03 May 2018 21:43:54
OK after a (discussion/ argument) with she that knows everything.

If we had to loose one of Bobby / Salah, money not being a consideration who would you reluctantly let go?

I'd let Salah go.

Ed's 001 opinion highly sought on this one.

Agree Bobby goes, disagree Salah goes.

Would really like some thought out replies.

{Ed001's Note - the whole system of play is built round Bobby, but it would not work as well without Salah. I don't think I can choose.}

1.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 06:20:15
Bobby, Salah and Mane are having their best ever season and it boils down to them playing together. They bring the best out of each other. When 1 doesn't play or even gets subbed they do not look the same. I could not imagine losing one to a transfer. Not to be a party pooper though and to answer the question it would be Firmino. Yes he would be a huge loss but it's probably easier to replace a 20 goal striker than a 40 goal winger. And that's not meaning to undermine Firmino's contribution because I agree the system doesn't work without him or Salah or Mane.

2.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 06:32:12
Stop arguing with Ed002 😡.

3.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 06:45:13
Salah if really pushed. Firmino is crucial to the press, dropping back into mid to win the ball, making runs, scoring goals etc. Yes Salah has been sensational, but Bobby has improved year on year with us. That said, I can't see how Salah COULD get any better. Another question would be: Who can you see staying with us for a long period of time?

4.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 08:06:50
I don't dispute the 3 play well together. But where or who can we find to deputise one of them when they are injured or rested? No one.

Because players of their capability do not want to sit on bench waiting for their chance. This is dilemma not even the ITk or eds can solve.

I can only faintly give a suggestion- Vardy. As age is catching up and he knows the intensity he play cannot last whole season. Yet he wants to win trophies. He may be tempted by Klopp project.

5.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 08:07:16
Salah. No hesitation for me.

They are equally important to the system, and Salah has been the better player this season easily, but Bobby is proven across multiple seasons in the Prem.

Plus, Salah's game is built on pace which will mean he'll be (at best) injury prone by 30 years old. Bobby is the type of player who could play until he is 35-40. Like Totti or Beckham, because he has so much intelligence to his game and doesn't rely on explosiveness.

The main factor for deciding though, is that Firmino wants to be here. Salah already has one eye on Madrid and maybe that can change, but right now Bobby is more committed to the cause and attitude is a huge factor for me. Not saying Salah has a bad attitude as he is very professional, but asking your agent to tap up Real Madrid 3 months after a club put €50m of faith in you, is very low in my opinion.

Obviously I hope we keep both though. 2 of the best players in world football and they make each other better.

Please don't forget Mané though. He is a true big game player. Salah and Firmino tend to thrive at Anfield, but Mané is the guy I always back in big games away from home. He is the man I'm backing in Kiev as well.

6.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 08:18:15
I feel like I'm being asked to choose between my kids. It's impossible. What a question, they're both so important.

Salah goes. He's flirted with Madrid. Bobby loves Liverpool.

7.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 08:35:17
Can't stand questions like this, Salah is the 3rd best player in the world and Firmino has never been close to this seasons numbers ever! If you are easily willing to let the best player Liverpool has ever had in modern history then excuse my french, you are a hilarious clown!

8.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 08:41:38
And Salah flirting with Madrid means literally f*** all! Firmino flirted with PSG all of last season! Mane was completely distraught due to him not being the main man and loosing out on Real Madrid's interest to Salah! These are facts! Players look to make more money and Liverpool are one of the worst clubs in paying players what they actually deserve, we are starting to slowly change that now. If we win things and pay them the going rate no chance you'll see Salah leaving any time soon. Pay him nothing close to what he deserves and one more season is the best we will get out of him, the exact same applies to Mane. Firmino loves Liverpool is one the funniest comments i have ever read! If Liverpool virtually didn't triple his basic wage am not so sure that Love would have stayed that strong!

