Liverpool Banter Archive August 12 2017

 

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12 Aug 2017 22:33:01
Some people need to cool the jets. It's the first match . Tuesday is going to be a tougher game in my opinion. Things might not go our way on the night. Chances are we could score 4 and concede 5. I agree with carra vvd won't make a difference the way we set up at set pieces. It doesn't take a genius to work that out. As much as I love hendo I think he's wasted in front of the back four.

Believable4 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 22:55:16
Don't think he's captain material either.


12 Aug 2017 23:17:14
Leadership in the back is what is needed. Someone like carra to rip into players to stay in their positions and mark properly. We can have all of the proper technical players we want, but without the leadership in the back to organize and rip arse, it doesnt' matter.


12 Aug 2017 23:46:46
It's not about marking in set pieces is it? How long do we carry on with zonal marking before we decide it doesn't work for us? Talk about square peg, round hole. The way our boys were set up in corners, it's like inviting the opposition to score. I don't actually know (how they were set up) if it's possible defend decent corners? Ridiculous. Hendo wasn't the problem was he? He's great no 6 for us, the heartbeat of the team. How you can say he's not captain material? I assume you know him? No. Then what are you talking about. Talk about sweeping statement. Attacking we are good even though in 3rd gear today but it's set pieces. It was last season and it was today. People slag our defenders when actually they ain't bad. We don't concede many from open play. We concede from set pieces and that is down to system. Ergo management and coaching staff. Sorry jurgen and co, love you guy's but it's true.


13 Aug 2017 00:08:13
agree superred. good post.


13 Aug 2017 00:09:24
Just to be clear. I think klopp is a brilliant manager. Love our football under him, has made unbelievable players out of our squad.
The zonal thing ain't working.


13 Aug 2017 00:14:14
Just seen all the other posts about zonal marking. It doesn't take z genius to see it.

On another note, I'm glad people can see we can score without coutinio. Obvious really, just transfer season fever making people crazy. I think kieta would've made a difference today. We need more metal in the team. Sell cout's buy kieta vvd and lanzini.


13 Aug 2017 00:18:02
I agree if we conceded 50% less of set pieces we'd have finished 3rd last season at least. I know it's a new season, but this zonal marking clearly isn't working, just go back to basics with man marking, one man on the post and one spare man. Then at least people can be more at fault for the opposition scoring if our players don't track THIER man to mark. Simples really.
Has he always used zonal marking in his managerial career does anyone know?


13 Aug 2017 01:07:17
As much as I agree superred rafa won the cl with zonal marking. Saying that we had hyypia and carra but I can also remember when things wernt going well it was a big thing on sly. They made such a big deal out of it. Even Rodney marsh was a pundit then and them other two f%&kwits.


13 Aug 2017 01:17:11
Zonal can work but it needs perfect set up EVERYTIME. Dunno why it doesn't work for us. I can only put it down to lack of intelligence and lack of leadership. For watford second (I think) where the ball ended up was not defendable (is that word?! ) It shouldn't have got past the front post, can't remember who's responsibility that was. gini? Zonal is reliant on too many things being done perfectly. when they are so often not done so by liverpool. I mean, in training the guys must ship loads of goals aswell? We must be aware of the problem. SwitchING to man marking isn't going to happen and I don't think klopp should re-evaluate his philosophy. I don't know the answer? I think our cbs are decent but perhaps not suited to zonal system. We were told jurgen had £200 mil this summer, look for defenders who have mastered the zonal thing, played it all there careers. Or change the system.


13 Aug 2017 01:20:15
Who are these "leaders" then?

Name names. It's too easy to say the club should sign a particular type of player and not put your neck on the line.


13 Aug 2017 01:24:07
Sorry bignig dude. Didn't mean to bite your head off. He has big boots to fill does Hendo.


13 Aug 2017 08:11:53
Great discussion, guys and Superred is correct. As for me, zonal marking is too much of a high risk, high reward. Last season, we did not do a full zonal marking system. We did a mix of zonal and man marking meaning, we did a zonal marking across the 6 hard box and then man marking outside of it and in the last six games of last season, it worked when we kept 4 clean sheets in 6 games to get top 4 altho Lucas helped immensely. We need to get back to that and also, our CB's NEED TO GROW A PAIR AND TAKE CHARGE.


13 Aug 2017 17:34:16
No worries Supered91 you make a good point having big boots to fill, nobody could replace Stevie G. I just don't see Hendo being mentally strong enough/ having the balls to kick some asses on the pitch or dressing room. I don't think we have any characters like that at present.


12 Aug 2017 22:05:57
Some absolute nonsense on here tonight.
First game of the season is always a bit mad, it's like hardly any of you have seen football before.

Believable6 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 23:32:48
Totally understand but it's the same problems as last year, as carragher sed what have we done pre season to sort out the same old rubbish.


13 Aug 2017 00:37:45
We could have Franco baresi in our back four and it probably wouldn't make a difference.


13 Aug 2017 03:42:32
That is the issue, OP. Most teams look distinctly average on the first day, but if we could defend to even a semi-decent standard, we'd have won that 0-3. The same issues, year after year, are costing us points. It's lazy coaching from Klopp, he is not doing his job to the level that we know he can.


12 Aug 2017 22:28:40
Wanted to throw my opinion in on our defending.
Redknapp and Carragher both made se valid points.
Loads of people are laying into Klopp because he hasn't foxed our defense, since the Rodgers days, and the reason behind that is because he still believes in Zonal marking.
Carragher was right in what he was saying about the Okaka goal, no CB will stop that because they still won't be in the right area, because they will be positioned for zonal marking.
Where Redknapp was right, the third goal. A commanding CB would have headed that ball far and away, instead of not getting it clear. We didn't get it clear at the near post and we were punished.

Would VVD fix all our defensive problems? No.
Would he stop us conceding as many goals? Yes.

I really can't see how there is a place for zonal marking in the Prem. Have a man on the post, and a man to stop follow ups on the edge of the box, but beyond that just mark your men.

I would not get carried away either way though reds, its match day 1 and were unbeaten this season.

Today did confirm one thing for me, we will score goals with or without Coutinho, but our defense definitely needs attention.
Genuinely fancy putting a dark horse £10 on Firmino for Golden Boot, will score a hatful on the end of our attack and taking pens too.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 23:14:19
Think this was battered around before and the issue today looked like the same problems and not a zonal issue. Zonal marking doesn't mean you stand in an area and stay put. You still have to track runs and communicate. That first goal happened numerous times last season because everyone watched the guy make the run or switched off. Man marking isn't suddenly going to make players wake up.


12 Aug 2017 23:42:13
Man marking gives each individual player more responsibility imo.


12 Aug 2017 23:54:06
^^ Their professional footballers for god sake and get paid a hell lot of money? The least they can do is take more They should responsibility picking up their man in the area.


13 Aug 2017 08:16:21
No one really plays a full zonal or man marking any more. Most teams play a mix of zonal and man marking and we did that a lot last season with a zonal system across the six and man marking outside of it. I also agree that zonal marking does not mean that you don't stay switched on, attack headers and track runners and show leadership in such situations. That is a cop out. Our boys were not at the races the whole game yet we scored 3 goals and should have killed them off. There is the mixed bag we are in right now.


12 Aug 2017 22:04:07
After today's result I think it's imperative to get one cb preferably two. There is not one player in our defence that commands the line. Me personally, I didn't like cara not as a player but as a person. Though coz he was a local lad he was above the rest him and Gerrard the so called scous Mafia. But one thing he did was talk and shout, you could hear him from Stanley's park, and that's what we need, plus someone who can actually defend. Also every time the ball goes near migs I cringe, as a shot stopper he's up there with the best but when he has to think he flaps like hell. Plus moreno is totally useless. Personally I would sell can he just doesn't do it for me. But like fools we sit here criticising and next week it might click and we're saying the team is great, but that's my rant over bring on hoffenhiem.

Believable3 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 22:50:56
What did Moreno do wrong Ted? And what did Can do wrong? Answer: Nothing.


12 Aug 2017 23:56:40
I think most of us are still a little frustrated with the outcome of today's game and just fire away with unnecessary criticism which is fully understandable as fans. We only want the best for our club.


13 Aug 2017 00:08:56
agreed welsh.


13 Aug 2017 00:31:43
Can was a solid contender for MOTM Ted, don't know what game you were watching.


13 Aug 2017 00:32:24
WelshRed84 - Moreno was at fault for the second goal because he tried a fancy pull back when he was too close to the touchline and the ball went out of play. They scored from the throw in.

To get a point away from home on the first day is not bad. It just feels bad because they equalized right at the death.


13 Aug 2017 02:04:53
I notice no one is defending the Mignolet comment.


13 Aug 2017 08:18:20
KBL, you are wrong. Moreno was not at fault for the second goal. He made a challenge and there was no one there to cover for him. Moreno and Can played well so stop scapegoating.


12 Aug 2017 21:59:13
probably like most of you including most of the eds LFC was always built on a great goalkeeper with the best defence in front of him but since Carra and Agger we are the laughing stock of defending, may be Jammie should go in training and teach them how to defend.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 23:54:48
could not agreee more. without a forcefull proper goalkeeper and a proper assertive cb we will continue to have problems.


12 Aug 2017 23:56:17
It's not only about players mate.

Managers like klopp, Rodgers build their teams around attacking.

Will never be a good defensive side under klopp.


13 Aug 2017 00:12:44
Carragher is a bottler. He'd rather sit in a studio and pretend he knows what he is talking about, than take the hot seat. His post playing career is a pale reflection of his career as a player.

I always expected it to be Gerrard sat in the studio and Carra going into management, but alas, Gerrard has shown he has not only morevbravery by choosing to put his head on the block, but also humility by taking the youth team job first.

Carragher would rather play with a fancy touch screen and tell others how to do a job he has never done. Nothing wrong with an opinion, it just carries little weight. No more than any of our opinions on management essentially because he is just an outsider looking in. I have more management experience from coaching kids!


13 Aug 2017 08:19:40
MK, just like his fellow failures in Gary and Phil Neville, the pathetic Chuckle Bros.


12 Aug 2017 21:58:51
Connor Randell on loan at hearts, kicks out S*N reporter from presser! Jf96. Nice to see love and Loyalty from a player to his club!

Believable8 Unbelievable0

12 aug 2017 23:55:26
fantastic!


13 Aug 2017 06:36:54
I think it's loyalty from a scouser to his city and people not the club.


12 Aug 2017 21:52:56
Crappy draw, as everyone already said. Moreno getting a look in was. interesting. Don't know if I hate or love that guy. Overly ambitious in every situation, still absolutely dyslexic when reading situation, looked really promising going forward. Think he could do alright with another CD beside him. Lovren isn't really helping with his kind of defensive dyslexia.

