Everton and Liverpool discussion

[razor]

One of the first things Benitez said after the win last week, was how the win would bring extra finances. Great, but so what? Who could we buy with 10 million Euro? Furthermore, who fancies coming to a club who is sixth in the league?
Even if it won't purchase a player getting a good quality striker like Morientes in on loan isn't beyond the realms of possibility. If he went to Monaco last year then he'll come to us but then you also need a player that can play in the CL as well.
I'm not too sad to see the end of Owen, he was going anyway.
Josemi is brutal and Finnan deserves a start before him every time.
Hyypia is worrying me, he seems to be deteriorating by the game.
Plus both keepers now need the old confidence injection.
Most impressed by Traore, Finnan and Carragher this year, another decent centre half and we should have the defence sorted.
Benny has to be given time. Its very frustrating but its part and parcel.

[razor]

Morientes says he wants to go back to Monaco permanently, but think Monaco are the stumbling block.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/december/englsnews5091204.html
Saw that and I guess the fact that he is unavailable for the CL means that his signing is a non runner, he should have been made part of the Owen deal but Madrid played him in their CL Qualifier.

[joeSoap]

As for Owen, yes the choice was there. Owen was worth 20 goals a season to us at least. He was the main reason why we got into the CL this season. He was our most important player, and he had to stay. But Moores sold him for about a third of what he's really worth.

In fairness to Moores , I believe Owens contract was up at the end of the season, and he had expressed several times his wish to give it a lash on the continent. He had to sell him, or else face getting zilch for him at the end of that season. No club was going to pay full whack for a class player, who wanted to move on from a club at the end of a contract as a free agent.
As for why he wanted to move on, I'd say that was partly disillusionment, but also curiousity as to how he could do in La Liga, and seeing Beckham out there.

[jockser]

Morientes says he wants to go back to Monaco permanently, but think Monaco are the stumbling block.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/december/englsnews5091204.html


Liverpool echo, rte, times, mirror are reporting morientes to liverpool is close to happening. Liverpool have asked them to drop their 11m asking price. Id prefer Anelka for 8m meself

[Dillo]

Theres only one team on merseyside and their nickname isn't a sticky sweet. :p :D

No you're wrong. There's two teams on Merseyside- Everton and Everton reserves. :cool:

[jockser]

In the meantime, Liverpool are paying dearly for the folly of selling their best player,

wrong owen wanted to go liverpool did not want to sell him


bringing in yet another defensive manager,

eh wrong again


hinging everything around a midfielder who is sporadically good (good in the England 5-Germany 1 game, missing for a few years, good last season etc. etc.),

surprise surprise wrong again.........quote from ferguson below....but sure what would he know either you seem to have gerrard summed up

"He has become the most influential player in England, bar none. Not that Vieira lacks anything, but Gerrard does more," Ferguson told the Sunday Times


So far it has failed, the only silver lining being the relatively good form of Xavi Alonso.
:rolleyes:



For plugging away, for signing Tim Cahill and Marcus Bent, and for selling Rooney for nigh on 30m, Moyes should get a pat on the back.


thats all he will win though, a pat on the back....

[Real ale Madrid]

Lomana Lua Lua last night shattered any little hope Liverpool might have had of finishing above the toffees!! :p It's a sorry state of affairs at Anfield when ye can't manage to beat Pompey at home. Fourth is becoming ever unlikely even at this early stage.

Just to mention that Liverpool had two points LESS at this stage last year. And where did we finish? I would urge the toffee fans to keep mouthing off before christmas and we'll see what the table says in May when it matters.

And liverpool have a proper manager this year.

[4tothefloor]

In fairness to Josemi, he's only just back from injury, and over the years, I've seen a lot worse than him. The names drip off the tongue: Piechnik, Babb, Dicks, Kvarme, Ziege, Traore, "Handball" Henchoz, and several more. All a waste of money, and who never won a league title.