9.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 08:57:49
Salah's game is not about Pace either MK scouser, wow i really thought you knew your football. Saying Salah's game is all about pace made me realize that you know nothing. I am sorry but that is the most clueless comment i have ever read about Salah and will basically jump over your posts from now on just like i do Harry's. Didn't know that putting the ball 10 times in the top corner or being the world's best player without the ball, in movement off the ball, anticipation, composure, timing, having that great ball control and touch is all about pace. All you speak of is nonsense because basically the 2 players you use to put Salah down have both flirted with clubs on a regular basis since moving to Anfield. Mane flirted with Inter Milan last season . Remind me how long he has been here? wow. before you speak and speak ill of the best player we maybe ever had in modern history use real facts and not fantasy about how mane and bobby are more committed when Mane was almost crying on the pitch because Madrid dropped all interest in him because of Salah and Firmino is committed because he tripled his wages. I bet Salah will stay for as long as we want if we triple his wages!

10.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:00:18
Impossible to pick imo, they both bring so much, it'd be a devastating blow to the team if either left.

11.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:02:37
Nostradamus, you should look up "hypothetical" in the dictionary mate 😉 None of us are saying we want Salah to leave, or even that it would be easy to see him go. It is a purely hypothetical question though intended for a bit of fun. Clearly, likeability is a factor to some extent. Firmino loves Liverpool more than Salah and that will always go in his favour in debates like this.

However what also goes in his favour, is that there is no player like him in Europe. Name me a striker who scores long range screamers, scores back post tap ins, lobs the keeper 5 times a season, scores headers, creates space and chances for others, can wow you with an amazing turn, makes more tackles than 90% of the defenders in Europe, scores 30 a season, assists 20 a season, tracks back, runs the channels, isn't greedy, never moans, doesn't rely on pace/ height/ strength, rarely gets in trouble on or off the pitch, and is prepared to commit their entire career to Liverpool despite knowing full well that PSG, Man City and Barcelona would all come calling if he kicked up a fuss?

Once you have named me a player who does all that, you may come back and call me a clown for suggesting I'd rather keep Firmino. Until then though, I will maintain my opinion that Firmino is irreplaceable.

Last season, Salah was a 20 goal a season wide player. At Saints, Mane was 10 goal a season player. Playing with Firmino has more than doubled their output because he is unselfish. An out and out striker only has one intention, and it is not to draw defenders to them to create space for others! They try to lose defenders so they can score themself! You won't catch Firmino taking the Premier League to court to steal a team mates goal.

Could we find another goal scoring right winger who could thrive in our system? Yes, easily. Would they score 40 goals? No, most probably not. But they'd probably get 20 a year like Mane is now.

You are looking at it from an isolated perspective that Salah is the best individual. I completely agree that based on the last 12 months, Salah is the better individual. He could win a Balon D'or for Fowlers sake! A player as gifted, hard working and committed as Firmino though? That is once in a lifetime. Liverpool have never had a player like it in my lifetime until Bobby. Maybe you could argue Gerrard, but he was well up for leaving on a couple of occasions.

It is opinions mate. Nobody deserves to he called a Hilarious clown because you aren't willing to accept your opinion isn't a fact, step back, and try and understand the logic of others. Stay humble mate.

12.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:10:24
Very well said MK.

13.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:12:47
Nostradmus - It's people like you who are killing this site. With your pedantic, patronizing ugly comments and replies in response to people. Whether it's to the Eds or other posters, I would have thought you have have learnt not to get personal, by now. People who imply others are full of sh*t usually have a greater quantity in themselves.

14.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:21:05
Sell them both and get the one and only Harry kane and deli Ali. The goals comparison wouldn't differ much.

15.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:29:17
well said Mk no need to insult someone for a honest opinion let's all debate with class c'mon guys.

16.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:31:38
What a miserable bugger you are Nostra, it seems you only come on here to moan at other people. Arrogance like your isn't a good trait. Lesson to Nostra, learn to respect other peoples views, it's really not difficult, you can comment without been condescending.

