27 Jan 2013

Photo proof: £8m LFC target spotted at the Oldham game. BR's next signing...?

Liverpool FC's transfer pursuit of Blackpool winger Tom Ince seems to have hit the skids over the last couple of weeks, and with Reading formally submitting an £8m bid, the race for the 20-year old looks set to go right to the wire. Ince would surely prefer a move to Anfield over Reading, and his confirmed presence at Boundary Park today suggests that a move to Liverpool could still be on the cards.

Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup this afternoon, but there could be some good news on the horizon.

Reds target Tom Ince watched today's game from the stands, and one eagle-eyed Reds fan took a picture of him:

Tom Ince Liverpool

Ince confirmed his attendance at the game via his Twitter account. He tweeted:

"Congrats goes to my pal @dbouzanis43 {Dean Bouzanis - Oldham goalkeeper]. It was great to go watch him zing a few balls again"

It's certainly possible that Ince attended the match just to watch Bouzanis, but considering Oldham is only 55 miles away from Blackpool (meaning he could go and watch him anytime) why did he choose a Liverpool game to make an appearance? Seems a little coincidental to me.

It's probably just a smokescreen. Given the club's well publicised pursuit of Ince, it's possible that could be on the verge of joining Liverpool. Perhaps the deal is already done? Perhaps Rodgers invited Ince to the game with a view to having a meeting?

If the deal is on then it looks like the club could end the transfer window with Coutinho AND Ince, which would be fantastic, especially after today's defeat highlighted once again that Raheem Sterling is not yet ready to play regular first team football.

I've argued several times over the last month that Ince would be infinitely preferable to Sterling in the starting line-up, and my view has not changed. Ince is stronger, more experienced, arguably more skilful, and his end product is exponentially superior.

Ince and Coutinho? Yes please!

Jaimie Kanwar

REMEMBER: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


100 comments:

  1. more lightweight kids just what we need....what we need is steel and aggression in defense and midfield......

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  2. We're determined to rebuild the modern Arsenal. Warts and all.

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  3. i have to agree, another player under 10 stone we dont need.

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  4. I wouldn't read anything into Ince watching a football match. He's been in our youth set-up with Bouzanis and they probably became friends. Why wouldn't he watch a friend in his probably biggest game so far in his career.

    Wouldn't be against signing Ince, though. Sterling has flattered to deceive, at best, recently, but as I've said before, he still is a very young man and has plenty of time to improve. Would be interesting on how much money he actually is, because in my book he isn't worth more than 10k a week right now.

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  5. Agreed, can't remember the last time Sterling had a good game. He seems so negative with the ball right now.

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  6. jk why did you cancel my comment re rodgers self apology trying to blame the kids

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  7. Or maybe he was there for the reason he gave himself, to watch Bouzanis. Why not any other match? Well because a match against their old club is more interesting I reckon.

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  8. well he grew up in the liverpool youth team so that could be another reason

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  9. think that kinda rules out ur coincidence theory

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  10. I haven't deleted any of your comments. I've checked the word/spam filters and there's nothing there. Is it possible that the comment didn't post for some reason?

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  11. LFC 1892-2009 then we died9:42 pm, January 27, 2013

    I would prefere us to form a breakaway super world league,we would be away from the FA the referees and the media who are all biassed to manCHEATER utd and make sure they win their cups by hook or crook.I know Rangers and Celtic would join us and maybe the rich Russian clubs and possibly Chelsea after their ill treatment.Also get the great South american clubs,Independiente,Boca Juniors,throw in a couple of Asian clubs and we would be the envy of the premiership and we would have institutions queuing up to pur billions into tv rights..Its only like the darts or boxing which has split into 2 world championships and i feel if we break away it would be more exciting and fairer as no man utd would be games would br fairly refereed with no bias towards any side.

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  12. lol the one in front of ince just looks like jupp heynckes, maybe hes our next manager (;

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  13.  ok I said that Rodgers was a shit a la Hodgson for seeking to blame he kids for today's defeat.
    Shanks, Paisley and Kenny would never seek to blame the kids for their shortcommings

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  14. This is the result of the holy transfer policy of fsg, saw today? Spectacular, yet more signings like that and next is ince the guy who will break messis record just watch, fsg gives money for transfers yes cant deny it but their policy is destroying the club hard, like gerrard said we cant win anything with kids, nuff said.

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  15. yah hes a real bruiser ....players just bounce off him....Ps JAIMIE ...it seems i have one fan in Gillstrap imitation is the greatest flattery

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  16. what we dont need is a copycat gilstrap...get a life

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  17. we need hungry young players, who will grab their chance to shine.....coates, robinson, jones, sterling, take note.( i know jones isn't a youngster, but nor is he much good either).

