23 Dec 2018 00:14:52
Ed001, I remember before Van Dijk signed and we were linked you were very apprehensive because of the way he seems to stroll through games. Do you think he has completely eradicated this from his game now and if so do you see any areas where he needs to improve anymore? I have never seen such a perfect defender in my life.

{Ed001's Note - certainly not eradicated it, there are certain times he still is a bit lax and has to rely on recovery pace, but nothing like he used to. Now it is just an odd moment in a game, rather than a whole game. I think there has been just one game I remember since joining us when he was strolled through a game.}

1.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 06:17:51
Looks like you called it on Fabinho too Ed.
He’s looking very decent, I wasn’t sure of him at all early doors.
His emergence will ease a lot of pressure and fatigue in the midfield too, it’s any three from six or seven now.
No rush for Ox too, I think we plan for the season without him and let him ease his way back. An appearance before the season end would be a huge bonus.

{Ed001's Note - he is a class player Fabs, got a great range of passing, just needs the players to realise it and make the runs for him to pick out.}

2.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 06:24:20
Ed,
In one of your recent match reviews (I think it was against Bournemouth), you mentioned that van Dijk’s mere presence is enough to do the defending for us sometimes.
I thought this was an intriguing point, so would you care to expand on it a bit more?
Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - for instance against Watford, when the ball went to VVD's area of the pitch, a lot of the time Deeney never even bothered to try and compete for it, but just dropped off and waited. Other times a player who would normally look to run in behind just won't make the runs because Virgil can outrun them, so they don't make their usual runs. What you find is that allows us to reduce the space in midfield further, as we can push higher.}

3.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 07:27:51
Spot on, Ed. VVD has indeed improved on his sluggish, laid back attitude that used to be part of his game. I remember last season at Palace where he almost cost us the game (at 1-0 down) when his lax approach to a pass by Matip allowed Townsend in but Benteke skied the chance. That has not happened to that extent this season.

In fact, I have seen him be a lot more aggressive and when he is like that, NO striker can mess with him and like you said about Deeney, he is starting to get into the opposition strikers' heads. Just like Allison is doing and well, we all know Klopp has 5,000 sq. foot villa, firmly rooted in Pep Guardiola's cranium.

4.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 08:18:06
would it also be possible due to the teams performance ed001? i feel the whole squad right now feels they can win something this season and everyone has upped their game. van dijk may be playing at his best because not only do they want to win, bt they genuinely feel they could, more than ever before.

and i see fabinhos been getting involved up the pitch so much more, even getting an assist along the way!

{Ed001's Note - hard to tell, not even he will know for sure what has changed. I would think it is most likely down to the change in attitude at the club though. Where in the past he had games that were too easy, no game is ever allowed to be seen as too easy under Klopp.}

5.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 09:11:02
Ed I dunno if it’s done but any chance of a mini mid season review on the manager and players and maybe s rating on each? No pressure 😝.

{Ed001's Note - not a chance mate, got my parents here for a couple of weeks yet, so won't have time for much. I haven't even started the match review for Friday night's game yet!}

6.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 11:04:11
😂😂😂😂😂 no worries pal I don’t want to weigh u down have a great Christmas to u and your family.

7.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 11:09:45
Ed001, what are the chances of you helping Ed025 see the fab in Fab and the ordinary in Andre Gomez?

he's claimed i've red tinted glasses, and i do, but i just find it unbelievable that even after the recent games, he still finds Fab ordinary and Andre Gomez fab.

{Ed001's Note - I think there is no hope for him. Apparently Gomes is wonderful after one good game but Fabinho has to play well for 35 years before he can be considered average.}

8.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 11:25:44
'Where in the past he had games that were too easy, no game is ever allowed to be seen as too easy under Klopp. '

interested to hear more on this, probably after the january window closes ed001 ill ask again if you don't mind.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate feel free.}

9.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 11:35:32
And yet Ed25 slates us LFC fans, for wearing designer-made rose-tinted glasses whenever we big up our own players eh, Ed01?

{Ed001's Note - a lot of people do the same. Jump to knee jerk reactions when it comes to the game and then refuse to change them until brutally obvious they were wrong. He only admitted Firmino was any good at the end of last season.}

10.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 11:36:25
I think that’s one of the key differences as you mentioned ed, the belief. Before teams would know if they can hang on, they could get one via set plays or a mistake. Now they’re defending thinking well we’re probably not Gunna score an easy one. also the physical presence we never really had. Matip is tall and weak and Lovren isn’t massive. Milner and hendo were always strong for their size but no Beasts. Now Fabinho and vvd and Gomez with his pace and jumping, teams don’t even think they can come out and bully us.
Again before, teams knew counter attacking could nick them a point as we struggled to break down teams parking the bus, which we seem to do now. Getting that one goal is crucial and now we can hang onto a lead, it pushes teams out more meaning they have to get out, rather than again hope for a corner chance or mistake. Is great to see!
Finally, I think you are right again about transfers, I’d love to see a versatile full back come in, cover on both sides, as that’s are only real weakeness I think, if we have to play Moreno or Clyne.

11.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 13:03:22
I remember hearing in the wolves game commentary, one of them said he had recently taken his kid to a Liverpool game ( kid supporting the other team) . Kid turned around half way through and said dejected about Virgil ‘he’s not going to make a mistake is he’ . Pretty much sum it up. I remember playing as a striker for years I would try and sniff a mistake in a defender and rubbish him down. Occasionally I met ones where it was just a complete waste of time!

12.) 23 Dec 2018
23 Dec 2018 13:46:10
YIKES! Ed01, it took Ed25 till last season to finally agree that Bobbie was any good? Bobbie has been good since Klopp walked in the door and has been improving ever since. Well, I don't blame him tho cos some of our own fans STILL doubt Bobbie despite him being proven quality and all he does for the good of the team. In fact, I remember you saying once last season, that Pep actually adores Bobbie as a player. I guess "The best manager the world has ever seen" patently false, btw) has red-tinted glasses as well eh, Ed01.

{Ed001's Note - Bobby is great, but Ed025 is old and so it takes him a while to see the truth. Old men hate to admit to being wrong.}