6 Dec 2014

Confirmed XI vs. SFC: Surprise in midfield; €6m star dumped from the squad. Bad man-management?

In another another mildly surprising move, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has 'rested' club captain Steven Gerrard again for this afternoon's Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Gerrard - who scored a rare goal from open play during the week - is replaced by Coutinho in the starting line-up, and £20m summer signing Dejan Lovren joins him on the bench:

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Moreno, Toure, Skrtel, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lallana, Lambert.

SUBS: Jones, Enrique, Lovren, Gerrard, Can, Allen, Markovic.

* Gerrard is obviously being rested for the Basel game, and that's a good decision. However, I'm sure Gerrard is privately miffed about missing out, especially after scoring against Leicester.

* Lucas and Toure deservedly keep their places, and that should continue as long as Liverpool keep winning.

* Earlier this week, I highlighted Rodgers' suspect man-management of Javi Manquillo, and it continues today. The Spaniard is dumped from the match-day squad for the the third time in six weeks, and after being unceremoniously removed at half time in the last game, I doubt this will do his confidence much good. I maintain that Manquillo's form drop is down to Rodgers continually dropping him after LFC wins.

* Moreno is back in the starting line-up after four games on the bench, so it'll be interested to see if he can slot straight back into the defence without being a destabilising influence.

My prediction: 3-1 to LFC

Author:


221 comments:

  1. Good team
    we all wanted to see Lallana and Coutinho play together
    want to see a bit more Can though

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  2. How will we set up?
    ........................Sterling.....Lambert
    ....................................Coutinho
    ......................Lallana............Henderson
    ..................................Lucas


    any other way we will lose

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  3. well at least rodgers is moving in the right direction with his team selection

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  4. Except for selecting Johnson again

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  5. Nope its 4-2-3-1 with Couts, Sterling and Lallana behind Lambo

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  6. if hes looking to rest Gerrard i wouldn't even have him on the bench .....as for johnson ive give up

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  7. well he is in his best form for 4 years

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  8. Oh no newcastle are beating chelsea 2-0

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  9. if it clicks its quite an attacking line up

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  10. Newcastle ruined the day i want to be in front of them
    chelsea invincible? you are having a laugh

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  11. --------------lukas
    ----Hendo-------Couts
    -----------Lallana
    Sterling
    ------------Lambert.
    Good one...

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  12. It's a good team. Manquillo is battling against Johnson for hit spot and Johnson still seems to be highly rated by Rodgers. While that continues Manquillo will have to put up with inconsistent selection. He's a squad player, not an automatic first choice starter.

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  13. who is Lukas?

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  14. did we sign Luka Modric or something?

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  15. I hope all of you are happy with my team selection.

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  16. Just buy Bony and bring back Origi i will be more happier

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  17. First, I will try to convince Odegaard to join us. Then, I would try to bring some experience in the forward line in the form Martinez. And then as always, I will try and bring some more youngsters.

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  18. We are not up against Newcastle, it is Chelsea, City, manu and Arsenal...

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  19. maybe you should put a scout in the maternity ward

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  20. its a bad result
    they are above us now

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  21. I have already!

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  22. We are not up against Newcastle, it is Chelsea, City, manu and Arsenal.

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  23. 4th place mate
    Arsenal Southampton Swansea Spurs Newcastle Evertona nd us

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  24. Chealsea and City?

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  25. if you think we are catching chelsea you need to get realistic

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  26. a gynecologist wouldn't go amiss as a scout

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  27. Don't forget you owe December's rent to Stevie G.

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  28. His name is Lucas not LuLu or Lukas

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  29. #TeamGPWDLGFGAGDPTS1Chelsea151131341321362Man City14932311417303Southampton14824241014264Man United1474324168255West Ham1473423176246Arsenal1465322157237Newcastle156541718-1238Swansea City1464419145229Liverpool146261919020Discard Swansea, Newcastle, West ham and Southampton. That is our table

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  30. Well at least BR is sticking with the plan of Gerrard not starting every match. 3 points please!