17.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:37:16
That's pretty harsh, Nostradamus. Salah is a pacy winger with amazing ability and a very keen eye for goal. Firmino is an all-round top drawer modern forward who is the most intelligent player in our team. Most of Salah's goals have come from being put through or chasing a ball - fast, before doing some sort of wizardry. His legs will fail faster than Firmino's brain and that is what any normal reader of MK's comment would have interpreted it as.

Yes, Salah has more to his game than your average winger but 99.9% of the time we see explosive players starting to lose the magic touch when their legs start to go. The reason why people like Totti, Scholes, Beckham, Pirlo, Iniesta etc carry on at the top for longer is because they don't rely on blistering pace in the first pace and like it or not, speed is a major facet to Salah's game.

18.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 09:39:22
In reply to the OP, I would keep Firmino and let Salah go. Firmino is probably the best all round center forward in Europe. Salah is probably the best goalscoring winger in Europe. So the differences are really marginal; but Firmino plays a larger role in the team's offensive strategy and philosophy. Firmino is crucial to both Mane and Salah, and is getting better and better every year. I hope Salah gets better too, but he's already reached such stratospheric heights that nobody knows if he'll stay at this level or go back down to his Roma level. Again, the differences are marginal, but Firmino is the more important player, for me.

19.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 10:09:52
That went left quicker than robbo down the wing pressing against man citeh at anfield.

20.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 10:12:51
Wow, someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning😜. Glad I gave you a laugh. Sounds like it was very much needed🤣.

Chill out, it’s all hypothetical, tongue in cheek. Just a debate that’s all. No need for ranting now is there😉.

21.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 10:37:22
I replied before I saw your horrible comment about Harry. Honestly Nostradamus, it says more about you that you chose to jump all over his posts just because of his username, than it says about Harry! I Don't always agree with Harry, but at least he is brave enough to keep giving honest and unique opinions despite constantly getting ridiculed.

I also never said Salah's game was ALL about pace. However you are in denial if you Don't think it is a huge part of his game. His feet are quick and he uses that to make space for a shot, and his movement is fantastic, but he is an explosive player just like Robben, Ribery, Bale, Sturridge, Walcott etc. Whilst there may be the odd exception (Ronaldo etc) most players like that tend to start picking up injuries at around 30. They Don't necessarily lose their ability (a few of those guys I just mentioned still play at a very high level) but they have to be managed and usually play much less games. Or they take the Giggs/ Barnes approach and move into a deeper role.

Salah is an incredible player having an even more incredible season. Maybe he will be an exception like Ronaldo. Although even Cristiano has started having a few problems and missed 10 games this season but he us 33 now to be fair to him. It is just the way it goes with explosive wingers.

Your reply was very patronising and seemed to assume that my whole argument was based on Salah relying on his pace. It isn't and didn't even suggest it. But Salah's playing style almost always leads to injury trouble later in your career. The core of my argument is still centred around Firmino being a unique talent though. Salah is in the top 2 or 3 of a breed of players found across Europe in abundance. Firmino is the best at what he does because nobody else does it at this level.

I'm sorry to hear that you Don't respect my views and will now jump on my posts, but I'm sure I'll get over it 👍.

22.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 10:55:58
Nostradamus. What have u been smoking man. Best player in modern history. when did modern history start 2018? Gerrard done it for many years for us. Alonso was a superstar. Torres ripped defences apart for 3 seasons. Suarez was arguably the best striker in the world for nearly 2 seasons. Carrgher was a rock for a decade. Hyppia is a Pl great. don't get me wrong Salah has been outstanding and might on current form be the best player in the world but he has to do it again next yr.
just on a side note Bobby is our most important player and sets the tone for how we play.

23.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 11:13:58
When Mane is not on the pitch he is the one who is missed the most.

24.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 11:33:06
Brave statement Acered. I have also toyed with this theory of late. But couldn't find a way to justify It, other than a "feeling".

Firmino and Salah seem to hog the spotlight, but Mané brings something different. I don't know what exactly, but there is an aggression to his game which we lack when he doesn't play. I think he is now actually undervalued and I'm always worried when he doesn't play.

