19 Mar 2017 08:11:58
How do. I've read the banter for a good 5 years on and off, religiously and causally. I ain't pretend in the biggest or most dedicated fan. I go to Anfield once or twice a season, so a decent enough effort given circumstances.

Today's result, I'm backing a win for us and a good showing. bog standard against the big boys. But, I'm not here to talk about today.

I had a quick scan through the to posts this morning and nothing about the city game was being discussed. All about centre backs. one of the constant moans we all share. My personal opinion is we have 2 that would hold their own in any of the top 6 (we all know the rest of the league doesn't matter, just get in the way during the season), matip and lovren.

I'm sure at simmer point today goal keepers will be discussed and Joe harts name thrown into the mix. Mignolet, a fine keeper on his day, just look at the clean sheet record, could have succeeded at anfield had it not been for his kicking which is (these days) unacceptable. I'm not blaming him entirely for this, I was at the Chelsea game in January and as more often and not there was that buzz in the ground. I'm sure that passes on to the players. What I think also gets transferred to the players is the anxiousness every time ball goes near him. He can feel it l and unfortunately hasn't the mental strength/ ) l confidence to ignore it. As I say though, on his day a fine keeper and will move on (for his sake abroad) at the end of the season (has to ) and have a good career elsewhere. Probably pushing courtios for Belgium.

Moans about the rest of the team come and go and rightly so. It is our duty after all. Like all top 6 regulars most of the squad are top players. Form, systems, tactics and confidence make the difference. But, now here comes my real point and I'm sure it will provoke a few opinions, do we have anyone who is deserving of being Liverpool's best player? We have some decent lads, couts, firmino, Henderson, lallana. But no Gerrard, Suarez, Torres etc etc. This is the painful bit. Zlatan, hazard/ Costa, ozil/ sanchez, aguero/ de breuyne. Not the players but the fact that were on par with totting ham (finish 3rd in a 2 horse race) hotspurts! )! I'm not blaming the players, owners, managers, media or the fans. It's just the way it is. We need that one player who can up the game of everyone. United would be battling relegation if it wasn't for grandad up front elbowing his way to champions league. Imagine if he was up top for us. Or Costa, his attitude to games and the opposition does for Chelsea fans what Luis did for us. Aguero is one of the biggest let downs as a player for me, only because he should be up there with Messi and Ronaldo but look how he can win games with his head down and not playing with anyone else. Could little Phil do that for us more often if he had a super star to take away the pressure and lime light?

So yeah like most of you I think we need to strengthen a couple of positions goal keeper being number 1imo. But it just needs one player to either step up and be our talisman and be the envy of other teams or we need to buy a statement. I haven't a clue who unless it was Ibrahim bakayoko on champ manager back in the day, but then again look what that did for Everton.

Hope we all enjoy this afternoon and the rest of our Sundays.

P. S. (Insert newbie suck up line to try and ensure my post gets a bit of air time)

1.) 19 Mar 2017
19 Mar 2017 08:23:38
That was painful to read.

2.) 19 Mar 2017
19 Mar 2017 08:44:20
I think you forgot about Mane. He is our Suarez type impact player. Been our best player this season. He is the one that can turn matches on it's head.

Do not agree regarding Lovren. He has improved since Klopp arrived but cannot say he is the long term solution at left CB. If the right offers had to come in for Lovren then I doubt Klopp will say no to moving him on. Matip has done really well, it is as if he has played in the EPL for many years. Settled immediately which is a very rare thing for new CB's which join the EPL.

We may just see Gomez getting a run alongside Matip next season. Unfortunately injuries have set back his progress but seems like Klopp has Gomez in his plans going forward. Klopp needs to address our lack of quality at left and right back. Clyne simply does not have the drive to improve, he will never be good enough to be first choce and Milner who has done exceptionally well on the left, is not the long term solution at LB. Klopp will bring in a new LB and it depends what his plan is with TAA otherwise he probably will sign another RB too, that is if Clyne can be found a new home. Fullbacks are an integral part in Klopp's setup so here is hoping he finds solutions in the summer.

Lastly, Henderson is our talisman. The work this guy puts in on the pitch simply goes unnoticed. He is becoming a true Liverpool captain. Unfortunately he has a condition with his feet that will probably hinder him for the rest of his life.

3.) 19 Mar 2017
19 Mar 2017 10:31:53
Personally think it's Phil on his day. before his injury he was the best player in the league and had Neymar and xavi wanting him at barca. granted since he has come back he's been a shadow of the player but on his day (which we need to see more of) the lad can win games on his own. those people on this site that think we should sell him are idiots.

4.) 19 Mar 2017
19 Mar 2017 21:07:34
We are lacking a Souness style player who is willing and able to grab teammates by their nuts and squeeze if they are dropping their standards.

{Ed025's Note - i agree phil, you are also missing a keeper like clemence, 2 centre halves like hansen and thompson and a slotter like fowler...pity we cant turn that bloody clock back mate..