Liverpool banter 2

15 Apr 2024 09:50:22
I'm absolutely gutted right now. To think that our season could be over by the end of this week, when only 6 weeks ago we had a legitimate chance at finishing the season with 4 trophies, is just sickening.

Feels like the players and Klopp all took their eye off the ball after that one crazy game against United in the FA Cup before the international break. I think sadly that game may have been the catalyst. The emotional bubble we were floating on after Klopp said he's leaving seems to have well and truly burst and nobody looks like they have the foggiest idea how to stop the downward spiral.

Tactics have been questionable for at least a couple of years admittedly ever since Lijnders took on more responsibility and we started down the road of this inverted full back that we then never signed the right left centre back to execute properly. We've gone behind in 21 out of 32 games this season so Robertson can come out and moan at the forwards if he wants but the back 4 has been an absolute disgrace at times. We're the top scorers in Europe in all competitions but going behind early every bloody time allows the opposition to park the bus and then closes out the space for our attackers and piles pressure on them to score.

I'm really pleased we got to share that moment with Klopp and the u21 lads who won the Carabao Cup final at least, because on the balance of his whole tenure, Klopp deserved to go out with some silverware this season. It's just a crying shame that we've ran out of steam for all the bigger trophies. I'm praying to Fowler that somehow we can find another famous European comeback on Thursday as that would be another beautiful moment if we turned it around and went on to win the trophy. I've not given up on that happening as we've come back from worse. However I honestly don't expect City and Arsenal to drop the points we need to win the league from here so I'm not even going to dare to dream of that. Europa League is still in our hands even though we need a miracle. One last dance please lads!

15 Apr 2024 10:48:52
Arsenal will drop more points this season, as for City who knows what Chelsea turn up at the Etihad and Spurs maybe able to do us a favor.

Forest away may also trip City up, the rest Man City play I suspect are on the beach.

It ain't over till it's over.

15 Apr 2024 11:02:01
Maybe I'm just protecting myself from disappointment, King Carlos! Of course there is a chance, but how often have Pep's City bottled it from this position? Sadly the answer is currently "never".

15 Apr 2024 11:45:57
MKS, all our issues and inconsistencies that many of us recognised way earlier in the season that had not been fully addressed, came to the fore in the last 3 games. And having to tell the other team, "We'll spot you a goal early in the game and let's see how you handle it" for most of the season got to a head and there is only so many times you can go to the well to rescue games.

Hence as soon as your forwards hit a wall or managerial decisions are a bit iffy (which happens during a season), there is nowhere left to go. It's hard to take and the momentum has been stalled all over the pitch and in the coaching staff. As for the league, we are WELL on the outside looking in. Europa League? Do our best and if it's not enuff, pack it in and move on.

15 Apr 2024 11:48:33
I feel exactly the same MK and also tend to agree that it does seem to have imploded a bit since the FA Cup game against Utd.

The constant trying to recover from going a goal down couldn't keep happening and something needed to change from both the tactical and psychological side. It would be really nice to be 1-0 or 2-0 up for a change but it seems we're just far too slow starting games and constantly get punished and make life hard for ourselves.

Will keep fingers crossed that we somehow get some results in the final few weeks of the season but I've seen nothing over the last few games to convince me that that will happen!

Personally, I'm just looking forward to next season now to see what the new manager brings and we can start a fresh.

Lets be honest with ourselves. After last season and how far off we were, could we really see ourselves in this position with 6 games to go after completely changing how whole midfield? Probably not.

Let's see what happens and try and enjoy what we can of the remaining games that we have :-)

15 Apr 2024 13:18:57
The second half performance against Palace was very encouraging and with key people now back and finding rhythm, I for one am optimistic for a final push.

We are only two points off the top and tough games for everyone still to go. More points will be dropped by Arsenal and City.

The defeatism of some on here is frankly pathetic. Falling down is human. We judge on how people get up and bounce back. I trust Herr Klopp to find solutions, as he has before.

Let's get behind the lads and push on!

15 Apr 2024 14:50:49
Jaynwa, I think pathetic is a bit harsh, but I do get your point though! I still believe we can finish the season strong and maybe even win every game we have left. I just think City will do the same mate.

15 Apr 2024 15:47:45
Ernst Junger "I am an anarch - not because I despise authority but because I need it. Likewise I am not a non believer but a man that demands something worth believing in. " Jurgen showed us something to believe in and I did for 9 years with Mr Klopp, right now I just don't see us having a good finish to the season. Really, really hope I'm wrong but I don't see it on the pitch or on the bench. A lot of people wanted to blame the fans after the Atalanta defeat, well to everyone that was at Anfield on Sunday well done, you are the only ones that didn't down your tools.

