19 Jun 2015

Legend Confirms: Liverpool want to sign 'world-class' £32m 'beast' this summer because he'll 'score goals'

Last month, Liverpool target Christian Benteke admitted that he's 'very pleased' to be linked with a move to Liverpool, but conceded that he wants to 'play in the Champions League'. That seemingly rules out a move to Anfield, but according to Reds legend Ray Houghton, Benteke remains the club's number-one summer transfer target.

When asked today about Liverpool's transfer targets, Houghton revealed the following tidbit of apparent inside information. He told TalkSport:

"I heard that Benteke is one of Liverpool’s major priorities for the summer. He’s the one they’re looking for".

Houghton also explained why he believes the big Belgian will be a success at Liverpool:

"Benteke’s a huge player, and he’ll fit into the [Liverpool] style of play Liverpool. He’s big, he’s physical, and he can upset defenders. He has genuine pace, and he can score goals".

Hmmm. Bar the 'pace' aspect, this description could also apply to Andy Carroll, who turned out to be one of the biggest Liverpool flops in years.

Benteke - who, according to Paul Lambert, is 'world-class' - is definitely on the outs at Villa, and his agent, Kismet Eris confirmed this in May, when he told The Independent:

"He [Benteke] will not sign a new contract. He will do whatever is possible legally to leave Aston Villa. He wants to play for a higher team".

The one advantage that Liverpool have is that Benteke is practically guaranteed regular first-team football at Andfield. Sturridge is endlessly injury prone, and Lambortelli won't get near the first team next season with the big Belgian on board.

Plus, there's the pull of Liverpool FC itself, and despite the club's detractors, that should not be underestimated, though I have no confidence in Ian Ayre's ability to sell the club to Benteke, to the extent that he'd reject Arsenal and Man United.


Benteke featured in Belgium's recent 1-0 defeat to Wales, and after the game, manager Mark Wilmots publicly criticised the striker for his performance, and highlighted an issue that concerns a number of Reds fans. He told Belgian TV:

"Benteke was isolated. I then played with two strikers, but they need more crosses. We asked them to get to the front post, but they [the strikers] stand there like two poles".

In Mario Balotelli (and, arguably, Rickie Lambert) the club already has two static 'poles' up-front, and what the club really needs is a mobile, Suarez-type striker who's always on the prowl.

Benteke - nicknamed 'The Beast' - has a £32m buyout clause in his contract, but paying that much for the Belgian is a massive gamble, and it's one that Rodgers cannot afford to take.

£20m is more like it, and if Liverpool somehow contrive to sign Benteke for that amount, it'll be good business (IMO).

That said, in a recent site poll, 58% of fans voted AGAINST the transfer, which strongly suggests there's very little support for the deal.

Author: Jaimie K


200 comments:

  1. I like the player but not for 32mn. I would also like to see how he compares with Origi. Hope they are not too similar.

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  2. Sherwood said that Benteke says he thrives on crosses.

    LFC put the least amount of crosses in out of the whole EPL.

    Total mismatch, so the perfect target for the Committee.

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  3. voice of reason3:44 pm, June 19, 2015

    was like a statue against belgium and arsenal.. no thanks we english andy carrol was enough don't think we need the belgium andy carrol

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  4. A lot of our success during 2013/14 was the speed of our counter attack with Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling unplayable at times. Benteke plays well on the break so he can use his speed and strength which would suit us brilliantly.


    My fear with Benteke though is when teams put players behind the ball as I then don't think his distribution is good or quick enough, so wouldn't fit into our quick passing around the edge of the area.


    If he does come in we would have 2 English strikers and 2 Belgians so should be good for communication and for their international chances which can only be good.

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  5. I'd only like Benteke if we go back to 3-4-3 and empty our bank accounts to get de bruyne...
    benteke
    de bruyne.....coutinho
    moreno....Can....Hendo...Clyne
    Sakho....Skrtel...Lovren
    Migs
    yes I know how likely this will happen...

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  6. I don't think Benteke would fit in our style of play here.


    Would just be a younger, better version of Rickie Lambert who cost 8x as much, but isn't 8x the player. And Rickie was brought in to be our plan B.


    To buy a younger, better player to be a plan B is not worth spending 32m on.

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  7. not when we already have the italian andy carroll ; )

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  8. I think Benteke is a bit different then Lambert and much faster as well. We should sign him if available for 20mn. He is better than another striker we are linked with....Austin.

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  9. I sincerely hope not. For Benteke to be a success at Liverpool either he would need to dramatically change his playing style, or Liverpool would need to change theirs.

    Not compatible.

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  10. I think people are underestimating Benteke. He is not Andy Carroll or Lambert types. He is much better and can link up well with other attacking players. He can play fluidly when needed.

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  11. I'll put it to you this way...


    The style of attack we are predicated on is pressing. We need a striker who's willing to press high and pressure the defense when they have the ball.


    I'm not sold that Benteke is that type of player. Seems much more a target man'. And as @hug kiss alluded to before, we put in the least amount of crosses last year.


    Now the counter to that could certainly be that we put in the least amount of crosses because we didn't have a target man. But I don't think Rodgers' preferred style is off crosses

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  12. voice of reason3:57 pm, June 19, 2015

    i still have faith in Balo... pls Balo come good

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  13. Hmm...I would say one thing that Sherwood statement regarding crosses is being widely accepted as a rule for Benteke. I think he can play in team with different styles. And yes, he did play some good pressing game couple of times against Liverpool.

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  14. And 2 Italians as well, so full Neapolitan ; )

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  15. To dust off the old Keegan classic...

    ..."I'd luv it" if he did!

