25 Apr 2015

Confirmed lineup vs. WBFC: £33m trio dropped; big changes ahead? Surprise start for Balotelli

In a surprise move, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named Mario Balotelli in the (league) starting line-up for the first time since in five months.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Can, Ibe, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho, Balotelli

SUBS: Jones, Toure, Manquillo, Lallana, Allen, Borini, Markovic

* Markovic, Moreno and Allen drop to the bench after the last game.

* Lambert doesn't even make the match-day squad.

* With no dedicated left-back in the team, there's a possibility that Rodgers will play Johnson at left-back and Can at right back, but hopefully that won't be the case, as Can is clearly not great at RB.

Possible formations:

-------------------- Mignolet

-------- Johnson ---- Skrtel ------ Lovren

Sterling ------ Can -------- Hendo ----- Ibe

-------------- Gerrard -- Coutinho

----------------- Balotelli

OR:

-------------------- Mignolet

Can ---------- Skrtel ------ Lovren ---- Johnson

Ibe --- Gerrard -------- Hendo ----- Sterling

------------------ Coutinho

----------------- Balotelli

OR:

-------------------- Mignolet

Can ---------- Skrtel ------ Lovren ---- Johnson

-------------Gerrard -------- Hendo

Ibe -------------- Coutinho ------------ Sterling

----------------- Balotelli

If Rodgers goes with 442, then Gerrard will inevitably be in midfield, which is often a mistake. It'll be interesting to see how the team set-up.

My prediction: 2-1 to West Brom

Author:


230 comments:

  1. Can often played as a LB at leverkusen so a 4 4 2 would make a lot of sense

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  2. well tottenham and saints will draw hopefully. we should really pick points today.

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  3. unfortunately we all know how it's going to be, a 3-4-3 with gerrard alongside Hendo and Ibe-Johnson as wingbacks and balotelli on his own, hope it's not the case but if it is i have lost all hope in Rodgers

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  4. Nice to see Balotelli starting. Hope he gets good service.

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  5. I think you've correctly deduced the formation BR will start with, ie 3-4-2-1 with Ibe right wing back and Johnson left wing back.

    My only regret is I don't see any of the youngsters being given a go. With only 6 games left and on Europa league places up for grabs, this is an ideal opportunity to blood the next generation.

    Any hope of a top 4 position is wishful thinking.

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  6. I think this is Balo's last chance to be part of LFC. Big gamble by BR. The draw we needed was delivered by Spurs and Saints. We need 3 points and others to drop points somewhere.
    Pretty slim chance. Let's see shall we

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  7. Not putting enough emphasis on attack. It's as if the players feel comfortable with the fact that they are not under threat. We should be imposing ourselves, they are sitting back too much. Balo trying in spurts but still won't do the ugly off the ball runs we need. Johnson still wasteful and poor defensively. Hendo anonymous too

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  8. Balo needs to come off, lazy doing nothing .

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  9. I predicted 0-0 Jaimie

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  10. So Lovren's not useless after all. Let's hope he continues to do well.

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  11. Only cool head at the back it seems...

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  12. Oh dear....we got held by Bayern west brom....

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  13. he had a good game, but WBA were really bad.

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  14. Terry McDermotts perm4:54 pm, April 25, 2015

    Is Lambert injured? I thought this match was the exact reason why we bought him.

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  15. But on the plus side, that was the best 90 mins sleep I've ever had.

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  16. I think Brenda pulled her last card...

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  17. Pharmaceutical companies looking for the next big drug aka viagra are defo missing a trick then....

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  18. Now that's just plain rude....you can't be talking about cards being pulled in that manner....

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  19. FAILED AGAIN FAILED AGAIN FAILED AGAIN FAILED AGAIN and were offering this shower £100,000 per week and B R will be telling us how MAGNIFICENT his Players were - PATHETIC

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  20. Yeah, how come he forgot 'tonto'.....

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  21. I wish I wasn't :D

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  22. Another delightful performance from Liverpool led by the mercurial Rodgers. Normal service as usual. Well at least we didn't concede.