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  18. How has FSG's policy had anything to do with today's result? The only player signed by FSG in the starting XI was Allen - all other players were either at the club or signed before took over.

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  19. Rogers is totally to blame for the performance this afternoon, he should know better that you do not play kids against a team like Oldham if you want to win

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  20. Please change your username, or I'll have to deactivate this account. Thanks.

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  21. You can set up a date and get to it (Jen Cheng Style)...But what if your imitation is a woman? X_X

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  22. "He could go and watch hime anytime." "Why did he chose the Liverpool game to make an appearance?" Because they were playing a premier league club and the atmosphere would be insane compared to a glamour League One game against Crewe!

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  23. i belive he phoned karl oyston after the game about the 1  year extension they can invoke in his contract and begged him to make 5

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  24. soz missed out the IT

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  25. Such an idiot, lightweight. So what if he's light in weight, if you're good at football it doesn't matter you invalid. 

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  26.  Ps Jaimie when i say lightweight i mean more than just build i mean experience and ability to influence a game

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  27. with my luck it will be one that looks like rogers

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  28.  you can win plenty with good kids but not crap ones

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  29. and sturridge and borini

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  30. I agree. Rodgers is out of order for slamming the young players like that. Why hasn't he done the same to the senior players, who've made countless errors this season?

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  31. I found your comment! You posted it on the comment policy page: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2008/01/comment-policy-liverpool-kopcom.html#comment-780006324

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  32. I don't know what everyone is complaining about! Buying a quick fix is not the answer! It is about time we spend the next 2-3 years getting it right and building a strong squad! The additions of Coutinho and Ince would not only be a good fit now, but in years to come!
    This is the reason why we are always battling b/w 6th and 10th!
    I honestly believe that Rogers IS building something! Stability and also a not get ripped off policy when it comes to buying unlike KD and Comoli getting ripped off for the obvious Carroll, Downing, Henderson!
    Also in Rogers defence, we are playing much better football and I think it is great to throw the kids in during cup games to see how they go!
    For me also, Coates has been a HUGE disappointment! Every time he is in the team, we concede goals! The first goal against Oldham, he should have been more physical and cleared the header!
    BUY A NEW KEEPER PLEEEAAASE!
    From an Aussie to another Aussie... Jones just ain't good enough!
    Butland SHOULD be bought in this window and second in line until we sell Pepe!
    One last thing... Agger and Skyrtl need some fear of losing their place in the side with another 1 or 2 centre halves to really challenge them!
    Micah Richards of Man City would be a great buy...

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  33. Of course rogers is to blame. He should have done his homework on Oldham and realised that they're a physical team. They were too physical for the youngsters and rogers should have played the more experienced players. he should not have underestimated Oldham and indeed the fa cup. A gamble that hasn't paid off springs too mind.

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  34. right first thing ince is a good young player and is only proven in the championship! secondly we dont need any more attacking wingers! we already have sterling, assaidi, downing, suso and sounds like coutinho is joining! Thirdy today lacked one thing experiance! i feel if the leadership of carragher and gerrard was on the pitch today things might of been a bit different! coates was shocking i know i'm no world beater at football but as a centre half the first thing that was ever taught to me was never turn your back on a opponent and he done it from every set piece! ABYSMAL!

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  35. That's what some media outlets reported, but is it true or were they just guessing? Sterling didn't earn his 30k this week, that's for sure. Not that anybody else really earned their wages.

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  36.  Yes, really, one is bad enough :-)

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  37. Heard he was in Stuttgart today, but the guy also looks a bit like Martin O'Neill.

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  38. The main problem I have with Rodgers is that we obviously don't go for the strong French defensive midfielders that are on the market for small money. Unless we add some strength to our squad, our kids will be bullied of the pitch more often than not.

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  39. Not disputing your comment, just laughing at the sheer absurdity of hearing "you do not play kids against a team like Oldham if you want to win." One more thing I thought I'd never hear before today.

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  40. Yeah, I agree totally. That game against the Potters, our lads were practically mugged every time we got the ball. Sterling, Borini, Allen, Coates, etc. they just aren't strong enough to be physical against the bigger guys. The whole team is almost built that way. Really makes me miss Craig Bellamy, she was a short guy, but he always stood tough.

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  41. It's been like that all season though. The game against the Potters, was physical, and a loss, and none of the squad was able to deal with it. Who exactly was he going to put in, who could play that physical against them? That well is dry.

    I was hopeful that in the window we'd get some more players who could handle that. Apparently not.