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  16. voice of reason4:03 pm, June 19, 2015

    Belgian coach also stated that they needed to put in more crosses in the wales game... it basically reiterates the fact that Benteke needs crosses to thrive

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  17. voice of reason4:05 pm, June 19, 2015

    me too sigh he most likely won't leave before 2015/2016 given new coaching staff or possibly a new manager is still on the cards (based on how the season goes)... so there might still be hope for Balotelli hopefully he rises to it

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  18. Maybe more pace that Balo ,but no different .in playing style .
    Cannot see him doing well at LFC .

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  19. voice of reason4:09 pm, June 19, 2015

    agreed he's Balo as a target man not a playmaker he's not the striker we need *cough*aubameyang*cough*

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  20. For 32mil you can get a world class striker or three from South America.

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  21. If he rises to it like he rose above Gary Cahill in Brazil, we're golden!

    Although, to be fair, Cahill was all at sea and reduced to a desperately inadequate Superman impression. (An impression of Superman flying, that is, he certainly didn't replicate anything of a Superhuman nature.)

    Apologies for reminder of English ineptitude.

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  22. More like Benteke is overrated in England, his link up play is awful (always make a back pass to the DM, DC instead of passing to wingers making runs), and can't keep the ball in small areas.

    In Belgium we are quite fed up with him and the fact the he doesn't look like he care about what is happening on the pitch.

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  23. Not to mention that even when he plays with a compatible style, he's extremely streaky. He'll score goals, but there's no way to say when or how. Another late season streak might not be all that helpful if Studge is on form too... He blows hot and cold faster than we do as a club,,,

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  24. Spot on. We have Origi and he is much more versatile and just plain better than Benteke. We keep making the same mistake. Buying players who do well at smaller clubs for ridiculous amounts of money. 32 million gets you a top top striker on the continent and we would spend it on Benteke.

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  25. voice of reason4:15 pm, June 19, 2015

    haha no problem... or against Euro 2012 when he had Neurer and the back line in his pocket.... where did that Balotelli go

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  26. Rodgers likes overrated and free players.

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  27. Borini wants out according to his agent. He feels like a 'lion in a cage'. Probably not a simile I would have come up with for him.

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  28. Well obvisouly Benteke is far from free

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  29. Benteke will not want to swop Aston Villa for a similar club like Liverpool ( no trophies and no Europe). Once upon a time Liverpool were a big club same as Aston Villa but Benteke is better than both clubs.

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  30. We're in the EL no? But really, I would prefer if some other club spends 32 million on him. Preferably Man U :-)

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  31. Is that a scouser talking about communication? LMAO

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  32. Ah but that's why we're bringin in Nathaniel Clyne...

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  33. hey, good call, thats an even better example.

    personally, i don't rate the guy. occasional brilliance amongst huge stretches of 'meh' leads me to conclude that he's an average player with occasional flashes of brilliance.

    or, fools gold as I always say.

    that said, i want him to succeed just as much as anyone. i detest out club being a laughing stock due to ridiculous transfer dealings and even more ridiculous comments from rodgers

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  34. Indeed not. T0ssp0t in a t-shirt is more apt.

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  35. voice of reason4:26 pm, June 19, 2015

    i agree with the fools gold statement.... just i read up on his history and how (i think) he is the first black player to play for Italy and i really want to see him do good... it hurts to see Balo fail and get slated more than Suarez for reasons unknown to me.... i want to see Balo make it and hopefully he can do that for us next season

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  36. voice of reason4:27 pm, June 19, 2015

    'lion in a cage' u mean this

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  37. Like Downing was supposed to cross to Carroll right. Not going to work

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  38. gotta admire your character, you've got a good heart.

    a mate told me a few years ago that he was in a petrol station when balo roared in in some flash supercar...
    ...and promptly paid for everyone on the forecourts petrol. don't know how true that is, but it's not the first report of balo being generous and super friendly, so i chosse to believe it.

    i'd be happy with 10 goals from him next year...
    ...as long as he's not our top scorer!

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  39. That's unmistakably a shaved pu55y.

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  40. voice of reason4:34 pm, June 19, 2015

    he donates to charities and the like more... he does have good character and i was one of the few that was overjoyed to see him here...

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  41. voice of reason4:35 pm, June 19, 2015

    its a cat with a lion shave

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  42. Talking of which, gave a good Lion King last night (urban dictioary that term...)

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  43. ah, a man after my own heart!

    talking of which, if anyone is feeling helpful, your local foodbank could always use a bit more grub...

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  44. Signing Benteke would be more of a mistake than our signing of Andy Carroll. Benteke may score goals but the majority come from crosses - LFC had the lowest number of crosses in the EPL so we would have to change our complete plying style to accommodate him. Interms of passing - something that is the Liverpool way - Benteke has a poor passing accuracy with 1 in 3 failing to reach a team mate. Andy Carroll at least was better with the ball at least feet and we know how well he fit into the team.
    Benteke is NOT the type of player we need - I know he is a Striker and we definitely need at least 1 more (if not 2) but for £30-35m there are MUCH better options and ones better suited to our style of play!

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  45. No matter how hard I try, I just don't see Benteke as a Liverpool player... And I'm trying hard...

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  46. Origi is quick and good with the ball at his feet. He can also play on the wings too. Still has a lot to learn but a lot more likely to fit into the style of play LFC are famous for.
    Benteke is not very clever, poor pass accuracy and relies on crosses for his goals - a poor mans Andy Carroll in effect... and we know how well he did at LFC

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  47. STOP!

    Use your psychic powers to influence a good player to come here!

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  48. How often did Downing actually complete a cross while at LFC?

