morning Munch. As I said, it's not based on anything except a feeling really. I don't think he technically is good enough, and I think that Klopp wants fast, skilful and energetic players... Joe Allan already being given more of a chance due to technical ability... Yes, Henderson has one of those traits. I also have noticed that he does tend to complain a lot to the refs over decisions and you often see him muttering or answering back a lot. As a squad player maybe, but as Liverpool captain for a team that wants and needs to be going forward to challenge for titles and European comes, I don't think he sets a standard as player or leader, and I think Klopp may see that.
You can tell me that is all BS, but it's just a feeling I have. (Clearly my biasedness is influencing me, as I don't rate him that much anyway).

Which of the traits doesn't he have, out of interest? Being in the refs face all the time is sadly part of the captain's job these days. Both Hendo and Rooney were at it all the time last Sunday. If anything Rooney was worse. Hendo is a born leader and will be Liverpool captain for the next 10 years I expect. I also expect him to be the next England captain. Sometimes the best captain isn't necessarily your best player, in fact often that's the case. There's also a lot off the field that goes into the role. Klopp will be onto his next managerial job long before Henderson gives up the armband.

It's the whinging when he walks away and muttering as much as being in the ref's face.
I don't think Henderson is a born leader at all, but it is something that people can grow into. I never said the captain has to be the best player. I don't think he is fast or skillful.

As we know from experience Shaktar do tend to hold out and get the money they want for their players. £38m is an awful lot of money for us in January and I can't see us having that much to spend without selling. Allen? Bogdan? Sinclair? would be more realistic than any offers for Lallana or Benteke.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/35373568

Club rejected Swansea loan offer for Allen.

Good, it would be insane to let him go just now, we have so many matches to get through in 4 comps, and he is actually scoring goals now too.

Definitely a keeper just now.

Quality player who should play more games for us.


I think anything over £30 mil for a player not playing in one of Europe's top 5 leagues or a gem from Porto is generally too high.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool walk away from making a deal if they insist on getting what they rate him as. Chelsea walked away, too many do that and his price will tumble.

Anyway, we have 'wee Joe' - and he knows how to get the ball into the back of the net!

I didn't think our keeper situation was this bad.

BR often had to play him deeper, as he usually filled in for Lucas. He's being more effective a bit further up the pitch, and we're seeing more of what made him stand out at Swansea. He links play up well, makes good selective runs into the box and is made for Klopp's pressing requirements. Doesn't give the ball away often cod keeps things moving which helps our tempo. Like Henderson, only move on if replaced with a better player who brings the same qualities to the team. Too many Coutinho type players sounds good in theory but we need balance. I'm excited by Branagan - could be pushing for a place in the not too distant future so may be the biggest threat to both Allen and Henderson.

Oh for goodness sake Munch! Sloth would have done that so much better!


Agree, he's a better player than many give him credit for, and likewise re Brannagan, he is more than capable of getting into the 1st team. We only need to buy where we really are short of quality, and I only see that in strikers and FB's just now.

Joe the Welsh Messi

What does everyone make of Klopp grinning, do you think he knows something or not ?

http://www.empireofthekop.com/2016/0...n-has-changed/

Does anyone think Liverpool will sell sturridge in the summer if he gets injured again? Im sure they must getting very frustrated with the situation. Although daniel will be feeling the same because he's a great player but that doesn't mean a thing if he isn't playing. We certainly can't reply on him.

I will always be a mad LFC fan but I am feeling a bit down about some aspects of the last week or two - but am consoling myself that after the summer ins and outs it should be a lot brighter.

The worst thing was losing to them last Sunday obviously but on top of that

Mignolet has a new 5 year deal which baffles me - I see it like Carra who said that this is a signal that JK sees him as the long term keeper. I just hope it is not that and is just a way of getting more when we sell him in the summer as I think without a really top keeper we will never get to the level we want to be.

Then Caulker is brought in on loan - a guy who cannot get in the Ston side - lets hope that in the summer we do get a real top defender - this Matip is meant to be one but as I have not seen him play I cannot comment too much.

A young little known Serb is to come in - we've seen this type of signing before and many of them have not worked so lets hope he's decent but even so I do not see him being a really significant player next season due to his age - and really we want players who can come and improve us immediately.

Ayre is chasing round the world trying to do a deal for Texeira who is an older more experienced striker with a good reputation = good news probably altho with him being untried in the PL and maybe a bit slight doubts remain but even so it now looks like it may not happen anyway so we are back to square one.