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  23. Meaningless. But glad he had a food game

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  24. B R is completely in TONY PULLIS POCKET - same every singlr time

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  25. What does a guy need to do to get sacked?

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  26. He had a good game too ;)

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  27. No bro.....


    ....tony pulis banned mobiles from his players so they had no GPS to tell 'em where our goal was.....

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  28. Pinch the secretary's arse....

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  29. You expect him to be sacked the moment the game is over?

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  30. Punch a producer?

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  31. he wont find one in our team then....

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  32. Win a League Cup?

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  33. Who takes over the last of the games? Who takes over in the summer?

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  34. My mother... And she'd do a helluva job too

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  35. So your choice of insulting Rodgers is to imply that he is female. That's terribly sexist.

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  36. what a load of s h i t e again......and again and again.....always next season.....next season.....next season.....next season

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  37. There are no words...

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  38. Thought so. Billy big bollox when you are not pressed. We can all shout rhetoricical nonsense. Having ideas is a touch harder.

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  39. I prefer the term bell endery.

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  40. Honestly, I believe Lovren is really good and he will get there to that 1-2 years ago level again.


    'cos one doesn't play like he did for Southampton and then all of a sudden have the talent c*** itself out in the loo..

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  41. A particularly vulgar form of bell endery, indeed.

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  42. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say Rodgers is disoriented charlatan- without pointing to other mistakes I will just say that playing Gerrard as anchor is a very brain dead idea- you can find better managers on FM 2015

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  43. I had to google that- cheers mate

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  44. That's what Im saying all along- and then Im branded Lovren Defender- go figure

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  45. Not being local isn't an issue to me usually but in your case o will.make an exception.

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  46. woohooo clean sheet

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  47. Agreed Gerrard there is a bad idea. The rest is ridiculous sh1te repeated by the beaindead.

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  48. Balo had a off day and ???

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  49. Well its a tough one cos we all decry anyone who doesnt support our team members while they play for LFC due to our motto YNWA.....


    But... some players are a bit dubious.....for me not Lovren though because if anything the guy tries too, too hard and f**** it up quite badly - I think from a mixture of nerves and not really knowing where he is in the back line....

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  50. Well time is running out for BR!

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  51. Without jumping on my head...Jay Jay why is Gerrard at anchor a bad idea?


    My knowledge of the finer points is being given away here but is it cos he struggles at sweeping...? help...

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  52. sterling covered for him like a champ.

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  53. Reds repeating jokes set up by opposition fans. I don't know what disappoints me more, the season or our support.

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  54. U and me both man u and me both.

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  55. Can't really blame the guy Brenda rotates the formation and the players AND positions on the pitch so much; half the time poor guy is looking side ways not knownig where he is, or what he's doing

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  56. Trying to work out how he is BETTER ?

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  57. All of a sudden I don't care anymore. He'll Steve Clarke till end of season. Does he have a job?

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  58. Says more about u...

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  59. Maybe it's repeated so much cos it's , you know, THE TRUTH- and visible to the layman

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  60. For me he is tactically not good enough. Perhaps he doesn't understand his body well enough. He gets caught in positions that leaves too much space behind. He can be ran around by anyone with the slightest of pace and a half decent touch. We need someone there is is tactically aware and good at winning the ball back. Why Lucas is good there. Gerrard is fine when a team are not very adventurous but otherwise a problem.

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  61. Let's hope this is his last game for Liverpool !

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  62. There is a lot of us apparently

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  63. It should be the season coz the support has put up with it for far too long.

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  64. Maybe the fans woke up from the slumber Brend lulled us in this season

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  65. No one who I have any respect for believes that and it is only a vocal minority who do anyway.

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  66. Gerrard is currently for Championship level to be frank

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  67. Cool man thanks...


    Then is that why guys like Kandogbia and Rakitic, are so coveted; cos I noticed they don't have blistering pace but as you mention tactical awareness means they are in the right place at the right time.....