15 Apr 2024 17:05:20
MKS, finishing the season strong is all we got right now. It is what it is.

15 Apr 2024 09:34:55
Watching klopp’s post match interview yesterday was the first time the thought of a new manager actually felt right. Klopp looked mentally shattered. I absolutely idolise the man but I think now is probably the right time for fresh ideas.

Thanks for everything Jurgen!

15 Apr 2024 11:46:27
JK_RED, maybe the guy knew what he was saying all along.

15 Apr 2024 07:43:31
Not scoring sitters is one thing, but the hopeless defending, making poor mistakes over and over again, not learning from those mistakes and conceding stupid needless goals through that sloppiness is worse.

We’ve literally handed points to Man United and Crystal Palace through our own stupidity and just as bad, thrown away a quarter final tie against Atalanta. As it is the squad looks completely done, devoid of ideas, energy or the ability to do anything about it, not that they can now do anything about the league as it’s as good as finished now and barring an extremely unlikely miracle UEFA cup is dead in the water too, City never drop points from this position.

We’ve sabotaged ourselves which is a terrible way for Klopp to bow out and the players have let him down. Whoever is coming in has a lot of work on his hands. I personally doubt it’ll be Amorim as Romano has said no contact has been made with either his agent or Sporting and as much as he’s a click bait merchant he also has some level of reliability and given our poor relationship with Sporting it feels like that will be issue.

I suspect we’re in for a nasty shock and it’ll be a fail merchant like Tuchel, Nagelsmann, De Zerbi or Potter, depending on who is cheaper and who’s prepared to work with a small transfer budget.

15 Apr 2024 08:20:29
I reckon someone we’ve never heard of.

15 Apr 2024 08:22:09
It’s not just players that have let Klopp down it’s Klopp himself. He is the one picking the players and tactics so he has to take blame as well. He is also the one who told the world that he is leaving half way though the season and that has got to have an effect on everyone.

15 Apr 2024 09:03:17
Again, what players could he have picked different?

15 Apr 2024 09:24:59
The players are capable of winning everything, we know that much so why is their mentality the way it currently is? they don't have the right mindset, no positivity whatsoever. I love Klopp and will never go on about him but at the same time, something is very wrong at the minute and it's getting on my nerves. I hate to say it and in no way am I saying I can't wait for Klopp to be out because if it was upto me he'd be staying but I am looking forward to seeing what a new manager brings. I think we're going to see a hell of a lot of changes over the next couple of years.

A lot is wrong and I don't see us fixing it now, not this season. I just can't see us getting back on form. After Thursday I had a bad feeling about yesterday.

A few weeks ago I was excited about what we'd be winning, now it's not the case, we've blown it in my opinion. We will drop more points and the worst thing is I don't see City dropping any, they'll win it.

15 Apr 2024 09:39:46
Having our seasons wobble at the wrong time unfortunately
Up the pool.

15 Apr 2024 10:59:39
Hit a wall on near every topic at the worst of times, me thinks.

15 Apr 2024 12:29:31
I see a lot of posts saying the players have let Klopp down, after Atalanta many wanted to blame the fans for the performance. The management team deserve as much blame as anyone else.

15 Apr 2024 12:41:51
Pep Lijnders will have no salary if it's true he told Klopp that he would give up his salary if his system did not work on the pitch.
Well Pep your system has not worked.

15 Apr 2024 06:50:58
'And the sun shines now. '

Thinking of the victims and their families, the survivors, and everyone affected by that horrible day 35 years ago.

Never forgotten.
YNWA.

15 Apr 2024 07:12:14
Absolutely, TrickyT. There are more important things than kicking a ball about.

God Bless the 97

YNWA.

15 Apr 2024 07:40:26
Bang on, Tricky T.

YNWA.

15 Apr 2024 08:01:04
Remembering the 97

YNWA.

15 Apr 2024 08:56:05
Well said 👏 time to put the football thoughts away.

15 Apr 2024 09:09:30
Gone but not forgotten 97

YNWA.

15 Apr 2024 09:41:53
YNWA 97.

15 Apr 2024 10:59:56
YNWA!

14 Apr 2024 23:06:18
For me nunez is not a striker I would rather see him on the left wing or sold, for our next game I want too see gakpo on the left his natural position, Jota down the middle and szbozlai on the right wing the position he thrived at in leipzig which he scored goals and created assists. I hate the way we buy players and play them everywhere but there best position.

15 Apr 2024 07:32:34
Did Nunez play on the left for Benfica 🤔.

15 Apr 2024 11:02:24
Yeah cos it's Nunez's fault we had 60 misplaced/ mirubbish passes in the first half alone? . Oh and it is Nunez's fault that Jones, Jota, Salah and Diaz could not score or that Salah played his worst game of the season, right? Or that Klopp could have taken Salah off way earlier but didn't do it, yeah? Take the day off, mate.