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  31. Yeah go on Sheikh crack that code!

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  32. We have a young infant in one of the wards that has a 0.25% higher bone density than normal humans. He will surely turn out to be a great striker in future with his shooting. He is surely an exciting prospect and I am trying to buy him for 18mil. He will surely turn out to be a 150mil striker.

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  33. would like to see us really go for it from the off

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  34. First wish
    Bring back Suarez
    second wish
    keep sturridge away from injuries forever
    third wish
    Take Gerrard back to his prime

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  35. It cannot be though without the messed up sentence structure.

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  36. there's a train of thought in academic circles that thats as long as something sounds the same it is the same

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  37. My wish- you find the code and you crack away from this site...

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  38. theres more chance of mr glass staying injury free

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  39. Can't blame me for wishing..

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  40. zero plus zero is still zero

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  41. What is interesting fact is that 5 of the starting LINE UP are players that were NOT signed by BR.
    Thats the most since this season and 1 more than the previous games we have won in the prem and CL.....what does that tell you about BR's signings so far ?

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  42. complete rubbish signings but liverpool do get better second half of the season lets hope its the same this season

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  43. Too old try for a foetus then u can mould it to play 3 different roles

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  44. by the way shamsy, as you are a sheikh now... why don't you just buy LFC?

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  45. Lucas is the only one visible

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  46. Lamberts lack of pace is worrying
    Maybe this could be Markovics game

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  47. Easy game for the goalkeepers.

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  48. Isloate Bridcutt that guy is getting on my nerves

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  49. worrying for me is that Lucas is by far our best player first half and Rodgers has tries to get rid

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  50. If we had Sturridge up front we would not need Lucas

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  51. Worst form in last 10 years. Now waking up. You can see that Couts, Sterling and Moreno are capable of getting past any defence, but at the moment there is not enough courage and confidance. It will come...

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  52. My wish you stop acting like a tw*t

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  53. what kind of logic is that?
    i we had Lucas and Sturridge we'd porbably have won more games

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  54. Lambert is poor we don't have any strikers that can run

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  55. This bunch always play well against Chelsea we need 2 up front.

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  56. Bojan looks brilliant

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  57. if i won the lottery i woulnt have to work kind of logic

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  58. Thing is Rodgesr was not banking on sturridge being injured for that perois

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  59. If we play it right, he shouldn't.

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  60. You cannot rely on 1 player thats poor planning.

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  61. @Gilly it could be you but it probably won't ever be you

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  62. eggs in a basket comes to mind

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  63. Is it me or Lucas the ONLY player that can do the Defensive Midfield job PROPERLY for Liverpool?
    What the **** is Brendan doing trying to flog him ?

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  64. Please God no Markovic

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  65. most agree that lucas is the most experienced dm at the club and should only be sold if you are getting a better person for the position , ive being shouting for a top draw dm for 3 seasons

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  66. All strikers have to be mobile and run ...Lambert is willing but he's carrying some timber there

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  67. Not easy to find Gilly ..sorry let me rephrase that.. BR doesn't have the drawing power ...if anyone was a top player and you have Look at the record of Van Gaal, Wenger,Mourinho,Pellegrini & Koeman does Brendan Rogers belong in that category?

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  68. Disagree! Most DMs don't come with a reputation unlike strikers, they are scouted!

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  69. he shouldn't have to move ? what are we playing statues

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  70. a game of football eventually

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  71. stevie g to save the day anyone

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  72. So slowwwwwwwwww

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  73. Stroke 4 - 0 gooner, cmon you red

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  74. COUTIHO so fustrating

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  75. should have got markovic on

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  76. poor quality game for both teams

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  77. In truth LFC have been this standard for most of the season. The lack of cutting edge us clear as day!

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  78. Sterling is carrying this team in terms of creativity. Which is why we are so predictable.