Believable2 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 21:22:41
Any truth in the rumours that klopp is not happy and would of walked if this was a little earlier in the summer?

Believable3 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 21:56:31
Why would he have walked away over transfers earlier in the summer but not walk over it now?


12 Aug 2017 22:00:06
Well a little earlier in the summer he didn't walk, so, probably not true no.


12 Aug 2017 22:04:11
I don't think anybody in that Lfc management office is happy. Nothing aside from the Salah purchase has gone right this summer. (I'm including Solanke as something negotiated already in January) . And it's worse when you realize that no one is to blame but yourself.


{Ed002's Note - Yes, Chelsea might raise the discussions with Chelsea prior to May.}

12 Aug 2017 22:33:49
Klopp certainly made it clear that he has to deal with what FSG wants with regards to Coutinho. Klopp doesn't want a player who doesn't want to be at Liverpool, but FSG want him to stay. So yeah, he is not happy.


12 Aug 2017 23:09:51
i think you have got it the wrong way round mate lol.


12 Aug 2017 23:50:49
Josh, if you referring to my comment, then now, I haven't got it wrong. It was very evident from Klopp's post-match press conference.


12 Aug 2017 21:15:16
Not Posted for awhile but on everyday pretty much. Eds have you heard the Rumours that Klopp walked out of training on Friday and has fell out with FSG over Vvd Keita and being asked to change targets . this is why is stated he has no plan B or C targets to get at them and he thought about Walking over them changing stance on couts behind the scenes. just wondering Eds lol.

Believable1 Unbelievable2

{Ed002's Note - Has it been confirmed on Twitter yet?}

12 Aug 2017 21:57:44
Wagner.


12 Aug 2017 22:07:15
Not confirmed on twiiter yet lol.


12 Aug 2017 22:44:08
He has a job to do.

Once he's getting the best out of the current players, then he can throw a strop over missed targets.


13 Aug 2017 00:29:12
How can he be upset about not getting those targets when the club's don't want to sell, and one if not both were approached illegally. Not klopp bashing but you need to go into a window with more than one option for those positions. Surely with the money we are talking there must be other suitable players out there. RBL is always going to be tricky as they have shown they don't need to money.


12 Aug 2017 21:04:15
Hi Ed2
Once klopp departs for Bayern in a couple of seasons (or sooner) do you see Rafa Benitez making a return, I think you have kind of alluded to this once a little while back.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

{Ed002's Note - No, Rafa won't be back.}

12 Aug 2017 21:58:20
Wagner originally put on wrong post lol.


12 Aug 2017 23:14:55
it wouldn't suprrise me at all if Klopp left after this season. I understand that Klopp is culpable with the misconduct this summer, but if we had a proper DOF, that probably wouldn't have happened. I can forsee a situation where there is major restructuring at the end of the season. Especially if Bayern Munich make a change which I suspect could happen unless they make a serious challenge in the Champions League. Having said that, who would want the job? Rodgers 3 and out, Klopp 3 and out. I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong, but unless there are serious changes made at the top, I don't see how LFC can win the league much less stay in the Champions League.


12 Aug 2017 21:09:59
I finally plucked up the courage to listen to carras rant/ argument with redknapp and he's 100% right. It makes no difference how many defenders we sign, we will ALWAYS concede goals from set pieces because the way our team is set up is fundamentally wrong. I really hope klopp gets someone else in for that specific role because it hits the nail on the head for me.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 22:14:26
I thought Redknapp was right in that debate if you watch the goal again Matip his standing in the area where the goal is headed in from, but he moves to attack the cross and misses it. If a Vvd was there he would of headed it away. Carra is full of the brown stuff.


12 Aug 2017 21:01:16
Hi Eds and fellow Reds. Gutted about today's result as 3 points were there for the taking even tho we only played at 60% level BUT it's off to Hoffenheim now for the CL playoff.

There is something I have observed today during the game and on the first goal. When Klopp first arrived and we were shipping goals at will from dead balls, it seemed like our boys were not even challenging for the ball when they were floated in. They would just stand there w/ o communicating or passing opposition players to one another and then BOOM, a player would jump unchallenged and score. I saw a bit less of that last season BUT today, I saw it again. This is is due to a combination of a lack of desire, leadership and determination as well as defensive set up, really.

It is not the players, IMO as these same players gave up only 3 goals in the last 6 games (including 4 clean sheets) of last season to secure top 4 so we k now they can defend well when needed. To me, it was the setup. Look at the first goal and how we were set up. Who let Firmino be allowed to stand inside the six? That is where a taller player should be. Then, Okaka's run came from near the start of the box. No one was near him to stop himm from running onto the ball. Same with Kaboul who just went for the near post unchallenged in front of Matip and no one told him there was a man coming. No communication whatsoever. And to crown it all, who defends a set-piece while standing statically on his heels? Nobody, that's who.

None of our players where bouncing on their feet, ready to attack the ball. I'm not even a coach and I can see all these issues. We are badly set up, we don't track or block runners from deep, no leadership, we don't communicate nor attack the ball with determination yet we are shocked as to why the opposition score easy goals unchallenged. Your take. YNWA!

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 21:57:22
Taller player like can or hendo? An inch or two taller than firmino? I've seen liverpool dhirts in those positions switch off irrespective of their height. They need to seitch on, communicate and be brave to go for the ball.


12 Aug 2017 21:58:58
Bingo- that's why signing one £70m centre back isn't a fix.
I would coach defending at LFc for my 20years left for 1% of that fee.


12 Aug 2017 20:33:12
One game in but we can probably fast forward several months now. We will hover between fourth and eighth all season no doubt. Klopp here two years and defence still shocking. Keeper not progressing and loveren and moreno are embarrassing and soft and timid who can't tackle. No doubt we'll ship fifty plus goals again. Atrocious we can't sign two quality defenders. Static midfield. Gini hendo and can are honest players lacking guile, decisive passing, cuteness and good old fashioned filth. Missing too many chances up front. Klopp seriously messed up this window. Crying out for experienced pro gk, cb and fb and we end up our top player emailing a transfer request on eve of first game. unbelievable and shambolic.

Believable8 Unbelievable7

12 Aug 2017 20:50:38
A nice even handed response to game 1 in the season where we didn't even lose! Yes let's get rid of Klopp after 2 and half years. Then in 18 months time let's destroy the next manager when he hasn't won the league. Belt up man.


12 Aug 2017 21:04:29
Never said klopp out. Just that he's been here two years and our defense is still shocking. We leak goals and this is why we'll hover between fourth and eighth. This was game one, but no different than any game last season and a fair insight into what lies ahead.


12 Aug 2017 21:27:35
missing the point fabcrusoe, where is the improvement? the defense is still shocking.


12 Aug 2017 21:29:21
Got to say, slight slight improvement on last season imo. That's not to say I'm any way impressed. I think this time 12 months ago, we absolutely lose this match. Feel klopp was at fault for bringing in Gomez at such a precarious time for taa who was solid enough (with decent set piece distribution) vvd may not fix the problem but he may improve it. For the love of god, drop the zonal marking.


13 Aug 2017 00:00:23
i understand what you are saying aoe and agree.


12 Aug 2017 19:59:46
Everybody losing their lives over conceding 3 goals to Watford. Hate to point out the painfully obvious, but with the same defensve unit as last year, minus the 2 first choice full backs from last year, who conceded multiple goals like this all of last year, who expected anything different?
Not even trying to bash our players either. Have all of you in meltdown really forgot the type of goals we were conceding just 4/ 5 months ago?

Believable5 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 20:38:49
It's the first game of the season. The "great leveller".
Man City with all their mega-million forwards struggled to break down Brighton. Palace lose 0-3 to Huddersfield and the champions lose at home to Burnley.
It's great to get off to a winning start, but it's not the end of the world to get an away point.

We weren't ready for that game, we started stale. Before we knew it we were 1-0 down and confidence rocked. We got back into it and we immediately switched off again - confidence rocked again. We woke up after half time and played much better. Poor finishing cost us ultimately.

I'd put Ward in goal. He deserves his chance. Migs has had dozens of chances, Karius is struggling. Other than that we just need to prepare better.


12 Aug 2017 20:41:06
completely missing the point. knowing what happened 4/ 5 months ago, improvements should have been made yet they weren't.


12 Aug 2017 20:55:27
Back, people are in meltdown BECAUSE they have not forgotten, we are sick of same old, and cannot believe the problem are not rectified by a so-called too manager,


12 Aug 2017 21:27:41
Appreciate it's first game etc and Admire your positivity Ron, it's a welcome change here but are even you starting to doubt Klopp at all. You say we weren't ready today whose fault is that ultimately. Also if he isn't going to buy better defenders does he need to tweak his tactics slightly maybe playing 2 deeper in midfield at times or asking the fullbacks to not push on so much so that we don't expose the CB's as much. Also need to sort out set pieces attacking as well as defending, it's all a bit Groundhog Day.


12 Aug 2017 21:48:23
Centre backs should've been signed.


12 Aug 2017 21:52:37
Spot on Ron can't argue with any of that. I feel our defensive problems start with the goalkeeper. If your a centre back playing in front of a goalkeeper you don't fully trust then you are always on edge. Confidence at the back starts from the goalkeeper. Not saying that the rest of the back 4 are blameless because they are far from it. Even VVD would do well to make us look good. IMO migs nor Karius are good enough so let's give ward a shot. He looks big strong and commanding pretty much everything the other two lack. Apart from that, 1 result doesn't make or break a season and the front 3 on their day will cause any defence problems. So both positives and negatives to take from today.


12 Aug 2017 22:46:39
I'm not losing faith in this team or the manager.
He will work it out.


13 Aug 2017 00:05:23
Based on what Ron?! I really want to believe that there will be improvements, but I see absolutely no improvements since Klopp was appointed. I'm not suggesting that he should be replaced, but for heaven's sake where is the improvement? where is the improvement and leadership in the back? Pray tell.


13 Aug 2017 01:28:22
There's plenty of improvement if you look at where Rodgers had us prior to leaving.
The improvement is not at the back, the improvement has been in attack. We were disorganised and clueless under Rodgers, now we're just disorganised.

I really do lay a lot of the blame on Migs today for the first and last goals. He should never have been beaten at the near post for the last and he should have come for that corner with the first.

Moreno and Migs should never play for us again, they are unreliable and make other players play worse.


12 Aug 2017 19:45:17
My opinion has always been that you can't sign players just to fill in for injuries. but actually, we always have injuries!

We need to have 6 top midfielders and 5-6 options up top because we never have all available anyway.

Looking at City today, they have 3 or 4 game changers on the bench. Would be great if we could have a packed out squad and have a selection headache rather than just picking who's fit. Couts and Lallana missing today really effected our creativity, we need more creative and wing options i think.

Surprised and disappointed in my self for demanding changes after 1 game but oh well, that's what being a fan is all about! complaining.