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  68. So you're saying Rodgers is a worldclass TACTICAL genious then?

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  69. Mate, vut the Brenda stuff you'll get a ban plus it's pretty childish

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  70. Pace over a short distance helps.too. Good turning circle.

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  71. We should put that in writing on Brenda's car

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  72. U'r obviously delusional and can't face the truth

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  73. And ability to intercept passes and put in a good tackle

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  74. To keen to kick the ball out and miscued one in the penalty area to an attackers head which nearly cost us so overall may be better but for me still a worry.

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  75. No. Never have. Only an idiot would take it to that extreme from What I have said. I am.in favour of Nether Manager in the summer depending on who we can realistically get. But this ridicule of the manager of a club you say you like is classless.

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  76. Don't know much about tactical formations but I do know I agree with Mike Aitchison - Brendan Rogers has made it to the top - one way or another - he is at a top team in the world; exposure around the globe media wise and has a contract given him by astute people who run companies that make billions in their business lifetime.....


    Let's just be behind him until something changes...if not then let's just call him Brendan....

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  77. And he cleared one from the goal so yeah he's getting there

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  78. Your obviously bell end who loves the attention he gets from daft posts.

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  79. when I saw Kandogbia in champs league I thought he was great for a 22 year old - I reckon we could do alot worse than him this summer...

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  80. There isn't a should about it. Your tipping me in favour of the other.

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  81. Ok maybe it's over the top but I'm just venting fume because of his tactical setup which goes from bad to worse- I wanna believe in him but he's got nothing much going for him...

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  82. You must have a fantastic time in your little world watching us through your rose tinted glasses

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  83. I like what I have seen. We do need that type of player. Another blind spot of Rodgers is his belief we don't need a dedicated DM.

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  84. I get you man and to be fair no one wants to be near me when we lose....


    but I've realised I've got to keep perspective and my knee jerks of the past have only resulted in heartache and pain whether they be football or life related...


    I kind of come on here for therapy and 'listen' to the sense some of the posters put up on here so I dont end up hitting the cat or my kids...;-)...was only kidding on the last bit...I'd never hit my cat.....

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  85. Rose tinted? If your pumping out clichés at least get them right. Having a critical awareness without being disrespect is not rose tinted it's just not being an a hole.

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  86. Haha I hear u it's the same here

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  87. Never have obviously. My posts are there to see if you look. I would be in favour of Klopp but if he is unlikely there are few managers who are going to come in and instantly get results. Not realistically.

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  88. That was obviously implied.

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  89. What can u say in defense of Rodgers this season? I really think blaming the players is getting a bit old- he put them there, he told them what to do- his successs last year seems like a one hit wonder; everything good he's done has gone down in flames

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  90. Ok here we go....


    from what I've learned watching Carra and Neville and reading posts on here doesnt that depend on formations or is def mid a position ALWAYS required...?

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  91. If u wanna play serious futty then yes

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  92. Who said I was defending him? There are some things that are not his fault but lots that are.

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  93. So you're okay with status quo? How is that gonna do any good?

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  94. Ok I wanna play serious futty...


    Lets all chip in and get one...

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  95. I think his faults outweigh his virtues by a landslide...

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  96. Patience is a virtue5:49 pm, April 25, 2015

    Still a few games left for you to support chelski.

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  97. Rodgers always plays with at least on pivot. That player needs to be at least tidy on the ball but has to be tactically aware to.intercept play. It's no coincidence that United began looking good once they had Carrick.available. For me it is a necessity. I have heard convincing arguments it's not needed in modern day footy but very few top sides play without one. That says a lot I think.

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  98. B R just done press statement PROUD OF SUCH A GREAT PERFORMANCE - Beam me up Scotty A S A P

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  99. Patience is a virtue5:52 pm, April 25, 2015

    You should try putting your support for the club and the manager into writing.

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  100. Some say evolution is a painful business - is Brendan trying to move the game on without the necessary quality of players at his disposal or is it just he wont conform...