"In fairness to Josemi".........that's like saying, "In fairness to Alan Lee"! The man is completely useless, and was completely useless before he ever got injured. He just hasn't got it. It's no coincidence that he has been suspended twice already this season, all he is doing is getting booked all the time, and giving away frees in dangerous areas. Constantly getting burned for pace, getting sucked in to the centre (v Portsmouth), basically he is playing head-tennis, which is why he is also so poor positionally. Just not up to it, and neither is Nunez, surprise, surprise. Also, there is no way that he is better than Babb, Kvarme, Ziege, Traore, Henchoz - all of these guys have played well at some stage, I remember Kvarme being unreal at the start until he messed up against Man U. Piechnik & Dicks i'll give you though! I also agree with you about Moores, an incompetent chairman who has watched his millions being wasted due to misplaced loyalty. Agree with JoeSoap regarding Owen though, Moores hands were tied there, but then again it should never have come to that, so in a way he was to blame. It was SFX that ultimately sold Owen to Madrid, and they also subsequently sold Woodgate to them as well. Agents :mad:

what biy! and jockser - It won't be Anelka for two reasons. Firstly, they can't afford to blow £10m on one player, whose wages will be £60,000+ on top of that. It's not financially viable at the moment.
Secondly, Anelka and Djibril Cisse do not get along. This is one of the reasons that Anelka wasn't called back to the French squad pre Euro2004, even when Cisse was eventually ruled out due to suspension. Cisse actually criticised him heavily in the press at the time. I can't see Benitez signing a player on those wages who will not be able to play alongside one of his strike partners. He's too clever for that, and who needs disharm, something Anelka is an expert at creating. I'd love Anelka, but can't see it. Morientes will do though :D

[4tothefloor]

Something has to change very quickly if they are not to slide into that battle for 7th spot again...

What needs to change is our luck. Key players need to stop getting injured. David Moores needs to go asap, and let Morgan spend his cash before the january deadline is up. Give Benitez the quality he deserves to work with, and stop fannying about, cos as much as it pains me to say it, Conor74 could actually be right about sliding even further. Just a little tiny bit right though, not to give you a big head

:D

BTW Conor74, that signature of yours is taken out of context. It doesn't show the sarcasim of my post. You're like a s*n hack now :eek:

[Dillo]

[QUOTE=4tothefloor]What needs to change is our luck. Key players need to stop getting injured. David Moores needs to go asap, and let Morgan spend his cash before the january deadline is up. Give Benitez the quality he deserves to work with, and stop fannying about, cos as much as it pains me to say it, Conor74 could actually be right about sliding even further. Just a little tiny bit right though, not to give you a big head


Typical thrash. Constantly making excuses for yer diabolical form. Of course Conor74 is right! The way yer playing , downwards is the only way ye can go. Use won't beat Newcastle at the weekend nor get past Leverkusen in the Champs League. Mourinho will have Gerrard at the Bridge by next Summer. Use won't find an adequate replacement due to yer inability to attract quality players which will have detrimental effects on the club. SG has been carrying the club on his own for far too long now. He needs to and wants to move on. Liverpool are on a downward spiral. No doubt about that. Everton are flying! :p

[jockser]

what biy! and jockser - It won't be Anelka for two reasons. Firstly, they can't afford to blow £10m on one player, whose wages will be £60,000+ on top of that. It's not financially viable at the moment.
Secondly, Anelka and Djibril Cisse do not get along. This is one of the reasons that Anelka wasn't called back to the French squad pre Euro2004, even when Cisse was eventually ruled out due to suspension. Cisse actually criticised him heavily in the press at the time. I can't see Benitez signing a player on those wages who will not be able to play alongside one of his strike partners. He's too clever for that, and who needs disharm, something Anelka is an expert at creating. I'd love Anelka, but can't see it. Morientes will do though :D


Morientes to Liverpool...deal is done.......€10m yoyos

[4tothefloor]

Liverpool aren't prepared to pay more than £8m, there's no way they are going to pay £10m. They've also been linked with a Steffan Hoffman, central midfielder, £2m, from Rapid Vienna. Sounds dodgy! Also Scott Carson, Leeds reserve keeper, is said to be on his way also. I'd prefer Given, Van Der Sar or Kiely myself.