Believable6 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 19:21:34
I touched on it briefly on the live chat today, but for defending set pieces why don't we leave mane and salah (or which ever pacey forwards we have on the halfway line) teams would then have to leave a few players to protect against the break. This would leave the box less congested for our defenders to clear it, as more often than not it just becomes a massive game of pinball. One which usually ends with the ball going into our net.

Another issue we have is because every man and his dog knows we can't defend every issue is highlighted and put under a microscope, you can see the players look uncomfortable. Only way to fix this is a leader who will bark and organise the defence mid game.

Be interested to hear other people's thoughts on how we improve our defending as scoring doesn't look like it'll be an issue.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 19:38:51
we should have brought in a Leader in Ben Gibson, big strong centre back who is very much a leader, cost about 25 million, the way its panning out, we will be left with a back four, conceding fifty goals again, VVD will not be coming to us, Chelsea will offer big money and get him . leaving us very weak in defence, matip and lovren simply not good enough .


12 Aug 2017 19:41:30
This has been a problem that stretches back to before Rodgers.

We bring everyone back for set pieces meaning that the attacking team can overload our box and cause confusion.

Like you say if we left 2 or even 3 players forwards at every corner they would have to drop players back and our defenders would have more space in the box to control the attacking players.

This isn't a Klopp problem or a player problem, this has been a Liverpool problem for years.

Benitez was the last manager to leave players forward at set pieces because he trusted Pepe to find Torres with accuracy for a quick break. Perhaps if we had a GK who could distribute Klopp would be more inclined to leave players forward.


12 Aug 2017 19:41:56
The thing is i think we need to practice defending them more, but how can we?

We need somebody in training who can whip in a good ball for our defenders to practice against, but none of our players can put in a good delivery. Klopp probably thinks we are great at defending set pieces because he has Milner and Hendo floating them in during training.


12 Aug 2017 19:42:15
I agree. Never understand everyone being back to defend a set play, as it then means that even if ball is cleared, it almost certainly will be picked up by opposing team and put straight back in! I always leave one smaller quick player 30 yards out and other on halfway. Thus meaning teams then leave 3 often 4 players back incase of counter.


12 Aug 2017 19:51:26
Agree completely. Should have been rapid on the counter after set pieces today with Mane and Salah but it didn't really happen.

Think we need a Jamie Carragher type back who will scream orders and scare the s*** out of our players if they do wrong!

Do think making a decision on the keeper will be beneficial, Migs has done okay but not much better than that if we're honest. I'd like if Klopp just spoke to Ward and said you're No 1, now hold onto it. We need a change in goal and equally a keeper who isn't afraid to scream and shout! Reina was a real captain in goal and we miss that I think.


12 Aug 2017 20:13:41
Not as easy as you say to "bring in a leader", that player might be right at home barking orders to his team mates for a club he's been at for a while, or a club in the lower half of the prem, will they still be barking them orders at brand new team mates for a club as huge as Liverpool, full of international superstars, where as you say will be right under the microscope?
Not an easy fix at all.


12 Aug 2017 20:23:07
Agree with principle redforever, but Gibson?

He's not a leader, not of a premier league football team.


12 Aug 2017 20:49:27
Mk in training you can replicate corners, either by coaches just kicking the ball from the edge of the box or even throwing it in, yes it isn't like for like, but training is about learning to situations that you can adapt to matchday.

I don't agree on Gibson either a good defender but not one that would improve our back line.

A leader is a natural attribute and something difficult to learn, but that is what the scouting department is for to search for that attribute within a defender.


12 Aug 2017 21:04:37
Absolutely spot on Red Dawn. There needs to be a quick player or two left up near the halfway line ready to break quickly. And if out goalie can't throw/ kick that accurately then he should damn well learn for the money they are on. That would help stop the penalty box ping pong that we seem to always lose out to, and might get us a few goals too.


12 Aug 2017 21:14:04
Completely agree with onceared seems pointless having all eleven in the box allows attacking side to send all but 1 or 2 forward and us with no attacking options.


12 Aug 2017 21:22:24
We should of tried to sign Emanuel Mammana.


12 Aug 2017 22:08:08
We're too nice as a team. Not aggressive enough with our defending, and our centre halfs get bullied far too often.


12 Aug 2017 19:14:26
Personally would love to hold onto Phil, but then if he really wants to go and play for Barcelona its probably better than have an unsettled player.

Not sure we actually need a direct replacement in, with mane and salah fit, Firmino can also play behind a striker. Solanke looks sharp and maybe studge will stay fit. Woodburn and kent also looking pretty sharp!

Believable2 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 19:38:40
I actually don't believe it is better to not have an unsettled player in this case. Phil is currently injured so can't play, in 2 weeks the window will be shut and as unhappy as he may or may not be, he will have to play well due to the world cup. A moderately unhappy phil is still 100000% better for us than no phil and shit/ no replacement.

Not to mention the fact that he will soon get over it the same way that suarez did. After handing in a transfer request, we forced him to stay one more year and he produced his best ever season, as I believe will phil.


12 Aug 2017 19:53:22
4-5-1 with Firmino behind Studge or Solanke would probably work very well. would also give us 2 deeper lieing DMs.

Only if C.


12 Aug 2017 20:08:25
l really like it George. But we still need a true leader in the back to organize, but that formation would be extremely strong.


12 Aug 2017 21:25:28
there is that we need a leader bit again, so true, but what happens if we miss out on VVD, when we could have got someone like Gibson, we will have Klaven when needed, can't believe we are even worse at the back, what are you doing Kloppy .


12 Aug 2017 19:11:30
Winning the league? Apart from Leicester which is once in a lifetime - the most expensive team pretty much wins every year.

Watford have spent more than us so far.

If we make top four we have over achieved again - be realistic with your expectations!

Maybe if we spent some money?

Believable7 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 19:45:11
It's not like we aren't trying to spend it, nobody's willing to accept it, and we aren't an Everton or a Watford where we could easily identify 5 players to come in and improve the squad, no point buying for the sake of buying, you buy to improve and if Klipperty doesn't think there's anyone but nobby and Virgil worth going after who are we to argue?

He identifies players who come in and slot almost seamlessly into our team, no bedding in period for Mane or Salah, why? They were brought in to play a particular system and it's about buying players who fit into it. If we went and signed lukaku instead of the Mancs would he actually improve our team? No, even though he is a better striker than Bobby, he wouldn't fit the system.


12 Aug 2017 20:01:31
Wow 1jj, it did not take long for you to literally give up on the season after a draw at Watford on the first game of the season. So should Chelsea give up on the season as well after a loss? Come on, man.


12 Aug 2017 18:32:25
We're Dortmund this bad at defending was it a problem there too anyone know. will klopp take any notice of any criticism aimed at the defending part? . If this wasn't a wake up call il never know.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 19:06:55
Germany is a very different league.


12 Aug 2017 19:08:37
we have not improved at all from last season, what were they working on pre-season, not my words, Carra said it on Sly Sports .


12 Aug 2017 19:26:38
Subotic and Hummels were monsters. Matip and Lovren are mice.


12 Aug 2017 19:40:17
very cheesy MK, but true .


12 Aug 2017 20:03:03
It's a very diff. league, for sure. Matip said during the offseason that playing in the PL was a rude awakening for him as he had never seen strikers physically bulldoze a CB through out his career.


12 Aug 2017 18:10:21
Watford pre. seasons res.0.0.0.0.1.0.0.1.1.1.and they bang 3 in against us sort it out klopp there's no organisation keeper is a joke Matip can't pass a ball lovren 1 good game 5 bad oh yes we've got KLAVEN in reserve whoopeee.

Believable5 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 18:55:06
How can you blame Mignolet for any of today's goals? Matip can't pass? What games have you been watching?

It's the first game of the season, yes diserpointing with the goals we conceded but a point away from home in first game of season ain't that bad.
3 goals scored away from home when we didn't play great and was missing several players.
Calm down and trust Klopp.
YNWA.


12 Aug 2017 19:10:25
Have to say keeper Got close to them all, Matlip was terrible and to be fair the players passing was disgraceful none of them could do the simple things it was as if they had no idea of structure but Mario and Cam and Henderson where so far if the pace it was unreal that's the first time in a long time where I didn't resemble a klopp story of play no pressing build up play so slow and passing was worse than Sunday league credit to Watford they pressed and made us look like kids.


12 Aug 2017 19:12:58
we were crap, be honest, three bad goals conceded, poor defence, hey, sounds like last season, where have we improved, tell me .


12 Aug 2017 19:22:16
Matip CAN pass he just CAN'T defend.


12 Aug 2017 20:06:14
Matip is one of the best ball playing CB's in the PL, IMO and is a more than decent CB. It is his iability to get stuck in and take charge of situations, that he needs to improve on.


12 Aug 2017 20:07:35
my god how far have our standards dropped were we are happy with a point at Watford. so if we get a point off palace next week we should be happy they beat us at anfeild the end of last season benteke will have another feild day against this defence.


12 Aug 2017 17:51:09
The issue is not just the defence, it's the midfield.
We need some pace and some brains.

Believable7 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 18:00:07
The trouble was that we played with a midfield without much creativity today.

This is why I've said drop firminho back into midfield at least he can perform similar to coutinho and gives us creativity.

Then with coutinho money buy a proper striker who firminho can feed.

Still playing players out of position is a joke, then our new LB can't even make the squad.


12 Aug 2017 19:15:01
it was a joke, only we are not laughing, talk about brains, ask Kloppy, no, don't .


12 Aug 2017 19:23:36
Lack of creativity in midfield yet scored 3 on the road?! It's keeping the ball of our net that cost us today. If we'd failed to score I'd get your point but scoring wasn't our problem.


12 Aug 2017 20:08:26
If you lack creativity yet we scored 3 goals and could easily have scored another 3 had we taken our chances in the second half, then you do not know the meaning of creativity, my friend.


12 Aug 2017 20:11:57
Sorry welshred I meant that midfield 3 would struggle more against the bigger teams.

We need to stop playing players out of position.


12 Aug 2017 21:17:44
Bingo we did have some chances today but I'd have thought Watford where happy with the lack of pressure that they where put under today.


12 Aug 2017 17:50:42
Personally hope Ward is made number 1 once the play off games are done.
I wouldn't throw him in just yet in case he makes an error in the play offs which costs us.
I'd suggest we'd have less set piece issues with him in there or at least it's worth a try.
He's got a mouth on him which is good for a keeper, he needs to have one with the mutes we seemingly have in out squad.

Believable3 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 18:52:49
I'd just throw him straight in, tbh. It's not like we have cast-iron guarantees that Migs or Karius won't make mistakes.

Personally, I think Klopp might play Karius in the Champions League, both the playoffs and the competition proper for the first couple of months to see can he establish himself. Not sure what he's going to do with Ward.


