Topic: FC Barcelona

[Red Beret]

o be fair that last bit can be said about a lot of the legends (Gerrard, totti, Del piero being three obvious ones)

Gerrard? Not a bit of it.  Carrying your club is not staying in your comfort zone. Staying at a club where trophies are guaranteed and your club can spunk €140m on Coutinho is staying in your comfort zone.  They're on the verge of a domestic double and maybe a fifth straight Copa Del Rey.  Being the best player in the world doesn't automatically make the rest of your team shit.

Even Ronaldo seems keen to try his hand at new challenges. Gerrard had all the challenge he needed just trying to hold his club together.

If Messi's happy where he is the thats fine, but don't say he's carried a club that's had us of Mascherano, Suarez and Coutinho over the past decade.

If he's going to basically say Barca lost because they played badly rather than Liverpool playing well, then I hope the little ego monger cries himself to sleep for the rest of the summer.

He might have to share a league with Real Madrid but if he wants to know what it's really like to have to scrap for his silverware he should try his hand at the Prem.

[Red Beret]

Considering Messi seems to have to carry that team on his shoulders, and has been doing for a while, I'd think accusing him of staying in his comfort zone is a bit rough!

After all, I'm sure he could have buggered off to Abu Dhabi FC if he wanted, or wherever he liked, but he stuck with Barcelona, not much wrong with that.

He's Lionel Messi, not Matt Le Tissier! He's hardly a big fish in a small pond, and Barcelona aren't plucky underdogs.

When I say "comfort zone" I'm talking about a player who is good, knows he's good, and knows his team is good; and whilst it's natural to be competitive and hate losing, his attitude stinks of a bruised ego.  Losing is out of his comfort zone.

He's upset because we didn't let them play the way they wanted to and actually put up a fight? Diddums.  Maybe losing teaches him a bit of humility, but I doubt it. He's one of the best players around, but nobody has a divine right to win.

[Yorkykopite]

He's one of the best players around.

Chancing your arm a bit there?

[Dim Glas]

Whatever rocks your boat Red Berry, I just don't see the argument! What's he going to do? The only clubs he would have moved to are the other big or rich clubs who are also likely going to win loads anyway. 

And he is carrying the club now, not throughout his time there - not sure anyeone said he always carried them. This isn't the same club as it was. They rely so heavily on him now.

Your other comments about him being a dick and having a bruised ego etc etc, is another argument.

[rocco]

He's Lionel Messi, not Matt Le Tissier! He's hardly a big fish in a small pond, and Barcelona aren't plucky underdogs.

When I say "comfort zone" I'm talking about a player who is good, knows he's good, and knows his team is good; and whilst it's natural to be competitive and hate losing, his attitude stinks of a bruised ego.  Losing is out of his comfort zone.

He's upset because we didn't let them play the way they wanted to and actually put up a fight? Diddums.  Maybe losing teaches him a bit of humility, but I doubt it. He's one of the best players around, but nobody has a divine right to win.

He  is well use to losing had a life time at International level

[Barneylfc∗]

Gerrard? Not a bit of it.  Carrying your club is not staying in your comfort zone. Staying at a club where trophies are guaranteed and your club can spunk €140m on Coutinho is staying in your comfort zone.  They're on the verge of a domestic double and maybe a fifth straight Copa Del Rey.  Being the best player in the world doesn't automatically make the rest of your team shit.

Even Ronaldo seems keen to try his hand at new challenges. Gerrard had all the challenge he needed just trying to hold his club together.

If Messi's happy where he is the thats fine, but don't say he's carried a club that's had us of Mascherano, Suarez and Coutinho over the past decade.

If he's going to basically say Barca lost because they played badly rather than Liverpool playing well, then I hope the little ego monger cries himself to sleep for the rest of the summer.

He might have to share a league with Real Madrid but if he wants to know what it's really like to have to scrap for his silverware he should try his hand at the Prem.

I almost believed you weren't trolling until this bit

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

Totti,Del Piero, Maldini as well

Roy Race

[Red Beret]

Whatever rocks your boat Red Berry, I just don't see the argument! What's he going to do? The only clubs he would have moved to are the other big or rich clubs who are also likely going to win loads anyway. 

And he is carrying the club now, not throughout his time there - not sure anyeone said he always carried them. This isn't the same club as it was. They rely so heavily on him now.

Your other comments about him being a dick and having a bruised ego etc etc, is another argument.

Fair enough.

[Peabee]

Considering Messi seems to have to carry that team on his shoulders, and has been doing for a while, I'd think accusing him of staying in his comfort zone is a bit rough!

After all, I'm sure he could have buggered off to Abu Dhabi FC if he wanted, or wherever he liked, but he stuck with Barcelona, not much wrong with that.

Exactly. The team, manager and his own role has changed over the years, much like our Gerrard, and he adapted every time and carried the team to many la Ligas. He could have moved to any other club if he wanted, e.g. City or PSG, who with their oil funded resources would have made a team around him that won the CL most seasons.

[Peabee]

Roy Race

Legend. Always wondered why we didn’t put a bid in to Melchester.

[Alf]

Suarez gone off injured, that doesn't happen often.

[gerrardisgod]

He’s been injured since the second leg.

Their short term transfer policy’s really biting them on their arse right now, they need a massive rebuild.

[DelTrotter]

They are shite. Frenkie isn't going to get them near a CL, need a lot of work and some players that can actually move.