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  49. I will my good man... I have my powers trained on Vietto, Lacazette and Aumbongybong right now.....

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  50. Possibly more frequently than we are visted by Haleys comet, but I'd need to check up on that... ; )

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  51. Aumbongybong?

    You got closer than I ever have!

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  52. Liverpool seems to have become a death trap for strikers .

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  53. voice of reason4:49 pm, June 19, 2015

    um i think i heard the doorbell so i have guests here but um keep me posted about this local foodbank drive i'm interested damn these untimely guests

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  54. He would be if he spent 3 years under Brenston Pickles "management" ; )

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  55. I can't spell his name, hope that doesn't detract from my powers, trying to focus on the hair do.

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  56. hahahaha, always leave 'em laughing so you done good my man ; )

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  57. I'll second that....

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  58. Er, not to tell you how to use your own powers, but cough cough voodoo doll... ; )

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  59. Yep, and defenders.

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  60. I already thought about that, but I would need something of him, maybe some of that lovely hair....

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  61. *drum roll and smash on a cymbal*

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  62. Or my sex life.... *cough cough*

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  63. Wow, you're as fixated on Aumbomoumbomong's hair as Stuart C is as impressed with lallannas hair. Which is a lot!

    How about we set out sights a bit lower and attempt to obtain maybe a discarded sweet wrapper first and then work our way up to a lock of curly cocoa?

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  64. Back in the once a month club, are ya?

    I saved you a seat.

    It's the one with a copy of the Bianca Beauchamp magazine shoot on it.

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  65. DNA mate, important when constructing any doll.... erm voodoo doll... voodoo doll....*phew*

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  66. That is awesome, my cat, flipped out laughing when I showed it to him....

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  67. 'drum roll and smash on cymbal'

    that's exactly how i'd describe bentekes play to a blind man

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  68. The only way a blind man would know if he scored...

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  69. haha, what with this and the voodoll doll comments, you've really made me laugh, top man!

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  70. Exactly right, and it had nothing to do with Brendans so called philosophy either.... This season gone, I was always talking about how excrutiatingly slow our build up play was compared to the previous delight... And it also had less to do with Suarez too, he is not too spritely... We just spun teams around too quickly for them to keep up.... We get that back, and I think we'll be ok.....

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  71. Pleasure...

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  72. Crikey - not heard that one before! Can only see that ending in a lot of pain - and not in a good way!

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  73. are we talking hair here aswell.... Balo would look great in a Keegan special....I can see it now... People would mistake it for an afro of course, but we would know.

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  74. Haha, got visions of Balo doing his best Rick James impression now...
    ...which is spooky coz not more than 2 hours ago i was blaring some Sweet and Sexy for the first time in nigh on 29 years...

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  75. Apparently that ever so credible of sources the Mirror, are claiming Brendan wants to sign just five new players this summer with Clyne to be the fourth, so this Benteke thing sounds about right, oh joy.

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  76. Trippier has joined Spurs. Rejoice for Spurs have helped us out for once.

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  77. ...Dude how did she respond...?


    ...(I was gonna say how did she take it....but I already know...!)

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  78. Hands up if your sick of STERLING

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  79. Benteke is NEVER worth that much - GO COLUMBIA

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  80. Haha, a gentleman never divulges details of such intimacy...

    Or, put another way, I'll be sleeping on the couch until further notice ; )

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  81. ...are you a hypnotist...?!?...both my hands went up....


    ....so freaky.....

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  82. Haha!, I reckon it would only take a little mention in the ear of Balo to make it happen..... I would forgive all if he started the new season in a new do....

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  83. ...I just f*ckin' fell over laughing dude...


    ...you know ....you could have played that with some kind of super-ego...like a cool james bond type....like..'you know how it is guys - she begged me to join my harem...',
    ...instead you chose the honest route...kudos bro...especially on your pure unadulterated front at doing said lion king in the first place...


    ..he who dares gets chucked on couch... ;-)..


    ..or kneed in the balls...

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  84. Sick of all the nonsense online about it, if we all stop talking about him, maybe that ego will deflate alittle.

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  85. It might possibly be the highlight of our opening 14 fixtures ; )

    Talking of which, early prediction from moi:

    First 14 games we'll go 4-5-5, amass a grand total of 17 points, be languishing in 11th place...

    ...with the only good news being finally, finally we are rid of the village idi0t

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  86. Gave you a thumbs up instead, if you'll excuse the dubious expression

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  87. Great move for Trippier, and an even better move for Spurs... Trippier is going to be a superb RB in the very near future....

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  88. Er, not a follower of other teams like I used to be, but weren't spuzz rocking a young, up and coming fullback last year, eric dier or something?

    do they still have Glen Johnson 2.0 as well?

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  89. I haven't checked out the fixtures yet, but I will, and will reply with my prediction soon.....But, as much as we all thought Brendan was a goner, I hope he pulls out something of a miracle, and has everyone on the same page for once....

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  90. Poor yourself a nice strong drink first...

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  91. ..the only thing going through my mind, having owned cats before (yeah, yeah, I know - who owns who!)...


    ...anyway, was wondering how on earth whomsoever did that wierdly beastial deed came out of it unscathed...


    ...any cat I've ever known would have scratched the holy sh*t out of them....cats are not known to comply....!

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  92. Don't worry fella, you are definately not alone....Not much of a concolation, but atleat you can come hee for a little pick me up...No touching mind, just looking.

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  93. Well, my prime objective is that we win, which trumps my secondary objective of get that g0mmo out of our awesome club, so grrr, have to second you on your hope!

    Don't think he can help himself though my man, the ego will unleash itself no matter how hard he tries to come across as a pro.

