General Football Debates!

[fiend]

Win or lose, it doesn't matter. I still love Liverpool but............I've said it before and i'll say it again. Balotelli is awful..Poor poor player. Why oh why did we have to get him? When i saw his name linked with us, i prayed it was just a rumor. *sigh*Well, unto the next game but i'll rather see Lambert or Borini start up top tbh.

I don't know why Liverpool fans are so critical of Balo, he isn't Suarez, he is more of a finisher imho.
This match was probably his best performance for Liverpool. His work rate was good and was trying to gel with Gerrard.
In order to thrive, unlike Suarez he requires a good midfield which can provide him with quality passes and he can finish them off. He can't create chances or play as false 9 or 10, he is a pure striker.

The problem atm with your team is that it hasn't gelled yet, see Atletico Madrid for example, the counter attacking system they run is so well gelled that they come of as a great threat and their set piece play is awesome, while your team lacks cohesion.

Also the three goals scored in the match were all defensive lapses not attacking ones, Toure, Skrtel, Lovren, Sakho aren't performing, Manquillo loses the ball too much.
Selling Agger was a mistake in hindsight, not signing Victor Valdes is also a lost opportunity, like Mignolet he wouldn't help in set-pieces but is better and is more vocal.

Defending is as much about organisation, communication and concentration as it is ability. Clearly this is something Liverpool lack, and it has been evident from the moment Rodgers took over. He's spent a lot of money on seemingly good players, only to have the defence worsen. Skrtel and Agger were respected players before he took over.

Rodgers wants a counter attacking style, but I think your board should sign a defensive coach as well.
Liverpool have spent quite a lot of money in bringing good defensive players but it is time when you bring in a defensive coach. Rodgers underestimate defense.

In short Balo isn't the problem(well he isn't the solution either), defense need to be worked upon and a midfielder a true playmaker needs to be brought.

The whole team is weak really. Attack, Midfield and Defence.

Did you see how Modric and Kroos play tonight ? These 2 can win you a game single-handedly. We don't have such quality passers like them. And we paid 25mil for Lallana while they paid 24mil for Kroos.

Modric has been awesome for them and Kroos is a bit Meh(for Real Madrid standards) but is better than Lallana, Isco also has been great as he also helps as a defensive mid at times.
But the sum up is Real Madrid have one of the best midfields in the world.
They outplayed Liverpool yesterday.

 

[David1996]

Modric has been awesome for them and Kroos is a bit Meh(for Real Madrid standards) but is better than Lallana, Isco also has been great as he also helps as a defensive mid at times.
But the sum up is Real Madrid have one of the best midfields in the world.
They outplayed Liverpool yesterday.

Kroos is one of the best possession keepers in the world, his passing is pinpoint accurate too. RM should stick with the 4-4-2 from now on, with Kroos and Modric in the center, It's quite lethal to any team.

It's the first time I've seen Isco defending so much really. Would love to see him in a Liverpool shirt.

Best mids in the world IMO:

1- Juve
2- Roma/Bayern
3- Bayern/Roma
4- Real

 

[fiend]

Kroos is one of the best possession keepers in the world, his passing is pinpoint accurate too. RM should stick with the 4-4-2 from now on, with Kroos and Modric in the center, It's quite lethal to any team.

It's the first time I've seen Isco defending so much really. Would love to see him in a Liverpool shirt.

Best mids in the world IMO:

1- Juve
2- Roma/Bayern
3- Bayern/Roma
4- Real

Kroos he is one of the best Attacking mids in the world but flatters in defense as seen in Bayern, we never used him for defensive duties only for his attacking, infact after the sale of Xabi to us and DiMaria to ManU, Real struggled in a couple of games to find their rhythm as there was none defensively but now with Isco acting in defensive duties and Varane as awesome as always they are rocking it. So this formation might stay like this.

But a player like him or even Rakitic or Griezmann or Turan will do wonders because Gerrard is getting old and new legs are required.
Rodgers need to spend wisely.

As for your midfield list for me in no particular order:- Bayern, Madrid, Barca, Atletico, Juve, Roma and Dortmund have been consistently good.

 

[King Of Pop]

any gooner here? scraped a lucky win tonight, poor performance once again. this season has been so underwhelming. the only one who seems to know what hes doing is sanchez and welbeck, rest are sleeping. gotta improve or wenger leaves

 

[David1996]

Kroos he is one of the best Attacking mids in the world but flatters in defense as seen in Bayern, we never used him for defensive duties only for his attacking, infact after the sale of Xabi to us and DiMaria to ManU, Real struggled in a couple of games to find their rhythm as there was none defensively but now with Isco acting in defensive duties and Varane as awesome as always they are rocking it. So this formation might stay like this.