[DHKopper]

They are shite. Frenkie isn't going to get them near a CL, need a lot of work and some players that can actually move.

Give over.

[Nick110581]

They are shite. Frenkie isn't going to get them near a CL, need a lot of work and some players that can actually move.

New manager might help.

Reckon Phil leaves.

[Rainbow Laces]

Enter shit coat?

[Barneylfc∗]

[disgraced cake]

Enter shit coat?

Don't think they'd want him. I think they'll bring someone in from within the club or a legend.

Koeman maybe? That'd be a laugh. Perhaps even Xavi?

[Lush is the best medicine...]

We really did break them didn’t we?

Don't think they'd want him. I think they'll bring someone in from within the club or a legend.

Koeman maybe? That'd be a laugh. Perhaps even Xavi?

allegri?

[afc tukrish]

We really did break them didn’t we?
allegri?

FC Brokealona

[penwhen]

Enter shit coat?

There is a lot of bad blood there (remember the eye poking). They have to have better options.

[disgraced cake]

Enter shit coat?

Worst Metallica cover ever

[elsewhere]

Worst Metallica cover ever

[elsewhere]

They are shite. Frenkie isn't going to get them near a CL, need a lot of work and some players that can actually move.

It's early to mention Lampard for their manager job imo.

[Red Beret]

There is a lot of bad blood there (remember the eye poking). They have to have better options.

If they think Valverde's brand of football is "anti-Barca" then they wouldn't touch Maureen with a 20 foot pole. 

[Zoomers]

Coutinho really has gone to shit hasn't he? I watched some parts of the 2nd half yesterday and he was invisible, and even when he got the ball, he was dogshit.

[TepidT2O]

Roma were the ones that broke them really if I’m honest. 

But we drove the final nail in.

[rocco]

Roma were the ones that broke them really if I’m honest. 

But we drove the final nail in.

Personally think we did a lot more damage than Roma , remember reading comments from Messi after the first leg , about how he didn’t want to play against us again after the Work rate we put in , seemed he already had enough of us  , even before the second leg .

[elsewhere]

Coutinho really has gone to shit hasn't he? I watched some parts of the 2nd half yesterday and he was invisible, and even when he got the ball, he was dogshit.

Yeah that experiment is over. I will be shocked if he's still there after the summer. Then again who will pay that much for him, i don't see many teams. PSG maybe?

[sms1986]

[harleydanger]

Fuck that’s the best

[Rainbow Laces]

Coutinho really has gone to shit hasn't he? I watched some parts of the 2nd half yesterday and he was invisible, and even when he got the ball, he was dogshit.

There's a lesson for all players: the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
He was plucked from obscurity and developed into a top player at a club that was improving, one that gave him a platform, surrounded by adoring fans. Yet he thought things could be better for him. We continued to get better as a club/team and his bubble burst. Be thankful and appreciative of what you've got, kids.

[harleydanger]

It wasn’t really obscurity. He was one of the highest rated youngsters on the planet, failed in his first big move, we got him cheap and resurrected his career.

[RedSamba]

If Barca are ready to sell him for a reasonable price I won't be surprised to see him back at Inter

[The Test]

If Barca are ready to sell him for a reasonable price I won't be surprised to see him back at Inter

Inter fans were gutted to see him sold for 8m and then smash it for us. Reckon it'd sting to see him brought back in for what would probably end up being ten times that amount...

[The Test]

You just get the sense that Klopp and the decision makers were fine with him going at the right price, and over the moon at the final agreed price. The reasons why he wasn't an exact fit for Klopps team have been discussed at length. This is why I don't think we'd be interested even if the transfer back was a goer. Mane has slipped into that role effortlessly but offers much more defensively and there are other players who can offer the same.

I'd have him back though. I just loved watching him run with the ball...

[Red Beret]

Inter fans were gutted to see him sold for 8m and then smash it for us. Reckon it'd sting to see him brought back in for what would probably end up being ten times that amount...

He'd be their Pogba. Although Tbf he'd probably do much better at Inter than Pogba has at United.

I'd take him back, but not for more than £60m - and £10m of that as add-ons, payable only if we win something, rather than just on appearances.

[Malaysian Kopite]

Inter fans were gutted to see him sold for 8m and then smash it for us. Reckon it'd sting to see him brought back in for what would probably end up being ten times that amount...

Anyone remember that Inter fan on here who was arguing that Inter were more than happy to let him go? Got banned later when it came up he was a Nazi IIRC

[burriana]

There will always be a before and after moment in the chronicles of Barcelona Club de Fútbol - Liverpool FC.

[The Test]

He'd be their Pogba. Although Tbf he'd probably do much better at Inter than Pogba has at United.

I'd take him back, but not for more than £60m - and £10m of that as add-ons, payable only if we win something, rather than just on appearances.

Who knows? I really think he found his sweet spot here. With a supportive fan base and a collective of manager and players without a hint of ego or dressing room conflict. He had his nice little Brazilian / spanish circle to hang out and play crazy golf with and other such activities that people do when they can't get trolleyed on booze and gear every weekend. Plus the tiny transfer fee meant he could come in without pressure and play with a smile. Anywhere he goes now he'll be under immense pressure and scrutiny on account of the large transfer fee and the Barca failure.
Don't think he was particularly productive at Inter, it was the Espanyol loan where he shone, probably because he again felt less pressure with a loan.