12 Aug 2017 19:16:22
I would go with Ward, think he might be a stronger and better keeper .


12 Aug 2017 19:23:10
yes, give Ward a game, maybe in the qualifiers, nothing to lose, cos were not going too far in Europe anyway .


12 Aug 2017 19:42:24
Karius is unbelievable bad. ten times worse than mignolet. if possible he looked to have got worse during pre season also.


12 Aug 2017 20:12:01
We're not going far in Europe. And you came to that conclusion after a draw at Watford on the first game of the season, redforever? On that basis, Chelsea might as well not bother showing up thi season in the PL or Erurope due to them losing embarrassingly at home to Burnley then. I am just as frustrated as the next guy but Pls, people need to stop with the overreactions as it does not help. It is not constructive.


12 Aug 2017 21:06:37
How do you judge that Karius is 10 times worse in goal than Migs.
We only lost 1 of the 10 prem games he started last season and stats say made 2 errors that led to goals being conceded.
I am not saying that he's perfect but to listen to the people supporting Migs despite the amount of goals conceded. Agger Skrtle Sakho Matip Lovren it doesn't matter who the Centre backs. Migs is the last line of defense and should be the Voice in there. His whole game has never been g[d enough.
We should try someone more of a leader. Migs doesn't command the area like he should.


12 Aug 2017 17:28:48
Clearly our back 5 is unacceptable for a side that plans on challenging for the title.

Migs has done OK of late but still makes me worry - he should have come for the first corner and lacked conviction in controlling his area. For me he is fine to start but only behind a well organised defence as he's not vocal enough and lacks confidence.

TAA wasn't great today but I don't mind that too much - they guy is young and deserves patience and the chance to make the odd mistake.

Matip is hit and miss for me. Still the best in the air in our back 5, but think he needs to be with an experienced partner as he's not a leader in defence, and needs someone to direct his play.

Lovren - sorry but although he does some decent defending sometimes, he's so prone to panic and the occasional mistake I just don't get it. Not physically dominant or good enough in the air.

Moreno - seriously, did we all think one game meant he's now a world beater? Still prone to poor decisions and rash challenges like in the buildup to the second goal.

In short, two players prone to panic and mistakes, two that lack a vocal leadership style that's so critical in defence, and a teenager.

Klopp please fix CB first and then let's end the Moreno experiment once and for all please. With TAA on the right in particular we need a solid defensive option on the left.

Believable4 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 17:41:48
It's clearly not just the back 5 at fault. When the majority of your goals are the result of a set piece, the responsibility falls on more than just your back line.


12 Aug 2017 17:48:59
I think we can get better players but I'm with Carra, it's more the coaching, system and tactics.

Set pieces, Firminho in the 6 yard box in the middle! Really!


12 Aug 2017 20:25:07
Spot on, Statto. Who's dumb idea was it to put Firmino in the 6 yard box, anyway? And we are surprised that we leak goals from set pieces. VVD or Maldini won't help you there in that setup, clearly.


13 Aug 2017 02:35:58
I agree Firmino was a problem but what other side in the PL wouldn't have had a CB or the GK attacking that ball? Defensive setups is a problem perhaps, but I'm pretty sure Klopp hasn't ever said 'Why don't we have Firmino cover the most dangerous area in the box on his own'


12 Aug 2017 17:25:40
Well, not the best performance today, but at least Gaston Ramirez is signing next week.

Believable4 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 17:23:29
I think Joe Gomez and Danny Ward should play. Let's be honest they can't do any worse can they.

Believable5 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 18:09:33
Gomez no way ready.


12 Aug 2017 18:43:18
we should have tried harder to avoid any free kick or corners, maybe Kloppy forgot to mention it, TAA should have stayed on, Gomez should have gone in between matip and lovren, Wini should have gone off, both milner and origi were a waste, grujic should have come on late, to help out with the corners and free kicks, Kloppy needs help .


12 Aug 2017 18:51:31
Get well ed your going to need it mate can't do this without you 🙈🙈.


{Ed001's Note - I am sure you would manage fine without me mate.}

12 Aug 2017 19:37:30
Not a chance only truth we get out the club.


12 Aug 2017 20:27:36
Klopp's substitutes did not help either. TAA had played all the 90mins. Might as well let him play till the end as it took Gomez some time to get in rythm and he conceded a set piece as soon as he came on. Should have let Bobbie finish the game too as he is as fit as a horse. I just don't get it with Klopp and his subs.


12 Aug 2017 17:17:29
Hey Ed001,
Would u be doing Match reviews this season?

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, though I will probably have to do it tomorrow as I doubt I will have time today and I have man flu so will be going to bed early.}

12 Aug 2017 17:28:57
Man flu! Looks like ED001 is pushing for a transfer.

😜😜.


{Ed001's Note - damn right I want a pay rise.}

12 Aug 2017 17:29:28
Get better soon.


{Ed001's Note - cheers Kev.}

12 Aug 2017 17:47:32
What is it with reds and ed's suddenly getting the man flu and retiring in Barca? Getting to be a habit these days.


{Ed001's Note - I wish I was retiring to Barca!}

12 Aug 2017 17:47:59
No worries mate! Get well soon!


{Ed001's Note - cheers SW.}

12 Aug 2017 18:01:15
Funny you say that Couthino does as well 😂😂.


{Ed001's Note - that's nice of him to want me to retire out there. Perhaps he could fund my retirement....}

12 Aug 2017 18:09:54
Yes, get well soon ED001 👍👍.


{Ed001's Note - thank you Nicky.}

12 Aug 2017 18:49:49
not too much to talk about, it was one to forget, first half was a disaster, only TAA was worth talking about, our defence is nowhere good enough, three goals conceded already, Watford were unlucky not to win the game, they lost two players first half, anyway, its same old, same old , but we did get one point, so not bottom . Kloppy has a lot of work to do, not sure if he is up for it .


12 Aug 2017 17:17:01
Just to say last year we started with a win and a loss - three points, if we win our next game we have four points, one better than last season.

BELIEVE.

Believable6 Unbelievable8

12 Aug 2017 17:25:46
Good post, tired of negativity after the first game of the season. The premier league is 38 games, not 1.


12 Aug 2017 17:31:27
Bogey team next week. Bout time we turned CP over at Anfield.


12 Aug 2017 18:07:13
Great shout. Average 2 points a game and that will see us on 76 points-easily enough to win the League.


12 Aug 2017 18:20:41
Has ron changed his username?


12 Aug 2017 18:40:57
Last season we finished a crappy fourth.


12 Aug 2017 18:53:39
Ha, on that display, think top four, no chance of winning the League, this season, only about four maybe five should keep their place, the rest are simply not good enough for a top four side, Klopp not good enough also .


12 Aug 2017 20:29:07
Davey, pretty sure that Arsenal would trade their FA Cup for the "crappy" fourth that was their birthright in a second.


12 Aug 2017 17:12:13
Everyone focusing on our awful defence but Salah, as well as he played, should have done better with a couple of his chances so maybe we have our age old not taking chances problem to deal with as well.

Believable10 Unbelievable7

12 Aug 2017 17:22:34
When you score 3 goals away from home, and if you don't win, I don't think you can blame the attackers. Salah missed couple of chances, and but the area that needs a major kick up the ass is the midfield and defense.


12 Aug 2017 17:25:03
The attack did there job, never going to be perfect but they scored three goals, usually enough to win a game. The defensive side failed again today just like last year.

We gave them three with three poorly defended goals. The problem is clear as Carra said after the game to win a title the stats say you can't let more than around 35 goals in. We let in 50plus last year and three already this.


12 Aug 2017 17:34:35
I'm too worried about that on the opening day, tbh, something to watch over the season, maybe.

I will say we created enough that we could've won the match despite not playing that well and handing them three soft goals. That's something, I guess.


12 Aug 2017 20:15:54
yeah, salah was crap. Scored a goal and earned a penalty. just awful. jeez.


12 Aug 2017 20:35:09
Spot on. If you score 3 goals in any game, you should not even draw the game esp. on the road. This is the second time this is happening under Klopp (see B'mouth) and this has to change, ASAP.

The defensive system is the issue for me, not the players and Carra laid it out perfectly as well. Also another stat that will stop us from winning the PL is the no, of points lost from winning positions. We led the PL in seasons '16 and '17 in this category with 19 and 18 points respectively. That is a damning statistic. We already lost two this season.

N BTW, we conceded 42 goals last season, good enuff for the 6th best defence in the PL. Just saying.


12 Aug 2017 17:05:58
New season same old defending unfortunately but could be worse could be a Chelsea fan 😂.

Believable6 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 17:18:16
I said a couple of weeks ago (and got slaughtered) that we can't hope to win anything if we are going to rely on out scoring the opposition.

Our front 3 each scored today and it wasn't enough to secure 3 points. why? Simply because the defensive play and organisation is embarrassing!

Defenders who can't defend. Until this is sorted, and it's been going on a long time, we won't win a thing!

This may be the first game of the season but it isn't the first time this has happened.

At least we're consistent!


12 Aug 2017 18:08:14
Aargh!
Defenders aren't the only players responsible for defending!


12 Aug 2017 18:27:18
Mr T, the first half we looked like a pub team playing for the first time, so poor at corners and set piece, TAA was our best player, and should have stayed on, we wasted all three subs, Grujic should have come on last 10 mins when it was all route 1, Klopp has no idea at all, Gomez should have come on and went to a back line of five, they were just lumping balls into our box . I am not being negative, but Hendo didn't look fit today, didn't look strong, watford bullied us all game, that's the way they play, Migs did ok, but again looked his first game and had three embaressing moments, Wini was so quie and he should have gone off, he was so weak at that last corner, Watford deserved the draw, not good enough for the reds, I can see a long season ahead .


12 Aug 2017 18:51:57
Totally agree that it wasn't good enough.

For me, Klopp and his team have to address this urgently. The whole of the BPL know that we can't defend anything from set-pieces and are vulnerable to pace. Add to that our GK can't command his box and can't distribute the ball well and what do we do to change it. nothing, or at least it appears that way.

How mlMoreno.


12 Aug 2017 18:52:21
*how Moreno started is beyond me!


12 Aug 2017 20:37:09
Moreno actually played well under the circumstances.


12 Aug 2017 16:59:20
Looks like Migs is back to his wonderful commanding best too.

Believable5 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 17:13:11
I have to once again register my utter amazement at people who thought he was good enough last season just because he stopped making obvious errors leading to goals for a few months. That's the apex of goalkeeping achievement is it?

When was the last time he saved a shot that wasn't close to being right at him? Is it never? I think it's never. At least not that I can recall since he joined Liverpool anyway.


