22 Dec 2016 22:24:00
Ed. I. read what Craig Bellamy said that LFC are a couple of players short of being genuine title contenders. In my view this has always been the case since the last title won by LFC. It wasn't the case in the 70s and 80s but it's been an uphill struggle ever since. I might be pessimistic but been supporting LFC since 1968 and my assessment is based on my long experience of following LFC. With Mane' unavailable in January it only reinforces my belief that the title challenge will grind to a halt by end January. Hope I'm wrong. Appreciate your opinion Ed.

{Ed002's Note - Missing Mane in January will not impact the season.}

1.) 22 Dec 2016
22 Dec 2016 23:41:15
In order to win the league you have to tackle injuries and missing players head on, continue to win games, and not complain. If losing mane impacts our season that badly, we won't be the best overall team, and we won't deserve to win. However i'm not so sure it will have so much of an impact with our forward options.

{Ed025's Note - i think he will be a massive loss wooly, the dynamic of the side seems to rely on his energy and enthusiasm which is infectious, for him not to be missed someone has to step up to the plate and assume that role, and to be honest i cant see anyone capable mate..

2.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 00:37:51
We've shown that we can lose players and it not affect our effectiveness going forward. You'll be surprised how much we don't miss him. For large parts of this season he's not been the player he was in the first 4-5 games and we've still been flying. I'm not worried at all.

3.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 00:35:24
Your 100% correct Ed there is no-one in the squad to replace Mane.

4.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 00:57:10
We can play a front 3 of Couts, Sturridge and Firmino which should have plenty of goals in it, provided Llalana is behind them to add the movement and link play. I admit we'll miss the injection of pace, but the fluid movement should be enough to crack any defence and we also have Ojo off the bench towards the end of games for the classic wing play if needed.

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing a twin striker setup with Origi and Sturridge and Firmino tucked in at no.10 and Couts in the no. 8 role like we saw in 2013/ 14 but that's probably too big a shift in style right now.

5.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 01:28:01
Mane big miss to our style but if Sturridge can be fit for the whole time it might help a bit.

6.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 05:52:19
countinho coming back would be a massive boost, as would a fit sturridge, to be able to choose from firmino, origi, lallana as well, possibly ojo should give us some good options and combinations to choose from.

7.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 02:34:10
I think you are right ed025 in that he represents klopps style of football the best and will be a huge miss, and has been our best player this season.

However if liverpool want to challenge for the title i fully expect the likes of lallana, coutinho, origi, sturridge, firmino and maybe even midfielders, defenders and young lads to chip in and cover in his absence. We won't be as good i agree, mane is so vital, but i still expect us to play with the same vigour.

{Ed025's Note - i dont expect the style to change wooly and you are certainly not a one man team, but its obvious that if you lose your best player that it will have an impact mate..

8.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 06:32:47
Zimbo

What would you gain pushing Firmino to right? Both Sturridge and Firmino out wide is wasteful in my eyes. Ojo is a decent shout but I am not sure I feel he is fit enough to play.

9.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 09:42:53
A couple of games spring to mind where Mane was absent at some point, Burnley away and when he came off against Bournemouth. When he came off against Bournemouth it gave their full backs and team as a whole to attack with confidence knowing our "pace" threat had gone.

So for me, it's not just our attacking threat but the opposition's physiological approach.

So I think we will miss him.

10.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 11:27:11
While I appreciate the points of what he brings to the team, Coutinho also brings things we can't directly replace and we've averaged 2 goals a game without him. With Coutinho and Sturridge back, we should be able to ride a month of Mane being gone.

11.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 12:06:52
We have more than enough cover for me when Mane goes. I personally think Klopp should change formations. A lot will depend on January transfers from the club.
We still have 2 brilliant pacey strikers in Origi and Sturridge. we could switch to a 4312 with Bobby behind those 2 feeding them, Lallana, Henderson and (can/ gigi) plenty of work rate in that midfield to help out up front and get back. Figure in Pipco coming back, ojo on the bench, Grujic. I'm not particularly worried about mane going for 3 games or so
Mane will miss United, who likely won't play a highline for him to use his pace, I think Lallana bobby and pipco (if he's back by then) will be key to unlocking joses tight defense.
We then have swansea (who may be on their 3rd manager of the season at that point) who I think the squad is more than capable enough of opening up without mane.
The test will be Chelsea. We've seen Spurs and Citeh batter the favourites but fail to capitalise. Their defense is there for the taking. I think a compact narrow formation should spoil them, they use width to get the ball forward but ultimately try and cut in in the last 3rd, it's very predictable, restrict them to crosses where the only aerial threat is costa and we could do ok. Origi has improved greatly since he arrive, Sturridge is ALWAYS dangerous. I think Chelsea have some what flattered to deceive so far, I expected them to SMACK sunderland and palace, they did neither. Any defense relying on cahill is vulnerable

This will depends on us keeping Sturridge, but overrall, I think our squad is more than capable.

12.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 13:40:40
It's obvious we will miss mane because he is the only player we didn't have in our attack last year that we have now and look at the difference. he brings that explosive change of gear that none of our other attackers have. i will be more than happy with ojo stepping into his shoes mins u, because just because a player will be missed, dosent mean we won't win games without him. i think it's just as important to keep matip fit because he brings a much more solid look to our defence and the fact we are unbeaten when he's played says a lot.

13.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 09:29:14
Our best player, Ed? Wheres Henderson going?

{Ed025's Note - accrington i heard annie, but in my view he will struggle to get in their side mate.. :)

14.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 09:56:22
Must admit you always get an unbiased assessment on liverpool from a blue! Assessment wish same thing really!

We will be fine don't worry about it, if we don't win the leauge it won't be because mane missed 3 or 4 games, (we've not had couthinho for significantly longer and we're still bang there) it'll be because whoever wins it will have been more consistent than us over the season, but i'm certain we'll give it one hell of a go!

{Ed025's Note - i expect nothing less waro, liverpool are a very good side and i do expect them to finish around the top 4..

15.) 23 Dec 2016
23 Dec 2016 15:45:05
Glad I didn't disappoint ed025.

{Ed025's Note - never waro.. :)