Last season he was widely accepted as our most important player because when we lost him for two months the season fell apart. We even voted him in our top 2 left wingers in the world when Ed002 did his fun little Intergalactic team thing.

19 goals and 9 assists in 41 games this year is not to be sniffed at. His season has been disrupted as well. First he got that red card, then a hamstring injury, then he was playing understudy to Coutinho etc. To come back so strong in the crucial last leg of the season since January, is a credit to his mentality.

Whilst it shouldn't affect my opinion of him as a player (but I think it might if I'm honest with myself), I've also heard first hand about how he is the nicest man in the whole squad. We Don't appreciate him enough at times.

I wouldn't put it past him being our top scorer next season though if he has no early setbacks or injuries, like in the last 2 years.

25.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 12:09:45
you took the words right out of my mouth mate
on Wednesday who stepped forward when they were needed to kill any real hopes roma might of had of starting quick and getting a couple of goals?

26.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 12:20:56
My thoughts too John. Mané scored the opener, and his shot won the corner that led to Gini's goal. If we'd held on at 2-1 as we should have, Mane would've been the deserved Match winner.

I still can't think of a good enough reason to say he is more important than Firmino or Salah, but he more than plays his part and I know exactly what Acered means because I've felt the same at times.

27.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 12:54:35
Wow, so Salahs only been phenomenal this season and heading for Balon D'Or to go with double player of the year because of Firminho? Wow.

28.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 13:21:28
Well that got people heckles up a little bit, sorry, didn't think it would descend into a slagging match.

So it turns out me and the Mrs are both right and stupid, argument solved thanks.

29.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 13:55:10
Manes my favourite in the team I think to be fair. It may be different were we going through a bad patch, but even when he missed those chances in the first leg against Roma I didn’t mind because I know what he gives to the team. Players like Salah will come and go quickly, but the Manes and Firminos of this world are made heroes for what they do for the club over many years. I think Mane will be around quietly going about his business for several years yet.

30.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 14:53:48
Considering some are saying Firmino is the best all round forward in the world and Salah and Mane only excel to their current levels because of him it's actually a surprise then that Brazil managers don't seem to share same views and select him. I think he's got something like 19 caps at 26 years of age.

31.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 16:05:56
MK is right, Salah will be done when he's pace goes. how you can attack him and say he is wrong on that one is actually a bit weird :D And refrasing what other people say just makes you look like a prick man. have a nice day.

32.) 04 May 2018
04 May 2018 21:34:37
That’s a difficult one but I’d have to say Bobby. Only because I think you can coach another player to do what he does (as he’s been coached himself) whereas Salah has a gift from Allah that simply can’t be coached.

33.) 08 May 2018
08 May 2018 16:13:12
Nortradmus 2.0

In my opinion salah ain't even close to being the best player liverpool have had in modern history. Not yet anyway. Another few seasons of productivity and then we can start talking.
And i also think a big part of why he is good is his pace. So i would definately agree with the point mk was making. His game is not totally all about pace but he certainly won't be the same player when it starts to wane.
Not sure how far back you were going with the modern era but it has to be a coin flip between gerard and alonso for me, both for different reasons.

The further back you go the more he falls by the way side in terms of being the best. (for the moment at least) . Id take a peak john barnes over salah anyday.
Comparisions are all subjective though and a lot of factors come into play.
But i hope salah has another 3 to 4 seasons of good numbers and continued success. And hopefully a few trophies in his locker.

On an end note dude you don't have to be so hostile just because someone has an opinion that differs from yours. In the long run your only harming the way people will view your future posts. You seem like a passionate guy who will certainly have views that you want to be heard by everyone. Football is all about opinions. What one person sees another may not. At any point in time either could be right or both may even be wrong. The best way to have your views herd and debated is to be open to the fact that others may not agree with them.
There is nothing wrong with being passionate and whole hearted but respect goes a long way to building releationships which in turn keep the debates on here healthy and positive. A place where people aren't afraid to give their own opinion.
I look foward to your future posts and views.