14 Apr 2024 22:15:08
Sometimes relationships break down, divorce ensues and people who once loved their partner start getting bitter. Name calling, dismissive of there time together. Suddenly they try to make out the amazing time they had together wasn't all they thought it was, and maybe the breakup is for the best? One partner has to show some decorum for the sake of the baby ( club) This is what it feels like on here atm to me. A couple of bad results (is a point away to Utd a bad result? ) and fans turning on players Some even digging klopp out for under achieving . l've had the best 9 years in the last 30 as a Liverpool supporter thanks to him. He's the reason why players wanted to come here he's the reason why we are a super power again. With probably the exception of Real, Bayern and maybe city every other club in Europe would swap places with us. I would love him to go out with a bang play heavy metal football maybe? But if he decides to persevere with whatever system he wants he has earned that right. He could have walked away mid season but he showed some respect/ love for us and the club and stood by us the least he deserves is it reciprocated. YNWA jurgen.

14 Apr 2024 22:35:51
Just remember Scouse John it was Klopp who wants the divorce because we didn't take him on enough sunny holidays.

I wanted couples counselling but it is what it is.

Of course there were some good times. Who could forget that night of passion in Madrid that ended with that amazing ORIGIasm.

We'll stay great friends. That's for sure. He is the one that thought us to love again. Although, it was a little weird on carabou cup nights when we woke up in the bed with Pep Linders. What just happened?

At least we get the kids. Little Alexis and Dom, little Conor and his cheeky face, Trent (He's growing up so fast. Sniff sniff) and the rest. We had a lot of children with him.

Some of the older ones will move out. Mo and Virj maybe. But you can't stay at home forever.

But there's life in us fans yet. We're no spring chickens but we still give a hell of a rendition of "Allez Allez Allez", "Oh Andy, Andy" and that classic "You'll never walk alone" . Not even Klopp when he leaves. He'll have pep with him.

There'll be another who will fall for our charms and we'll fall for his. And I'm sure there'll be many more nights of exciting passion ahead of us.

14 Apr 2024 23:04:33
Get real. Klopps substitutions and team selections have cost us. Can't wait for a new manager. Arnold should stay on right like Robertson has on left, no spaces in behind and stop messing with team selection maybe the players will know where they are.

14 Apr 2024 23:35:47
Wake up and smell what you’re shovelling. We got to a position where everything was in our own hands and then Klopp and the players bottled it. Also not for the first time. Klopp gets praised when it going well and now when we can’t keep a clean sheet and we can’t score goals Klopp takes his share of the blame.

15 Apr 2024 05:09:24
Klopp and the players got us into that position where things were in our hands in the first place. But I agree that Klopp and the players should be held accountable for the poor results in recent weeks too. Why we shifted styles to this slow and turgid build-up when it has never worked before is beyond me. We always play our best when we go all out and overwhelm the opponents from the first minute.

15 Apr 2024 08:03:04
Welcome back @Mark. As an aside who do you think it was who got us in the position we are - two points off the top with a handful f games to go.

15 Apr 2024 11:23:00
Good form, Davey.

15 Apr 2024 11:40:53
Great point, WDW3.
And I don't think anyone is saying Klopp or the players shouldn't take any responsibility for poor results and performances. But we are one of three sides that have had the fewest poor results this season.

14 Apr 2024 19:21:39
Well that's that then. Goodbye Klopp you absolute legend. Been great but I think he's spot on that there's nothing more that he can do for us based on how everything has fallen away the last few weeks. Hopefully Amorim can bring back some energy and good attacking football.

14 Apr 2024 19:54:32
It's more disappointing with the players we have and squad. Allison and virg aren't go into be here forever and we should have won more than we did and especially this season. The seasons not over yet but since the United fa cup game there's just a real tiredness to us now especially mentally. The constant going behind certainly doesn't help aided with the system. Klopp said post match trent came on and structurally we were better?! If klopp had stayed for another 4 years this inverted system was never going and the lack of width was never changing either. Robbo was fantastic today, it'd amazing when quaulty players play wide and put in some terrific crosses for players who are great in the air.

14 Apr 2024 20:46:49
This inverted fullback system does nothing against teams that sit in. We should be trying to open the pitch up. Our outball right is konate when Trent plays inverted, madness.

14 Apr 2024 21:18:20
I had made a couple of posts where I hoped that we would go back to basics tactically after trying to out-tactic the opposition over the last few weeks, but frustratingly Klopp had other ideas again.

Also, it was clear Endo/ Macca were exhausted on Thu. To start them both was surprising.

