19 Aug 2019 11:23:07
Well, glad we came through a tough week on top and a trophy, can't ask for much more than that.

I'm just concerned with the defence next weekend, with the pace and ability arsenal have up front, we really need to tighten up.

Yes their defence is a bit suspect but they've invested well, it's going to be a real tough test on Saturday.


1.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 12:02:15
Drogie like you, I am glad we got thru a tough week and came out on top on both fronts (trophy and PL top spot w/ City dropping points) even tho, we have a tonne of work to do for this team to kick on.

As for the Arsenal game, I disagree with the idea that they have invested well. Did they really need Pepe with all the defensive issues they have and STILL have even with the nutjob David Luiz at CB? I saw the Burnley game and tho Arsenal won, Burnley had a tonne of space to work with on the counter and with a bit more quality, they should have scored. Even the goal they did score was dreadful defending by you guessed it, Luiz.

I agree we do have our defence to get sorted BUT I will take our defence any day and 7 times on Sundays against theirs. They are a threat up front BUT we already knew that. We have a full week to prepare (something we could not do last week) and I expect a better defensive perf. this Sat.


2.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 12:48:15
I fancy Klopp to select a slightly more conservative midfield. Maybe Fabinho, Hendo and Gini. Then Ox to come off the bench in the 2nd half in a more advanced role and drive at their defence. I also think Anfield will give us that extra boost towards 3 points.


3.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 12:51:04
Think it’s going to be a cracker and potentially a high scorer. I’m going to go 4-3. The front 3 pick themselves and only area in defence up for grabs is who plays out of Gomez and Matip. For me the interesting one is who does Klopp go with in midfield. What’s everyone’s preferred midfield for Arsenal if they were picking the team? I think I would go with Fab, Wiji and Ox. Think all 3 are different and bring variation.


4.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 13:12:14
Pepe is a good player for any team imo and their young lad from Madrid, Cabellos is a real talent mate.
They should have addressed their defensive issues am with you on that one.

But, defensively we are just as poor at the moment, every game I’ve seen, including pre season, we have had gaps, we’ve just been lucky teams haven’t been but to score.

Arsenal will be a different story with their attack.


5.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 13:16:48
invested well?

Saliba back out on loan. Tierney out until October with a knee injury.

David Luiz to replace Koscienly?

We will tear them a new one as we always do. They will score though, it really will be the midfields were the game is won.


6.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 14:49:05
Tierney might well be injured but he’s a decent acquisition, so is cabellos and Pepe, you don’t think they’re any good? You won’t and see how cabellos picks a pass.


7.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 15:14:08
They should be more concerned mate, their defence is turd.


8.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 15:36:43
Drogie, Pepe is a good player but that we already knew. As for Ceballos, he is a good one as well cos as U know, we were interested in both players. Now Saying our defence is just as poor is actually inaccurate and frankly a poor analysis of both defence overall.

We have the better defence clearly BUT due to teething issues that arrive during the start of every season, it is not playing well. It also does not help if the best GK in the PL (an important part of that defence) is out and you are still having to bed in the new no. 2 you just signed two weeks ago. Our issues can be rectified with time and fine-tuning in training.

Arsenal's probs are way deeper than that as they are inherent and systemic. The thing is that they have crap defenders who want to play out the back whereas they are not built to do that, individually, plain and simple. Also, does Emery really want a matchup Monreal v Salah? Or Mane w Maintland-Niles? Or Bobbie vs Luiz/ Sokratis? I ain't buying that one, man. All, we have to do is tighten up the midfield and defence and remain compact whenever we lose the ball and we'll be fine, IMO BUT I don't think it will be a 4-3 game cos I don't see us conceding 3 goals.


9.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 16:08:54
They have bought good players but the wrong players for their issues, so the issues remain.


10.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 16:16:13
Agree on that. The difference between our defence and Arsenal’s is ours are not playing to their usual standard where Arsenal’s are not very good overall. Cabellos looked brilliant against Burnley so it will be interesting to see how he looks against our midfield as that’s where it could be won or lost. If Arsenal’s attack turn up but our defence play well then we can keep them out. If our attack turn up then Arsenal’s defence will not be able to handle them.


11.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 17:12:07
It’s apparent that Ceballos has undoubtably improved their midfield even though it’s only two games into the season. As for the midfield, we already know that Klopp will go with experience and the defensive - Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum.


12.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 17:57:58
Spot on, JK23. Fully agree with you there. As for Ceballos, I saw in the Burnley game that he had a lot of room to work with in midfield as Burnley dropped deep for the most part whenever any Arsenal midfielder had the ball. Brilliant footballer as he is (we would know cos Klopp tried to sign him), I would like to see how he will react with a pack of wolves hounding him in midfield the same way a Hendo, Gini or Fab will (should they all start) cos even the best mid's in the world struggle mightily against our guys.

As for the midfield lineup, I won't be surprised at all if Klopp does not go with Ox in midfield with Fab and Hendo. I say this cos Arsenal are pretty open when they lose the ball and with Ox bearing down on that defence with the front three running into space, that's danger right there.

One more thing. Our defence is brilliant for many reasons. One other reason is that everyday in training, it goes against IMO, the best and most lethal front three on the planet. If that does not improve you defensively individually and as a collective defensively then, I don't know what will.


13.) 19 Aug 2019
19 Aug 2019 23:28:49
I was referring to investment in their defence. The one that we tore open last season. It is no better.