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  79. LOL he's brought on Markovic......LMAO

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  80. Coutinho should have finished better on the last effort.

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  81. Dont worry we have Markovic on the pitch now !

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  82. Notice Markovics lack of effort to chase back harry and notice as soon as he replaced Coutinho the attacking thrust is lost ?

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  83. Mr headless chicken. "let me run into blind alleys to make it look like I'm contributing."

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  84. Yup, sorry typo

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  85. I think your a wind up merchant and not a good one

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  86. So long as they play like that second 45 for the rest of the year I'll be satisfied. Good quick football, no problem for me. Put some more quality up front and the goals will come.

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  87. Lambert offers no goal threat, Lucas was our best player today.

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  88. This match proves that the last two wins were just paper over the cracks. We have played teams who have not scored many goals and we are nothing but mediocre.

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  89. bare in mind Sunderland held Chelsea to a a 0-0

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  90. Clean sheet ladies n gentlemen, meh

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  91. Sunderland parked the bus and it is a tough bus to break as Chelsea found out. The two positives for me was that the defence looks much more resolute and we did not pass the ball back much. Our attack could have been much better but gradually it will happen.

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  92. Their composure and finishing in and around the box leads a lot to be desired.

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  93. Did we have a game today?

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  94. What does parking the bus have to do with it all. What is the bet Chelsea would have flattened with a performance like ours today. We are sh!te.

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  95. Lambert isnt worthy to wear the shirt. He's a good pro but shouldn't be anywhere near Melwood!

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  96. 1) Keep Lovern out the starting 11
    2) Lucas is the ONLY defensive Midfielder we have and Justified his place against Basel
    3) Lambert is not a Goal threat he had plenty of chances and didn't have one header or shot on target

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  97. but at the same time Sunderland had a few chances to score ...we are an average team

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  98. I have to agree

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  99. Third choice. He's playing the role he's brought to the club to play. Not really good enough, I agree, but he's better than nothing.

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  100. The point i think is Sid they play 1 up front and it suits Sunderland we should have tried 2.

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  101. Bright side
    At least its four games unbeaten
    and we kept another clean sheet (remember how desperate we used to be for them)
    we are progressing !

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  102. Markovic can at least run
    unlike Lambert

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  103. Obviously they did but Mignolet only had one save to make. Contrast this to the Palace and West Ham games where the teams were getting shots left, right and centre. Lucas and Toure have done well. If we get the right striker in Jan and partner him with a hopefully fit Sturridge, anything can happen. Arsenal lost and so did Chelsea. The PL is not an easy league and definitely harder with no quality up front. Compare this to the games before and it looks better.

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  104. i'm actually surprised how weak he is, always pushed off the ball.
    you add that to his average technic and his nonexistant speed and i wonder what was the point of bringing him.

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  105. We should have played Borini NOT Lambert ...Borini had something to prove to Sunderland and Rogers.
    Also unlike Lambert he can actually RUN and he can beat a player.
    Lambert doesn't deserve his place against Basel

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  106. rodgers is trying to play his best players and two up front means the likes of borini come into the equation over players like lallana

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  107. there is a reason chelsea wanted him
    he is a very a tlented player will come good soon

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  108. Remy could have been our 2nd/3rd choice! Unless a chance is laid on a plate he offers nothing!

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  109. I thought the second 45 was very entertaining, I think everyone is just bothered by the result. I saw some of the Liverpool of last season in that second half and we had quite a few chances. It certainly wasn't boring.

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  110. Still he is better then Aspas

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  111. I think Borinis injured.

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  112. We do not have anyone to play two up with because Brendan does not like Fabio and does not want to play Sterling up top. Also, I think the decision making was not there. So many times, we had good openings but the players just made the wrong decision because of the inexperience. We need more experienced players.

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  113. Agreed. Just the though of than horror corner kick still haunts me to this day!

