Liverpool Thread - Premier League Champions* 2019/20 (Part 2)

Yeah there's some definitely straw-clutching going on, and I think anyone with half a brain isn't really debating his guilt anymore or trying to claim that Chellini's past transgressions are at all relevant. But your knee jerk reaction is a common one I think (generally, not in relation to the current Suarez thing).

People's moral compass seems to shift when it comes to football and sports in general. See Patrick's avatar for example, some will disagree but a lot seem to laught it off as a "classic Siggy moment" or that Kruse had it coming because he may or may not be a dick. Nobody would support that kind of behaviour in real life, and although nobody would actively advocate for it in football either, we're not as outraged when it's Siggy vs Kruse in football than they would be if it was Stranger A vs Stranger B in the street.

I don't understand it. I am the first to rag on our Phoenix boys when they cheat. I understand I am different to others though. I can see why people are like that but I believe to a degree that supporting your football team is like an extension of your ethos. I don't tolerate diving and I don't tolerate our players doing that so I will call them dirty cheating diving cod when they do. To your point Fitzy, I regularly call Siggy out for being thuglife.

I hope Suarez isn't going to bite the hand that feeds him.

Absolutely This..

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/dona...

Very well written article that, thanks for sharing.

Hello , its Jazz Jr here. Dad just logged me in so I could  rant about Luis.

Brilliant player but I think we should sell him.I think Kenny paid about 25m for him from Ajax and football is a business so if Real or Barcelona want to pay 80m for him then isn't that good business. Especially if the Yanks give Brendon the $ to spend. But as Dad says , Spurs buggered up the Bale money ( that's not quite how he put it) so Brendon needs to spend sensibly.I think he should ago to Barcelona and they can give us ALexis Sanchez as part of the deal.

AT the start of last season , he din't play and Sturridge didn't too badly did he. Lambert can do a job ; to that numpty from Arsenal who keeps annoying Dad , he won't start every game but he's a good player who gives them a different sort of striker  , good against the likes of Stoke and we didn't pay to much for him.

I've gone off lalana a bit but I guess its good if we get him I'd rather have Shaqiri I think .

I'm still a bit worried about our defense .I'd move Flanno to RB but that means a new LB. Sissoko is crap ( Dad uses different words) and Agger seems to always be injured. I think Brendon should d get a good LB , a new CB ( LOvren's OK) and hop that Sakho comes good. ACtually , I think we need 2 CBs, Skirts is a bit inconsistent for me.

The great Jazz Jr! You're a bit of a legend around these parts so good to hear from you bud. Some good analysis there!

Well done Jr.

Jazz Jr = mature beyond his years

Your player analyses and football business sense is spot on Jazz Jr! 

Suarez may indeed go to Barcelona, sooner or later, and the rationale of maximising return on investment for a highly perishable, pricey commodity (in damaged condition, with limited shelf life, one might say) is compelling.

The article I posted above calls for another view point which I think is equally compelling however.

Once again Luis Suarez needs help.

We all saw the effect of the support Brendan and LFC put in place for him last season and how he responded.Without that support we saw the consequences. 

The challenge for LFC is to uphold its values, treat Luis Suarez sensibly,with dignity and sensitivity 

and balance that with its business imperative. That will require finesse and good judgement.

I hope Brendan, the owners,the executive of LFC and his team mates can work through this with Luis. If it is a mutual agreement he goes, so be it.

Lallana signed for £25m. 

Thoughts on who's spot he is going to take in a full strength starting 11?

does anyone else think that Jazz Jnr is actually about 26 years old?

Yeah good question. Maybe as a 10 behind Sturridge? Maybe the left of a front 3 with Sturridge in the middle, Raheem the dream on the right and Courtinho tucked in behind? 

Not including Suarez in this speculation as I think he's Barcelona bound.  

Hendo and Can may be battling for one spot, potentially Stevie G too though that may be longer term.

Is that how old Jazzman is?

"Raheem the Dream" 

hahahaha that's a beaut of a nickname

Has anyone else found themself thinking "well, at least Suarez isn't going to Madrid"?

As long as he leaves these shores I don't care where he goes. 

Found a Twiiter account that seems to be from a football agent in the UK. Have checked his history and by god, he gets a lot right!

There’s a bit of stuff on his Twitter feed for various players but I've filtered it for some LFC news.

• Barca & LFC bigwigs have met after LFC board getting the green light from the owners to sell Suarez for the right price. Barca initial offer was 60m which was turned down and they came back with 70m, also likely to be turned down. LFC currently value Suarez at 80m and those other two offers have not included a player swap. It is believed that if Sanchez will move, LFC will take 55m + the player. However, it sounds like Sanchez is not convinced of a LFC move and his preference is AFC. Sanchez feels annoyed that Barca want to dictate where he goes so he’s being difficult (which I think is fair).
• Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Divock Origi from Lille (the guy currently playing up top for Belgium at the WC). Apparently the deal involves LFC loaning him back to Lille for the coming season.