Anelka on loan could be a goer though

[4tothefloor]

Do you think Everton will get through to the CL Quarter-Finals Dillo? Oh sorry, I forgot, YER NOT EVEN IN IT :p

Silly Me :rolleyes:

[JoeSemi]

What needs to change is our luck. Key players need to stop getting injured. David Moores needs to go asap, and let Morgan spend his cash before the january deadline is up. Give Benitez the quality he deserves to work with, and stop fannying about, cos as much as it pains me to say it, Conor74 could actually be right about sliding even further. Just a little tiny bit right though, not to give you a big head:eek:

Agree that funds are needed and is there a better time for Morgan to come in now? Although, there is a lot of secrecy regarding what he's ultimately after. I'd like to trust what Rick Parry goes with on all of this, but he definitely needs to quietly usher Moores out the back door soon so we can start afresh with whoever.

After the draw today I think Rafa needs to get his head screwed on quickly as regards who and what he's looking for. Its hard to see any justification in signing Josemi or Nunez at this stage. It looks as if Rafa looked at signing them in the context of the English game and thought the steel (they may have had in Spain?) would transfer itself over .Garcia will always do something different and Xabi is class. Confidence crisis creeping into the keeper department at the club. Might have to act sooner rather than later there.

IMO the speculation regarding Anelka is a positive signal that might ignite Benitez into signing him if we stump up the cash. There'll always be a for and against regarding Anelka, but the lad himself admitted he never felt as much at home at a club as he did in his short spell at Anfield. He bent over backwards to sign for the club but the former schoolteacher/manager put a stop to it unfortunately. 10m might be enough of a carrot for City too. If not Anelka, I wouldn't mind seeing Beattie bought. Lancashire lad and is hungry to move to a top club.

[mypost]

Liverpool aren't prepared to pay more than £8m, there's no way they are going to pay £10m.

Anelka on loan could be a goer though

Jockser actually said 10 million Euro which is about what the club can afford to pay for Morientes.

What I'd like to know is why would Morientes come to us instead of Monaco? He knows Monaco, the weather is great there, he'll get his game, and he might win a league title with them. What will we win? The League Cup? Also, he's no use to us in the Champions League this season which is another problem, for the revenge tie against Leverkusen. However, I don't want Anelka coming here again. He creates more problems in teams than he solves. Surely, we're not THAT desperate that we have to sign him!!

[Plastic Paddy]

Throw in the fact that Morientes' wages would be tax-free in the principality and the chances of him landing at Liverpool are even less. Essentially, choosing Monaco over Liverpool would provide him with an extra one-third net income on an equivalent salary. You'd have to think he'd be mad to pass that up, and that's before one even considers the relative merits of living in each place:

Monte Carlo - sunshine, beautiful women, yachts on the Med :cool:
Liverpool - pishing rain, pram-faced girls and rusty shopping trolleys in the Mersey :eek: :D

It's a no-brainer, surely?

:D PP

[JoeSemi]

There are people born winners PP whereby money doesn't become an issue. Thats the problem with some cynics who think all footballers are on a one track mind to a fat pay cheque. Morientes has won trophies at Real, a club with a prestigious history like Liverpool, and he obviously would like to see more medals in his home cabinet. Believe me PP, there are a lot of footballers(especially continentals) who are very intuitive and can see things being done properly. Benitez is doing things right at Liverpool and Morientes has seen this and wants a part of it. Gerrard is of a similar ilk, and hopefully a couple of signings to satisfy the fans and him as captain, will get LFC back where they belong contesting titles with Chelski and Arsenal.

[4tothefloor]

The only problem with the Morientes Monaco link is that Monaco can't afford him - transfer fee, or wages. According to Deschamps anyway. They are already committed to Saviola until the end of the season, with a view to buying, which they won't be able to afford either. Remember, when Morientes was at Monaco, he was only there on loan and Real Madrid were still paying half to two thirds of his wages. Thats why there was so much fuss over him knocking them out of the CL. There is no way that Monaco can offer him the wages he is on at Real, tax free or not. Morientes has realised this and that is why he is making noises about Liverpool lately. Who'd want to play in the French League anyway?