A lot of the youngsters did well V Exeter but it seems as if we will be back to the usuals tomorrow many of whom have been a bit underwhelming of late with very few of the team who played V Exeter even on the bench. I would not want 5 or 6 of them playing that would be silly but the odd one given a chance might be an idea like Smith, Ojo or Texeira. Also when if ever will we get the chance to see Ward perform in goal cos I think we need to.

You do wonder about certain players and their LFC future - Lallana, Benteke and Sturridge being the main 3 but also Skrtel when fit is another. Then you look at the tactics and worry - cleverer people than me with all the coaching badges work on our set piece defending and it is still a shambles - and yet putting someone on the post which to me is not rocket science is not utilised. I do feel as well with this transfer committee that we have become a bit too statistics led which is not how LFC used to be. People can even drag up stats that indicate Mig is the top keeper in the PL which is clearly nonsense. I see stats which say that LFC have completed twice the number of passes as their opponents but they can often still be losing the game or at least not winning it - so what is the point of this endless passing as it does not win us games? Listening to BR last weekend on the various programmes he was on it was clear that he thought about tactics endlessly - I had no idea of the complexities of it all frankly - and yet the truth is that since Luis left the team for well over a season under him played very few good games - and some were horrendous - so maybe he thought too much. Or perhaps more accurately he played the wrong players (or the right players in the wrong positions!!) or bought the wrong players. To me a lot of football should be instinctive and at times our players look as if they have had their heads filled too much with tactics - less so under JK than BR I must admit but it does look as if they are being asked to play in a different way now which they are finding it hard to adjust to.

For years I have railed against labelling us as a mid table team and in some ways I still do (as we have not finished lower than 8th for over 50 years) but really the truth is that we do not have players who are good enough to play for teams higher than us so maybe that is not far off what we have become. Hendo is a good lad - I like him and with our present squad I would always have him in our team but really when compared to many of the captains we have had in the past he cannot be spoken of in the same league.

I have rambled for too long - sorry!! - but the truth is Jurgen that you have got a big job on to get LFC back to the top - I do think you can do it but it will need everyone at the club including FSG especially to be pulling in the same direction for it to happen. Next summer's ins and out will be massive.

Grujic - £5m is worth a punt and we can't just buy proven and/or domestic players.
Caulker - a sticking plaster signing to cover injuries short-term so fine with that.
Mid-table - mod fit striker who's out of touch has seen us struggle - resolvable.
Ward - FA Cup 4th Round - was Nov registered for Exeter tie.
Kids - will feature if gone enough once JK gas some vine to evaluate squad.
Mig - every error magnified due to his early Liverpool form - bit of a scapegoat and we can sell or use as Number 2 if a top keeper becomes available.
BR - long term Sturridge loss plus out-of-form second striker he didn't trust meant, like the exact same issue as Klopp - a goal drought. The players have as much to answer for (proved this season) as tactics do. We were/are too easily bullied.

If Klopp truly gets the players HE wants rather than having to pick from a shortlist defined by committee, next season will be far less volatile.

I'm at the stage now where I see the only chance of CL qualification is via the EL and the perhaps the best chance of ensuring EL football next season is the LC.

With that in mind I wouldn't be that surprised to see a couple rested for Norwich and saved for the semi-final with a few of the FA cup team getting a game, that includes Benteke, and possibly even a chance for Ward in goal.

Good answers Sloth - you've cheered me up a bit

Agreed

Team does not fill me with confidence that we are starting with and Allen should start to give him his due.

#LFC team to face @NorwichCityFC: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Henderson, Can, Milner, Ibe, Firmino.

Subs: Ward, Caulker, Flanagan, Allen, Teixeira, Lallana, Benteke.

I think that will be OK, if things get iffy, then bring on both Benteke and Allen, give Norwich a problem as to which could be the most dangerous! Surprised to see only Tex from the unders on the bench though, especially as it was rumoured that Lallana had a minor injury.

Firmino's possibly the closest thing we've got to the next Suárez, probably won't be as good but then not many will be.

Here's hoping he brings out his inner-Suárez against Norwich.

Suár---err...Firmino!! 1-0!

He could be on for a Suarez like hat trick against these opponents now!!

Want to share those lotto winnings tonight if you let me in on the numbers