The Gutter descends into the depths of tabloid transfer tittle-tattle and website waffle. It can be murky down here, but we look to give you our assessment of what might be the flaming torch of truth in the darkness – and what could just be flaming nonsense.
Rob Gutmann was joined by Josh Sexton, Phillipa Smallwood and Andy Heaton for the latest edition of the Gutter, on the agenda this week –
– Odegaard, looking out for a loan, bit of a lazy link or a possible addition?
– Benteke, a case of when and not if, but not on loan.
– Lucas, now looks like our longest serving player will now stay with the Reds, at least in the short term.
All this and more as we dredge the murky depths of Gutmann’s putrid gutter.
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I cannot believe ye’re defending of Moreno. Fir the past 2 years I’ve been lamenting his presence at LB. look at ALL the points we’ve lost through him in both seasons. Match after match the opposition targets him, rightly so, knowing he’s a weak link. At Anfield alone- Arsenal, BVD and so many others focus on his side of the pitch and score again and again. He has to be responsible for at least 12-18 points DROPPED last year. The Seville humiliation and subsequent outcry was too late and voiced by people who should have noticed his shortcomings a year or even two years back. Rodgers saw it and shifted new signing Gomez in there though he was young and ultimately a Centre Back. But he was much better than our headless chicken Moreno.
Funnily enough, I like the guy! He’s an honest trier and worker but he’s out of position. His place is a Wing Back with a Back Three or better again, he’s a Winger. He has great first touch, he drives up the field, he can overlap with ease, take on a player and get past him AND he has an incredible 90 degree Left foot cross- the likes I haven’t seen in Anfield in years. He can get to the end line and cross like he’s taking a corner kick betimes. Plus he can move in off the flanks and get near the box- but there’s his problem- he shouldn’t because inevitably he’ll be caught out on the opposition break, rush back and try an outrageous block or tackle that’ll lead to a goal, and/or a card. I’d keep him but not as LB ever!
Lucas- I’d keep him. A player I detested under Benitez because Rafa doesn’t know how to train and man manage players to be better. under Hodgson, Kenny, Brendan and now Jurgen he’s blooming good and I’ve been admiring his play for 4 years now. He is consistent. He works tirelessly and quietly. You never notice he’s on the pitch until you see how much opposition play he shuts down then rolls the ball on for the ‘Big Players’ to take over. He’s a Gatekeeper with a fabulous attitude and he’s versitile- willing to play midfield or defence – wherever you want him. He’ll never be the Standard that I can see JK is looking to build towards, because the Kaiser is building towards having the best team in Europe- without having to buy the biggest names in the game. Like the Boot Room boys- he’s building his Anfield machine- great players coming from this will just be a natural and fortunate consequence (look at all the now ‘Great Players’ he had at Dortmund- all unknowns until he build his machine and everyone sat up and took notice- buying his creations off BVD again and again to his exasperation and frustration.
Lucas may never be to the level he’s aiming for, but he is reliable and consistent- even smiling when pulled off the bench. His attitude is always positive and for the team first, himself second- unlike some others I could name (DS?..).
I hope he stays- we’ll need him on the dark windy nights away from home when Can or Hendo or Milner or Lovren come a cropper. We’ll be so welcome of him in those times and more.