• Shaqiri has agreed terms with Liverpool, clubs just need to agree on a price now (er…just agree on a price? Thought that would be the major stumbling block)

Liverpool have held "productive" talks with Barcelona over the proposed sale of striker Luis Suarez but no deal has been finalised between the clubs.

Reds chief executive Ian Ayre spent much of Wednesday in discussions with senior Barcelona officials in London.

The Reds remain adamant Suarez, 27, will not be sold for less than the release clause in his contract, believed to be between £70m and £80m.

"The talks held were productive," a senior Liverpool source told the BBC.

"There are sensible expectations on both sides.

"Further talks and discussions will take place but no deal has yet been finalised."

______________________________________________________________________

I hope by productive and sensible they mean....massive money and Sanchez

He's just turned 12 ( although plays 13th grade)

We had a big argument last night about LB's. He fancies Cole for a year but I think he would nullify the no dick-head rule, although not sure we've got one. I think he wants Wisdom back from loan to cover RB and CB but I haven't asked him lately. 

Haha do you send him to his room on some trumped up charges if he disagrees? 

Our transfers thus far and most of the speculation has been a bit top heavy. Shipped some soft goals last season, that needs to change.

Speaking of defence, Napoli are keen on Agger? Seems like his time might be up, Coates must be off as well. Raid Southampton for Lovren!

I wouldn't take Cole. Whispers on the Liverpool rumours website that he was keen to come though

Heard that Liverpool were hoping for a good showing from Coates for URU to up his price but not sure he showed much. Pity, seemed a good buy at the time.

I get why some would want Cole, despite opinion, he is a class player and one of only a few proper World Class English players and would give valuable experience for CL tilt. Doesn't meant I want him though.

Are they maybe counting on Wisdom to come in and be a #1 option? He did decent work at Derby County

Whats his twitter handle?

I never understand the "no dicks" policy when talking about players like Cole. Many non-Liverpool supporters would think that people like Steve (punching a DJ in a bar for not playing Phil Collins when he requested it) Gerrard, Daniel (miss half a dozen good chances and then finally score a tap-in before doing a fudgeing stupid "hey everyone, look at how awesome I am" dance*) Sturridge and Luis (how long have you got) Suarez would be the epitome of dicks, yet you seem happy to have them. Why would 1 more dick be any different?

* I will admit that this was more of a feature during him time at Chelsea, although you did sign him from there.

There is not and has never been a "no dicks policy" at Liverpool.

yeah, it was more a reference to the comment one of the Jazzymen people (father or son) mentioned at the top of the page when talking about Cole.  It is a common thing about football fans where they say "I don't want player X to sign for my club as he is a dick" while seemingly oblivious that most of their squad already can be classified as dicks.  

It was nothing specific about Liverpool either, as I imagine that about 50% of professional footballers are dicks.

I'd suggest more than 50% of the male professional footballers have them too! Cashley Cole to Liverpool, how would he survive outside of London?

Speaking of no dicks policy. I did read a few rumours that Sanchez does not get on with Messi at Barca and that is the reason he is leaving. Will be interesting to see how he gets on with Suarez.

I think its more the fact that Barca have told him that when Suarez arrives he is a bench warmer

Agree. I also said I didn't think we had a no dick head rule.

You pay some immature , bored fudgeer an obscene amount of wedge just to kick a ball then I guess the behaviour goes with it. If teams win , then the crap behaviour is forgotten, Managers can waffle on about signing players with character all they like ; it's all bollocks.And I suspect we all know that.

Further to the" No Dicks" Policy discussion......Balotelli anyone?

I've always been a huge balotelli fan, but for his entertainment value more than his football skills. I think I wouldn't find his antics quite so amusing if he were a Liverpool player.

He won't have to... they're not going to play together!

Suarez to Barcelona looks all but certain now, today's news is that they're willing to pay the 75m release clause and it's just a matter of whether the deal is cash only or cash plus Sanchez. Rumour is Sanchez not that interested so the cash might be the more likely option.

If he had to go I'm glad it's been fairly straightforward, none of the will he/won't he of last season, or the "neither confirm nor deny" nonsense of the Bale to Madrid saga.

That's a very good piece of business

50mil profit plus all the goals he gave you, despite the bitey-ness

Lots of good business being done early for you lads, but what about the defence?

Defense? DOn't need it. You score 3 ,we'll score 4.

I hope that's not the attitude. The reason we lot the title last year was an inability to recognize when it was time to settle down and bunker down a bit. If Ryan Bertrand is the answer at LB , then God knows what the question. Not that he's signed or anything but rumors….

Jr was right I think- new LB plus 2 CB's . Also some competition for Mignolet. Mind you , early days yet so if BR gets the Chomper $ then  maybe. Looks like the Morena deal may be dead. Bring back Carra!

Lovren, Markovic and Origi the next three in? We are going crazy!

Lovren and Skrtle to start, Agger to be sold? Heard we are close on Bertrand too as a cheaper left back option to Moreno.

Offers for Skrtle from Galatasaray, big wages apparently. The lack of work on the defence is worrying. Cole may end up being a decent option, for the experience and depth.