28 Feb 2017 02:48:36
We can't give up on this season! There are 12 games left, 7 at Anfield. We are on the cusp of qualifying for the champions league. We have to stay behind the lads to the bitter end. Champions league qualification will make a huge difference to us.

That being said, tonight's game proved to me a few things:

1. Time to say thanks and goodbye to Lucas. He is no longer first team material.

2. We need a defensive midfielder to sit in front of the centre of defence. For too many seasons we have seen teams literally waltz through the centre of our midfield and defence. We concede from long punts down the middle. That's a faux pas in villiage idiot football. It is too easy to put our rubbish defence under pressure, it has to stop. Sell Can.

3. Set pieces! We need a specialist coach for set piece defending and attacking. We have been utter tripe for too long at set pieces.

4. Goalkeeper: We need a quick fix ready made goalkeeper, sell Migs and recruit a decent coach to work on Karius.

5. Central defence - I like Matip but he doesn't have any help. We need a world class partner for him. Sell Klavan, Lovren and Sakho.

1.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 04:04:36
Hate to say this, but I totally agree with your point no 2, Ron. The frustrations are getting too much.

{Ed001's Note - sorry but 2 is nonsense. How does a midfielder stop a ball bypassing midfield? A defensive midfielder is not going to affect long punts downfield, which are specifically designed to bypass a sitting midfielder.}

2.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 04:29:52
Regardless it is clear and has been for some time (even though some still don't get it) that midfield is a problem area and is extremely weak, this is an area where a majority of games are won and lost and we have the worst midfield out of the top 6 teams quite comfortably. We rely too heavily on henderson being our only genuine central midfielder that's any good. Lucas is as good as gone and hardly gets a shout in midfield anyway. Stewart doesn't get any chances and is most likely just not good enough for this level. Can offers very little defensively and offensively, definitely not one for defensive contribution just due to his sheer lack of a footballing brain. I think can is a squad player and nothing more at this point. We need a midfielder, maybe even two depending on departures but certainly one that is an improvement on what we have. Whether that is more of a box to box midfielder or a defensive midfielder is up to Klopp but one has to be brought in. I said this in the summer but unfortunantly it never materialised.

The areas that definitely need addressing are CB, LB, CM, LW or striker. GK and RB depending on who stays and who goes but I wouldn't go as far as to include them in priorities. I would not sell Can (although I don't rate him and never have, I think he's a decent player against certain opposition) I would not sell lovren (he's a decent enough third choice centre back) . Everything else I agree with.

3.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 04:58:47
I would sell Emre Can; he has shown no real improvement in the 3 years he has been here despite getting plenty of chances. Also remember, his contract will be up in couple of years and he is stalling on a new contract because he thinks he is worth more money. Time to let average players go and get in players who will truly challenge Henderson, Lallana, Wijnaldum.

4.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 06:27:46
Sorry, re point 2: "punt" is the wrong word, I mean long through balls down the middle, not necessarily 'high balls'.

5.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 07:59:28
Is not one of you going to mention that wuthout henderson everythunf fell apart.

We have point 2 lad but he was injured.

6.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 08:22:13
Very simply, the squad is not good enough. Just ask which players from our team would make it to the starting 11 of any of the other top 6 teams. Currently, I don't see anyone but Mane and Matip, with maybe Couts and Firmino being accepted on the bench. This is unfortunately a reality, which would take some time to address. Hopefully, Klopp will build the team in the next couple of seasons, which can challenge on all fronts. Being out of CL makes the task difficult though.

7.) 28 Feb 2017
28 Feb 2017 12:52:23
Not sure anything will happen from your bucket list on new players Ron. I agree with your sentiments.

Liverpool don't play with a dedicated DM under Klopp. We boy proper athletes, Running machines. There is a lack of composure in that midfield especially the deep lying midfielder. I don't expect us to buy one in the summer either.

Lucas was finished ages ago but then no one dare enough to say this on the page. He was never a great player. I expect him to move on but he was a part timer anyways.

Not sure what you mean by a set piece special coach. Klopp can't organize a half decent defense. You cannot bring in a coach for defending set pieces. that's a joke.

GK might happen at the expense of Ward and Mignolet. But with Karius number one, this could be a mere cover.

There has been no intention from the club so far to sell any of the current defenders.