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  114. Aspas was never really given a chance up front!

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  115. keep the faith it will be like this till January
    then Origi might be back the echo confirmed they are actively exploring the possibilities.
    Origi has pace,skill and intensity something we had in abundance last season but is now non existent

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  116. id hardly say the Sunderland goalie was saving shots for fun .....i actually feell asleep for the last 5mins as ive been a bit below par but it was hard to tell who was the home team

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  117. Markovic is not a striker Lambert is

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  118. He was, he just didn't know how to handle the extra work. No Liverpool striker just hangs around on the shoulder of the defender waiting for through balls, there is a bit more too it than that. Aspas struggled because he would come deep but couldn't then get forward to be a part of the finished play the way Suarez did.

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  119. Yeah he did its just he was not a fixed striker Rodgers expects all his strikers to interplay during games

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  120. Lille don't want to let him go so forget it, and honestly i don't see what would change with him he has like 3 goals this season in a poor league.

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  121. he cripples me every time i watch him

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  122. by the luck of his belly he leaves nothing on his plate

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  123. Being better than Aspas is irrelevant! Still doesn't hide the fact that he shouldn't be wearing the shirt. let's scrutinise him the same way do with Balotelli

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  124. he was and he failed

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  125. Lambert is more of a creator than a finisher as we saw last season when he racked up the assists. We have no one to finish off the chances.

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  126. isnt mel wood rodgers new piece

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  127. Still pace,intensity and skill up front
    i miss that

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  128. which borini have you been watching seppy

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  129. I can accept that, what it confirms is that BR has wasted so much money on at least two sub standard strikers.

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  130. The one that can run with the ball unlike Lambert and Butler

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  131. Sorry but what is he creating?,

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  132. he couldnt run a bath

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  133. He had numerous knockdowns but nobody there.

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  134. Yes but can Borini do the Lambert walk?

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  135. Nope but he's not a Shower

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  136. Knockdowns are not always goal scoring opportunities. He isn't known for creating goal scoring opportunities.

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  137. B R will effectively be a dead duck after Basel knock us out on Tueday - they will go through without breaking sweat - all our new signings ate total crap

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  138. Borini tripped over a feather he can't walk.

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  139. Oh, my god.......
    what the f*** was henderson doing on the field, absolutely hopeless.


    if brendan rogers knows so much about psychology - as one should if you hope to become a manager of anything, then he should know henderson doesnt play well against his first love team - sunderland......


    we made sunderland look like they can go on to win the champions league.

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  140. That could explain the poor show

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  141. Lambert makes Andy Carroll look Mobile

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  142. I think our highest position is fourth because the first three positions will be occupied by Utd, City and Chelsea. We are realistically in the race with Arsenal and Everton.

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  143. As for catching Chelsea - ARE YOU LOT INSANE ??

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  144. But BR does not buy the players
    the echo at one point said Rodgesr wanted Bony but committee were not convinced and opted for Balotelli

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  145. At the weekend it was reported that Manqillo was removed due to injury. I will wait to see if injury kept him out of the squad.

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  146. I am sure his mothers proud of him of him though.

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  147. Carroll was never a slouch
    he is fast over 100ms

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  148. ......if they were in it - which they're not cos they're a bit crappy at best!

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  149. Out of the 24/25 signings BR has made, including loans. How many of them has proven successful?

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  150. No way ...Arsenal will finish in the Top 4 always have Under Wenger.
    NEWS FLASH!........WE ARE NOT GOING TO FINISH IN THE TOP 4

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  151. Arsenal are in the same boat as us. They are not setting the world alight and have not even played the tough away games.

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  152. Sturidge,Coutinho 100 % success
    Mignolet,Allen,,Sakho,Mignolet,Toure,Lallana decent buys reasonably successful

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  153. Big difference
    Sanchez

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  154. What about Mignolet

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  155. yeah but they nicked sanchez from our bid........
    with him they always stand a chance better than ours

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  156. You have o wonder where we would be with him.