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  42. Yeah, Sterling really did such a bang up job today. (rolling my eyes) Sterling needs a ton of steroids and a plan to bulk up, otherwise he's just going to be El Nino 2.0.

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  43. We don't have enough wingers! Sterling has been average at best recently (being kind) Suso isn't a winger but a central midfielder. I'm not complaining about that as most young players were/are played out of position when they are trying to breakthrough. How long can Downing's form last? Coutinho is a player that is best deployed just behind the striker and with Assaidi... where the hell is he? so i don't think one on form winger, one mediocre winger, a central midfielder playing as a winger, an attacking midfielder and a winger nobody has any idea what's happened to him is enough wingers, do you?

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  44. We need someone who can play as Lucas' backup.  Right now, we don't have a player who can hold down that role if Lucas were to go down. Hence Joe Allen being stuck there for three months.

    I also think that it could be tough to convince an established player to come here if he isn't going to be playing regularly.  And if Lucas is healthy, he's going to be starting in that position.

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  45. We are going to be the UK Barca under BR. No need for giant physical players. Guys like Messi, Xavi, Iniesta etc all 'lightweights' but still run roughshod over the rest! We already have the Welsh Xavi!

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  46. The thing about Ince is that he seems to have the winning/leading mentality (bordering on arrogance maybe). Apart from his end product, will be way ahead of Sterling imo.

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  47. Unless Rodgers stabilize the midfield no amount of winger and striker could save the game. If he really want to implement the tiki-taka style he need to strengthen the midfield. 

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  48. Ince will come and be put straight in for sterling i thinks that's BR plans! Sturridge on the RW Suarez ST and Coutino that number 10 role CF with Gerrard and Lucas in center midfield! and one more signing to wrap it up for me before the January market closes and that would be a strong central midfielder! such a shame we didn't go for Yann m'Villa or Mousa Sissoko!! would of been quality!! i think we should sell downing now why we could still get £10m-£12m for him because i don't think hes going to be able to keep out Coutino or Sturridge of starting 11 and i think his form  will finally start to drop when these players arrive! and he is getting old :)...cash in now and use the money! that could allow us to spend between £10m-£15m and a super central midfielder!

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  49. and i think Lucas and gerrard and Carra should of started that match and given a rest to Suarez for sure! i think with them on the pitch we could of relied on just sturridge against Oldham!!  Coates would of played better next to Carra because Carra would of kept that defense in line and told him were to be, that was the key! we totally blew it today. very disappointing!! 

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  50. Jaime..What do you think of the oldham match?..Was it the youngsters failure to live up to expectations or imo a case of bad player selection..Blaming the kids for His mistakes clearly shows cowardice to accept failure on his part.Oldham had the odds stacked against them yet they proved to us that with the right tactics and plauers nothing impossible that can't be overcomed.Coates prolly needs time on loan to build him up.And playing coates and skertel together was a combo destined for the gutters.Should have played carragher as his leadership qualities may have calmed coates down.I do hope the players can bounce back mentally.Bt i do hope BR can stop with the blamings and start reflecting on himself.

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  51. werent coates, henderson and suarez also signed under fsg?

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  52. completely agree with you, we arent going to get a big name player to sit on the bench behind lucas. 
    Which makes me question whether the scouts are looking for young defensive midfielders or maybe coady? but after today i doubt rodgers will be handing out appearances to young players lightly

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  53. i think your right, at some point you need someone who knows how to win, Ince has all the confidence is his own abilities and if he's availible for 6-7 and we get a discount on that then why not?

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  54. BRENDAN IS 100 PER CENT TO BLAME FOR YESTERDAYS PERFORMANCE - LOUSY TEAM SELECTION AND COATES MUST NEVER WEAR RED AGAIN - YOU WERE STUPID BRENDAN - ABSOLUTELY STUPID AND I HAVE ALWAYS BACKED YOU BUT BE A MAN AND ACCEPT YOU MESSED UP BIG TIME

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  55. BR may have been a little harsh today but Sterling was a bystander for a large portion of the game and Coates got bullied around the field. Robinson was solid at times and then completely lost at other times.
    Now its very hard for players who arent playing to suddenly step in and perform but at some point you have to expect the players to want it enough to get that opportunity and make the most of it.

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  56. Just a thought but how do you know he 'chose the Liverpool game' to watch his mate? Could it not be that he has seen his mate play several times including this one? Perhaps just an ordinary trip for him!

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  57. There is serious talent floating around in places like Spain Germany etc. Liverpool have enough Brits now its time to look abroad for value and talent.
    There is far better talent than Ince about at reasonable prices i say forget him.