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  94. Aye. A large one.
    Then another.

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  95. Deflate.......like a balloon drained of its precious gas ;-)

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  96. "a little pick me up"


    is that what you tell the missus you're up towhen you venture to the garage to work on that doll, ahem, voodoo doll?

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  97. Nah, definately not a Johnson 2.0... Dier is more a future CB....But he went off the boil for a bit in the second half of the season...

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  98. I have images of a cartoon ballon flying off towards the sun......We can only hope.

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  99. oh ok, cheers. They were raving about hium early.

    GJ 2.0 is what I call Herbert Walker (forgot his first name. It's just come to me, it's Kyle).

    Walker and GJ are carbon copies imho. Both exactly the same.

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  100. I have us on an optomistic 23 points at the end of December with our best month being December.... A very optomistic 23.....

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  101. All pace, no grace....

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  102. Reckon it was probably a mouse with a bad attitude and a razor -
    'You gonna love this puss in boots - chase my missus around your owners kitchen like a play thing, not even eat here and then let her drag her sorry arse back home?! - now you gonna meet my little friend"

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  103. Er, thats more than 14 games isn't it?

    Can you do one for for just the first 14 games? All my research is based on 14 games into a season.

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  104. voice of reason5:42 pm, June 19, 2015

    hahaha.... also i find it a bit inhumane.... funny in certain contexts.... but still inhumane

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  105. Shhhh! she might hear you....

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  106. I'd probably skip drinks and head straight for the amphetamines.

    Oh what the hell, have both!

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  107. I can only assume that this was a trip to the vets that he'll never forgive.

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  108. voice of reason5:44 pm, June 19, 2015

    more like off the boil from EPL game 5 a first season wonder like maybe harry kane who illori had in his pocket btw... hope he remembered to return kane after the match

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  109. Haha, or faster disasters as i call players like those two. Give me G. Nev over those two anyday. Yuck, excuse me, I just threw up a little in my mouth at the thought of G. Nev in his playing days...

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  110. Sherwood was being mischievous there, he used the same cross stat you did re Liverpool....he was trying to insulate Benteke should stay because of this. I have just been looking at all his best goal compilations on you tube and there are relatively few headed goals overall, some chest and volley goals from crosses but also a lot of the shoulder of the last defender and beating the last player with drag backs etc before scoring.

    The problem with Carroll was not that he was good in the air, there is no harm having that string to your now, It was just that he couldnt do all the other things cos he was so immobile. Benteke is strong but has pace and can turn with the ball. He runs the channels and, while not quite as tricky as Sturridge with the ball at feet, has skill as well. I don't much want to pay £32m for him but part of me thinks we should just get it done rather than trying to haggle all summer, and risk losing out What would the ManUre do? They'd just pay the clause and get it done.

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  111. I'll think we would need to slow our heart rate down, rather than exsaperbate it..... Whiskey and Valium should do nicely, atleast after the Valium, I won't care anymore.

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  112. He can insinuate all he wants, If someone offers Benteke a way out of Villa, he's off.

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  113. Atleast you know he understands the game...

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  114. voice of reason5:52 pm, June 19, 2015

    opening matches is rough we're going to get torn apart based on that fixture list

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  115. Highlight videos don't show weaknesses and Benteke, for all his pace and power, has weaknesses to his game that suggest he is better suited as a "target man" than as someone who could fit into a "death by football" or pass and move or up tempo game or whatever it is that Rodgers is desperately trying to make work.

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  116. I gave them 9 points in december, so I think that would have you being more generous than me...14 points....

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  117. Aye, I've looked at it a number of times, as well as the EPL historically over the last 5 or 6 years, and after 14 games, we've got to be rocking in the 20's to have a sniff of top ten.

    18 poiints (i averaged between 17 and 19 as those are what i see us being on after 14 games) is usually good for 19th or 11th after 14 games...so surely that'll be poor enough for FSG to replace the garrulous Irishman?

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  118. Wow, I have been more generous!

    14 points after 14 games would surely signal the end of Br's reign. Though with FSG, who knows.

    14 points would leave us about 15th, so man, I hope we're not that bad

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  119. voice of reason6:01 pm, June 19, 2015

    although i hate LFC to loose right now its all about the bigger picture so once BR gets the sack i'm ok.... the first half of this new season will be a testament as to the real coaching qualities or lack thereof of the mighty BR

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  120. my sentiments as well my man!

    love the club, want us to win, but don't see any kind of success in our future under BR.

    To me, he's just like someone who got a great job on the strength of being mates with the owner, with the rest of the employees looking on with equal bemusement and disgust at the way he sullies the once great image of our proud footballing institution with every assine comment.

    Of which there has been proven to be no shortage.

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  121. i have the same image..and guess who's ugly mug is on the ballon?

    a clue would be: he has cosmetically enhanced teeth...

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  122. The highlight reels show what he does have though, pace, mobility and good close control. Plus can finish with both feet. This are attributes that are transferable to our style of play, and things we were sorely missing without Studge last year. The way he plays for Villa is dictated partly at least by the players around him and the style of play.

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  123. voice of reason6:22 pm, June 19, 2015

    couldn't have said it any better.... he's been found out like a CEO with a doctored resume.... he is out of his league has no honor (referring to agreeing to the sack of pascoe and marsh but still staying)... can not handle big name player (reina, agger, lucas et al).... his tactics this season have been easily torn to shreds.... can not manage against other european clubs (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) this guy is a sham and he needs to go

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  124. It shows that he has those qualities on occasion.

    More often than not, he'd miscontrol a ball, make an inaccurate layoff or layoff to the wrong man.

