Rousseau

Dave King stepping up like...

What's that now, 3 sleeps?

SSN: Former Aberdeen and Rangers midfielder Neale Cooper has died at age of 54.

GIRUY! We should be building the team around Windass...

Lovren...

It's not sour grapes at all. Bale's goal alone deserved to win the game; Liverpool didn't do enough. I agree Ramos is one of the best defenders in the game, but that doesn't mean he's not a c*unt. Similarly, Suarez is a c*nt while also being one of the best strikers in the game. He's perhaps not intending to 'injure' Salah per se, but I certainly believe he meant to leave one on him. It's not as if they are just falling to the ground; he's locked his arm, which in itself is not needed, and put his weight behind it. He also had a kick-out at Karius, despite the ball being miles away. Great defender, but he's also a c*nt. Yes, I don't think they are the best club side in 40 years. There's an interesting debate to be had about what qualifies a team being the best. They just won a double treble, does that mean they are the best club side as no one has done that? I wouldn't say so. Conversely, a side can't be the best if they're not winning anything.

I wanted Jokanovic for us, but that was a long shot then... I loved his Watford side; superb to watch. I was surprised they released him before getting the chance in the PL. His Fulham side are even better. 4-3-3, with two 'Scots' in the midfield and a Celtic reject, playing beautiful, passing football.

That Ramos is a c*nt of a player. A winner, but a c*nt. He's the sort of guy you love if he plays for you, but hate if he doesn't. No doubt in my mind he's intentionally tried to, if not injure, at least leave one in on Salah. He had a sneaky hit out at Karius too just after half-time. Liverpool started well, but after Salah went off the confidence dropped, and they lost their main out-ball and a superb presser -- Lallana, while a good player, wasn't the same in pressing. I didn't expect him to win the game for them, but I expected Lallana to press better, as that's what Liverpool are geared to do. Nightmare for Karius. We knew about his howlers last season, but this season he has been superb. The stats suggest he hadn't made a mistake in the whole tournament, then makes two howlers in the final. He made some cracking saves in that Final too. I hope Salah is fit for the World Cup. That Bale was worthy of winning any tournament. Outstanding. Zidane's reaction said it all.

Backs-against-the-wall job now for Fulham. Hopefully they can release Sessegnon on a break.

Fulham down to 10-men. Grealish should've been off too.

It sounds stupid, but if Liverpool take their chances, they can win it. I can see them blitzing Madrid in the first 20-30 minutes as they can do. I can also see failing to take their chances, and for Ronaldo to take his one chance. It could also be a very open game. Quite a few of the last CL games have been quite open.

Klopp getting some tips for tonight...

I was a bit uncomfortable with that, but they are p*shed. He's ours now, leave him alone!

Like I said, they neither wanted nor needed him. He was very unlikely to get any run of games. I couldn't actually tell you who they had in that position. All I know is in the 13 games he played he assisted 4 times. That's not a bad return. He's not gone backwards. If you look at where he settled down, he went from a regular for Hibs in the Championship, to being a regular in the Premiership for Hibs (who gave us a go for 2nd/3rd). His data was good at Dundee, but that team didn't use him and didn't take advantage of his creativity. From what I see in front of me, his creativity is up their with the best in the league. I agree the step up is the issue. However, some players fit sides better, and I am convinced he'd slot into our side nicely. I think he'd do better for us than he would with them. This is hypothetical; he's not going to be a target anyway. I, too, am hopeful we can find better. I just thought he was an easy piece of the puzzle.

I'm weak! That's your opinion; not undeniable fact, as you like to suggest. They didn't need or want him, only really wanting to take him away from us. He only played 13 games for them, but hit 4 assists. It's hardly a success, but it's not enough for me to say he's failed. He consistently tops the creativity stats at every club -- yes, I know that's meaningless to you, but that's what I judge players on, along with what I see. He got 3 goals, 5 assists in 12 games for Hibs. He consistently topped Dundee's creativity charts too, but they couldn't take their chances and he was made scapegoat. It's just my opinion, but I think he's a really good #10, who'd slot in very nicely. I'd argue we don't have a #10 so I don't see how we can have better already? It'll not happen, though.

I said I'd reached the point of no return with regards to us signing Allan after his tackle on Rossiter and goal-scoring gesture, but... I'd still sign him. I'm so weak. I just think he ticks all the boxes of a good #10, which is something we need.

I agree @pete -- why shouldn't they have a meal together as friends? Mud-slinging.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_squads

Now that stir's the heart!

I think it's the soviet aspect that stirs dear @colinstein's heart. I can see where he's coming from -- even if I'm not that way inclined -- with the music and the weaving (not cartoon, although I can't recall what it's called).

Not surprised it's financial. He's probably on way more than we could ever offer in Turkey.

Allardyce is very good at what he does, but he'll not get passed a certain level. His sides are dull.

I liked Martin Kelly at Liverpool when he played CB, but he's too versatile for his own good; he's not brilliant at any single position. I don't think he'll sign to be an understudy.

Chelsea out-Mourinhoed Mourinho. Sneak a lead and hold out. There's something lacking in Man Utd's attack. It's just not good enough. They've got the quality, it's just the approach seems 'half-hazard'... *gets coat* Mourinho's never been the best offensively, IMO.