12 Aug 2017 17:16:06
Ditto Red 👍.


12 Aug 2017 17:52:42
Once a minger always a minger.


12 Aug 2017 18:32:23
This time last year, a lot of red fans would have liked to see Migs and Moreno leave, its still the same old story, too many errors, too many goals conceded, another year winning nothing, going to be hard to get top four with the team we have, also a clueless manager, could he not use his subs better .


12 Aug 2017 20:39:25
What mistake did Migs actually make exactly or is he supposed to be the one to show the defenders in front of him how to attack a cross or not get dragged out of position or not bottle a header right in front of him?


12 Aug 2017 16:54:49
Can't believe we have made no improvement defensively, we looked woeful at the back. You can have the best attacking play going forward but until we resolve this issue we won't challenge. We need some consistency in defence and I don't think buying is the answer, yes we need better players in defence but until we get the basics right and can actually hold on to a lead, or nick a game 1 nil I don't think things will change. Every goal conceded today was awful defending. It's not all doom and gloom lol we looked good at times, but if we wish to win silverware then this issue needs to be sorted. Be nice to hear some of the ed's opinions as we looked worse then we ever had at the back.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 17:11:00
Agree, it's a fine balancing act though between attack and defence. The last 3 LFC managers have struggled to get the balance just right. Think we may have to concede here that 'heavy metal' football whilst boss to watch is not going to win us a league. Feel we just need to fine tune and will have a real chance. Klopp had it spot on when he said they had luck from corners and we had none. Still a points better than nothing and we were away. We'll improve that's for sure.


12 Aug 2017 20:41:50
Spot on, lads. It is frustrating, I know but in the end, we know we could have and should have won that game after scoring 3 goals on the road in an away game. We need to move on to Tues now cos Hoffenheim will not be easy.


12 Aug 2017 16:45:15
I said jokingly on the live chat that I'd hire Pulis or Pardew or Fat Sam and give them responsibility for defense. We need drilled players with steel and bite to their game if we are ever to win a league again.

I don't think it will ever matter which players we buy if the manager will not put a premium on defending. I don't believe we'll ever win a PL with Klopp, his attacking is breathtaking at times but his defense is as bad as Brendan Rogers, zero improvement and now in his third season.

Believable12 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 17:04:12
Lets give West Brom £100m for Pulis! And We can have Klopp as offensive coach and Pulis as Defensive coach, NFL Style!

Sure the american owners would be keen to try it.


12 Aug 2017 17:06:32
Klopp appears to believe in defending as a team using a high tempo pressing system rather than working with the defence as a separate unit.

It works when all the team turn up and play to their best. It even covers over the individual deficiencies of our defenders. But when they say to themselves "ah it's only Watford", and only bother to play for 20 minutes in the second half and phone it in for the other 70 minutes, it gets found out.


12 Aug 2017 19:14:57
Baffles me what Klopp's philosophy on defending is, totally inept but we have one of the best front three's in the league - still, we'll win nowt without a defence n top keeper.


12 Aug 2017 16:40:49
Well if that performamce isn't the biggest wake up call to the fact we NEED a CB i don't know what is.

Believable6 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 16:50:33
Only one CB? And what about a new keeper who can actually distribute the ball properly. And why did we buy Robertson again?


12 Aug 2017 17:15:31
We have two goalkeepers who can distribute the ball properly, johnny. Their names are Loris Karius and Danny Ward. Maybe we should've tried using one of them instead of going with the guy who, at the absolute best he's shown in four years at the club, is completely average.


12 Aug 2017 17:27:04
i can only assume that Ward and Karius are awful in training and that Mignolet looks like a world beater.


12 Aug 2017 17:41:32
I think it's criminal that Ward wasn't at least sent out on loan. For him to be wasted as third choice is an absolute disserivice to him. He needs game time. He has the potential to be first choice keeper and for him to rot away is absolutely awful.


12 Aug 2017 17:45:44
That could be the case, but if the coaching staff consider Karius and Ward to be worse than Migs, then we need to move them on and buy a new goalkeeper. It's as plain as could be that Migs is not up to the standard we need.


12 Aug 2017 20:17:32
agreed.


12 Aug 2017 16:35:56
So after today's same old defensive frailties are exposed again, say we do again bid for VVD and get him and we are still leaking goals who is going to be the scapegoat then?

Believable6 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 16:42:46
The goals are leaked due to a lack of leadership/ organisation which is why we should be signing a player like Gibson, and not Van Dijk. It is also very much Klopps fault. He perhaps needs to spend less time doing fitness training, and more time on set piece drills.

It is early days though. No need to lose our heads; yet.


12 Aug 2017 17:13:36
MK, with all due respects.

If these issues at the back were in their infancy, I'd be inclined to agree with you but this has been going on since the BR era and it's still as bad.


12 Aug 2017 17:19:34
Great post my scouser your spot on with every thing you have said I'm gobsmacked everyone can see were we need to strengthen except klopp and his management team he may need new glasses lol I love klopp but we are so far behind other clubs with transfers and we or go on about vvd even Jamie redknapp mentioned vvd but don't everyone no we ballsed that up didn't we.


12 Aug 2017 17:24:09
IMO, Klopp needs to swallow his pride and get Sakho back to the team. That isn't going to happen though.


12 Aug 2017 17:39:44
lol you're not going to find a bigger Sakho fan than me, but his strengths aren't in the heading department.


12 Aug 2017 18:22:08
Buy Gibson and VVD. Our CBs don't cut it. Matip is the best of an average bunch.


12 Aug 2017 19:21:24
Sakho is / was our steadiest defender and maybe we should have had a punt on Joe Hart. Hoffenheim's a squeaky bum game now.


12 Aug 2017 16:23:19
Why are us supporters getting mugged off klopp and fsg said courtinho won't be sold in this window and now klopp as come out and said transfers are out of his hands what a laughing stock we are to say he won't be sold then go back on there word were a joke and after todays
farce it's obvious were we need to buy isn't it so why no movement regarding transfers definitely a good strong cb and a holding midfielder so gutted about the courtinho situation any news to cheer us supporters up edds 😣?

Believable6 Unbelievable9

12 Aug 2017 16:32:03
its Coutinho.


12 Aug 2017 16:18:40
In my job I have to review my performance every day and be a reflective practioner.
I learn from my mistakes to become better at work and a better person.

Perhaps the folks at Liverpool FC could look over the games from the last couple of seasons and see what we can all see?

Is it really that hard to sort it out. We all knew Watford would equalise. What does that say?

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 16:14:16
Disappointed with the draw but hopefully we'll get a win mid-week. I think qualifying for the champions league over those two legs will definitely boost the team morale.

Believable4 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 16:04:55
Have to agree with Carragher, Van Dijk is not the only answer.
He'd also look awful in that set up.
I refuse to blame individual people for it, everyone needs to take responsibility.
Do our under 23s and under 18 teams have these same defensive set piece weaknesses?
I don't get to watch them as much as I'd like these days.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 16:00:40
Going to be a long hard and disappointing season if that is going to be are back 5 absolutely shocking.

Believable6 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 16:06:21
For heavens sake. First match of the season and we hear this?

One point away from home. Does not look like Chelsea are getting their way against a team which beat us last season.

Calm down.


12 Aug 2017 16:14:20
The goals conceded were all classic goals we've conceded in the last 4-5 years. Combination of individual mistake, laziness, lack of concentration and then some bad luck. I swear, I obviously don't regularly watch many other teams, but for the 2nd goal when TAA cleared it into sakho and the rebound went straight to their player. that happens so often to us right!?


12 Aug 2017 16:17:24
People are not moaning about the 2 points dropped away from home. It's the goals we conceded against a well drilled but poor Watford side. The fact is we haven't addressed our weaknesses from last season. Our gk and both CB's strike fear into most supporters, supporters who deserve more than what was on display lunchtime!


12 Aug 2017 17:28:40
The thing is silva the manager of Watford has got Klopp sussed out he's played us 3 times and got a result out of us everytime.


13 Aug 2017 01:57:36
Didn't we beat them in this fixture last season?


12 Aug 2017 15:58:06
klopp has virtually admitted coutinho is off he said its out of his hands. TTA excluded think the whole defence and keeper should follow coutinho out the door there a joke.

Believable6 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 16:11:36
REDSTEVE222,
I totally agree, what ever KLOPP thinks, this season he will be judged he has had enough time with the defence to sort them, we keep making the same mistakes week after week, seen to many of those games last year. Christ were still playing with mingo, lovren, Moreno, can from the RODGERS era and they were shite then. and RODGERS has been left 3 years.


12 Aug 2017 16:17:40
He's been gone 3 years? I think you'll find it hasn't even been 2 years yet.


12 Aug 2017 16:18:14
What did Moreno do so wrong today? Give you lad a break.


12 Aug 2017 16:28:31
And take your blinders off Trent was partially at fault for the 2nd goal. Ball should've been cleared. It's the entire team that's at fault for set piece goals.


12 Aug 2017 16:32:58
OLRISH KEV 1
If your a grade A coach with a reputation like KLOPP 2 and half years is enough time to put the basics of defending into your team. but that's if you are a grade coach. this is not an attack on KLOPP but we r watching the same mistakes week after week and sooner or later your cover will be blown.


12 Aug 2017 17:46:43
The only cover blown here is that you didn't even read my post properly which shows you are no better than our defence - your concentration is no better it seems lol.
Let me put in capital letters for you:
KLOPP HAS NOT BEEN MANAGER OF LIVERPOOL FC FOR 3 YEARS OR EVEN 2 AND A HALF YEARS AS YOU HAVE SUGGESTED.
HE HAS BEEN MANAGER OF LIVERPOOL FOR 22 MONTHS WHICH HAS COVERED ONE FULL SEASON, IN THAT ONE SEASON HE GOT US INTO THE TOP 4 WHICH WE WERE ALL HAPPY WITH.
Read the posts you intend replying to properly please or I for one won't reply next time.
We have had set piece frailties since Rafa and his zonal marking. Hyypia was in our defence then, as was Carragher. It's not just the coaches. The PLAYERS need to actually do what's drilled in training out on the pitch on a Saturday. You can't clear them all out can you. This is not a video game.


12 Aug 2017 18:41:23
OIrish kev 1,
This isn't about Rafa or any other former manager, it's about the present one and we keep making the same mistakes week after week, its pantomime stuff, your can't just pick the best bits out and say he got us top 4 and we're all happy with that, you have to look at the whole package and see that the defending is shocking, considering KLOPP is a bundesliga winner, all I'm saying is it has to be sorted out sooner or later or he will be shown the door like the previous occupant.


12 Aug 2017 20:49:13
Wembley, the previous occupant was not shown the door cos we could not defend. He was shown the door cos he was found to be incompetent, arrogant and stopped getting results on the pitch. His final 18 months on the job were dreadful or should I remind you of the 6-1 hiding at Stoke, worst LFC result in the league since WW2?