    I'd take him, as he's more of a threat to the opposition than anyone we had fit and firing last year (which excludes stuzzoid), but for that amount of money, I'd prefer a more technically sound and versatile player.

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  125. Yeah, that thing about letting his assistants take the fall was disgusting and almost unprecedented. We ceratinly are being run by a bunch of clueless execs.

    John Toshack said he couldn't believe that happened.

    FSG want us to do well, but man, the growing pains while they get to grips with this soccer malarkey are, well, painful!

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  126. He bool sheeted his way into the club on the back of his 180 page dossier on death by footballl...which was thrown out the window after a rubbish start to his first season and we've heard no more about it since.

    believe me, if a sales manager told me what they were gonna do if i gave them the job, then they went out and failed immediately at their plan and then made it up as they went alone for the rest of the way, they'd be out on their ear faster that you can say, "Ibe was oustanding today, simply sensational"

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  127. ...so you reckon that mouse was Tony Montana reincarnated huh....?


    ..."say hello to my little friend....." :)

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  128. ...context bro....


    ..that cat, that hairdo, that lovely flooring....smacks of 'made in chelsea'.......


    ...in that 'case'....its all quite appropriate....:)


    ..ps. sorry to drag you into this Case.... ;-)

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  129. ...no bro..I'm afraid I disagree..


    ..unless you are a professional scout and/or football coach I've got to say Benteke for me looks very energetic, mobile and powerful...he looks very eager to get the ball and then stick a foot in to keep it...he also uses peripheral vision to bring others into play...yes I'll take your stat that not all his balls/passes reach the other players but at least he's attempting sh*t...and what about the fact the other players might not be on his wavelength....?


    ...remember coutinho had phases where he had wtf passes attempted and all it was, was the other playeres just weren't quick enough to understand what he was doing....

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  130. oh balls......


    ...i should have read your reply underneath first..before replying on the i disagree bit.... :)

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  131. ..yep that about sums it up for me too...would accept him in a heartbeat...but if we could get a more techie player would be ideal.....

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  132. I wish we could get Tevez, but sadly, we won't...

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  133. haha, you're cool my man, it's all in good spirits. i mean, we're all of the same mind here, wanting the best for our beloved LFC, so it6's all good : )

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  134. That's the one mate, they'd been at it for years that cat and mouse, it was all just a game to them :)

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  135. You're not talking rubbish, thats for sure, not like you usually do (total joke!).


    as I mentioned previously, I'd welcome him with open arms if it looked like we were gonna eneter the new season with the same strikeforce we had last year (haha, strikeforce is possibly the misnomer of the year, strikefail woule be more accurate).


    But, there are players who would better suit out system than the big silverback...not that anoyone on earth could ever accurately know what system we'll attempt to play seeing as how it changes every few months.

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  136. voice of reason6:59 pm, June 19, 2015

    exactly... which begs the question.... why is he still here??

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  137. voice of reason7:02 pm, June 19, 2015

    that was embarrassing making your assistant coaches the fall guy but some fans have believed him and slated pascoe and marsh for not having the qualities needed to get the most out of the squad... but these guys we're hand selected by BR.... also what has happened to Zaf? is he at faault for the shocking injuries we have had this season is that why he got the sack.... scapegoats everywhere at LFC when the buck stops with BR

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  138. Paranoia is not a good thing to live with, but I think we're not alone in this.... Just can't shake it.... But we can always move forward with delusional hope.

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  139. man, you should change your name from voice of reason to voice of absolute, unquestioned and uncontestable truth!

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  140. hahahaha, awesome post!

    Whose to say the relegation to the couch wasn't supplemented by a knee in the balls?

    She knows who rocks her world, so it's all good. Unless the milkman is busy this weekned, in which case gonna it's be a long one ; )

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  141. Yeah man, I'd rather have Suarez or Aguero too but I think he is the best that's likely available. Higuain I would probably rather have but he would be even more expensive, Jackson Martinez is very similar to Benteke and older (looks like he's gone to Milan anyhow) and the rest are all at the few clubs that nobody can force to sell. We might get some joy asking for Dzeko in p/x for sterling but I think he's probably a step further in the Carroll direction (in terms of mobility only, he's clearly a far better player than Carroll) and he is 29 too. Tevez might have been a good move for a year or too but risky going for an older player that has been strolling (comparatively) in Serie A for a few years. The kid Vietto is young, unproven and would cost a fair bit. Who else would you suggest?

    Benteke at least has shown he can score a lot in this league, record is better than 1 in 2 despite a fallow period recovering from a bad injury.

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  142. Good points, especially so when Villa's less than stellar league dominance is taken into consideration.

    I suggested last year that all we had to do was insert a poor mans Suarez and continue in the same vein as out title run year.

    Sadly, we only added Lambo and Balo, two guys who meshed with our current system about as well as banana meshes with gravy.

    Someone on here then pointed out Tevez as that poor mans Suarez and I was like, "ooooooohhhhh, yes please," but sadly, i can't see us landing him.

    Honestly havent been scouting enough to suggest anyone else. And to be honest, it's kind of fruitless to suhggest anyone to suit our current system of play...when BR changes it every few months, as he hass done over the last 3 years.

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  143. Criket, my typing is atrocious.

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  144. Haha, and i even manage to make spelling mistakes when i n#m pointing out how bad my typing is.

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  145. Maybe ease up on the vodka, man?

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  146. Yeah, as if that's ever been the solution to anything ever.