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  58. will the real gilstrap please stand up ;-)

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  59. agree m8 already posted something along them lines,perthetic really considering he had £39 million of is signings on the pitch who did jacksh"t

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  60. funny thing is, were almost playing the same kids in the pl every week...

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  61. Agree with you about young Sterling, not yet strong enough. Jones and Coates were frighteningly bad. I've seen more tactical awareness from kids on Stanley Park. I lost count of the number of times Coates was facing his own goal with Smith climbing all over him. How many goals has Smith scored this year so far against second class opponents? We need a back-up GK and a central defender p.d.q and a lot more mental steel. BTW, steel can come in small packages too. A bit of cold rain and sleet and the ability froze.

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  62. Matias suarez is better 

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  63. At the most we will sign another defender. He was probably there because of the significance of the game and they are ex lfc players.

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  64. we want some strong defenders. look at their size and there height.they were playing physically. we were not a match to them

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  65. I think it's something that a player decides in his head. Do I get bullied of the ball or do I stand my ground. In this case our lads weren't strong enough mentally.

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  66. Thats very right. i was thinking how the hell lfc didnt buy diame when he was free,kenny wants to do that to challenge top 4, while brendan sticks with his young policy. Players like diame tiote song even carrick won the ball back.

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  67. Ideally a new DM would be real competition for Lucas, which would keep both of them on their toes.

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  68. Yes youre right,but i think since sterling signed his contract he thonls hes special or something. Above all that,i think we should sign experienced players. Hate to say this but,look at man u,theyre bench is full of experienced players so old man alex can rotate easily.

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  69. I'd argue that we need a stronger defensive midfielder, ideally with some experience, too.

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  70. Assaidi is currently in Africa playing for Morocco in the ACON.
    Agree about us being a bit short when it comes to decent wingers.

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  71. I think the only way Coates would have performed better is if he had played for the reserves.

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  72. someone tell brendan rodgers that every time joe allen plays we find it hard to get points the guy was and is the biggest waste of money since andy carroll,the opposition rub there hands everytime  they see him on the field ,but what really gets me is BR,s blindness in keeping him on the field ,take the utd match allen was by far the worst player on the field and costing us everytime he either got or was near the ball,THERES A BIG f uu cck  ing gap in midfield brendan and everyone apart from u knows where it,s coming from  ,,,,

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  73. If you want to send out a weakened team put your best players first and stick in 5 goals and then you can remove Gerrard, Suarez and Reina. Has BR learnt nothing from the mistakes of his predecessors. If you want to gamble go to the bookies and allow Liverpool fans to enjoy their football again. Shankly would have asked them why they needed a rest he would have told them "Shure you've done nothing yet!"

    Hope we're not about to buy another crippled player like 'the water carrier' who requires 2 months to recuperate before he is ready for the fray! Give it up Brendan Rodgers - you're the real lightweight at Liverpool.

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  74. Allen is not a waste of money, but he is Lucas in his first two seasons all over again.
    I hope in a couple of years he'll get to Lucas's level, otherwise we're in deep s#!t.

    There is no doubt in my mind that aggresiveness is what liverpool is lacking. We need a monster cm who will spurr everyone on to give their best.

    The one player who can do thay in my opinion is Jonjo. 
    Shelvey during the first manu game showed aggresiveness that I have not seen since SG was a youngster. I can't compare the two, obviously, But in terms of aggresiveness the other youngsters can learn a lot from him.

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  75. We are a long way away from being the so-called UK Barca and doubt we ever will be. Until then, until we are the finished product, we will get out-done by so-called more physical sides as this is the PL. Look at Arsenal in the last few years, with their tippy-tappy passing football, they have barely won anything. We aren't even close to the technical and tactical ability they have shown in the last 4/5 years, let alone Barca. So merely a fantasy that has a good chance of not coming a reality, that we will become the UK Barca.

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  76. God, your right! There are 2 Gilstraps!! Can't stop laughing!!

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  77. That was abysmal, why oh why does BR not play his strongest 11, the starting 11` should always be your best 11, get the game in control, score  goals THEN use subs to rest players, I'm really starting to doubt BR, he hides behind his ability to be able to blame others. NEWS FLASH - The kids did not let you down BR, YOU let yourself, the club and the fans down. I hate hearing people say players need a rest, what a cop out, as a kid I played every day for hours and hours on end, not just 90 mins once or twice a week. Players do not need rest, if they do then they are playing the wrong sport.

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  78. Completely agree with everything you say. I've wanted us to bid for Richats ever since he destroyed us on the youth cup.