13 Aug 2017 01:35:40
Wembley78,
He got us to two finals in his first part season, finished 4th in his only full season, beat all of our other competitors at the top of the table last season.
Knocked Utd out of the Europa league.
Finished above them last season in the league even though Mourinho came in and spent fortunes.
Klopp has done okay by me so far in his ONE FULL SEASON, it's his players who are failing to produce the goods at set pieces.
It can't just be coincidence that this has been an issue for us for years.
It's not something he brought in, it was already there and it's obviously very difficult to eradicate from certain player's game.
You could have Paolo Maldini and Bobby Moore in your team but if the other players don't defend as a team, you have no chance. Firmino, Wijnaldum, Gomez, Matip, Lovren - all should have done their jobs better.


13 Aug 2017 19:59:50
BingoRed
You have just answered the exact question I posed, the previous occupant got the bullet cause he couldn't defend and stopped getting results, the 6-1 at stoke just highlighted it and if KLOPP doesn't sort it out he we be getting chased too. it's no good having all this attacking intent if the slightest bit of pressure put on us and we concede. this is not an attack on KLOPP just an observation.


12 Aug 2017 15:52:05
I agree that Hendo is the hardest grafter on the pitch. Never seen anyone work so hard at doing nothing. Its like he i scarwd to get stuck in. He is supposed to be the general leading the troups. don't see him as a lead by example captain.

Believable4 Unbelievable6

12 Aug 2017 16:02:06
He was off the pace today but I expected it, at least give him a few games to get his match fitness back.


12 Aug 2017 16:03:54
I wouldn't want to be going to war with Hendo as our General.


12 Aug 2017 16:20:23
I agree he was off the pace today, but he deserves the time to get up to speed. I thought Can was tifybin the middle, get him to sign a new contract please!


12 Aug 2017 16:28:52
Hendos problem is his positional awareness. It's crazy how many times times two players are pressing an opposition player and he runs and joins in instead of picking up the man in space or cutting off the runners from midfield. He's so worried about pressing he fails to do the key job of the holding midfielder. The amount of space he made for Watford today by simply pressing when it wasn't needed in that situation blows my mind.


12 Aug 2017 16:38:46
CanManeKarius, correct. i have observed this from Henderson so often.
Leaves giant holes in midfield for attackers to exploit.
Thought I was the only one.
That's why Klopp is in the market hopefully for a DM.


12 Aug 2017 16:38:46
CanManeKarius, correct. i have observed this from Henderson so often.
Leaves giant holes in midfield for attackers to exploit.
Thought I was the only one.
That's why Klopp is in the market hopefully for a DM.


12 Aug 2017 16:59:04
You don't know what instructions Henderson has received from Klopp. He may just be doing as he's told. That's the problem with today's game, over coaching. Players can't think for themselves anymore.


12 Aug 2017 19:55:29
Being off the pace is fine. But get stuck. in and try to get the man. He was getting rid of the ball as if its hot. Give other hot balls. No opponent comes with in 20 yards of him. Not captain material imo. He point out where to. pass to and never asks for the ball himself. As if he scarwd to make a mistake. We need a beast in there. Like a Gary Medal type of player.


12 Aug 2017 15:47:59
thought we were bad. chelsea.0.3 Burnley. 😅😅.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 15:53:43
Let's be real here we have enough issues with ourselves without worrying about what other teams are getting upto. Defensively a joke, couts situation, tapping players up. List could go on.


12 Aug 2017 15:54:44
Difference is they are a man down we managed to make a mess off it with a full complement of players.


12 Aug 2017 15:54:05
Guess they'll be in the phone to Southampton after this.
You see these days they contact a club to seek permission to speak to a player after making acceptable bids lol. It's an incredible science isn't it Mr. Edwards.


12 Aug 2017 16:02:53
Carry on the kjmainstreet.


12 Aug 2017 16:39:26
Ruined a kids career @ stoke? failing to agree deals with first choice targets and seemingly having no back up options? Failing to sell our fringe players by asking for unrealistic amounts and may have them stuck on wage bill. How's that for you cobra666?


12 Aug 2017 17:03:09
Anymore?


12 Aug 2017 17:17:03
I think that more than enough don't you? Maybe everything all rainbows and lollipops In your mind but hey everyone entitled to an opinion so.


12 Aug 2017 15:47:24
Hi ed

Very disappointing day with that result.

Your opinion will klopp try other transfer alternatives with deadline day dreaming nearer.

Your thoughts would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

{Ed002's Note - I have explained where there is interest.}

12 Aug 2017 15:46:17
Chelsea 3-0 down vs Burnley.

Can I just confirm how well Watford played?

Chelsea without Hazard and Costa seem to be an average side irrespective of Cahil being sent off.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 15:52:31
Lfc site. Who cares. ed where's the usual response"please use Chelsea page":-)


12 Aug 2017 15:40:20
Kloop needs to swallow his so called pride and get shake back into that shambles of a defence.

Believable5 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 15:50:59
Klopp cannot get onto the pitch and defend for Liverpool.

Sames as Arsenal conceding 3 and now Chelsea trailing Burnley 3 at the bridge.

1 point away better than nothing. You probably would have complained about our defence even if we won the game.

EPL becoming more and more competitive now.

Marco Silva will be snapped up by one of the bigger teams sooner or later.


12 Aug 2017 16:04:36
But he can train them max, and winning or losing really doesn't make a difference, if the defence is shocking the defence is shocking.


12 Aug 2017 15:38:04
Best quote ever by captain
"Set pieces aren't good enough we need to sort it"
No really? You've just realised 🙈.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 15:51:00
Lol how many years for that to sink in.


12 Aug 2017 16:31:32
Don't think tweeting going to help😂.


12 Aug 2017 17:27:44
And in other news, water is wet.


12 Aug 2017 15:35:22
Eds would it be out of the question for liverpool to harder a more defensive minded coach to come in to aid running the defensive drills and organisation?
Klopps pressing style leaves defence exposed at times but surely slight tweets would solve the set pieces and wingbacks.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

{Ed002's Note - Typically you need to look beyond one person coming in - but it could well help.}

12 Aug 2017 15:35:14
Yes again set pieces were awful. You can see we need leaders in this team, a group of players who want to get up first and win the ball is needed.
I'm also hearing people say Moreno had a good game. Now he did okay but I made a point a few months back that we need defenders who use there brains and that are calm. This is not the case with Moreno, Lovren and Migs. They all set the tone of panic which then has an affect on the whole team. I think this affects Matip a lot and is only going to hamper TAA game. Clyne also comes into that bracket of a panic defender.
I think VVD would complement Matip well and then perhaps give Ward a go. He looks very accomplished. I'd like to see Mane play more central because he would grab us 30 goals.

Believable1 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 16:00:21
Matip was awful, stop blaming the other players for Matip issues.


12 Aug 2017 15:32:17
Hi eds, one thing is very evident our center backs are not up to scratch, that pairing seems to wreak more havoc than our attack can make up for. Things deinitely need to change, in other story its still only the first game and the transfer window isn't closed yet gentlemen. Our moaning doesn't and won't change anything, all we can do is support our liverpool fc . Onto ths next one
YNWA.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 15:24:40
I can't help thinking we should have let the Eds be in charge of our transfer window!

Believable3 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 16:00:09
Quick question eds or anyone who knows we seem to have struggled with keepers since pepe left and he started making errors towards the end of his lfc career i am wondering is it a poor choice of keepers or poor training same goes for other areas we are poor in poor signings or poor coaching.


{Ed002's Note - I suggested that Liverpool look to Begovic last year but Klopp had his heart set on Karius who he public made his number one (an error as I suggested at the time - at least to say that publically). Subsequently Mignolet did Ok and no one seems to be bleating about him today.}

12 Aug 2017 17:28:38
Once again Ed002 is correct.


14 Aug 2017 09:12:46
Thanks ed.


12 Aug 2017 15:10:11
Terrible performance in midfield and defence. To be fair Moreno and TAA played well considering. That is the worse, least creative and undedicated midfield three I've ever seen in a Liverpool shirt. No movement between the lines and Gini and Hendo ran around like headless chicken with no purpose. It was a gutless performance and I am also bewildered over the substitutions. Gini should have come off, Solanke should have been on instead of Origi and I would have liked to see Grujic come on for Henderson. The substitutions were not only late but also wrong. Full backs played well and he takes one off when we have a midfielder looking like this is day one of preseason. Not even going to mention zonal marking as my opinions were expressed last year on our inability to do it correctly. In a game where our best player has just handed in a request to leave I expected far more heart and passion to prove they can step up to the plate. I'm disappointed to say the least. And a question for ED001 what is it about zonal marking that we struggle with? Surely we have addressed it in the training ground? Do you feel it is poor coaching or simply players inability to pick it up. Thankyou.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

{Ed001's Note - a lack of defensive drills and a lack of leaders to organise it on the pitch.}

12 Aug 2017 15:23:33
Cmon not as bad as milner lucas and allen.


12 Aug 2017 15:29:46
And a clueless manager who fails to recognise the inadequacies of the defenders. Definitely BR 2.0 imo. He will be gone soon enough trophyless at LFC just like BR and maybe FSG may actually have the b***s to bring in a manager who actually sees it as it is and does not have to fake to get fans on their side.


12 Aug 2017 15:42:03
Hendo and Can in the same team never works. Too similar. Sort defence out Klopp - splash the cash on VVD PLEASE!


12 Aug 2017 15:30:17
CMK, The performance was not the best but some perspective is needed here. Our boys were not good in the first half, at all. We seemed to be forcing things a bit too much and did not settle down and play our game which made us very easy to defend. The only time we played pass-move footie was for Mane's goal which was sublime in it's build up and execution. In the second half, we upped the tempo and create a penalty and scored a 3rd with again, brilliant pass-move football. Also, We created enough chances to finish them off but missed them and we were always going to be vulnerable when that happens. So credit to Klopp and the team for upping their output on the day.

Now to the defensive issues. The first goal? The less said the better. Second goal was just us being dragged out of position and tho Okaka was offside but not interfering with play. Since the ball was then crossed to him, should he not have been flagged for offside at that time, Ed? Third goal was just a calamity. I really don't know what to say. It was a poor set-piece YET we manage to screw it up big time. So in the end, we got what we deserved.

Ed, please help me. What type of set-piece defensive system can we employ to stop opposition players from scoring goals unchallenged? We do the zonal marking, the man marking, the mix of both and till this day after 200m spent on CB's, we are still where we are. Cheers!


{Ed001's Note - nothing will help until we either drill continously like West Brom or we get some leaders who can organise things on the pitch. We buy poorly.}

12 Aug 2017 16:06:55
Thanks, Ed. Can't stand Pulis BUT heaven knows his teams are well-drilled and he spends countless hours on the training pitch working on dogged defending and has leaders all over the pitch who he makes accountable and if you can't do the job, you get canned. This is something we do not have nor do and to me, VVD will not help here.