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  147. voice of reason7:46 pm, June 19, 2015

    thanks for seeing it that way haha... at times i've been called an as***** and not a real fan.... i'm just a realist and i don't have this high level of optimism... i am an economist (just my thesis to finish for my Msc in Financial Economics) so i am naturally calculative and pessimistic.... sorry BR can not do the job at LFC james milner when we should have and could have gotten illarmiendi.... ings does look good but imo we should have promoted sinclair (loaning did not work with suso, morgan, coady, etc).... Bogdan *palm to face*.... that is three transfers and still no RB, CDM, nailed on top class striker.... what are we doing at LFC

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  148. Jeez what is it with people not understanding sarcasm this week :-)

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  149. wow, a masters in economics? well impressed.

    hopefully your tutor isn't Tom Gruenig of SF State...coz he was an absolute nightmare of a lecturer! Only tutor to ever consistently go over the 3 hour lecture...by as much as 30 minutes sometimes.

    excruciatingly thorough.

    Good luck on the thesis, on what are you writing?

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  150. Doesn't matter. Carrol was never in the box to finish it off. Even Shelvey saw that. I miss Jonjo. He was brilliant.

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  151. He's going to Chelsea if anywhere. And for that price I'd rather stay out of it

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  152. How does one play against a team he plays for?

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  153. Can't see that mate, now they've signed Falcao

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  154. ...dude ...you still at it...


    ...'long one'... ;-)

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  155. voice of reason8:14 pm, June 19, 2015

    i hate when they do that.... like we have lives u know.... 3 hours is burtal enough.... um my thesis is on productivity and competitiveness as determinants to economic growth: A panel data approach (so i used a fixed effects model to discuss the regression within the countries used in my sample) its a great topic with not to much research done on it... if u have the background, u can spruce it up and maybe get it good enough to present in an economic journal... however u might have to do apply a random effects with Generalized Method of Moments or something more advanced like a VAR, error correction model with johansen u know the works to assess cointegration given that your variables will most likely be non-stationary.... hope i did not confuse u with my babble hahaha i just love economics and u seem like u have some background or knowledge in it

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  156. ...bro, I just luuuurve talkin' rubbish... :)


    ...it makes life so much more interesting... :)

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  157. ...oh man when the news of the possibility of tevez came out I believe my brain thought i'd taken a v*agra...


    ...the persistent hard-on didn't last very long.....cos then I remembered it was us.... 8-/

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  158. Drogba is leaving Chelsea, so Falcao will most likely replace his role in the squad. Apart from Costa, they have no reliable strikers at their disposal so it might just be the case that Benteke signs for Chelsea.

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  159. haha, and the award for most awesome poist of the day goes to... !

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  160. haha, you got that right!

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  161. haha, you're talking to a man who endured 3.5 hours of the aforementioned slavedriving Tom Gruenig at San Francisco state twice a week for half a semester, so you're good!

    Not that i can remember m uch more than what could be written on a beer mat sized piece of paper ; )

    Which countries did you use in your sample?

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  162. They've got the little frenchie we rejected (whose name escapes me)

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  163. voice of reason8:27 pm, June 19, 2015

    sucks man but as students we all believe that in the long run this pays off.... it must doesn't it haha.... but um since i am orignally from the caribbean i just used caribbean countries... it provided a great spectrum also as i was able to use Jamaica, and Guyana as my least developed SIDS and Trinidad and Barbados as my more developed SIDS

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  164. voice of reason8:30 pm, June 19, 2015

    do u mean used to play for? if soooo it depends if the fans we're giving u sh** then run the length of the pitch and celebrate (adebayour) or if u betrayed the faith of the fans who supported u then pray u have a good game else after all the jeers and boos you'll be drinking all that bourbon/whiskey/wine u were saving for, for that rainy day.... just ask torres

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  165. Haha - I can say the same for you..

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  166. Yes, it does in the long run. In more ways than just education ; )

    Sounds like you got a good handle on things, rooting for you my man!

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  167. voice of reason8:41 pm, June 19, 2015

    thanks dude.... hope everything's good on your side too.... look forward to your comments as the we get into our 4th season under BR

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  168. Yeah, as Hug kiss said they've got Remy. Mourinho only ever plays one striker. The fact he & Falcao share agents, I'm guessing certain promises have been made that he can rebuild his career their. Benteke would be at best third choice. Suits Chelsea far more than us, just can't see it happening

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  169. No way Benteke will go to Liverpool, he's too good. 20 million? Walk on, walk on!!!

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  170. Yeah, he looked world class in the cup final

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  171. Yes he catapulted villa all the way to 17th, well done you.

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  172. cheers fella, super nice of you, and i'm happy to report that things are great thanks!

    haha, 4th season under BR, that's funny. Bless him, deep down, I'm sure he's decent, as everyone is if you go deep enough. But, for FSG to be sticking with this guy who has no previous accomplishments...fired from Reading even...and who quite honestly sounds like a total m0r0n some of the time when he talks, is quite peturbing.

    Not surprising though, I knew FSG wouldn't out him, not while he's therthered to all that new contractual dough. And the firing of his subordinates, well, totally, totally bizarre. Football stalwarts, those who have been in the game their whole lives are saying it's just so suspect...and it is.

    Deep down, my real hope is that we start 0-5, look clueless, and FSG bring in someone who's achieved something. We're Liverpool FC for heavens sake, home of Shanks and Paisley et al...Brendan Rodgers....seriously? They'd turn in their grave if they heard him.

    It's like the handsome, cool and popular guy at the club - probably someone like you and defintiely someone like me ; ) - has gone home with a bit of a minger. We reasoned that he must be onto a sure thing...you know, a guaranteed shot at the big time, but no, not gonna happen.

    The transfer dealings, the incessant changing of formation/tactics, the cluesless game management/substitutions/adjustments etc and the cringeworthy comments. Time afer time he puts his foot in his mouth trying to be cool.