But a player like him or even Rakitic or Griezmann or Turan will do wonders because Gerrard is getting old and new legs are required.
Rodgers need to spend wisely.

As for your midfield list for me in no particular order:- Bayern, Madrid, Barca, Atletico, Juve, Roma and Dortmund have been consistently good.

I'd play Kroos as a CM or a DM myself. He can control the pace of the game better in these 2 positions.

Xabi Alonso reading of the game is insane. Him alongside Gerrard and Pirlo are the 3 best readers of the game today. Bayern are really lucky to have him, I won't be surprised if Bayern wins the CL this year.

Varane looking solid as always, he's a little overrated by the RM fans but he'll be one of the best. Varane and Laporte partnership would take France football team to the next level. But I don't see him as the next JT or Ferdinand.

Only Pogba can replace Gerrard. If we're looking for a Libero/Holding Midfielder/Regista then Marchisio is the man. He's adapting beautifully to the position.
He wanted him back in January but they asked for 40Mil, totally deserved though.

Rodgers doesn't know how to spend money, all he does is buy young unproved wingers, and ignores the tactical part of the game.

Do we have a proper DM at LFC ? Lucas Leiva is not good anymore. Gerrard ? He's not a real DM. 116mil spent and there are no DMs. I'd go all out to buy Javi Martinez or Sven Bender.

What about our CMs ? Hendo is the only reliable one. Why didn't he go for Vidal ? Juventus asked for 35mil by the end of the transfer window.
Imagine a Hendo-Vidal partnership, the workrate is unreal with those 2.

Instead we bought Markovic, Can, Lallana, Balotelli, Lambert and other shitty players.

 

[Jinrou]

The whole team is weak really. Attack, Midfield and Defence.

Did you see how Modric and Kroos play tonight ? These 2 can win you a game single-handedly. We don't have such quality passers like them. And we paid 25mil for Lallana while they paid 24mil for Kroos.

@bold totally grinds my gears but it can't be helped. And i agree with the whole team being weak thing which is kind of sad really after our magnificent showing last season. Why didn't we just bid for at least 1 or 2 established players?

I don't know why Liverpool fans are so critical of Balo, he isn't Suarez, he is more of a finisher imho.
This match was probably his best performance for Liverpool. His work rate was good and was trying to gel with Gerrard.
In order to thrive, unlike Suarez he requires a good midfield which can provide him with quality passes and he can finish them off. He can't create chances or play as false 9 or 10, he is a pure striker.

The problem atm with your team is that it hasn't gelled yet, see Atletico Madrid for example, the counter attacking system they run is so well gelled that they come of as a great threat and their set piece play is awesome, while your team lacks cohesion.

Also the three goals scored in the match were all defensive lapses not attacking ones, Toure, Skrtel, Lovren, Sakho aren't performing, Manquillo loses the ball too much.
Selling Agger was a mistake in hindsight, not signing Victor Valdes is also a lost opportunity, like Mignolet he wouldn't help in set-pieces but is better and is more vocal.

Defending is as much about organisation, communication and concentration as it is ability. Clearly this is something Liverpool lack, and it has been evident from the moment Rodgers took over. He's spent a lot of money on seemingly good players, only to have the defence worsen. Skrtel and Agger were respected players before he took over.

Rodgers wants a counter attacking style, but I think your board should sign a defensive coach as well.
Liverpool have spent quite a lot of money in bringing good defensive players but it is time when you bring in a defensive coach. Rodgers underestimate defense.

In short Balo isn't the problem(well he isn't the solution either), defense need to be worked upon and a midfielder a true playmaker needs to be brought.

Right. I posted blindly actually but what i really actually meant to say was that he doesn't fit our style of play. He slows the game down too much. Just like in the QPR game, he was mostly on the flanks in the match. I just get disappointed by the fact that we brought him in and we're going to be stuck with him for a while. I don't see us buying another striker with Divock Origi returning to Liverpool next season.

Nevertheless though, YNWA.

 

[David1996]

@bold totally grinds my gears but it can't be helped. And i agree with the whole team being weak thing which is kind of sad really after our magnificent showing last season. Why didn't we just bid for at least 1 or 2 established players?

