25 Oct 2016 22:51:01
Eagerly anticipating Ed001s thoughts on the midfield, youngsters and Studge. ;)

{Ed001's Note - Last night showed a major difference between us and Spurs - strength in depth. Both teams were reserve teams, but ours looked good enough to compete in the Prem, while theirs looked like a ressie team. We looked capable of scoring on every attack, while they looked utterly toothless and the only way they were going to score is if the ref helped them out, like he did. That is why they failed to win the league last season and why they need to invest in January if they are not going to fade again this season.

On the other hand, that Liverpool side would not win the league, but it would remain competitive on a week by week basis, and so we can be confident that we have players to step in if injuries or loss of form call for it. It was good to see our players all looked like they were playing for a place in the first team, rather than just playing to get through to the next round. Each player looked like they genuinely believed that playing well gave them a chance to get in the team for the next game. I will do a player by player now:

Simon Mignolet - had little to do, caught one cross really well, then flapped at the next but got a foul so it didn't matter. Still unconvincing on the ball, but a much more assured performance, though he had so little to do it is impossible to judge him.

Terence Trent from Derby - his first team debut but you would never know. He was excellent, looked physically capable as well as technically adept. Got forward well in support of the attack but also kept the highly rated Nkoudou quiet. He defo deserves more of a chance.

Lucas Leiva - as ever he looked assured and comfortable even though he was playing out of position at centre half. Apart from an extremely harsh penalty decision, I think he might have coughed a little hard and blown the forward over, he was excellent. Played some cutting throughballs at times from the back.

Ragnar Klavan - I have to be honest and say he does not convince me at all. While he didn't get caught out on the ball last night, mainly due to being able to use his body to protect the ball against a weaker opponent, he does have a tendency to dally on the ball. His positioning is suspect as well. Luckily Spurs were so poor last night when coming forward he was never tested, but he is no more than a back up, that is clear.

Alberto Moreno - as ever, bombed forward at every opportunity but, and it is a big step forward, he looked much better when he did get forward last night. Still has a tendency to make tackles from the wrong side of a player, rather than getting back goalside to make them, but he looked a much better player than he had done last season.

Gino Wijnaldum - quietly effective, though completely overshadowed by the rest of the side. It is difficult to see what he offers, because he fits in so well into the side without picking up the goals and assists or last-ditch tackles to make him stand out. Totally different from how he has played in the past, where his goals and assists were what he was known for.

Kevin Stewart - playing against his previous team and had, at times, an outstanding game, breaking up play and playing some excellent passes. He did make a few mistakes though, mainly due to a lack of concentration, which he will need to cut out if he is to push his way into the first team. Overall he showed why he got a new contract.

Marko Grujic - showed some flashes of ability, but needs to do more. Had a good solid game, but failed to get involved enough to really push his case for a first team place.

Ovie Ejaria - looked a player, but a bit on the lightweight side. He was fully involved and put himself about well. Against a first choice side, his lack of strength would have meant he could have been held off, as Wanyama showed late in the game. However, on the ball he has plenty of quality and did enough to put himself into the fringes of the first team.

Daniel Sturridge - he missed a few chances, but overall he was excellent and denied by a few good stops by Vorm from getting a hat-trick. Still not looking like himself, in terms of mobility, lacking that flash of acceleration no one can compare to, but his quality on the ball is still there.

Divock Origi - until he was taken off after suffering from what looked like cramp worryingly early in the match, Origi was absolutely outstanding. Possibly the best player on the pitch for the first hour. Pace, power and skill, the lad is special.

Subs:
Nathaniel Clyne - came on for Alexander-Arnold and did well.
Danny Ings - replaced Origi and played in the wholehearted way we have come to expect. It just didn't quite happen for him last night.
Emre Can - only played the dying embers of the match so had little impact.

1.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 07:19:59
Would you play any of the new comers on saturday against Palace? We know how they play.
Stewart may be? He would bring a lot more stability in that midfield.

{Ed001's Note - why would anyone want to break up the team while it is doing so well?}

2.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 07:24:56
May be because Palace is so physical and All they would do is pass to Zaha / Punheon and lump it to Benteke. May be a bit more steel in the middle. No clue who misses out though.