    I wish the guy well, as i would even the worst people (sometimes all they need is a hug...or a kiss...) but i just feel more shortchanged with him as manager than if i gave a Tesco 'til girl a 10 million poun note for a six pack of coke...
    ...and got but a fiver back...


    Haha, hark at me waffling on. The cats away...so enjoying a bit of LFC bs amongst great minds and those of great taste...LFC

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  173. Um bit awkward and don't really want to be the one to mention it, but if it's going to help you get your MSc... Jamaica in the Caribbean?
    Plaudits to you VOR and Hug Kiss for that matter - admire anyone with the minerals to see something like that through.

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  174. voice of reason9:41 pm, June 19, 2015

    yh why not Jamaica i'm looking at an economic union as its panel... most economic unions such as the EU, USA have been played out... so why not the CSME in the Caribbean and Jamaica is part of the CSME.... i wanted to be a bit original as most of the other studies on panel economic growth focused on UK, EU, Asia countries that kind of stuff so i went where no one has gone before haha... your thesis needs to be interesting else you will get a sh*** mark its like your telling a story a long, properly structured, calculative story... u have to grip your reader with it and the data was easy enough to find Pennworld table for inlfation, GDP per capita, trade openness and such and Bruegel for the real effective exchange rate my competitiveness proxy variable

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  175. voice of reason9:43 pm, June 19, 2015

    u can to Case its easier than it seems... once u love what your studying and are willing to become a super nerd as i barely left my flat whole academic year

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  176. Somre great points about Rodgers. Not quite as convinced as you, I think those guys have real quality, and quality comes out no matter who the boss is, and there are lots of examples of how Brenny has played players out of position, not utilising them efficiently and ins extreme cases undermining their confidence, or at the very least stunting their development.


    My concern is that he thinks he's way smarter than he is, playing multiple players in positions to which they are a) not ideally suited and, b) not previously experienced to any great degree.


    Exacerbating this problem created out of nothing is the fact that the likes of Marko, Can, Lallana were relocating to the area and life at a super club, with all the added pressure that brings. Learning new languages, too. It all adds up.


    Why spend £20 million on a lightweight, oftentimes timid, supposed winger/forward and saddle him with defensive responsibilities. He did as well as he could, but what must he have been thinking?



    What must they all have been thinking? As well as the holdovers from Rafa and Kenny, with respect, proper managers..



    Can at centre back and not as a marauding box to boc midfielder?


    Just far too many head scratching decisions for me to be comfortable with him steering our ship.



    And we've not even discussed the stoke "tactics" which in my mind, shows he is completely out of his depth.

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  177. I was alluding to NGCTC's marvellous revelation that Jamaica was actually in Africa!
    I'm in the process of trying to organise a holiday - likely Riviera Maya, but have scoured Google earth over the last few months for a location and it's been a real eye opener when I've subsequently researched each possible Country.
    I'm slightly embarrassed to say I was not aware of the extent of the poor economic states of many, many Countries, including many in the Caribbean - such natural beauty seems to go hand in hand with poverty, the same appears to be the case in Central and Southern America, Asia, Indonesia and probably many other places I've missed.
    I'm nowhere near versed enough in Economics to hang with yourself, but it's something I've found interesting and can see you've chosen a great subject and it sounds like you've got an equally great thesis on the go, am sure you will pass with flying colours :)
    I reserve the right to ask you all about the Caribbean at some stage in the future, although price has seen our Holiday put back to 2017 so we can keep it football for now ;-)

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  178. thanks for the plaudits i really appreciate it.... the problem with most developing countries has always been the high level of corruption for example the high levels of income jamaica and trinidad and tobago, even nigeria have been gaining from there exploits in natural resources should have made these economies as wealthy as dubai (let's say) however the gain from this production has been poorly used so that jamaica and nigeria have experienced hyyperinflation trying to rebound there economy from low levels of growth through the printing of money... and trinidad (where i'm from) u just have to reference jack warner the main finaancer of the current political party in power to see how corrupted they are... i think trinidad also got black listed by canada and france for shady dealings.... these developing countries have the resources to get out of the much there in but haha it just might be a little too late for them to accomplish it hence the reason why most educated individuals from the Caribbean leave

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  179. they did what.... wow i guess someone needs to take the broken number 9 mantle that torres left behind

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  180. Yes I've seen that in most all cases there is enough money to go round and certainly improve infrastructure and really make things better but as you say corrupt governments are just lining their own pockets and also I think the Cartels are grabbing their share of the pie.
    I believe it was one of the Countries which borders Mexico, possibly Guatemala that has a large amount of oil and, again as you say, those natural resources should make them a wealthy nation but that isn't the case.
    Very sad to hear that people such as yourself are having to leave their homeland, especially when it's as stunning as Trinidad. Really hope that the corruption is soon stamped out and things improve.

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  181. thanks for that insight Case... i doubt things will change as the masses don't want to band together to force change speaking from my personal experiences..... and no matter what political party that comes into power corruption will never go away its a curse... i think there was a study that was done that stated that countries rich in natural resources have a higher probability of haing higher levels of corruptions than other developed states

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  182. Madness isn't it, I expect a good deal of that corruption is funded/enabled by the Countries that don't have those natural resources themselves.
    Same old same old, the majority, even the ones that start out with good intentions seem to end up succumbing to it, as per the saying -
    'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'
    Thank goodness we have Liverpool to keep us sane :-)

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  183. But Sturridge played under Ancelotti and Rafa at chelski and didn't shine. Henderson is a different player from the one Dalglish. Likewise Suarez was nothing like the player in his two years under Dalglish. It can't be right to discount Rodgers success with these players as just "because they were quality" as by that rationale they should have been performing like that before, which they weren't....Coutinho couldn't get a game for inter and you could see why sometimes when he arrived....talent was there but decision making was poor at times, that has been coached out of him gradually and the finishing is improving now as well.

