20 Sep 2017 14:22:46
Klopp has a major major problem. Well several actually, the most prominant ones being the team cannot out score thier opponents, this was something a number of people (me included) assumed would happen and it would offset the poor defending. But 10 goals against and 4 goals for in the last 4 games is very worrying considering the number of chances created. No out and out goal scorer to put away the guilt edge chances is costing goals and games. Three of those Robertson crosses he put in in the first half hour should have been put away last night.

The second major issue is, and we all know this, defending. Not going to rake over the obvious short comings but Klopp needs to swallow his pride and undersatand he needs a defensive coach that can drill and organise better than he or the current one can. Its very well saying you are sick of conceeding soft, second ball goals, but there must be something happening or not, in training that means this is just not getting through to the players. An out and out defensive coach may well do a better job at drilling and implimenting new ideas that improve defending.

Third is the midfield. Henderson would not start in any other team that finished top 5 last season, let alone captain them. He is average at best, as is Gini. Can is very promising but wants to leave. There is a lack of creativity and leadership and that is a major issue. You could have trown a blanket over the three midfielders yesterday, all doing the same thing, and not very well. No one seemed to be charged with staying back. Crying out for a bit of flare for one and a leader for another, also a tackler would help.

Liecester is now a huge huge game on saturday. Vardy will be back and could make mince meat out of the back four. If, and I think it is a very real if, the team replicates that display, and we loose that could set the rot in so deep it could take a while for it to go. There seems to be very little confidence at the moment and Klopp needs to recognise the glaring issues in front of him. Pass pass pass no end producut, conceed. That is what is happening game in game out now. Needs to change fast.

1.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 14:52:47
Your first point i agree with. Without Mane and Salah we struggle to score. No idea why he dropped Salah with Mane banned, as we saw in the second half vs City that without either player we lack any serious goal threat. I can understand Klopp wanted to give kids a chance though.

On your second point, again i agree. Not necessarily that we need a defensive coach, but there is clearly an issue with our players taking responsibility defensively. I think Klopp should wield the axe more brutally when players shirk out of challenges and tackles in some games just to make a point.

On your third point i completely disagree. Henderson was wanted by Man United under Ferguson, and by Tottenham so he clearly would get into another top 4 team. He is a very under rated player who does a lot that goes unnoticed. However he is really struggling for form recently so I'd personally drop him for the weekend and i think Klopp will. He is not a bad player though mate. I have also started to question his leadership though. When we are playing well i think he is a good leader in that he keeps everyone focused and helps out less experienced players by talking. However when things are going wrong or we are struggling badly he doesn't seem capable of tearing into people or inspiring them to give an extra 10%. I think he needs to be instructed by Klopp that he isn't there to be everyone's best mate and that he needs to give his team mates as much stick as he gives the ref. He has it in him but he is holding back.

I agree though that Leicester is a big game. Klopp will be questioned by some if he rested most of our best players and then still loses at the weekend. After this game though Mane is back, Coutinho should be at full fitness and then we have to kick on. A bad week cannot extend into a bad month or the chances of a title challenge are gone in my opinion.

2.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 15:38:01
sadly it could get a lot worse before its gets better, we are a so predictable atm our record at Leicester under klopp is woeful, Saturday has now become a must win game, however another defeat is probably most likely, another season without a trophy looks to be on the cards, klopp needs to be ruthless with the players who are letting him down, only salah and mane should feel safe. great post as usual MK.

3.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 15:54:55
Igor Biscan was wanted by most of the top clubs in Europe when we signed him. ;)

4.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 16:03:46
Thanks for the reply MK. I just feel Henderson seems lost to me and that is making his game weak and makes him look like he's worse than perhaps he is. He doesn't know what to do, where to go on the pitch or how to direct traffic. You know who I think would be ideal now, and im ready for the abuse, Lucas. He would sit, direct things and wouldn't be affraid tonsaynit how it was on the pitch.

5.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 16:06:14
Hey. No Need ;)

6.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 16:11:41
Agree with both first points as well, MK. I do think it is time the players stood up to be counted. It is all well and good blaming Klopp for this or that BUT frankly, the players' pride should come in here. Klopp cannot do everything. The players' pride should be hurt enough to get out there and play for respect and get it done. Players only meetings should be called for (happens all the time, in all team sports when things are not going well) at this time cos it is high time players started managing themselves. I know they care about the club cos against all odds, they made top 4 whereas most (and some of our own fans) thought they would not make it. They should rise up and defend their manager, the club and their pride. It is when the chips are down that the true warriors rise up. This is that time.

7.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 16:50:11
Completely agree about Lucas. Nobody seemed to notice it was him who stopped the slide at the back end of last season. His forward passing was also vital as Henderson does tend to go sideways a lot. Not without purpose, but he just doesn't take risks. Lucas was willing to make a calculated risky pass from time to time. Massively under rated player who like say, we currently miss dearly.

{Ed025's Note - a young lucas maybe MK, the one that left was a liability because his legs had gone mate..

8.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 17:44:07
I don't rate Henderson but as ed 01 days who else would you make captain? Milner? Doesn't get a game. Coutinho? Doesn't want to be here, so the captaincy doesn't bother me so much besides it's not just up to the captain to grab the players by the balls the keeper growing up was always the most vocal, you did what he said he was the one player who could clip you around the ear and you'd say sorry, we don't have that, we don't have any communication in the midfield, although I'm not a fan of Henderson I have no issues with him being captain as stupid as that sounds.

9.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 18:11:12
Says who, Ed25? If his legs were gone, how was he a key component to our making the CL last season when Klopp changed the formation to make us less penetrable? You say his legs were gone BUT is still doing it at Lazio and had no problem shutting down your awful mob led by the pathetically awful Ross Barkley (who I doubt is a footballer, to begin with) in his last derby at Anfield. Sorry, Ed. That had to be said.

{Ed025's Note - im not defending barkley bingo, but for me lucas was just not up to the job, hes alright in serie A where its slow and boring mate..

10.) 20 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 22:59:10
To be honest Lucas was never quick in the first place, hence he'd get caught quite often for pace but as a midfielder he knew how to cover a defence.

11.) 21 Sep 2017
20 Sep 2017 20:49:26
Ok, Ed25 if you say so.

{Ed025's Note - only an opinion bingo..

12.) 21 Sep 2017
21 Sep 2017 11:57:01
On Saturday Leicester (who put out a strong team last night) will be up against firmino and co and not dom solanke and the other youngsters. Team confidence is at a low, that is obvious to me. I hope we can turn it around because confidence is huge in an attacking team. Ant team really.

Hendo's game is very unattractive and therefore people think hd is average or some rubbish. The comment that says he wouldn't get in any other top team, let alone captain them. well I'm sorry but that is rubbish. The guy plays for england. Not only that He is the captain, ahead of kane Hart cahill jones. All decent captain.

I also thought we would out score everyone and the 10 goals conceded in the last 4 games is very worrying. I'm not freaking out just yet though and I think we will spank Leicester on Saturday with our first team. Ease up on Hendo, when we lose his game looks poor, coz of his style but he is a top player.