Funny how he said he prefers quality over quantity at the beginning of the transfer window

What could have been: Vidal for 35, Benzema or Higuain for 38, Fernando for 12, Moreno for 12, Benatia for 24 and Manquillo on loan... Total=121Mil.

Play a 4-4-2 Diamond.

Reina(Mignolet)

Manquillo(Johnson)
Agger(Skrtel)
Benatia(Sahko)
Moreno(Enrique)

Gerrard(Fernando)
Vidal(Allen)
Henderson(Allen)
Coutinho(Sterling)

Benzema
Sturridge

Thing is Rodgers bought all the players he bought without a formation in mind, just for the sake of buying players. That's why we are so shaky until now.

 

[Migualon J.J.]

Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid

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Only a miracle like Istanbul 2005 champions league final, when Liverpool came from 3-0 down against AC milan but that is next to impossible against Real Madrid. Business as usual from Real Madrid.

Anderlecht 1-2 Arsenal

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Galatasaray 0-4 Borussia Dortmund

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My favorite goals in this order:

1) Reus...just...holy fck
2) Benzema's first
3) Gibbs...it was nice

any gooner here? scraped a lucky win tonight, poor performance once again. this season has been so underwhelming. the only one who seems to know what hes doing is sanchez and welbeck, rest are sleeping. gotta improve or wenger leaves

I have Arsenal as my 3rd fav overall and 1st fav in BPL...in 87th minute I went to get something to eat/drink...I come back it'S 2-1 and I'm like..."WTF did just happen?"

 

[The Sach]

Well, Costa is injured so it won't be that humiliating for you Lol

Overconfident there aren't we?lol
If Chelsea looses this one, I think Mourinho should be sacked.>_O

Win or lose, it doesn't matter. I still love Liverpool but............I've said it before and i'll say it again. Balotelli is awful..Poor poor player. Why oh why did we have to get him? When i saw his name linked with us, i prayed it was just a rumor. *sigh*Well, unto the next game but i'll rather see Lambert or Borini start up top tbh.

I completely agree with fiend on Ballotelli matter. Ballotelli isn't an awful player it is more like he isn't suitable for Liverpool. He never was, I always thought that Wellbeck would have been better one imo.
Talking about midfield, Lallana is good, but not someone which can put you on RM level. I think Liverpool should move on from Gerrard and think about new faces. Gerrard is one of the best from his era, but sadly is now getting old. Rest I think is pretty much explained by fiend.

---

Anyways talking about midfield I will rate them like this,
1. Juventus
2. Munich
3. Madrid
4. Roma
5. Chelsea

 

[fiend]

My favorite goals in this order:

1) Reus...just...holy fck
2) Benzema's first
3) Gibbs...it was nice

Same for me, Reus one was just amazing, also James pass to Ronaldo was also awesome, then Ronaldo's finishing was clinical as usual.

 

[Migualon J.J.]

Kroos is one of the best possession keepers in the world, his passing is pinpoint accurate too. RM should stick with the 4-4-2 from now on, with Kroos and Modric in the center, It's quite lethal to any team.

It's the first time I've seen Isco defending so much really. Would love to see him in a Liverpool shirt.

Best mids in the world IMO:

1- Juve
2- Roma/Bayern
3- Bayern/Roma
4- Real

Overconfident there aren't we?lol
If Chelsea looses this one, I think Mourinho should be sacked.>_O

I completely agree with fiend on Ballotelli matter. Ballotelli isn't an awful player it is more like he isn't suitable for Liverpool. He never was, I always thought that Wellbeck would have been better one imo.
Talking about midfield, Lallana is good, but not someone which can put you on RM level. I think Liverpool should move on from Gerrard and think about new faces. Gerrard is one of the best from his era, but sadly is now getting old. Rest I think is pretty much explained by fiend.

---

Anyways talking about midfield I will rate them like this,
1. Juventus
2. Munich
3. Madrid
4. Roma
5. Chelsea

No love for Barcelona? like...really? I too think Man City should be mentioned in this...I mean...Yaya is a monster.

Anyway...I am quite hyped for El Clásico. As Barca fan I am a bit worried but not that much, as I think Real's defense is quite crappy, not to say ours is much better, but I think main difference is that we have Busquets and Real doesn't have Xabi Alonso, which I still consider incredibly dumb that they would just let him go. I personally hope we win...but expect something like 2-2 draw? oh...and of course...SUAREZ HYPE :vision:


Oh, and I don't like Tottenham...pretty much hate them...but WHAT WAS THAT?

