Match Day Thread PL: Stoke City vs Liverpool FC

Dedication

 

#fishing..

Congratulations, you're an old phucker just like me for remembering that

 

I'd swap Can and Balotelli around.

 

Comfortable 6-0 win to Liverpool in this one.

 

I'm not even remotely excited about the season starting soon

 

Plastic

 

I'm excited but not optimistic. Think we did better than last summer signings... But enough to get a "top 4 trophy" probably not.

 

For the third year running, I've predicted fifth

I think the signings are better but that's only because I have hindsight on last year's activities. Most thought the players we bought in would do better than they did (bar Mario obviously). Expectation on this year's crop is high now but lets wait and see if they can walk the walk.

I think the reason I'm not overly excited is because we didn't go and get the exciting striker I wanted to see. We're in for more of the same as last year IMO.

 

True but what happens when Gomez makes mistakes? Are fans going to write him off just as quickly?

This isn't me being negative towards Gomez - it's about developing the youth talent we already have, and in this case, we have a natural LB that we should persist with and look to improve.

Rodgers somehow has this reputation of improving and coaching players - there's actually very little evidence of this. He seems quick to bin off some but persist with others.

 

Jheeze, you're so miserable ... really know how to bring the mood down on this board.

 

Bit harsh, Suarez has said Rodgers improved him as a player, Hendo has come on leaps and bounds, Sterling, Coutinho, to name but a few..
Given time I hope he can do the same for Moreno, will repeat for the Nth time, I like the lad, he stood out for me in the u21s when Spain won it in Israel..
Not sure Moreno is surplus to requirements, it could well be the simple case of Gomez has won the Pre-season battle, staked a claim for the spot!
Up to Moreno to grab that spot should he not be the first choice LB come August 9th!

 

Hope he finishes the ****ing job on Hererra then.

 

Think it was dedication jonnyb

Ahh,it appears this has already been pointed out

 

Pot, kettle, etc springs to mind

 

Miserable sod.

 

And this is the reason we have a squad. For years now we've had a very threadbare squad where injuries have left us struggling for options. We're now getting to the point where we have reasonable competition for most places.
They can't all play at once, but sadly fans will still have a go when their own pet starting line-up isn't chosen.

 

Things that look quite likely/virtualy garunteed.

Henderson and Milner will partner each other in midfield.
Benteke will be a lone striker.
Can will not start after having virtually no preseason.
Gomez stands a good chance of starting at LB.

I'd actually say that Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Henderson, Milner, Coutinho and Benteke are garunteed to start. That leaves 4 places open. I predict that 3 of those places will be filled by Lovren, Ibe and Firmino. LB is debatable.

 

Not saying he hasn't improved players - but if you look at the team last year, most of the team and youngsters all regressed. Sterling didn't improve last year, Coutinho was arguably just as good as he was in 13/14 but with more goals (credit), Henderson wasn't that good last year either.

It just seems to me that Rodgers is quick to give up on certain players i.e. Markovic and Moreno rather than give them a chance and develop them further. Then you have players like Johnson, Gerrard, Lovren who were or are getting more opportunities.

 

I'm all for having a strong squad and having squad depth - but what I don't agree with is starting a youngster with no competitive experience of playing left back, and no experience of top flight football, putting him straight into the first team just because he impressed in friendly games against dross.

Now Gomez can do a great job wherever you put him because I think he is that talented - it's just the logic for his inclusion which I don't agree with and fits in with the theory that Rodgers clearly has his favourites and others which he will happily neglect.

What happens when Gomez makes mistakes? Are we going to dump him and start playing the next youngster?

We have talented youngsters already - just cant why Rodgers doesnt want to give them opportunities and develop them.

 

Maybe said kid is best we have seen in 10 years and has impressed in training before ever getting these friendly games.

Just maybe