I can't make my mind up about Anelka. He was great for us before and seemed to be happy at Anfield. He'd be the perfect foil for Gerrard and Alonso's passing. We need another quality striker if we are to beat Leverkusen, Morientes is cup-tied. I'd sign Morientes, and sign Anelka on loan with a view to a permenant move in the summer. Being greedy now :D

[4tothefloor]

I'd rather Andrew Johnson if we were to sign an English striker. Wayne Routledge looks good too, and is on a bosman in the summer.

[mypost]

who are we up against on Sunday?? Souness -hardly a coincidence. :(

Prediction for today's game: 2-0. :)

We need to win our home games as our away form is awful. Only 1 win, and 6 points picked up on the road. :mad:

[joeSoap]

Prediction for today's game: 2-0. :)

Well, you got the winning margin right anyway. :)
I was only watching it in glimpses, but it looked like a good open game, with a fair few chances being spoiled by both sides (Garcia after 3 mins). Good win for the Pool though.

[joeSoap]

Liverpool FC Squad - 2004-05
1. Jerzy Dudek
2. Stephane Henchoz
3. Steve Finnan
4. Sami Hyypia
5. Milan Baros
6. John Arne Riise
7. Harry Kewell
8. Steven Gerrard
9. Djibril Cisse
10. Luis Garcia
11. Vladimir Smicer
14. Xabi Alonso
15. Salif Diao
16. Dietmar Hamann
17. Josemi Josemi
18. Antonio Nunez
19. El-Hadji Diouf
21. Djimi Traore
22. Chris Kirkland
23. Jamie Carragher
24. Florent Sinama Pongolle
25. Igor Biscan
26. Richie Partridge
28. Stephen Warnock
29. Patrice Luzi
31. David Raven
32. John Welsh
33. Neil Mellor
34. Darren Potter
36. Jon Otsemobor
37. Zak Whitbread
40. Paul Harrison
41. Mark Smyth
42. Robbie Foy
- Gregory Vignal
- Alou Diarra
- Anthony Le Tallec
- Carl Medjani
- Bruno Cheyrou

Of that squad, which I cut and Pasted from the official Liverpool site, only Hyppia, Baros, Gerrard and Xabi Alonso are true quality players. Out of numbers 1-25 in that squad, there are only 4 players from the UK and Ireland.There is an alarming lack of strength in depth in this squad and until they establish quality and start breeding more Owens, Gerrards etc locally then I feel they'll never challenge for major honours in the next decade. The gulf between them and Chelsea, Arsenal and United is too great. United are going through bad times but still recruit well and have a much better academy structure to pick from, and are still well ahead of Liverpool at this time.

Having said that, I do feel that Benitez is a good manager (probably Liverpools best since Joe Fagan) who might have the wisdom required to improve things.

[Karlos]

Just in relation to the youth set-up at the top clubs. I don't think Liverpool are producing any less good young players than Man Utd at the moment. Man Utd fans may be in a better position to judge this but from my re-collection, in the last 4 years or so after the huge impact of Beckham, Nevilles, Shcoles et all, the only players Utd have produced of note have been O'Shea and Fletcher - neither of which command a regular starting place. Utd's two most exciting young players, Rooney & Ronaldo were bought for a combined fee of over €30 million,

Likewise at Arsenal, Ashley Cole has been the only home grown produced youth player to go all the way to the top - we have had some very good young players who we have nurtured and bought on the cheap such as Toure, Fabregas, Clichy, Anelka etc but for every one of them that has been 20 Rohan Ricketts & Jermaine Pennents (jury still out there!) unable to cut the mustard at the VERY highest level.

The fact that Liverpool have produced two excellent players (Owen & Gerrard) in the same time frame is testiment to their youth development.

The problem Liverpool face with homegrown Youth Players is the same as Man Utd & Arsenal. Arsenal have chosen to buy foreign youth at knockdown prices, whereas Man Utd have chosen to invest heavily in youth.