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[fiend]

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona

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Real were amazing on counter, Marcelo was the best player for Real and Isco and Carvajal worked hard too. Amazing stuff from them.

As for Barcelona they are good but Real were better, Xavi, Iniesta and Pique are past their prime. Team to me looked a former shade of themselves.

Ancelotti won the battle of the managers and outclassed Luis Enrique in strategy.


West Ham United 2-1 Manchester City

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And

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XD

Liverpool 0-0 Hull

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[Totsuka No Tsurugi]

Hala madrid !!!!!!!!

 

[Cooh]

Typical lucky punch from United Lol

 

[fiend]

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

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Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-0 Bayern Munich

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Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

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Getafe 0-1 Atletico Madrid

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Sampdoria 0-0 Roma

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AC Milan 1-1 Fiorentina

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[Osagyefo]

Typical lucky punch from United Lol

TBH, United deserved at least a point from this game.

 

[Cooh]

TBH, United deserved at least a point from this game.

Not really, it never looked like they were comming close to scoring.

 

[Migualon J.J.]

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona

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Real were amazing on counter, Marcelo was the best player for Real and Isco and Carvajal worked hard too. Amazing stuff from them.

As for Barcelona they are good but Real were better, Xavi, Iniesta and Pique are past their prime. Team to me looked a former shade of themselves.

Ancelotti won the battle of the managers and outclassed Luis Enrique in strategy.


West Ham United 2-1 Manchester City

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And

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Liverpool 0-0 Hull

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Unfortunately we lost the game before it even started.

1) Pique playing instead of Mathieu in the middle of defense. If Alba was on the left back and Jeremy in centre back.
2) Iniesta starting over Rakitič...just no.
3) To be honest...Xavi wasn't that bad...compared to Iniesta and Pique at least lol.
4) Messi chose a wrong game to play badly lol. Come on...I was real sad.

The sad part is...that the best players on our side were Suarez, Mascherano and Dani Alves. Like...I would have never thought I would say Dani Alves played really well...but he really did. Pique and Iniesta lost us the game...nough said.

On Real's side...I think Isco and Benzema won it for them. Mainly Isco...he really impressed me that game.

When winter transfer window comes...we need a Midfielder and Centre Back...AGAIN

And 1 certain thing...I want Pedro to leave...just get rid of Pedro...really please. :vision:

TBH, United deserved at least a point from this game.

More like De Gea deserved at least a point from that game

 

[fiend]

Unfortunately we lost the game before it even started.

1) Pique playing instead of Mathieu in the middle of defense. If Alba was on the left back and Jeremy in centre back.
2) Iniesta starting over Rakitič...just no.
3) To be honest...Xavi wasn't that bad...compared to Iniesta and Pique at least lol.
4) Messi chose a wrong game to play badly lol. Come on...I was real sad.

The sad part is...that the best players on our side were Suarez, Mascherano and Dani Alves. Like...I would have never thought I would say Dani Alves played really well...but he really did. Pique and Iniesta lost us the game...nough said.

On Real's side...I think Isco and Benzema won it for them. Mainly Isco...he really impressed me that game.

When winter transfer window comes...we need a Midfielder and Centre Back...AGAIN

And 1 certain thing...I want Pedro to leave...just get rid of Pedro...really please. :vision:

1.Yeah Pique has been bad many a times, why don't Barca develop Bartra properly he can easily take his role.
2.Xavi is not bad but now I feel like Iniesta has lost his magical prowess, they should be rotated enough to take max out of them and more confidence.
Also I felt there were tactical lapses in Luis Enrique's plan, Xavi was shut down by Madrid and Busquets, Iniesta, and Messi were on different side of Madrid midfield, Since he had the space but couldn't make effective passes.

3.Like you said Mathieu should have been the CB he looked a bit lost.

4.It feels as if Luis Enrique is still trying to find his style and confused on how much Guardiola's style to leave behind, he should now make some strong decisions, Ancelotti's style that day was better and Barca on the whole looked confused, so this team building may take some time.
As we saw first 30 min were good for Barca and after that it was all Madrid.

5.I think you are banned for 2 transfer windows? Did you appeal?
And as for Pedro, he should have been transferred this summer not Bojan, Bojan was better last year and could have improved.

6.Also one should also appreciate Mourinho for crafting possibly the best counter attacking system in the world in RM, Ancelotti tough tweaked it but Mou's creation is awesome.

 

[The Sach]

Yes we did deserved a point down there. We have improved, but still lack quality, we missed Falcao yesterday.;_;