    Oh and does pep guardiola play with one? cos he blitzed the opposition midweek....

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  101. The team looked terminally constipated. No pressing on the ball just trying to get a lucky through pass. Turn out the lights. This was a painful watch.......

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  102. Rodgers is beyond saving

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  103. How is sacking the manager who has been building a side, without any idea of What you are going to do next going to go? A new manager comes.in and needs to change loads of things. We then have at least one season of transition. Who this manager is and what he can and will achieve still.depend on signings etc. If there is a definite upgrade available then yeah I am.interested but who is that person?

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  104. You can't handle the truth5:55 pm, April 25, 2015

    Politicians repeat a lot of stuff, weapons of mass destruction and the like. Are you one of the 'laymans' who suck it all up?

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  105. Issue is he had two of the best DM's in the prem in front of him last season. Look at their defence this season. They don't miss him. We're his achievements his or theirs?

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  106. Yes we live in the world of X-Files my friend

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  107. Ah, and we're back to the finer points of footie again...;-)

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  108. Also I wonder then as you say in post higher up we need a proper Defensive mid to make our defence shine as it should...

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  109. You can't handle the truth6:00 pm, April 25, 2015

    Gillian Anderson, I would ;-)

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  110. There is clearly a dichotomy amongst the fans:

    a) those who are happy with things as they are and are willing to give BR more time

    b) and those like me who feel 3 years is enough and its time for change.

    I just sincerely hope I do not have see games like today all the time next year with BR at the helm.

    Dull, dreary and lacklustre.

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  111. I think B Rodgers days are numbered at Club, I thought that even we won FA Cup , He should still have been sacked and shipped out with the abysmal, shocking transfer and scouting team.
    How can you expect players to give their all for club when they have not played much this season and they have been abysmal and diabolical for last two seasons and to top it off they are leaving club in 2 months time? (G Johnson) instead of Manquillo?
    When Lallana and L Leiva are not fully fit and injury free the 5 2 2 1 Formation does not work at all
    B Rodgers should have played the 4 3 3 today with Can in midfield besides Gerrard and Henderson and played front three of Coutinho, Ibe and then Sterling through the middle
    M Balotelli , F Borini and R Lambert are £30.5M Dead wood average and what makes it even more annoying is B Rodgers brought all these strikers to club
    Along with I Aspas and L Alberto another £14.4M of Dead wood average poor players
    And now he has cheek to moan about scoring, well if he had of used the £20M he spent on W Bony at Swansea at Time Or C Benteke Of A Villa , I am sure we would have scored more goals this season in all competitions and won a lot more games
    The fact B Rodgers wasted £20M on Markovic when Ibe is twice the player Markovic just shows shocking recruitment, that £20M should have been used on M Schneiderlin Of Southampton as we have needed A Mobile Athletic DM at club for last three seasons , but have not fixed that problem.
    B Rodgers should be replaced By J Klopp at the end of season, he has done all he could with what he was given.
    We need the abysmal Transfer committee scrapped, we need owners to change wage cap malarchy so we can at least bring in world class marquee signing this summer along with 4-6 other top class quality players.
    Whilst B Rodgers needs to be shipped out with his Love Child Clue/Useless J Allen and most of the dead wood players he brought to club:
    K Toure CB L Alberto AM F Borini FD I Aspas FD
    R Lambert FD M Balotelli FD
    Whilst these 5 other dead wood average players need to be cleared off the clubs books this summer:
    GK: B Jones CB: S Coates RB: G Johnson
    RB: A Wisdom LB: J Enrique

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  112. It would be safe not to get too excited with Lovren's performance today; given West Brom never entered the game with any attacking intent & never really got into LFC's half, Lovren wasn't really tested. Personally I like Lovren a lot & don't believe he could be so good at SFC & poor at LFC; he will come good & probably needed an easy afternoon like today to relieve the pressure on him. The match was awful though...

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  113. is it just me or does she look hotter in Hannibal than she ever did in x files....?