I still find it diffiuclt to see 5 or 6 homegrown youth players at any of these clubs forcing their way into first teams. I do not belive that Man Utd's youth structure is significantly better at producing or spotting local players than Liverpool, if it was we would be seeing NEW young homegrown Man Utd players playing first team and international football on a regular basis and at the levels that Owen and Gerrard produce and command silmilar price tags as them.

No doubt Man Utd have a great youth structure but they face the exact same problems as evryone else in England when it comes to finding those little gems and unfotuntly for the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle etc, they don't have €30 million plus to spend on youth but may with Benitex now have the technical knowledge to invest in foreign talent.

The whole area of local youth development needs serious work at all 92 football league clubs in england.

[Karlos]

precisely because they cannot attract 'born winners'. That's not to say they haven't signed good players, like Alonso, or Hyppia a few years back, but hardly the creme de la creme of Europe.
.

I think that's a little harsh, other big clubs have failed to get the true creme de la creme, Utd,Chelsea & Real MAdrid all failed to attract Patrick Vieria, Chelsea failed to attract Henry, Utd failed to attract Ronaldinho, Barcelona couldn't attract Beckham. Utd and Chelsea failed to attract Veron, oh no wait a minute!! :D

The creme de la creme cost money (in fees and wages) and after that they then have to want to play for you. I think someone made a fair point about not ALL footballers being in it solely for the money, if they were they would all be at Chelsea. I think Liverpool like Arsenal, Newcastle and the rest of the league aren't in the Market to spend €28 million on the so-called creme de la creme. Man Utd and Chelsea are the only two who can realistically attract these players fiancially and even that has proved to not be enough in the cases of Vieira, Henry, Ronaldinho, et all.

[Dillo]

This poll is going to close on Wednesday for some reason so I'd encourage other foot.ie members who for whatever reason haven't voted to get crackin! Especially Evertonians! Having said that, 49 isn't a bad return at all. :cool: The results are quite satisfying too! :p

Another hard earned and well-deserved point from the blues at the weekend! We defended heroically against a tough Rovers side. On a separate note, it was nice too see Moyes make the trip to Fratton Park yesterday to study his fellow title challengers Arsenal! :p

[Plastic Paddy]

You need to beat the Blackburns of the Premiership if you're serious about winning a place in the Champions League qualifiers at the end of the season. Stout defending's only half the equation, I'm afraid. :(

On the other hand, your neighbours appear to be making an ominous return to form. Maybe you won't be so upbeat come May. :p

:ball: PP

[Plastic Paddy]

No, they were trounced 6-1 by Hull, having used three goalkeepers in the process. Both the first choice and sub 'keeper had to go off injured, leaving midfielder Theo Whitmore to go in goal for the last 35 minutes or so. :eek:

Anyway, I have two words for you, Conor. Jody Morris. :p :D

:D PP

[Dillo]

Blackburn are fighting for their lives and are very hard beaten. They were deprived victory over ManUre earlier in the season by an injury time Alan Smith equaliser. Newcastle are in dire straights at the minute... so much so that even Liverpool can beat them! :p
Everton according to many sources appeared tired on Saturday and let's be honest, this rich vein of form can only continue for so long. It's crucial that Moyes makes the correct sigings in January. I'm sure he will. :cool:

[4tothefloor]

Everton according to many sources appeared tired on Saturday and let's be honest, this rich vein of form can only continue for so long. :cool:

Making excuses already.....get used to it. The 3 points ye won against us has been eaten away already, now watch us eat the other 9 ;)

[mypost]

It was looking dodgy for a while on Sunday, until Santa headed the ball into his own net. Our favourite opposing defender helped us out again! :D

For those who need reminding, Titus "Shambles" Bramble has helped us out on more than one occasion. 2 and a half seasons ago when playing for Ipswich at Anfield, he let the ball bounce twice to let Michael Owen score our third goal on our way to a 5-0 win, and Ipswich's relegation. Still, Bobby Robson rescued him from the first division, but he didn't change his ways. Last season, he scored another own goal for Newcastle at Southampton, which put us into this season's CL. So it was appropriate that when we needed help on Sunday, he gave it to us!! :D

We seemed to play well on Sunday by all accounts, Mellor and Baros took their goals well, and another 3 home points were secured. Off to West Brom on Sunday, we should get something there for a change. ;)

[mypost]

only Hyppia, Baros, Gerrard and Xabi Alonso are true quality players. There is an alarming lack of strength in depth in this squad and until they establish quality and start breeding more Owens, Gerrards etc locally then I feel they'll never challenge for major honours in the next decade. The gulf between them and Chelsea, Arsenal and United is too great. United are going through bad times.