3.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 07:37:56
Why steel in the middle if it is just going to get lumped over them? Matip v Ben will be the key battle. After that, the wing backs. There's more of a case for Alexander Arnold than there is for stewart.

4.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 07:52:26
I said this last night. Replace players if they are injured, tired or out of form. Over the period of a long season these things will happen and other players will get their chance.

5.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 07:53:31
Wasn't it Wijnaldum who put Sturridge through for his 2nd goal with a really good pass?
Am away with work and listened to the game on the radio the watched the highlights. Couldn't believe the moaning Liverpool fans who called up after the game to have a pop at Sturridge because he didn't score 5.

{Ed001's Note - I can't remember now, it could well have been, I would have to watch it again or check the stats.}

6.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 07:54:26
Oh, and great review ed001 thanks.

{Ed001's Note - you are very welcome.}

7.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 08:12:38
Excellent review.

{Ed001's Note - thank you.}

8.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 08:34:02
Sturridge has either lost his pace through injuries and the op he had or he doesn't keep himself as fit/ sharp as he use to in order to be injured the majority of the season.

My fear is if you watch him he actually looks like he runs with a slight limp on his left side. Not horrendous but like he goes to go full power and maybe feels twinges and has to pull back.

He has all the quality inside the box, think he would be phenominal uo tip in peps team.

9.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 08:41:14
Harry, if you don't have a clue as to who to change then why even suggest it? Change for the sake of change? Come on, even you, can't believe that. It's like posting on here, just for the sake of posting. Much ado about nothing.

10.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 08:50:57
Can vs Stewart vs Wijjy, who toffer partner Hendo?

11.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 10:24:44
I've said for a few months now, Origi is going to be some player for us.
Personally I believe playing him as a lone striker works better than playing Sturridge, who benefits from a partner, up top on his own: agree Ed1?

{Ed001's Note - I think every striker works better with a partner personally.}

12.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 10:26:37
And Ed02 are you beginning to change your opinion that Origi would make Rodgers live to regret 'putting him and world class in the same sentence'?

{Ed002's Note - No, Origi is not and never will be "world class". If you were to put together a 23 man world class squad with, say, four strikers - would Origi be there?}

13.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 11:02:29
No, obviously he wouldn't. But if it were a 23 man "Under-23 world class squad" I would say few players his age are as well rounded for the central striking role, and I would definitely put him in there.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot imagine anyone else would.}

14.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 11:38:23
Good old Terrence Trent from Derby, we wishing well and hope he signs his name across a new contract soon 😂😂.

15.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 11:43:52
Have to say I thought Wijnaldum's assist was pure class last night. Deserves a mention IMO.

16.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 12:09:47
Does he want you to be his baby Ron?

17.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 13:13:34
Origi ain't world class, but I don't see why he can't be. How many people would have said, "yep, this Lewandowski kid will be world class" when he was 20?

18.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 14:44:48
Love that song, Ron.

19.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 11:46:48
Origi is excellent but world class he is not (not yet) . If he plays like he did last night every time he gets chance he'll be really challenging for a starting place in time, he played immense last night. He's young and still needs time and with that time I think he will end up really important for us. I think if anybody can make him, Klopp will, he could make him into a real star in my opinion, but i also think the same about Ings, biggest problem is them getting time on the pitch. Both showed incredible passion last night let's hope we see more of them as time goes on. Be all and end all in my opinion is both Origi and Ings are incredible options to have as cover, patient as hell and damn good players.

20.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 12:20:00
You are right ED002 he isn't world class now but I think its a bit harsh to say he could never be world class. The kid is only 21. Nobody knows what level he could reach over the next 5-10 years. Although I do appreciate he was terrible at Lille and he hasn't broken through with us yet. For the record I am not by any means saying he will be I just think its a bit harsh to dismiss any potential progress he could make to such a high level.

I don't suppose anybody would have ever said Suarez would be world class when he was at Ajax or Aubameyang at Saint-Etienne.

21.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 12:34:22
Out of interest Ed2, who would be your 4 strikers? Dybala I assume is a certainty, but other than that?

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to get in to that Toddy but if you want to have a separate thread that will be just fine on the teams page.}

22.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 19:28:58
Origi is not world class, he's in 'transition'

23.) 26 Oct 2016
26 Oct 2016 19:20:18
Thank you Ed great summary and very promising for the future. 👍🏻.