12 Aug 2017 16:18:01
The lads have it in them to be creative enough.


12 Aug 2017 15:09:52
We do not need defenders- jurgen Klopp
hahaa oh hell we do you hobo - I wonder if carra could say that in todays post analysis :)

side note ed002 - you the legend, your analysis on klopp or anyone has been always so spot on. I don't think he has a clue. please tell us LFC will sign defenders :)

Believable3 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 15:19:40
Ed002 did get it right about Klopp. Barely into his 3rd season and the man already has aged 10 years and has no clue how to win titles. The defense is as bad as the one Brendan left behind. Why exactly was Klopp given the job in the first place?
Are people really deluded enough to think he was solely responsible for BVB's short lived success?


12 Aug 2017 15:22:02
Is this a wind up?


12 Aug 2017 15:31:53
We drew away to Watford and people are slagging off the manager already get a bloody grip.


12 Aug 2017 15:34:32
Its the truth, not a windup. So far, Klopp's failing miserably with the targets he promised FSG and he will get the boot when we fail to get top4.


12 Aug 2017 15:41:52
Akshit to me, it is not about defenders as we have spent near 200m on CB's and still no solution. I don't know what we can do anymore cos VVD for me, will not fix this issue until the right setup is found defensively. Carra is right. It does not matter who you have back there, if you have a set up where opposing players have the freedom of the globe to score goals unchallenged. That is the issue. Why is Firmino in the heart of the defence? Against Okaka coming from deep, that is a mismatch. This is what I am talking about. It is the set up and VVD will NOT help with that if the setup does not change.

We don't have leaders back there period. Look at Spiurs. Their defender are just not very good. They are leaders and are accountable and everyone knows their jobs. Poch was an uncompromising CB in his time and he has instilled it into his players. We need leaders and a new setup cos whatever we are doing is STILL not working.


12 Aug 2017 15:43:06
Ridiculous from so called fans.


12 Aug 2017 15:43:34
There we are ladies and gentlemen, comedy poster of the year and a true Liverpool supporter.


12 Aug 2017 15:57:27
I really can't believe fans can't see it sorry, what kind of manager doesn't solve the Achilles heel of all our priblems. This is his tied season. And he says we need no defenders. Blame it on the fans huh. Fickle huh? I don't know what wrong I have said to trigger you lot.


{Ed001's Note - he says it but does not mean it, which is why he was trying to sign VVD. Why do people take notice of what a manager says?}

12 Aug 2017 15:58:11
Bingo red you're chatting out your arse, Spurs don't have good defenders?! Alderweild and Vertonghen are the best two CB'S in the league!


12 Aug 2017 16:10:08
Tsteen, sorry I meant to say that "Spurs defenders are not just very good. They are leaders. " Meaning in addition to them being very good, they are leaders . " That was what I meant.


12 Aug 2017 16:21:34
People shouldn't post on here after a draw or a loss. Y'all need time to let your amygdala cool down before you post. Klopp tapped up VVD, doesn't that tell you enough that he is after a defender to help solve the problems!? Y'all just see what is directly in front of you, like a bull to a red flag, honestly.


12 Aug 2017 15:09:36
I haven't heard his comments after the match but please someone tell me he never said we don't need defenders if that's the case I'll book you an appointment at spec savers klopp to sort those bins of yours out simple.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 15:21:52
I'd book him an appointment with the Everton board to get him the job there. Maybe they can be the laughing stock of the BPL for a change then?
Utterly clueless and inept on Klopp's part. All i see is Brendan Rodgers 2.0 but at least Brendan had shiny teeth.


12 Aug 2017 15:39:50
He said their first goal was good and their second we were unlucky.


12 Aug 2017 15:07:47
Redknapp sounding like vvd has already signed and its nailed on have I missed something?

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 15:23:04
I would really ignore anything and everything Jamie Recknapp says.


12 Aug 2017 15:43:22
He talks too much and knows very little. Carra completely schooled him too.


12 Aug 2017 15:05:34
Klopp says he has to accept the decision of the owners, a little different to he's not for sale. I would say he's gone. bye bye couts.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 15:39:14
Maybe even FSG have uncovered Klopp's facade. They had wool pulled over their eyes for the last 2 years and constantly issuing apologies for his misbehaviour will have p****d them off.


12 Aug 2017 15:05:30
Cheer up guys, if the rest of todays games end up 0-0 we will be second in the league 👍🏼.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 15:25:19
Burnley winnin lol.


12 Aug 2017 15:05:14
On the fateful day when hell freezes over, folk will still be wondering why Liverpool can't defend set pieces.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 15:19:02
The reason we can't defend set pieces is 2 fold. First everyone except Klopp could see that we desperately needed a dominant CB. Secondly the defenders we do have, have obviously either not been coached to defend them, or are too thick to see the danger. Either way the buck stops with Klopp.


12 Aug 2017 15:39:31
If they were frozen solid they may defend better.


12 Aug 2017 15:45:27
Doesn't Van Dijk play at CB?
I believe Klopp tried a little bit to sign him mate chillax.


12 Aug 2017 15:02:26
nothing changers defence an absolute shambles as for the keeper worst i've seen. what have city spent on there defence about £150m and I know they have money bag owners what have we spent £8m. and we've got c. palace and benteke next god help us.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 15:48:41
Steve, City have spent over 200m on defenders and I would not want any of them bar Kompany. It is not the individual defenders that make a good defence. It is the setup and how theese individuals work together as a unit, that matters. I would not want any of Chelsea's CB's or FB's as they are average individually, But as a team and a unit, they are very good. That is what we don't have.

Same with defending set-pieces. The set up is very poor. What is Bobbie doing standing at the heart of the 6 yard box? That is where a Can or Matip should be. That is what I'm talking about. VVd will not help you there cos he will be where Matip or Lovren where which is not where the goal was scored from by Okaka.


12 Aug 2017 15:02:03
Am I the only one who is growing more and more concerned by Joel Matip?

I know Lovren gets a lot of slack, and rightfully so, but I think Matip is just as culpable. The guy never looks assured on the ball, is slow and tentative in challenges and loses track of the ball so often when he is running back to his goal.

I know Matip came for a free, so good business there, but what has the guy actually done. Maybe his lack of consistency is down to constant injuries, and, oh boy, does he have a lot of them, but to be honest I don't see any qualities in the guy. I've never seen a centre back make such slow, sluggish challenges before, the fact that no one has been talking about it makes me think that I am the only one who is seeing and am therefore being paranoid. But it happened so many times today, he looks so uncomfortable, never talks or communicates to anyone, and his only positive trait is that he can pass the ball a little better than Lovren.

Is that seriously all Matip offers!?!? A centre back must be able to defend, first and foremost, and I don't think he can.

I would be happy for Matip to be a squad rotation player but he is actually starter. Why!?!? When is Klopp going to realise that the back four, with any combination, is weak and without a leader. No one talks.

Seriously, how many times are we going to have to score three or four bloody goals just to ensure a point or a narrow win. Something has to change, the fact Klopp has not recognised this in his two years here is seriously mind-boggling.

Anyway, let's hope we improve Tuesday. Otherwise, we will have no Champions League to look forward and that will cause ripple throughout this website and Liverpool.

Believable5 Unbelievable6

12 Aug 2017 15:11:07
He started really well for us vs spurs last year, we then went on a decent streak of good performances in defence with him at the heart of it. Who knows what happened since? Even Klavan looked good vs Arsenal, Lovren looked good for Southampton before we bought him. What is the issue, defenders join Liverpool on merit and slowly forget how to be defenders. Tony Pullis could take this same set of defenders and make us hard to beat. It is all about coaching, likewise we can sign all of tottenhams defenders and we would still conceed double the amount they did last season.


12 Aug 2017 15:11:55
I agree on most parts about MatIp, he can't seem to kick the football properly either. Club foot technique lol but he seems to add some sort of threat on offensive corners and brings the ball out of defense well at times but I think he and Lovren need to be replaced if we want success at the highest level.


12 Aug 2017 15:15:51
I was never a fan to be honest! Caveat emptor Ed002?


{Ed002's Note - I think the pick of the lot is Sakho but Klopp is never going to go back. Matip fall in to the OK category with Lovren - but little more than that.}

12 Aug 2017 15:26:45
Sakho is our best defender by a country mile but obviously Klopp wants to be God. For once, can't he put his own ego aside and give Sakho another chance?
Managers like Klopp and BR make me dream about the days of Rafa tbh.


12 Aug 2017 15:59:04
He and Lovren need to be come leaders, grow a backbone and marshal that defence. That is my problem with both of them. They did well together today overall as they were able to keep Okaka quiet after his goal and snuff out Gray completely. It is in the critical situations (during set-pieces) is where they need to become dominant and I'm afraid they are not. Also, I think the set up defensively is not helping them. I don't know if we play man or zonal marking or mixed but regardless, opposing players are still scoring unchallenged. Something needs to be done there cos you can by VVD, Varane, Toby, Ramos or Kompany at CB but if you put Bobbie inside the six to defend a bigger player coming from deep. you will always concede.


12 Aug 2017 15:01:56
The offside equaliser may be a blessing in disguise. If this doesn't bring home the point that we need a dominant header of the ball in defence, nothing will. Klopp needs to break faith with his defenders and only use the ball playing defenders against the top teams and Europe, use the mongrel dominant header type defenders for the direct teams. Goalkeeping was underwhelming as well. A good keeper just wins you the points, the old Migs was back today. I would love to see what Ward could do. Moreno was alright I thought, a vast improvement.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 16:03:53
What did Migs do today that was a mistake, exactly? If you think he was responsible for any of the goals then, I disagree completely. The third goal due to Wij not taking charge and sticking his head in to at least make contact good enough to at least clear the ball a significant distance. He simply went in half-heartedly while the Watford player went in full hence, he won the ricochet. Infact, Migs only had one save to make yet conceded 3 goals, all due to errors that left him exposed by his outfield team mates.


12 Aug 2017 15:01:16
It was a real good game of football today, if you draw your aways and win your homes, then we will be fine.

Believable0 Unbelievable9

12 Aug 2017 15:46:09
Wrong. Draw your away and win your home would leave you on 76 points. Do we want the title? Or 4th place?


12 Aug 2017 16:08:57
when you score 3 goals you should win.


12 Aug 2017 14:57:32
We're in the champions league places!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 16:37:49
not for long with that defense.