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  114. Are you Logan in disguise or what?

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  115. Maybe, maybe not- it's not a coincidence Liverpool's defense is in shambles for the last two years, non of the defenders showed composure or stability not even Sakho ( I know), until Rodgers witched to back three and covered the gaps; a team needs a dedicated DM of course but Lovren's statistics (tackles, headers, interceptions, blocks, clearences) speak for themselves

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  116. I'll join in too from now on then...;-)

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  117. His goal clearence tends to argue about your claim they never entered our half...

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  118. All aboard on Gillian train

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  119. Yep Lucas is injured.

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  120. Can't handle Gillian6:06 pm, April 25, 2015

    Not seen Hannibal, did make me think of silence of the lambs though but think that was Jodie Foster, not bad either.
    Sure I saw Gillian looking mighty fine on top gear just recently, before Clarkson got all upset about his steak or something.

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  121. Our team should do our talking on the pitch, not in the media in the form of meaningless sound bites and personal ego trips. What we said on the pitch today was "We have no ideas for this". All Rodgers had to say this season was "That was not good enough" instead we get excuses, praise for ineptitude and drivel straight from the Mourinho school of PR/media handling. Maybe thats what he was learning under JM? Don't think Klopp is the answer either but at least he's won stuff and I think that has to be an absolute essential criteria for a manager who manages LFC. Read this yesterday thought it was a good read
    http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2015/04/liverpool-rodgers-fsg-ian-ayre-nobody-knows-anything/? would like this guy to come back and have a go, really rate him
    http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/former-liverpool-fc-assistant-manager-9109882?

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  122. "never really got into LFC's half" does not equate to "never entered our half" - I'd be grateful if you read a comment & understood it before making a feeble attempt to denigrate it...

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  123. Dude if you like silence of the lambs.....do me and yourself a favour; watch Hannibal - you will not regret it...and Gillian looks amazing; I seriously would.....

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  124. Don't know about the train.... but Gillian...oh yes please..

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  125. I fail to see ur argument that our defense "wasn't really tested"?

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  126. Wtf r u talking about Julianne Moore??

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  127. ...recommend he watch it, or polish Gillian's trophies?

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  128. If simple English is difficult to understand, then I'm afraid our discussion is over. Maybe looking at the game stats & watching the game may allow you to form a more realistic opinion?

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  129. Well they nearly shipped in a goal and done more offensively than us, but ok

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  130. Stipe...Hannibal the tv series dude not the second or whatever movie....


    Hannibal with madds mikelsson and some other guy.....its brilliant....and has Gillian anderson in it....who I never fancied ever....until i felt something happen in my groin watching her on Hannibal that is....cougers what can you say....:-)

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  131. Hahah didn't catch that show but will now thanx

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  132. Bob I am currently moonlighting as gigolo to the hot and famous in hollywood...I can thoroughly recommend he polish her trophies.....

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  133. I can't believe you just called me feeble....

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  134. My support is with the club not this charlatan

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  135. She has trophies? not as many as Liverpool, we have five European ones don't you know.

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  136. Do it bro do it...


    it will mess with your mind...

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  137. Where have I called you feeble - that word was used to describe another poster??

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  138. oh god ...you are so ..'proper'


    he means 'trophies'...nudge nudge wink wink.....'trophies'......................

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  139. It was a joke, mate.

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  140. Drastic Changes needed in summer:
    New Manager
    Abyzmal, Comical and Pathetic Transfer Committee Scrapped ( New Manager should identify player he wants himself) So if things go wrong he can take sole blame
    Scouting network scrapped as for years I have named players we should have brought to club who would have done well for us Navas, Moussa Sissoko, C Eriksen, J Montero and have done well playing for other teams once they have come to premiership.
    We have over spent on average and good players over the last three seasons :
    J Allen £15M Real Value : £5-£7M Average Player
    L Markovic £20M Real Value: £6-£8M Average Player
    A Lallana £25M Real Value: £15-£18M Top Class Player ( Poor Injury Prone Season)
    D Lovren £20M Real Value : £12-£16M Class Player ( Poor Season)
    A Moreno £12M Real Value: £6-£8M Class Player ( Poor Season)
    F Borini £10.5M Real Value £5-£7M Poor Player
    L Alberto £6.7M Real Value £3-£5M Poor Player
    I Aspas £7.7M Real Value £4-£5M Poor Player

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  141. Sorry mate, didn't really see that in your comment.