    It's strange that you single out Can playing centre back as that was largely a big success - he got done by Hazard a few times in the matches against Chelsea but that happened to every specialist CB in the league this season. It was only the few matches he played at RB. So was Markovic at wing back for a time but these players are 20 years old you must remember and will have patches of indifferent form. Equally I don't think the tinkering this season was Be trying to be too clever, more out of necessity...for example Johnson had a real return to form last season and Flanno was a sensation, suddenly both get injured and we are left with Manquillo, who was supposed to be 3rd choice and eased into the squad as had only played a few first team matches. But the main reason is obvious, the team's play was built around Suarez Studge and the loss of those two, plus Gerrard incredible form falling of a cliff were all out of BR's hands, and would cripple any team or manager. That's 60 of the 100 odd league goals we lost in one hit. You have to ask yourself where Chelsea would have been if Hazard and Costa got injured all season?

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  184. exactly its like a cycle and theres no escaping it... i wouldn't doubt it though that first world countries contribute to the corruption in third world countries... for example the opening up of travel from the CSME to EU member states was not done to 'make people happy' the increase in airline subsidiaries from government must be balanced off by some sort of revenue.... now then this might sound a little like a conspiracy theory but maybe the EU by opening up labour wants to diminish Asia's hold on the Caribbean... for example i like many of my undergrad friends was offered a scholarship to Malaysia, Thailand to pursue an Msc(a 2 year programme) also Caribbean countries have started increasing trade relations with Asian countries... theorist believe that this Asian influence is to not only gain from unexploited resources in CSME member states but to persuade the Caribbean's one vote in the UN giving China an advantage in UN voting matters...imo that's just an example to me haha i went off topic... but yes mighty LFC let's hope for a great 2015/2016 season

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  185. I wouldn't give up all hope VOR, eventually these things sort themselves out, just a very lengthy process.
    Don't get me started on conspiracy theories, I create my own on a daily basis and it would just end up in a conversation about Uri Geller, bent spoons, funny handshakes and secret societies.
    That's an interesting little read regards the CSME and the EU, I don't doubt for a minute there's more to it than meets the eye and your notion seems entirely plausible. The USA and Europe definitely seem to be concerned with China's rapidly growing economy and market share.
    Anyway, we should do as they wish and not notice any of that, - keep calm and carry on watching football. As you say 2015/16 great season we hope :)

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  186. Yep!, Brendan didn't want to sell him though, Shelvey wanted to leave for easy guaranteed football rather than working hard enough to beak into the LFC first team regularly....

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  187. voice of reason1:48 am, June 20, 2015

    yh haha this convo was quite inciting i do enjoy discussing real world issues and theories with other people than the ohhh Raheem, BR usual debacle i do daily... again nice convo and u do seem well informed so kudos to u man... do enjoy the rest of your day man sure we'll be arguing something again sometime soon

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  188. He plays for Belgium, yet you said he played against them. That's all.

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  189. voice of reason2:07 am, June 20, 2015

    oh my bad haha meant to say for Belgium and against Arsenal

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  190. If Liverpool buy Benteke its good bye Rodgers does not suit our style and is massively over rated and a sick note to boot.

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  191. Tell me, Living in Africa you see it 1st hand ,
    Its called corruption .
    Maybe you can unravel the FIFA scandal !

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  192. voice of reason6:12 am, June 20, 2015

    i read about it a bit... don't want to get wrapped up in it as i tend to carried away with my research sooooo going to read up on it when i'm bored but in trinidad it was clear as day something was funny with jack warner's new found masses of money (btw he bought votes haha in trinidad)

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  193. South Africa paid 10 million dollars ( 120 million rands ) donation to CONCACAF .of the 2010 world cup ?

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  194. voice of reason8:31 am, June 20, 2015

    um i think so i think warner and other members on the board received millions to shift there vote to south africa

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  195. Right let's spend big bucks on a player who does not suit our style. Benteke is target man who is a hit more mobile than Carroll.

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  196. Yes, nice to talk something other than footie occasionally, especially during the summer madness when not much is happening. Maybe Jamie would consider adding a non-football section to the forum.

    Not sure about well informed - more - jack of all trades master of none, nice to learn a little of ones fellow posters though, a most enjoyable chat. We must soon put that right with a bl**dy good row about Brendan! Have a good one mate :)

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  197. Benteke isn't worth 32 million.
    Decent player but if we have to pay over 20 million for him I wouldn't bother...

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  198. This is totally ridiculous!!!! suarez/torres were both bought for amounts in the region of 20+ million...and later sold for double or triple the amount......Benteke is now valued at 32 million...????...What are they smoking in that transfer department,with Rodgers as the chief. suarez/torres have won laurels before coming and after leaving Liverpool, what has Benteke won? tomorrow we will be linked to lukaku??? Oh i get it !!!....We use long balls and cause of that he poses an aerial threat and commanding presence in the 18 yard box??...That is total B.S...We should stop hustling stars from small teams,that can't even make Europa Qualification....


    i thought we were playing tiki-taka (we wish)


    IMO ...buy Bacca and look for better supporting players.....


    lastly...Rodgers should leave Honorably instead of being sacked before January....

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  199. The "Beast" plus another 30M flop Lukaku drew blanks against lowly Wales; perhaps that's indicative of their competitive level!

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