There is a lack of strength in the squad, as emphasised by our striker crisis recently. Still, they were good enough to beat 2 full-strength Premiership teams in the League Cup! ;)

United are finished. They have as much chance as Everton have of winning the league! The league title this season is between the two Londoners, and with Chelsea already 6 points clear at Christmas, it may well be a 1-horse race very soon. Unfortunately, with all of Chelsea's money, they could well buy the title for the next decade. It's starting to look ominous for the rest of us. :(

[joeSoap]

United are finished. They have as much chance as Everton have of winning the league!
I totally agree with you....neither have the chance of winning the league.

However, United will always have shed loads of cash, huge support, solid management and a good squad. Thats far from being finished. It guarantees them Champions League football every season, which guarantees them financial success, which enables them to buy players etc etc. Far from 'finished' I'd say. :rolleyes:

As for Everton, they have made more progress under David Moyes in a very short space of time than Liverpool have made since 1990. Says it all really. :p :confused:

[joeSoap]

MORGAN WITHDRAWS REDS OFFER
Tuesday 21 Dec 2004

Businessman Steve Morgan his withdrawn his offer to invest £70million in Liverpool due to ongoing delays in the bidding process.

Morgan had been hoping to take his place on the Anfield board, but has grown disillusioned with the reluctance of the Reds to make a decision over his offer.

His lawyer Vincent Fairclough said: "Steve has finally lost patience with the Liverpool board using his offer as a stop-gap while they scour the world looking for a better one.

"He is no longer prepared to be used as a stalking horse.

"Although Mr Morgan's earlier offers were to invest all £70million directly into the club this was not acceptable to the chairman.

"Both his latest offers were changed at the request of the club's directors to be split so that £35million went directly into the club and £35million was used to purchase existing shares, with Mr David Moores receiving the lion's share.

"At the AGM, chairman David Moores said it was 'maybe time' to accept the offer. However, he and the Liverpool board have since failed to respond, either positively or negatively."

[Dillo]

Making excuses already.....get used to it. The 3 points ye won against us has been eaten away already, now watch us eat the other 9 ;)


That's not the way I'm looking at it. That was a valuable point earned in Ewood. Those three points won against use can never be eaten up they're that precious! ;) You're the lad making excuses, not me. Walk on with hope in your heart....... :rolleyes:

[4tothefloor]

As for Everton, they have made more progress under David Moyes in a very short space of time than Liverpool have made since 1990. Says it all really. :p :confused:

How exactly? Since when were the prizes handed out half-way through the season? I remember this happened a few seasons ago as well, Everton above Liverpool for most of the season and in the CL\european places. What happened? Everton didn't even qualify for europe. In fact, they've never qualified for europe through league position in the premiership. Correct me if i'm wrong. Everybody here is getting over-excited about Everton's position. They won't even finish above Boro come the end of the season, mark my words. Doing well now, great, but so what? It's where you are in May that counts. For the first time this season, Liverpool will be able to field a full-strength, fully-fit side in the coming weeks (touch wood) and I have every confidence that they will finish in the CL places as a result. Hopefully Morientes will add to that. Come May, this is how I see it.

1.....Chelsea
2.....Arsenal
3.....Man U (not ahead of Pool by much though)
4.....Liverpool
5.....Boro (just missing out)
6.....Everton (still a great season, but no cigar)

[DolansWaistcoat]

How exactly? Since when were the prizes handed out half-way through the season? I remember this happened a few seasons ago as well, Everton above Liverpool for most of the season and in the CL\european places. What happened? Everton didn't even qualify for europe. In fact, they've never qualified for europe through league position in the premiership. Correct me if i'm wrong. Everybody here is getting over-excited about Everton's position. They won't even finish above Boro come the end of the season, mark my words. Doing well now, great, but so what? It's where you are in May that counts. For the first time this season, Liverpool will be able to field a full-strength, fully-fit side in the coming weeks (touch wood) and I have every confidence that they will finish in the CL places as a result. Hopefully Morientes will add to that. Come May, this is how I see it.