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  142. Sorry, thought you were talking about jug shaped trophies.

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  143. I was playing off your advice to 'read a comment & understand it before' responding.

    Forget it. Cheers.

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  144. :-)

    What did you think of the game today?

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  145. Genuine question, what if BR didn't really have much of a say in the transfers and actually his main target was Sanchez and the club didn't get the job done for him?

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  146. Oh, was *that* a game? ;-)

    Was very frustrating. We had something along the lines of 80% possession and could do nothing with it.
    Trying to look at the bright side though. Good to see ibe playing again and Lovren was not terrible.

    Ready for next season.

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  147. Not sure but Jamafrica is stunning as is NeverGonnaCrackTheGillian ;-)

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  148. Don't know what it is but I don't think Klopp is the guy to replace Rodgers, but a manager who has won something should be an essential criteria for the job and this bugs me most about Rodgers (apart from his interactions with the press). All Rodgers had to say this year after every match was "That was nowhere near good enough" even when we were scraping results.


    I really rate Pako Ayestaran, I think he is the kind of guy we need, he's used to winning, is modern in his approach to coaching and fitness, understands tactics, won titles with Valencia and us, been here before, is currently cleaning up in Israel.


    I think we should do our talking on the pitch and what we said today was "We don't know how to deal with this".


    The guy who, in his own mind, is sure there is no one better for the job than him has shown us once again he can't beat a parked bus.


    I'm really upset about how this season has panned out, upset because it was obvious before a ball was kicked this was going to happen and only now are they saying we didn't replace LS goals?! Everyone and anyone could see that and the transfer activity/ policy has been absolutely inexcusable, bordering on negligent for years now.

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  149. I agree some of things you have said however increasing the wage cap shows to me you lack understanding how things work.

    FFP now dictates how much wages we can pay.

    It is why Man Utd are in such a powerful position where as other clubs including Chelsea are having to buy players with no intention on playing them but because they will generate extra income.



    As for some of his signings, yes they have been very very poor however there are a few where the players are good players but BR for what ever reason plays them out of position.


    Take Markovic. He is only 20 years old. It is a big ask for any 20 year to adapt straight away, let alone a 20 year old who is from a different country, away from all of his friends and family and being played in a position he has never played before.

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  150. Sakho hasn't changed his game much at all. Check all the stats. Similar stuff. He has alwayrz been composed. What people thought was just how he looked not how he played.
    Lovren'z errors speak for themselves too.

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  151. Great post and although I have no knowledge of the other manager you mention I'm inclined to believe your impassioned argument, but as per my other question to twisted, can you really blame Brendan IF he is proved to not be wholly responsible for the summer transfers?
    We know that FSG wanted to have a director of football alongside any manager they appointed so, despite Brendan's claims to the contrary is it so hard to believe that FSG and others are really having the final say on the clubs signings?
    If so, does Brendan not merit a season where he is properly in charge of shaping the team.

    Come on Villa.

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  152. Don;t tell me to forget it

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  153. I'd love some beers.

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  154. Another excellent comment!

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  155. Yes Sakho showed nothing in 2 years to warrant a 18mil.transfer- injury-prone is his adjective, Lovren is one season ahead of Sakho in terms of staking his claim in the side, and yes errors have occured but it was due t othr factors we covered for the zillionth time

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  156. Maybe u two should get a room?

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  157. mmmmm....donut.

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  158. Great show. I never really took notice of Gillian until the X-Files movies. She looked too...nineties...in the show. Didn't fancy her Hillary Clinton pantsuits.

