14 Mar 2018 09:30:54
In fairness Ed0333, I don't think it's hubaris - we've proven that we are capable of beating anyone, despite having also proven that we are there for a thumping if we get it wrong against you. But everyone recognises that no match is going to be easy at this point and no matter what, we will have our work cut out for us if we want to progress. That being said, some teams left are the ruling super-powers of Europe and some teams left are very good, well organised squads. Despite both groups being hard games, they are not equal to each other. One thing we need to get out the mindset of though is hoping that we will have the element of surprise. We won our group scoring a record number of goals, and are now in the quarter finals. No-one will be taken by surprise anymore.

{Ed0333's Note - I hear what your saying fella but I’m a naturally cautious guy and have low excepectations and anything else is a pleasant surprise. You make really good points though mate. Let’s hope the fairytale lasts a little bit longer. I would love Klopps first European title to be with us. As I said too Ed’s 001 earlier the ‘doubters to believers’ quote will go down in Anfield folklore if he does.


1.) 15 Mar 2018
15 Mar 2018 04:18:49
I think you’re right to be pragmatic ed - this is the most exciting I’ve seen us play for many years barring 13/ 14 perhaps but we shouldn’t get carried away though as were only 75% through the rebuild as I see it.

That last element of unpredictable results against the top sides is in large part down to midfield for me. I can see why it’s happened this way, but our best midfield for a balance of defence/ control/ pressing and goal threat is for me still Hendo, Gini and Lallana, yet against Man Utd we had Can, Milner and Ox.

Starting from front to back and analyzing the work still to be done

- we have one of the most exciting front threes in a long time but still no impact player off the bench. Can Ings be that player? Jury still out for me.
- our Midfield is OK but for all his recent decent performances Ox is hardly the finished article, I don’t see Milner competing with the best midfielders in Europe (he’s brilliant in some games but can go walkabout and scores very rarely) . Hendo is fantastic but unfortunately injury prone. Gini is still for me the one we should be playing in the big games but hasn’t exactly been blowing the doors off either and Lallana has lost form while Can is still young and inconsistent. We are perhaps in the top 10-15 in terms of midfield but not in the top 5
- Likewise at the back, I think VVD was massive for us and Karius and Lovren looking immeasurably better for him coming in, but we aren’t water tight just yet. We also have a solid LB that’s still adapting, and a very young (even if very talented) RB

Overall in terms of changes next season I think Keita could be revolutionary for us, adding drive, bite and goals from midfield which we sorely lack. I hope we see Robbo, Karius, Lovren, TAA continue their rapid improvement in form and maturity, and hopefully Hendo can stay fit. If we can add an impact player off the bench as well, with goals from midfield or out wide (Lemar? ) then we’ll be 90% of the way there.

{Ed0333's Note - I agree about the sexiness of our play and carving out chances for fun. We were incredibly hard to beat under Rafa, he was my hero but it was turgid football for the most part. Klopps way is so easy on the eye and I totally agree that an upgraded midfield will yield even more success and hopefully the elusive Premiership. The midfield is mediocre at best and Keita will drastically improve it and change the dynamic but to be fair long John silver would improve the dynamic. The attack is exemplarary and the defense can hold its own if they play their best but the midfield lets us down. Like yourself I see the potential in this team.


2.) 15 Mar 2018
15 Mar 2018 07:33:36
I am like u ed think the worst an anything else a bonus sad but necessary after years of let downs an pain, it's obvious this year we seem better against the smaller teams an not as well against top 6, hope this doesn't effect us.

{Ed0333's Note - hopefully next season we’ll get it right. We’ll beat the good teams and the crappy ones.