1.....Chelsea
2.....Arsenal
3.....Man U (not ahead of Pool by much though)
4.....Liverpool
5.....Boro (just missing out)
6.....Everton (still a great season, but no cigar)

Good sensible post 4,ppl are getting very very carried away with this everton are now better than liverpool bullsh!t.I think you're league prediction is fairly accurate except for the team in sixth place will be a lot further down the table,Villa will get sixth. :)

[4tothefloor]

I think you're league prediction is fairly accurate except for the team in sixth place will be a lot further down the table,Villa will get sixth. :)

I don't know, I think if Everton sign a striker worth talking about, they can finish in the top six. They're very organised, but they need someone to get them more goals. Villa aren't here nor there, not as organised as Everton, but play better football IMO. I think if Everton are serious about progressing, they're going to have to out-bid Villa for Robbie Keane or James Beattie. Villa already have Angel, but he's lost up front. If they can find him a partner they'd have a decent enough side.

[joeSoap]

Progress to me (and the dictionary) is advancement towards a goal, or improvement. Everton now have 37 points. On December 18th 2004, they have more points accrued in the first half of a season than they accrued in the entirity of last season. That to me is progress. I don't expect you to understand because bitter derby rivalry clouds your judgement on these things, and understandably so. But don't tell me that Everton aren't making progress...please!!

Even should Liverpool finish ahead of them, and 4th is the best either club can hope for, Evertons season will have been one of promise, and will give them huge confidence as a club; something that Liverpool haven't had for years, nor look like having for a while yet. :ball:

[4tothefloor]

Originally Posted by joeSoap
As for Everton, they have made more progress under David Moyes in a very short space of time than Liverpool have made since 1990. Says it all really.

What I replied to was the above, I did not say anywhere that Everton haven't made any progress at all. What they have not made, is more progress than Liverpool, at any stage of their premiership life. Read the bloody posts properly, FFS.

Conor74, I have no idea what you're on about, you probably don't know yourself either. Again, read the posts properly.....

[4tothefloor]

The frustration has nothing to do with Liverpool, rather people not reading posts properly and posting ridiculous statements. I'd be as passionate about Liverpool as I would be about Limerick FC, ROI or even Limerick hurling. Foreign country or not, I've supported Liverpool since I was five so it's all the one to me.

I live with a lad from Kerry. I'm often tempted to ask him if he's secretly Conor74 on foot.ie.... :p

[4tothefloor]

You should try and use more wit rather than sarcasm, sarcasm is just ignorance, especially when constantly used. It gets tiresome....change the record (that's a figure of speech by the way, just in case you're tempted to come up with another stupid sarcastic reply).

BTW, my reply to you was one post in a whole thread, hardly using the thread to "rail against 'stereotypical South Kerry $hit'". The irony is that you're the one making an issue of it, i.e. bringing it up again, putting it in your sig etc............idiot.

[mypost]

It's a foreign club in a foreign country and not worth getting very wound up over at all. Look at me, Leeds going down the pan and I still leap out of bed with a smile on my face each morning...

You'd have to have a smile on your face, Leeds are in serious dirt at the moment.

True, Liverpool is a foreign club in a foreign country. So is Celtic. Liverpool is a lot closer to Ireland than Glasgow is. The cities of Dublin and Liverpool are twinned with each other. Scousers, and Irish people get on well together. Liverpool is the closest Premiership club to Ireland, only 20 minutes flight time from Dublin. (As emphasised, when I went to the game v Palace in November. God, that was a close-run thing!!!). :)

Thousands of people are passionate about LFC in Ireland, so sorry if we go overboard with what we say about the club sometimes. It's what fans of clubs do.

