Neil was joined in the big room at Parr Street by Paul Machin, Dan Hunt, Dan Fitzsimmons, Mike Nevin, Matt Lim, Nick O’Prey, Rob Gutmann and Jim Boardman to discuss “the biggest game in twenty years”.
Direct link to PODCAST: AFTER THE BIG ONE
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Great show this week guys.
Three points over the last couple of podcasts: Mike criticising our lack of composure and pass selection in the final third. Rob crying out for an attacking midfielder. And the point today about not knowing what our ideal goal is for this “system”.
To me, we’re talking about a more mature Suso there. With the ideal goal being Sahin’s second at West Brom in the league cup. With Lucas back and few easier home games coming up I really think he should be getting another chance from the start. Hopefully against a side without a decent holding midfielder. Possibly Villa?
Rodgers insinuated last week that lessons have been learned and we’ll attempt to buy early in the January window.
Obviously, nothings set in stone but it seems FSG are planning a slightly bigger summer transfer fund than they are in January. Personally, I’ll judge them at the end of the summer transfer window. By then we’ll have a better understanding of their intentions, for sure.
I can see more turbulence ahead after January. If we buy a £15m striker and a player on loan a lot of the fans won’t be appeased which would be a shame really as things are slowly but surely improving for Liverpool.
During yesterday’s game I felt angry over how many average players we had on the pitch but then half an hour later I was dancing round the room Gangnam style. Despite that, the lack of depth shouldn’t be forgotten. We absolutely have to see 2 players come in January regardless of whether they’re bought or loaned.
I think the point I’m trying to make, though, is patience is still required. If it was the case of £15m in January and £25m in the summer then in 6 months we’d have an ok squad, very capable of getting a CL place. In 18 months though, we’d have a good squad. The likes of Shelvey, Sterling, Suso, Wisdom & Henderson will have 2 more years experience and will bolster the squad. Add to that the 5 £15m players we’d get in that time along with spine of the team we have now and things will be looking good for LFC.
I know we all want success yesterday and feel a little investment now could see us become top 4 again but in fairness, the owners stated their plans from day 1. It was always going to be a mix of youth and experience, it was always going to be a redevelopment of Anfield and it was always going to be sustainable spending. We were going to get back on track built on a solid foundation rather than a quick fix and I’m starting to see the shoots of recovery. Yes, they fucked up in the summer transfer window and although they were mistakes, how much better off would we be with Dempsey or Carroll? Also, What would happen to City or Chelsea if their owners left? So my point is, if we don’t see the spending you crave in January, and as long as there are a couple of additions, let’s not go to war over it. If in 18 months progress stalls then it would be time to kick off. I don’t think it’s fair to do it beforehand because the fans sense spend, spend, spend will sort us out.
Good post. On the top four issue, I don’t want to tempt fate but…it could be a case of remember remember the 9th of December. We achieved so many firsts against West Ham for the season: first back to back league wins, first goal in last 15, first league and first league win after a Europa League game. That will give us confidence into our run of games in the league against supposed weaker opposition up till early Jan before our FA Cup game and revenge mission against United.
What’s most interesting is the fixture list between now and early Jan. Villa (h), Fulham (h), Stoke (a), QPR (a) and Sunderland (h). Next weekend’s fixture will present another opportunity to close the gap as the teams around us play each other: Stoke-Everton, Tottenham-Swansea, West Brom-West Ham. On the weekend of our home game against Fulham, Tottenham against Stoke at White Hart Lane and West Ham against Everton at Upton Park a few hours before we kick off.
Arsenal, perceived to be favourites for fourth, are struggling for form and will be under pressure to win away games to Reading and Wigan because they’ll be expected to respond. A case of more to lose than to gain. By the time we play Stoke on Boxing Day, we could be far closer to fourth than we think after two home games against sides in the bottom half with those around us playing and taking points from each other.
We’re not favourites for fourth, we have first team issues in the forward three and depth issues at left back and defensive midfield positions but incredibly after our worst start in a century (tough games though) we’re only four points away from the party positions. It’s crazy because this is supposed to be our season of transition and familiarisation but we’re in the mix. We might not like to say it but we are.
I’d like to return the compliment and say good post too. I totally agree with you mate. The West Ham win felt huge in every way. These next 5 are everything. I can’t wait for the Villa game. So much riding on it. In a position though were only 3 points will do.
Great post. Agree with much of what you are saying. Your comments on the Guardian blogs are quality too.
Cheers Karen and Robin!
It’s always a weekly podcast diet of the Anfield Wrap and Football Weekly. What’s great about both is that there are lots of laughs alongside football knowledge, insight and commentary.
Fun show, thanks!
A couple points:
Gerrard: next to Baines, via Opta, he’s created the most key chances of anybody in the epl. He’s had a great “understated” season as a provider from deeper. I think he needs more credit. Does somebody have a tally of assists?
The team now IS spreading goals around. There’s a chance the squad could break the record of, i believe it is 15 different scorers in one season. Rodgers seems to be having his plans come to fruition, I think, and probably earlier than I would have expected.
There’s still some big asks, but I think BR has got an awful lot out of his players in a limited squad, all providing niche roles in the “group”.
Gerrard has 3 assists mate.
Many congratulations to andy. #daddycool
Great show again, keep them coming. I thought I’d start by saying let us not forget about the seemingly forgotten man Borini, he’s still young and a bit raw but I think he took far too much stick pre-injury and was the width of the post away a number of times from quietening a few doubters. I for one am looking forward to his return to add some depth to the squad, the transition from Serie A back to the Premiership (and vice versa) must be one of the toughest so we could get a better idea how he’ll fit in after Christmas – he certainly puts the effort in.
