28 Dec 2017 12:40:30
Hey everyone,

Great news with the VVD signing.

I was having a chat with a friend the other day and it brought up a debate that I thought was interesting.

His point was that he felt that our defenders (excluding 'VVD') aren't as bad as they seem. In fact a lot of their mistakes are stemmed from a poor goalkeeper in Mignolet. He argues and I kind of agree, that if we had a rock solid, vocal keeper then our defence would not have been as much of an issue, and people like Lovren may not have felt as much pressure.

Although I do think that Lovren and co certainly need upgrading (and VVD is a big start on that), we do need to fix that goalkeeping issue to get to the point where we are less panicky under pressure. Point being I think VVD is going to be great, but let's not perhaps expect an overnight fix as there are other issues at play. Perhaps we have to accept gradual improvement in these areas as an when other people are also replaced.

Also one question for the Ed's - from what you hear is there any chance that VVD and Gomez will be given the chance to forge a centre back pairing, or is it still considered too early for Gomez at CB?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I really have no idea but Klopp has not been using Gomez at CB so it would be an unlikely pairing immediately.}

1.) 28 Dec 2017
28 Dec 2017 12:49:15
Thanks Ed for replying so quickly.

Happy New Year to you and everyone who works so hard on keeping this site as great as it is!

2.) 28 Dec 2017
28 Dec 2017 13:00:14
Sounds suspiciously like scapegoating to me. We need a better keeper but it's not Migs' fault or CBs aren't great.

3.) 28 Dec 2017
28 Dec 2017 13:02:03
I’ve said the same, the keeper is the biggest issue for me but that doesn’t excuse the sheer number of individual errors made by defenders.

4.) 28 Dec 2017
28 Dec 2017 13:40:49
We will be a lot better dealing with the long balls and set pieces and also with setting attacks up from the back, as Big Virgil does have a sweet right foot. He is a top player and one that will improve our first team.
Defensively wise, things can only get better. We all know a keeper with a better save to shot ratio than Migs would be the icing on the cake, but for now I think VVD will stop or block some of them shots going past Migs.

5.) 28 Dec 2017
28 Dec 2017 13:51:23
We had problems all the way across the back 4 and at GK last year. Things are looking up a bit with Moreno improving, Gomez at RB, Klavan improving and now VVD coming in. GK is still a massive issue though and the main one to fix next IMO.

As for setup, I think we’ll see Matip and VVD playing together for another year or so until Gomez has matured a bit more, then probably TAA will come in at RB and Gomez/ VVD paired at CB. Think that will be an awesome setup in a year or so.

With regards to the transfer itself, I can’t really comment on VVD with any real authority, but I’m hopeful. What I’m especially happy about though is Klopp is practicing what he preaches and playing the long game, only moving for key positions when he’s found the right player, and paying proper fees when he’s comfortable he’s found the right fit.