[joeSoap]

Saw Gerrard on Sky News this morning accepting his 'player of the year award' from the supporters club. Said he is going nowhere, has 2 years left on his deal and wants to go nowhere. He then blames the media for speculation.

This arsehole is unbelieveable.He's gotta either have the mentality of a goldfish, or a neck like a jockeys bawlix. :(

Tool!!
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________


Gerrard happy to stay at Liverpool for next few years



08:37 Thursday December 23rd 2004



Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has insisted that is would be happy to stay at Anfield until his contract expires in two-and-a-half years' time.
The Reds captain has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Real Madrid, but he has insisted that he is committed to Liverpool.

"I'm signed here for this season and another two, so ther is no situation," he told the British media today. "There's a lot of speculation in the papers, but that's not down to me.

"As club captain, all I want to do is help us get back up the table and into the Champions League again."

[4tothefloor]

Maybe he knows who is lined up to sign for the club, and is happy with the quality coming in, i.e. players of Morientes' calibre. All he said in the media was that he felt there wasn't enough quality in the squad (true), and unless that changed, he might have to start looking elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that, but the media took it as "I'm off to Chelsea". When I say the 'media', it's worth noting that the two journalists who keep repeating these stories are in fact died-in-the-wool Chelsea supporters, namely Harry Harris, and Martin Samual (I think he's the other one, correct me if i'm wrong). There's also 2 or 3 other prominant tabloid hacks who are also Chelsea supporters. Coincidental or what? :rolleyes:

[DolansWaistcoat]

I'm sick of the whole Gerrard thing at this stage.If everyone at Liverpool especially Gerrard and Benitez keeps quiet about it the hacks will lay off it a bit.It'll help when Liverpool beat Chelsea at Anfield next week. :eek: :D :cool:

[gustavo]

gerrards just like any other footballer he would be out of liverpool like a shot if a decent offer from real madrid came in .

[Karlos]

When I say the 'media', it's worth noting that the two journalists who keep repeating these stories are in fact died-in-the-wool Chelsea supporters, namely Harry Harris, and Martin Samual (I think he's the other one, correct me if i'm wrong). There's also 2 or 3 other prominant tabloid hacks who are also Chelsea supporters. Coincidental or what? :rolleyes:

Harry Harris is the biggest sh*t stirrer going and a hardcore Chelsea fan - he's been writing rubbish about his North London rivals Arsenal & Tottenham for years now! I might be wrong but I think Samuel is a West Ham Fan. He's always going on about them in interviews and getting slagged by the other journalists on that Jimmy hill show etc.

[DolansWaistcoat]

gerrards just like any other footballer he would be out of liverpool like a shot if a decent offer from real madrid came in .

I don't know about that Real aren't exactly looking like a top class side at the moment,just an array of very good individuals,not a great team at all.Figo and Zidane won't go on for much longer and Beckham is getting lazier and sh!tier every time I see him play so Gerrard knows there is a starting place for him in the Madrid Midfield,unlike his buddy Michael Owen who is always going to be third choice striker when R+R are fit even if he does score nearly a goal a game.
Plus I don't think Madrid would pay Gerrard anywhere near the wages that he gets at liverpool or the mountains of cash Chelski would give him.

Chelsea or(dare I say it without being struck down dead by a bolt of electricity from my keyboard)Man
utd would be Gerrards destination IF he leaves 'Pool,theonly clubs in England who can afford him.

[gustavo]

well fair enuf thats true bout him getting on that team although maybe when woodgate gets back fit (however long that will last) i think helguera will be moved to the dm role unless they get any1 better . then beckham is fooked.


in fairness to gerrard i dont think he would insult the fans of liverpool by joining manchester united or chelsea.

[DolansWaistcoat]

in fairness to gerrard i dont think he would insult the fans of liverpool by joining manchester united or chelsea.

I hope thats true especially about Man u.Lets hope he shows more respect to his adoring fans than Alan Smith showed by jumping into a man u shirt faster than the cheekie girls can get into their favourite hot pants.:D

Good performance again by Stevie tonight and a cracking goal although it was against a ten man West brom.