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  159. Yes he has a job after getting sacked not that long ago.

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  160. None of that makes sense. Shows how little you can garner from Watching the game.

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  161. Well one would expect he would have established himself by now and it has been like 2 YEARS, but ok, plenty of time for that

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  162. I was thinking of invention g furniture that can be broken and put back together. Footy furniture, or a name like that. Smashable stuff.

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  163. I think if a manager is going to get fired for bad results he should at least have the power to pick the guys who will ultimately be responsible for his fate. FSG got badly burnt in their first forrays into the transfer market and are now taking an ultra cautious approach in recruitment. I don't believe in the director of football role as being very beneficial, we did very well as a club without one. Allen and Borini both worked out at Swansea but they certainly haven't seemed to work out at Liverpool suggesting there is a level in coaching/ scouting where Brendan Rodgers is good enough and a level where he isn't, to put it simply I think he's out of his depth in this club. Man Utd recognised this in Moyes last year and ensured the same mistake didn't happen this year and got rid of him, the players just didn't buy in to what he wanted and effectively downed tools. Feels like something like that is going on with us in that players fed up with their mates getting moved on, players not getting picked on merit, some being completely frozen out, it's not a picture of a harmonius dressing room.

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  164. After being racist numerous times.

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  165. She has aged well.

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  166. Villa nearly done us a favour - so close but not to be

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  167. Always fancied her. Was a youngsters like but remember she did some glamour shots for something. I had personal time with those. Too much info.

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  168. How come bagging Brendan is fine, but you get all upset when people do the same to Lovren?

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  169. There are more than that. Some of us who are not happy with how things are but feel we need to have a manager who is near guaranteed to do do better before we change. People think sacking the manager without thought of what is next is the way to go. Is that what they do in all elements in life. I don't like my front door. Won't paint it or get a new one just take it off it's hinges and lash it, then decide what to do.

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  170. Inflatable furniture might be the way to go...

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  171. Wouldn't have the same feeling as smashing something.

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  172. Absolutely, inclined to agree with that mate, something or some things are not right at the moment.
    As much as some had given up on the season already, I still, perhaps foolishly, was clinging onto hopes of fourth and assumed we'd go out all guns blazing today.
    City aren't playing great at the moment and who knows, perhaps the added comfort of our result helped them mentally against Villa.
    I can't get past your first sentence though, I don't feel BR has truly had a full run at it yet. Also the players who played well at Swansea may not be cable of reaching the level required for us, regardless of coach.
    Who knows what the answer is, I agree with you something isn't quite right these last few games and feel with Klopp we may be inviting exactly this same situation all over again.
    How about with an overhaul of the scouting/transfer committee and staff? If Brendan is as good a coach as a lot believe him to be and with the evidence of what he can achieve from last year, worth another season surely?

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  173. Sakho was captain of a very good PSG team, mainstay in the French National team, scoring 2 goals to put France into the world cup... Sakho has always been a solid player... He moves in a slightly clumsy looking way and everyone thinks he lacks composure or ability... Not the case. Coming into this LFC side he has been relatively solid....

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  174. Sorry, but I don't follow your logic....

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  175. Your looking for some kind of lego furniture then... Might be fun.

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  176. Gutted for Villa, cheated by poor refereeing... How many teams get wrongful offside decisions against City... I know we have fallen foul...Stone wall red card and penalty.

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  177. BR has time and again that he has final say on all signings. I hold him responsible for many of the terrible signIngs he has made

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  178. If he didn't have final say on signings what would you expect him to say? - bearing in mind he has one of the best jobs in the world and would like to keep it.

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  179. The Sterling one last season comes instantly to mind - I keep thinking I'm talking to John Barnes : )

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  180. Solely in the aid of humour of the Jethro kind (and definitely not sniping) I'll start you off.
    "Brendan, we all know you didn't want Suarez to leave but after the fact, wanted to sign Sanchez and not Ballotelli, where did it all go wrong?"...
    "Well, what happened was..."

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