19 May 2016 12:26:18
Second post because I think there's an important point to make, how would you be reacting if we'd won? If we'd got one of the penalty decisions we'd probably have been two up at half time and would have likely gone on to win the match. If that had happened everyone would be waxing lyrical about how wonderful the players are. Last night's result isn't the difference between whether our squad is brilliant or awful, you have to look at the season overall. This squad got us to two finals and, while our league form was worse than we would have liked, if we hadn't focused on the EL we almost certainly would have finished higher. We've also suffered significant injuries which has kneecapped our season. People are saying we're mentally weak, were we mentally weak against Dortmund, Norwich or Arsenal? We've spent half the season talking about how mentally strong we are now we have Klopp, one match doesn't change that.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the squad, some areas are weaker than others and they will be addressed but wholesale change is not required. People calling for a new spine or a clearout of first team players are well wide of the mark.

1.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 13:18:29
For once or twice, I agree with you Muscat. Let us not throw the baby out with the bath water just because we lost a game which had decisions gone our way and a bit of luck, we should have been out of sight at half time, we were that dominant. But to start making knee jerk reactions is just unproductive and typical of some LFC fans. We are all frustrated BUT let us not forget what this "average" squad achieved in Europe and thanks to them and Klopp, LFC is relevant again in Europe even tho, the haters think otherwise. We know where our issues are and they will be addressed just like the GK situation is being addressed right now.

2.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 13:20:00
Great point, muscat. The negativity on all Liverpool sites has been overwhelming since the loss - and it's only natural, I guess, fans will be fans. We always knew that this is not a perfect squad, that there are many weaknesses. In the cup competitions we OVERPERFORMED by reaching the finals, but did not show enough in the psychological department to push it to the end. The league has shown that there is much inconsistency in the players, lack of balance within the team (this is more of a problem than individuals), and things to learn even for Klopp himself, though he remains our shining light.
As individuals, I like those players - though, sadly, some of them will have to go, or step down to the bench (M&M, mainly) . All of them have their weaknesses - but their strengths also. We should continue to support them with the hope that they would grow into better footballers, but if the manager decides that they won't - then all the best, move on.

3.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 14:10:45
If we had won, and after the initial euphoria, I think Klopp would still have gone about his planned changes for the summer. There is nothing we saw in last night's game that we hadn't seen before or known about. Weaknesses in certain positions, inconsistency, lack of on field leadership and mental/ emotional strength were all concerns that had been voiced before. I just think that all the negativity is from the high expectations that were created after reaching the Final in the League Cup and then once again reaching the Final of the Europa League. We all thought that we would win it (and why not? This is after all Liverpool FC) . Too many people think of Klopp as a magician that always has a rabbit to pull out of the hat for each game, while papering over the cracks or the glaring weaknesses. It was just a completely mixed up season in all the ways possible. We both underachieved (EPL) and overachieved (Europa League) . I think the Gotzes and other rumoured purchases are more interested in LFC, as a team, and playing for Klopp, rather than any CL or EL involvement next season.

4.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 14:13:37
Sorry Musc but that is naive. The spine of the team is weak, we have decent creative/ luxury players however we do not convert enough chances and again we cannot keep clean sheets.

Two cup finals does not paper over that we were 8th and even if we hadn't sacrificed the last few league games we would only have been 6th at best.

Arsenal, City, Chelsea and Man Utd were all poor this season, it will not be the case next year.

Our squad is mediocre and that's why the charlatan that is Brendan Rodgers got sacked. Wake up to reality and stop deluding yourselves.

5.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 16:16:23
musc the difference between last night and the games you spoke about is it was the final, no 2nd leg to play for, with the lack of experience in finals that our players have it shows that the other team had that experience and never fell apart when they went 1-0 down they knew they had the 2nd half to get a goal, so when they scored they went on and won it where as our players fell apart, no leaders in the team to pick the team up and because of the lack of experience they thought it was game over and fell apart instead of saying to themselves there's another 44 minutes to go to get another goal, we can all see that once they scored our team fell apart, players went missing or was not even in the game, we made it to 2 finals and never won one so that should tell you something look at the players we had in stanbul to the players we had last night, the standard of the players are miles apart, gerrard, alonso and hamman would lift any team add the leadership of them 3 and the experience and there's your answer, we don't have anyone in our squad anywhere near as good as them 3, for us to get back up there they are the type of players klopp needs to buy.

6.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 16:41:16
I woukd go with both points of view. We had a goal disallowed 1 of the handballs shouldve been given. Could easily have been 3-0. But on the other hand- all the space down their left in the first half llanna shoudce exploited far more. We don't seem to have a player like banega who dictates the play. Left back - nightmare but he was before we signed him. Gk? . 4 needed in my opinion . and with sakho out maybe 5.

7.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 16:44:04
Alexi, I like your post, it sounds dramatic and purposeful, shame it's a load of tosh.

We don't score enough? Are you kidding me? We've scored more league goals than any other team this year, 42 in 19 games, that rate is more than enough to challenge for the title let alone improve on 8th. In Europe we put 2 passed United, 3 passed Villarreal and 4 past Dortmund. When it comes to criticizing our attack, you're talking nonsense.

Of course we've conceded too much this season but if you look at the factors affecting that you'd realise we can massively improve next season even before we change any playing staff. Klopp's been forced to play 8 different CB pairings thanks to injuries, Sakho's ban and the amount of games we've had, next season we will have a settled pairing and that brings stability. The same goes for our midfield, we've only played our first choice 13 times this season, with an easier schedule we can expect a settled team and our defence will improve.

Couple the above with a new LB and I guarantee we will score enough and concede few enough for top 4. If we get a new GK we'll do even better. This team does not need a do over, it just needs a couple of tweaks.

8.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 17:27:16
I think we can strengthen, but agree Muscat if we'd had Hendo, Sakho and Origi in there we would have had a much stronger spine (as sublime as Sturridge is, he doesn't provide the physical outlet Origi does which can be critical in tight games where you're losing the midfield battle.

9.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 19:17:43
I agree Sturridge struts around like a superstar. Origi works so much harder and is much better at holding on to the ball. Sturridge should be named Tefal because nothing sticks.

10.) 19 May 2016
19 May 2016 20:23:01
Musc you need to reflect on how many chances we need to create to score those goals and upon the fact that in many, many games this season when we have lost or drawn we have squandered 4 or 5 guilt edge chances before then conceding the crucial goals that cost us.
Southampton (a) Man U (H) Spurs (H) Newcastle (H) West Ham (FA Cup) Sunderland (H) Arsenal (H) Norwich (a got away with it) Newcastle (a - that's relegated Newcastle) Crystal Palace (H) Southampton (H) Spurs (a -battered them 0-0) Norwich (H) Man U (a) that's just the 14 games we didn't win because we missed a hatfull of chances then.
QED
Case rested.