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  157. Sanchez is in the best form of his career and Arsenal is still in this position. He will inevitably go through a dip in form and then what happens.

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  158. That's what I had in mind, Sturridge & Coutinho who cost a total of £20mill. That's £20mill out of £200 plus mill. DISGUSTING DISGRACEFUL. David Brent aka Brendan Rodgers needs to go!

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  159. .....and we should have identified that suarez energy needed replacing - sanchez and gone after him using anyone who could have influenced him rather than a half haerted 'oh we are liverpool fc' attitude

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  160. Top 4 will be setting aside my personal hates etc.


    1) Chelsea
    2) Man City
    3) Man United
    4) Arsenal


    Besides the fact that Arsenal have better players than we do .
    Sanchez is better than any striker we have and that includes Sturridge.

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  161. We'd be 4th I reckon

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  162. He forgot Can, Mignolet, Markovic, Mignolet, Mignolet, Mignolet, Mignolet, Mingolet, Mignolet and.... Sure I have forgotten someone.

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  163. Lallana needs to offer much more to be considered successful. More goals& assists especially against top teams. The rest aren't up to it!

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  164. i do agree, but i just hurt when i see all that sanchez energy surrounded by arsenal rather than our boys who would have made much better use of him and known how to support him and play around him

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  165. Individually all have been successful all have managed to cash their massive pay cheques.

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  166. 4th yes but also flying forward with confidence and energy - we would have retained that 'unknown' edge about us - what made us soo dangerous last year as a team

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  167. Nah mate have you seen the top scorers by minutes in the prem? Aguero and Suarez are there, as is Van Nistelroy and Van Persie but Sturridge is there too. Mate he is brilliant.

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  168. Try one of them twins that have absorbed another twin. That there is a winner!

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  169. I wanted to see him on too. Didn't look bad when on. Perhaps earlier and who knows.

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  170. True but Carrol makes Lambert look like Messi.

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  171. So you're absolving BR from responsibility? Remember BR decided against a DoF.

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  172. Dofs is not a successful model
    the manager should be allowed to buy who he wants after given a budget he does not need some motorbike lad interfering

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  173. he looked hungry
    now he has lost the fear factor he knows if he plays safe he will be out of the team so he might as well play unsafe

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  174. To be fair to Borini he was sent to Sunderland to prove himself and he did. He scored vital goals against top teams and ran his heart out.

    He came back to Liverpool and could if left but wanted to fight for his place.. yet so far he has not been given a chance.

    All BR usis saying is that it doesn't matter how good you do on loan as you still aren't getting a chance regards how bad the team is doing

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  175. Sturridge may be a great striker, he'll he could be the best striker in the world but it's no good if he misses 3 - 4 months of the season

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  176. We did everything we could to get him but he wanted to live in London... shirt of kidnapping his family what more did you want them to do

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  177. A better question, How many of BR'S signings have been given a good run of games.

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  178. I see where you're coming from, truth is most of them will never improve LFC!

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  179. So BR thinks players have been briliant past few weeks and no more can be expected of them. ?????? That's a Hodson-esque lowering of ambition. I know we overachieved last season but since when shouldn't LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB not expect 3 points at home against any team? (except maybe City or Chelsea to be "realistic" I guess).

    He can acknowledge improvement from the players, give a nod to Sunderland's performance and still signal that the team is not where he needs it to be. That'd show sensitivity to your players, respect to the other team, and it would show ambition. As a bonus, it'd be a truthful statement grounded in reality.

    I mean a 1-0 win vs. Stoke at Anfield is now being referred to as "magnificent". Wow.

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  180. i'm pretty stealth-like..... previous work done for cia and mi5
    i would have offered my services if they disclosed their predicament

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  181. Truth is at the moment we honestly have no idea if they will or wont

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  182. We're watching this shite every week, so we obviously are.

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