As it stands, it looks like the season and Klopp era is going to go out with a whimper - even with Arsenal's defeat.

15 Apr 2024 02:17:17
We created enough chances in the last 2 prem games to win 10 games, but if we don't have a proven goalscorer anymore what are we going to do. Mo hasn't been the same since the hamstring injury and for as much chaos as he causes, Darwin isn't that guy. We need a 20+ in the league goal machine and we need a settled central defensive partnership.

15 Apr 2024 03:02:40
100% our biggest issue. Nunez is not the answer, I think he could work on the left wing if Diaz were to leave but he is no way a striker out and out.
We need an injury free forward that can take his chances when they are presented.
I like Osmihen but probably beyond our budget.
Isla is also an upgrade.

{Ed001's Note - Osimhen misses as many as Nunez, so does Haaland. All strikers miss sitters, I can remember Rush kneeing one over from inside the 6 yard box with an open goal. That is not our biggest issue, it is the quality of chances we are creating that is the problem. Every single shot the box is full of opposition players, we no longer get in behind, we don't drag their defenders out of position, so they can get bodies in the way. While that happens, the chances of a shot finding the back of the net are massively reduced. How many 1-on-1s did we get against Palace? I think it was 1 if I remember correctly. And that fell for Jones. We are getting off lots of shots, but rarely are we getting open space to aim at.}

15 Apr 2024 06:44:13
I think it was V V in the chat who said ‘Nunez has the touch of an axe murderer’. Hard to argue with that observation.
For a £90m striker his technique is poor. It feel like he’s always snatching at chances, head down and smash it as hard as he can - the knock down from the corner being an example. 5 yards out, smash it at the keepers knee. He didn’t have a lot of time but take a second and try and miss the keeper.
He doesn’t time his runs well either, there are a lot of offsides.
For me, he’s not good enough technically but I completely appreciate his good points - pace, strength, tenacity, work rate. I get it why people appreciate him, this is no slight on them, he just needs to be better.
His transfer fee does him no favours.

15 Apr 2024 07:07:21
Who's great in the air?

15 Apr 2024 07:14:26
I'm with Ed001. I think Nunez has been incredibly unlucky to not score more than he has this season. Yes he 'smashes' the ball slot but most of the time in football those go in. No Nunez is not the problem. He's a 24 YO striker who has everything in his locker and will this year and ongoing be a 20 goal a season striker minimum. The tactics and lack of width when teams sit deep is what does us. So sick of watching us play short passes around the 30 years mark from oppos goals, all within the width of the 18 yard box. So easy to defend, press and counter against.
Klopp has been amazing but as I said 2 years ago the persistence of backing Peps style with this slow possession based inverted system is woeful. Feels like he has betrayed the original version of him to be frank. It's the right time to leave and let someone else (Amorim fingers crossed) have a crack.

15 Apr 2024 07:39:44
At some point during the international break we decided to try and become Brighton.

Neil from Anfield Wrap asked why does it seem like we continuously use the first half as a fact finding mission. Are we not doing our opposition analysis anymore? Or are we being arrogant and choosing to start with a handicap?

Ed001, is right about the chance types for the forwards. Crowded boxes, scrambles or difficult angles.

15 Apr 2024 09:00:50
I disagree with the quality of the chances.

Look at the goals we concede. They are not always clear 1-1 chances. There are a lot of crowded penalty areas (yesterday) .
I think of some of the Atalanta goals, some of the Man U goals.
How much easier does it get than 5 yards out with just the keeper in front of you?

I don’t need a striker who can score open goals, I expect them to be able to score other types of goals. Like the ones we concede.

{Ed001's Note - but we do not have bodies in the way, everyone is just stood off, no one is closing down. Our opposition are throwing themselves into the challenge, getting their bodies in the way, rather than standing off and waiting.}

15 Apr 2024 09:49:21
Well that is certainly true Ed, we have bodies all around them but they aren’t trying as hard to block the shots.

{Ed001's Note - that is a problem all over the pitch, the press is non-existent and no one is closing down and getting in people's faces. Most of the time the only one trying is Endo and it is easy to bypass one player. It is so sad to see the season petering out this way.}

15 Apr 2024 09:54:02
Robbo was our best player yesterday and terrific the first half. I don't believe if i remember he did the same second half which was a great option for us. Very poor decisions from the staff.

15 Apr 2024 17:12:39
Ed, is it the exhaustion of a long season that is now showing it's ugly face, or specifically how we have set the team up which is making is turgid?

{Ed001's Note - we have gone back to the way the team was being set up to play this season. It is nothing to do with exhaustion.}

15 Apr 2024 20:37:57
thanks Ed, so it's back to the inverted RB schtick that basically nullifies any width in play and focusses on possession?

{Ed001's Note - yes.}