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  79. According to comments by the man himself, Ince doesn't seem to think he has played his last game (Wolves last weekend - scored two) for the club but you never know. Also over the weekend, Ince Snr still banging the 'rather he plays regular first team football in Championship, than sit on the bench at a PL side' drum, as well as saying Liverpool aren't the only side interested. To be fair, he is young, so what is the rush.

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  80. This loss is dedicated to all BR fans, and for fans who have been clamouring for the sacking of Dalglish. From 2 wonderful cup runs last season, to early cup exits this season. 

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  81. We need players that adds power in the midfield... Players that can dominate with their physical presence... We are going only after lightweight players that are easily bullied... Pft!

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  82. Instead of blaming the young players, BR should be blaming himself for not coaching them properly, exposing them too early, and sending them out on a tricky away cup tie where clearly they are not mature enough to handle! 

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  83. have a word with urself , allen not a waste of money lol, jonjo  reminded you of a young stevie g  lol,,,,,,heres a few things maybe you should know about lucas,s rise to fame for the two early years he was playing as one of two holding midfield players along side masco something that never worked and lucas was everybodys fall guy but since rafa left he has been transformed and has exiled in his new role ,,jonjo is a joke i would rather have charles bronson  in midfield than this hot headed layabout might as well start with ten men because he cant keep his cool ,,,what we need my friend was  a wesley sneijder or a yaya toure class strength power courage and skill unlike allen and jonjo ,,,maybe only when brendan rodgers see,s this liverpool fc will being to be the force that we once where ,,,,,

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  84. I meant prior to the ACON, to me when he played he added something else but Rodgers doesn't seem keen on him. I don't get why sign a player and never use him?

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  85. one of them will have to change name! jocks  a good shout!!!

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  86. The scout reports probably were very positive and he has shown signs of talent, but he has also shown that he is not yet at the physical level that is required. Additionally he might be really poor in training or having problems addapting to life in Liverpool.

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  87. Coates is a big strong player and good with his head you cant just throw him in with no leader! he never plays either  so what did we expect him to do? come out like pique or something, aint gonna happen! he needs regular football but in the premiership were he can adapt and come back to us ready and roaring! 

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  88. i agree that is what im saying anteater about coates, i agree he had a poor game but the team sheet was all wrong imo

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  89. I'd be surprised if any Prem club would take him on loan to be honest. So far I haven't seen him being strong or good in the air to be honest.

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  90. Some people are lol'ing at this comment but if the commercial reality for such a new League (or something along similar lines) is lucrative enough it will happen in the future.

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  91. yeah blame rogers even though other clubs like  leeds oldham brentford have youngster that still show the passion to go againts bigger clubs , sorry thats a cop out , how old were owen , fowler gerrard when they made there first team appearances ?, its bull shit they didint step up to the plate when you should when you put on a liverpool shirt , not rogers fault his keeper cant hold a ball and his defenders have a shocker , and his forwards despite his defenders playing crap put at least 6 against a oldham team . some of these so called youngsters earn mor ein 2 weeks than i earn in a year and if i dont do my job i end up in the unemployment lines , its crap you get an opportunity u take it or take the humilation

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  92. Thats because the youngsters are either : 1) not good enough (even Sterling looks less than Sterling), 2) Too young (young players like Sterling appear too young to handle the physical demands), 3) they dun play week in and week out like the lower clubs, 4) they are not experienced enough 
    And finally, who says the lower clubs play many young players? There were so many experienced players in Oldham who were hungry to beat the likes of Pool !
    And did u know Manu played a full squad of first team players in their FA Cup games? They take it seriously! FA Cup is not a Mickey Mouse competition for the young ones to play a fool with! Or play them when we are in a winning position when the game is safe.... 

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  93. So isnt it BR's job to motivate these young boys to play as well? As their manager, doesnt he know that these boys are not good enough to play in such a difficult FA cup tie? 

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  94. Dats becos the young players are either 1) not good enough (even Sterling looks less than sterling), 2) too young to cope with the physical demands (Even Sterling looks to lightweight), 3) not playing week in and week out, 4) not experienced enough......

    Also......

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  95. Who says other teams play only young players? Oldham had lots of experienced players who were waiting to beat up the likes of pool 

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  96. And ManU played a full 1st team squad in their FA Cup ties. They certainly take the FA Cup seriously and is not a Mickey Mouse tourney! BR thinks this FA Cup is for young players to kick about? I really question his ability and reasoning. 

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  97. If BR continues with pool, the club will nvr win anything with all his inept decisions. It is better we leave him to walk alone

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