JustTosh

Apparrently bookies odds on us buying Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon has dropped to about even money (1/9 or something). A player like him certainly ticks a lot of boxes. Creative midfielder to replace Cou, goal threat from outside the box, can fill in for our front 3. Age 24 is probably just young enough for us to invest in too. Bonus. He's heavlily linked with a move to Salford. Would be nice to hijack that transfer

He’s just a horrible cunt. Have despised him since Heysel 1985. After the ludicrous decision by UEFA to play the match while people were dying after the wall collapse, every player on the pitch were affected. How they managed to play something that looked like a football match is hard to understand. I’d say nobody really cared about the result though. Except one! When he scored a pen inside the 2nd half he ran half the pitch cheering with the world’s biggest smile on his face. He looked like he didn’t even consider to care or let the fact people were dying ruin his joy. It was terrible from a creep not worthy of being called a man.

It’s a great attribute he needs to improve. I love it when a center half uses the space that opens up when a team defends deep. He needs to release the ball quicker though, as more often than not he gets himself stuck in traffic.

New song: Let's talk about six, baby Let's talk about Origi ... next?

I always thought we'd win it. When Spurs beat Ajax they were all in heaven: "We've reached the CL final!" When we beat Barca our first thought was: "Great, a new chance on the CL. Let's not fuck up this time!" Somehow Spurs had achieved their goal by reaching the final. We didn't want to reach the final, we wanted to win it!

Suarez, in the form he was when he left us, would be perfect. He's too old now though. it's not going to happen. Maybe it's just me but Suarez didn't look like he did when he played for us. He looked a bit fat, and his energy level was way below what we used to see from him. Not sure about Cou either. The way we press there's no room for passengers, his defensive work isn't up to the standard we need. Against lower sides yeahh, but not one for the big games.

They seem to not only copy but to gild all the mistakes we did. Joint management maybe? Hamster and Goblin?

So did I. It was ridiculous. After every window with players arriving and leaving I always used to say: “We’re not sorted – where’s our DM?” Nearly 10 years you say. At the time Fab came to us it had been 8 years since Mascherano left us. I don’t mind the wait as the one we finally got is maybe the best in the world in his position. I certainly don’t know anyone I’d rather have in that position.

Two points: A. I suppose it’s part of the game in Latin America and Spain to discuss every decision by the ref, no matter how obvious. Maybe it pays off sometimes? I don’t know. I do know there’s a price for it though. When you’re complaining, your mind isn’t alert on what’s happening around you. B. Trent’s corner to 4-0

What you need from a captain depends on the situation. If you have a group of players like ManU seems to have now, you need a strong character, a Souness-like man. Jordan isn’t alpha male enough to do that. He’s a much too decent man for that. If you have a group of players where team spirit is good and everybody seems to pull in the same direction Jordan’s the perfect captain. He leads by example and shows the other lads only 100% commitment is enough. Keep him as captain! He’s partly responsible for that excellent togetherness we have at the club now.

Isn't this the traditional trade route: 1. Leaving Liverpool for Spain in quest to win Champions League. 2. Miss out on the medal when Liverpool wins it. 3. Fall down the pecking order in Spanish club. 4. Return to England and end up in Manchester. I doubt MCity is interested. Oldham and Bury unlikely, leaving ManUtd as only logical sollution. He also fits their bill: A) Used to be a great player B) Not so much anymiore C) Fancies a huge salary.

Do I want Coutinho back? No, and it’s not because of the way he left or any other sentimental reason. Only football reasons for my view. Football’s a game in constant change. The last couple of years it’s been the pressing game that’s changed the most. Klopp started it (or maybe he’s not alone) with his “counter pressing”, and has developed it further. So has Pep at MCity and to some extent also Pochettino at Spurs. Basically it’s “all men to the pumps” pressing, not only the man on the ball, but also his passing alternatives in different ways. If we win the ball - Great. If they punt it and we win the ball back we’ll be in a perfect position with many bodies forward - Great again. But it’s a dangerous tactic. If the opposition succeeds in passing through our press we’ll be outnumbered needing someone behind to stop them fast. At best it may lead to a yellow card. We saw it Tuesday with Matip “taking one for the team”. MCity players do it all the time. So when playing that pressing game you can’t allow many slip ups. Basically you need to trust every single man to do their job. One man not taking out his man or cutting off an angle, giving them an escape rout, is very dangerous. That’s’ where Coutinho would be a liability, He’d be great to have against lower teams parking the bus, but I’d want him nowhere near in a team playing top opposition i.e. in a CL final. If he’d accept playing only against the dross OK. But that’s not anything we could do and still keep this “one for all - all for one” team spirit we’ve developed. So a clear and sound thanks but no thanks from me.

Great report again Dave. You really do have a talent for words. Agree with you on Fabinho. We’ve already got the best defender in the world and arguably the best keeper. Is Fab the best holding midfielder in the world now? You know, he just might be. Disagree on your view on taking Coutinho back home. I don’t want him back, and it’s not for any sentimental reason, He’s justy not fit to play our pressing style game. In many ways he’s yesteryears footballer. But more on that in another thread. And yes! The ball boy is another hero. Kop should make a “we’ve got the best ball boys in the world” song.

Maybe. We all know what he can do. There are some negatives too I’m afraid: 1. He’s a bit soft. When things go against him, instead of working harder he sort of drops his head. 2. His pressing game isn’t good enough. To press the way we do we need all men to the pumps. 3. The way he left us, trying to force his exit, feigning injury, the leave mid season. This team is built on togetherness and team spirit.

Maybe. We all know what he can do. There are some negatives too I’m afraid: 1. He’s a bit soft. When things go against him, instead of working harder he sort of drops his head 2. His pressing game isn’t good enough. To press the way we do we need all men to the pumps. 3. The way he left us, trying to force his exit, feigning injury, the leave mid season. This team is built on togetherness and team spirit.