The one against Stoke (I think) when it nearly goes out and he plays keepy uppy to change it and his direction bringing it back onto the pitch so he can put it in from a still tight angle. Who can do shit like that during an actual live, competitive game? Ronaldinho style shit that.
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My favorite Studge goal was clearly the one against Chelsea
Loved his outside foot which gave us the lead in the final against Seville
The lobs against West Brom and Everton
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Although obviously the Everton one was best as⌠well⌠Everton! But the West Brom one is exceptional as the keeper isnât even out of his goal really or anything, itâs just perfectly weighted to come down in a steep descent to JUST come under the bar giving the keeper no chance of reaching it.
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Sterling was one of our rare positives in the 14/15 season, along with Henderson and Coutinho. All the rest werenât on the needed level. That interview was stupid, but no wonder he wanted out with the likes of Markovic and Ibe apparently needing to threaten his position, Suarez and then Gerrard leaving, Sturridge injured, etc. We also had enough time to react when it was time.
Lambert was a sad little story in my opinion, I didnât like that signing from the very start, regardless of the small fee, coming in as backup and him being a fan (in this particular case, I actually thought of it as a problem, or better to say, extra pressure). So I was not surprised to see that one also fail. In also a very poor season for the club.
Sturridge is for me first and foremost brilliant ball manipulation, technically arguably the best forward weâve had in modern times. Could create both for himself and for others.
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I didnât mind the Lambert deal per se. The issue for me was that it did nothing to address our lack of pace. Had we brought other players in alongside him that offered that it could have worked.
For me it was also part of the reason. We brought in a lot of players who were a contradiction to what Rodgers tried to sell as his footballing idea.
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Yeah, I mean, the ÂŁ200k that City were offering him had nothing to do with it at all, absolutely nothing. It was all about sporting merit.
It was both, of course.
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That came later though didnât it? Sterling was trying to get himself a move to Arsenal. Perhaps Arsenal saw this as a bit of payback for the Suarez ÂŁ1 saga. City took advantage of the mess to get him.
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Sturridge was pure joy to watch that season. Effortless footballer. And the way he and Suarez worked together. Love the Studge. Minor tragedy his body didnât hold together.
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Sterling was a young kid. Have to believe his agent fucked him over and convinced him to go on TV to force a move. I hope it wasnât his idea. If heâd stayed and worked with Jurgen Klopp, heâd be on his way to being a club legend instead of a decorated mercenary now having to plot his next move.
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I still think Ibe was a talented enough player to make it here. He has the natural skill, the build and the pace. He was dominant at youth level - in a similar way to Sterling - and I really donât think the comparison between the two was unfair.
He recently admitted on instagram that he has been battling depression for about four years and that doesnât really surprise me with how his career has panned out.
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He gave an interview once for the LFC site where he talked about wanting the coaches to teach him how to act in 1v1 situations. I think he was a good kid, perhaps even too good, but lacked the x factor. The part which the player has and coaches canât influence much. He had nice close control and was physically good (he was well filled, overall I canât tell if it was good or a bit too much muscle), but I remember him being so shy in things where as an attacking player he shouldâve provided the team with. And he had opportunities. He was basically our only wide player with pace and some ability in Kloppâs first season. That was a really nice chance for him.
Coaches can help you in a lot of ways for you to unlock certain things, but some things you either have or you donât. Or, better to say, you have it, but not for the top level. Different kinds of levels, too.
One thing with Raheem which always struck me in videos from trainings, was how he always either demanded the ball or made offers into space. You hear him during the whole session, âyesâ (opening up for a pass), etc. Played with absolute courage and responsibility. Popping up in different areas. Ibe on the pitch was more like âokay, Iâm out wide, let me get this ball under control and now⌠coaches, tell me everything I need to do nextâ. Thatâs a good approach to a certain extent, heâs ready to listen and learn, but there just wasnât enough quality or end product. His actions were almost always the same.
I remember a game we played away at Newcastle in Kloppâs first season and he was up against Dummett. He forced the 1v1 all day and couldnât get past him. But there wasnât enough variety in his solutions. Though I felt that was also our fault that we put too much hope in that 1v1 battle. A bit like City with Sane against Trent in the CL game at home. Though totally different level, I understand more the hope in Sane than Ibe.
And at the top level, they see things much sooner than we do as fans. I understood the little hype around Ibe, we could all agree that he was talented, but I must admit that I was glad when we got that fee from Bournemouth.
Nobody knows when exactly the depression part kicked in, I just think he wasnât really for our level and there wasnât enough progression. Sure, sometimes you get it wrong and some players merit more patience. But I remember at the time I thought we made the right decision to sell him early and was already thinking/being sceptical is he even ready to make a big impact at Bournemouth.
Iâm sad to hear what happened to him, but purely from a footballing view, Iâm not really surprised he was not for the top level. Weâll have a lot of Jordon Ibes.
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Easy to forget the pressure these young players are under, the dream so close to their grasp, but very few truly get to hold on to it for very long. Then that life ahead with all the what-might-have-beens.
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Surprised no one has mentioned the next ZidaneâŚ
Bruno Olivier CheyrouâŚ. Saying that didnât he score two scorchers in a row and then disappear
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Brought a tear to my eye that didâŚ
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I think we saw it, I just donât know what caused it and itâs none of my business.
He looked good for us then suddenly seemed to lose his confidence. Then we sold him.
Similar to Torres.
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Utd should get him to be manager if they canât get the âoldâ Zidane
Arguably the worst summer transfer window weâve ever had. Certainly one of.
Considering where we finished the season in 2002 and how we got all 3 big signings wrong.
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