posters who never venture into this thread come straight in here when United win .. no sign of them at all though last season.

And if you wanted to see some of us after the match then you are looking in the wrong thread when there is a Liverpool vs United match thread.
 
I don't blame Liverpool for 'resting' Sturridge. I would be happy if we did similar with our injury prone players.
 
Great game, hopefully there is a few more twists and turns yet.
Mata's two superb goals aside I really didn't think it was a good game. United seemed intent on denying Liverpool possession (why not once you have the lead) and Liverpool simply didn't turn up until they went down to 10 men. Pretty weird game all round and not a patch on so many truly 'great games' between us.
 
I don't blame Liverpool for 'resting' Sturridge. I would be happy if we did similar with our injury prone players.

Giving the way we're playing at the moment though, I think we should allow Falcao and RvP to play international friendlies whenever they like.
 
Mata's two superb goals aside I really didn't think it was a good game. United seemed intent on denying Liverpool possession (why not once you have the lead) and Liverpool simply didn't turn up until they went down to 10 men. Pretty weird game all round and not a patch on so many truly 'great games' between us.

But it will be remembered for many a year.
 
He's just a bit ungainly on the ball but his passing is fairly decent he usually picks out good forward agressive passes when given time. The only times he gets in a muddle is when there's no outlet for him to pass to, or he's sometimes guilty of dwelling on the ball slightly too long and inviting pressure. He'd be the first defender on my teamsheet thats for sure.
And for me. That pretty much sums him up.. Immensely strong.