I have to disagree on the Walcott and Sturridge calls though, I don’t particularly want either of them for different reasons. Walcott is clearly on the chase for money (he’s never a centre forward and we’d be naive to think that’s the reason he wants to move) and so the real question is he really worth £80,000+ a week? Wenger, who’s a pretty decent judge, doesn’t think so and neither do I (a much much MUCH worse judge obviously). After spending some years in North London I caught many an Arsenal game in the pub and can tell you that he really is a bit of a lottery and not the type of consistent performer we need. He’s shone in games against very poor opposition or when Arsenal had to sit deeper and broke forward at speed (e.g late in the Champions League and notably against Barca) and has quite often struggled in matches where Arsenal were a bit more slow and methodical with their passing – On that basis I’m not sure he wouldn fit in too well to Rodgers way of playing. He’s also not going to age at all well, think Michael Owen, his game is so centered around speed that a couple of injuries or just a general loss of pace could leave us another expensive bench warmer.
Sturridge on the other hand comes across as being a bit niggly as far as attitude is concerned (perhaps a Balotelli or Nasri light) and is a very selfish footballer, probably greedier than Suarez with only half the ability. I also doubt he’d be happy to leave the bench at Chelsea to play from the bench for us and I’m not sure would warrant a starting role. That being said the prospect excites me a bit more than Walcott because of his ability to sell a dummy, drop in a stepover or two and create chances himself, something that I don’t think Walcott has in his locker but still think we can find better at the price.
Of course, it not being my money I wouldn’t be devastated with a Huntelaar/Ba and Walcott/Sturridge additions but I will go to bed dreaming of Higuain and Sanchez instead- if only some rumours had any basis!!
Great podcast, keep it up!
I know we probably don’t have the funds, but I think Honda Keisuke would fit our system perfectly!
And a much deserved song for the almighty Glen Johnson:
To the tune of Jesus He Knows Me – Genesis, stick with it..
Glen Johnson We love him, every day and night,
He can score with his left foot and his right..
OOooHh Glen Johnson we love him, every day and night,
The way he glides up the line is simply pure delight.
OOHh Glen Johnson we love him, every day and night,
He was right about Merson, he talks a load shite.
OOooooHh Glen Johnson we love him, every day and night,
He’s the English Cafu, with some extra f*****g height.
OOooHh Glen Johnson we love him and we know it’s right,
OOooHh Glen Johnson we love him and we know it’s right,
OOooHh Glen Johnson we love him and we know it’s right,
OOooHh Glen Johnson we love him and we know it’s right!
Repeat, in any order x 1000
Rejected verse:
OOooooHh Glen Johnson we love him, every day and night,
He’s doing a Maths degree, you know he’s f****g bright..
It’s bound to catch on.
Had to look up Jesus he knows me on YouTube, but I reckon you are on to something there Mike.
I first saw Walcott a few years ago when he came on as sub, tore down the left on a break away,beat two men aatnd scored an absolute blinder.
That was then, that Walcott would fit in perfectly with BR’s plans. but this new incarnation that Wenger obviously doesn’t fancy and who picks up injuries for fun, I think would be a massive gamble. Sturridge can’t even break into a team with only one other main striker.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say save the money for summer rather than panic buy. There won’t be great options to be had in January and the “group” is growing stronger in unity, new players could disrupt that.
(Helmet on takes cover)
Stand by for a list of about 6 players LFC have signed in January. I agree with you.
Great show once again lads.
Any chance of getting Didi in the studio?
After my attempts a month or so ago, I thought I’d chip in with more song suggestions, but it’s not Glen Johnson and not very original:
‘Heeeeeeeeeey Raheem Sterling! Whap whap whap wha-whap Raheem Sterling Style.’
With apologies to Psy.
Great podcast as usual guys and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of more takers for a special night in Dublin!
Lots of interesting points as usual amid the laughter. First off, I’ve noticed the spirit within the squad and I’m glad it was highlighted. Even players who are on the fringes such as Downing and Cole have worked hard, not complained despite getting fewer minutes than last season. When Rodgers has asked players to play in different positions, it has been done and you can see the togetherness in the group.
It’s a small squad made up a set of four 18-20 year-olds, five 21-22 year-olds, five established Benitez signings, two senior Dalglish signings, two club legends, two expensive transfer mistakes, two curious Rodgers signings who can still do a lot more at 24.
Of that 22, I’d say the biggest questions are over the last two categories consisting of Downing, Cole, Assaidi and Sahin. While there is still time for the latter two, I think Downing and Cole will and should be moved on in January. Lots of fans talk about a lack of fight in the players but I think Downing and Cole have tried their best this season. Will there be a market for them in January?
I think our midfield personnel is unbalanced with only one player who can perform as the single pivot in Rodgers’ preferred tactical arrangement. Furthermore, I think there’s a bit of confusion in the two midfield roles ahead of Lucas. Not only are both Gerrard and Allen overplayed but sometimes it seems that Gerrard is the deeper midfielder of the two. Allen’s best role is the middle man in the midfield three while Gerrard’s is the most attacking of the three. I assumed that Lucas’ return would ensure that everything would fit into place with each round peg in its respective round hole.
Any thoughts?
I think it’s really important that we don’t let any players go in January. Our squad is so small as it is, we will need every single player we can when it comes to being involved in 3 competitions (league, FA cup, Europa). Bring in who we can in January, and leave the culling to the off season. We may think the league is “shit” at the moment, but it’s current standards are what’s allowing us to be only 4 points off fourth, with a genuine chance of a champions league spot if we make the right signings in Jan and can keep our key players injury free. Feb 1st will give us a great indication of what this squad can achieve this season