12 Aug 2017 16:37:49
not for long with that defense.


12 Aug 2017 14:55:49
Match review.
First half we were Terrible with the help of Watford. The goals we conceded were dreadful. Mane and can created a great goal.
The second half we played better and firminho was outstanding and salah was excellent.
Our biggest problem like last season is being a shambles in defence especially at set pieces today. The last goal conceded was somethingelse. Regardless if it was offside wijnaldim should have headed back where it came from instead of ducking like he was afraid of the ball.
Klopp needs to address these problems ASAP.
Van dijk and a truly top class midfielder are needed. Henderson, can and wijnaldim is not the way forward in midfield . Totally void of creatively ability. Completely imbalanced. I'm not not a fan Of either can or wijnaldim playing alongside Henderson.
On mignolet? It's the same old. Looks completely unreliable and prone to make a blunder and his distribution consists of taking out kids in the stands. I'd stick karius or ward in for a full season.
More disappointly is we miss leaders. A john terry or carragher who put their bodies on the line.
There's three weeks left in the window to deal with the incoming loss of course and addressing areas that need a surge of quality.

Believable4 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 15:01:36
Big Al I think he's used all his options regarding transfers Klopps plan A is all eggs in one basket there's no plan B or C and that really worries me with him.


12 Aug 2017 15:05:32
I couldn't agree more with your post big Al you took the words right out of my mouth spot on brother going to be another rollercoster of a season if we continue going forward with this squad 😡.


12 Aug 2017 15:16:11
Taking out kids in the stands😂.


12 Aug 2017 14:54:05
We scored 3 goals today without coutinho, and they were well created. Once again individual poor lapses led to the goals we conceeded. Matip poor pass to henderson led to the corner 20 secs later, Emre Can tried stupid back heel leading to throw-in to 2nd goal, Gomez awful needless foul for a player going nowhere which led to the impending pressure. Okay on that one Wijnaldum should have done better and the goal should not have stood anyway. But the point is, how on earth can you fix that?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 15:04:12
I hadnt finished, I meant to add that it is real bad luck that all of those mistakes led to goals. These mistakes happen from time to time to vast majority of players very often, mistakes happen they just don't always lead to goals. What can you do about that?


12 Aug 2017 15:10:30
Spot on. Individual errors cost us 3 points. What on earth is Gomez doing conceding a free kick there with 2 mins to go? That is schoolboy stuff. They were only ever going to score from a set play so why gift them that opportunity?

Second goal clearly Henderson's fault for not tracking his man.

And don't even get me started about the shambolid defending that led to the first goal.

The other worry - again a repetition of last season - is that we didn't take our chances. We had more than enough to kill the game and ultimatelty it was our failure to convert them that cost us the 3 points.


12 Aug 2017 14:50:51
VVD is not the answer to our problems! We concede goals from set pieces, firminos man for Watford’s first today, Gini for their equaliser (I may be wrong on this one but unsure)
I don’t know the answer to fix this as surely they work on it Day to day but VVD will not come in and fix this
Klopps main tool is passion and that will only carry us so far, I’m doubtful of his tactical abilities and as for transfers. don’t get me started.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 15:01:07
Wrong. Buying Defenders who can ORGANISE the others.
It will be much better than this.


12 Aug 2017 15:17:05
Leadership and organisation goes a long way my friend.


12 Aug 2017 14:34:53
match review ed?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - will get it done as soon as I can, probably after the games finish.}

12 Aug 2017 14:48:03
Really tough game Watford away.

I can see Chelsea, Spurs, Utd, City and Arsenal all going there and dropping points.

Believable1 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 14:49:56
Hope your being sarcastic.


12 Aug 2017 14:51:26
Watford were really well setup. Marco Silva does not seem like a flash in the pan.

I was expecting no points when looking at the first half as they were bossing us.

Draw a fair result. 1 point better than nothing.


12 Aug 2017 14:53:14
Each of those clubs will give Watford a whopping. Arsenal and City have too much firepower and the other teams actually have defenders who can defend.


12 Aug 2017 14:55:30
I hope I'm not, otherwise we will drop 2pts on all of them.


12 Aug 2017 14:58:45
Ah please, Watford were there for the taking and we yet conspired to screw it up with shambolic defending.


12 Aug 2017 14:41:12
Hello ed1, there is a lot of debate on social media at the moment about whether we concede so many set pieces due to personnel or due to a wider systematic problem. I personally think its a mixture of the two and Karius needs a chance after that performance from Migs, what's your view?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - it is a mix of the two. I am more worried about Matip, who simply cannot defend and does not take charge of any situations.}

12 Aug 2017 14:49:55
Ward needs a shot. He had an excellent season last year and leaving him rot as our 3rd choice is criminal.


12 Aug 2017 14:51:25
And yet Klopp thinks Matip is an amazing defender. Shows he is not a very good judge of defenders and why we will not win anything while he is here. Not an ounce of improvement shown by Klopp and his cronies from last season. What do they talk about in the dugout? The colour of each other's teeth?


12 Aug 2017 14:54:33
Ed- Matip played exactly the same way at Shalke.


12 Aug 2017 14:56:23
Thanks for the response, I agree Lovren seems to be a scapegoat for Matip a lot of the time. This set pieces issue needs addressing if we are to have any hope of coming in the top 4 this year that's for sure.


12 Aug 2017 14:57:07
Zonal marking is all well and good but that's working on the basis of our players actually attacking the ball and blocking off runs. At least stand in the bloody way of an attacker running on to the ball!


12 Aug 2017 14:43:27
Same old story, Klopp keeps trusting the same players who continue to fail him. Sick of him saying we don't need more signings and that he's happy with his centre backs. We are not fools. Thought Moreno was solid and Trent was good too. Lovren and Matip are like dumb and dumber.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:49:38
Solanke should have been given game time, for no other reason than becos he played well in preseason, beside Origi is sh*ep.


12 Aug 2017 14:55:38
new season same problems. both matip and lovren are so incompetent on corners it is unbelievable they are paid 100k a week.
I won't talk about migs. a few days ago ed001 said he will be a mistake away from the drop, there it was on first corner.
how can we have absolute rubbish defense for 6 years straight is baffling.
now then 2 points dropped we are already chasing teams.
and if Watford can score three, arguably doing nothing for 90 mins, I wonder if we have learned a damn thing from last season.
by the way I don't want to missout of the midfield bashing, the way they go missing is an art. 3 goals conceded to relegation contenders.


12 Aug 2017 15:02:19
And klopp is really out of wits with pipco I guess- who makes such substitutions, why would you want to change a rb at that time? bringing on an extra defender I would have got, but why substitute a defender in 91st minute when u are winning 2-3 is beyond me. this is not good signs. and a very poor result.


12 Aug 2017 15:04:46
I wouldn't blame migs for the first goal.


12 Aug 2017 14:43:02
Well at least we know we can score without PC. Sell and use cash upgrade that shoddy defence. It has been our biggest issue for years and I can't get my head around why we strengthen other areas. Does my head in when we constantly drop points like that.

Believable5 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 14:41:12
My player evaluations v Watford:
Mignolet- made a few decent saves that was about it, his communication with others is poor and his distribution let's not even talk about that. Ward should be given a chance imo. Very average keeper
TAA- Defensively wasn't great but he's still learning his trade at RB but he did make a couple of decent tackles. Going forward was very good and is definitely an upgrade on Clyne in that respect, his corners and set pieces were very good also
Matip- Poor defensively didn't win many headers and made very few challenges seemed average. Brining the ball out of the back he did that well and also had a good chance to score which hit the crossbar from a corner. Average performance.
Lovren- the same as Matip basically but won more headers.
Moreno- looks like a different player to last year imo, did what he has to defensively still a few flaws there but better than we saw last season. Going forward did decent and had a good effort saved by Gomes
Henderson- very average didn't do much at all today
Can- same as Henderson although did drive the team forward on a few occasions and gave away a few fouls
Wijnaldum- Fee decent runs made by him but all in all an average performance.
Salah- Had a good match, made some very good runs which caused Watfords defence lots of problems. Could have easily scored 3 today but there was a lack of composure. Got his goal which is a good thing hopefully he can kick on now.
Mane- for me our MoM his little spark got us our first goal and my oh my he took it well. Keep playing like that and he'll bag himself 20 this season.
Firmino- Wasn't great but he did influence the game in that he took a well taken penalty and got an assist for Salah apart from that was fairly average, has a lose touch and didn't really do an awful lot.
Subs: Origi- did nothing
Milner- did nothing (pointless sub would rather have seen grujic)
Gomez- made a foul which led to the corner we conceded from. Probably shouldn't have come on
This game well and truly highlights the need for a quality CM to come in. If we are looking at Keita we need to bring him in asap. A CB is definitely needed, this where I would spend the money and get a really good quality CB. Still think we might also need someone like ox to give us something different from bench as there wasn't a winger their today so for me if we bring Keita, VVD and Ox in and lose Coutinho i think we'll do well.
Sorry for the long post but just wanted to let you know my thoughts on our performance today.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:47:24
"We don't need defenders"
Klopp hasn't got a clue.


12 Aug 2017 14:49:46
Just shows you a so called top team we're supposed to be are very much in lack of depth within the club.


12 Aug 2017 14:52:46
Salah was terribly flat footed, reaction time is very poor. One assist one goal not bad, but needs to sync with the team more.


12 Aug 2017 14:54:32
We definitely lack depth and if Klopp seriously thinks this team is good enough to compete on multiple fronts then wow! We need at least 3 players possibly even 4 but right now after that match I'm seriously wondering why we zonal mark we haven't got the height to zonal mark I'd rather us man mark and leave 2-3 players free on the posts and in middle. Can't get my head around zonal marking.


12 Aug 2017 14:40:43
Each substitution weakened the team today. Also, their 3rd goal started from the needless substitution of TAA. Gomes immediately gave away a free kick and the sequence of events leads to their goal.
Admittedly, it was poor defending yet again, but in that case you don't invite pressure or give the opposition a chance when they are chasing with little time left.
Gomes was always going to need to switch on immediately and it meant they could work the opening from that area.
I would have brought Solanke on instead of Origi.
The Milner substitution was a baffler as well. Grujic anyone?

The atmosphere from the start was tense and slow - hangover from the Coutinho issues?

What it shows is that we need VVD. We need to get Emre to sign his new contract and we DO need to sign at least 2-3 more players before the window closes.

Watford played as a team and didn't deserve to lose.

We only had a shout due to individual moments of quality from each of our front 3.

I thought TAA, Moreno and Can were the best players over the course of the whole match.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 14:55:17
VVD, Keita and Ox that will add quality and depth that we do desperately need.


12 Aug 2017 15:08:05
RedTed. I would agree with you mate but there is no signs of either of those players arriving with just a few weeks to go before the window shuts. We are well short of quality numbers and there is one guy to blame imo.


12 Aug 2017 14:40:30
I don't envy you ed's best of luck over the coming days, couts is leaving we drew with Watford, the apocalypse is coming!

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:35:06
What a match. Surely the 3rd Watford goals blatant offside?

One thing is for sure, many teams who will be visiting Watford this season will be up for the challenge.

Considering the way the first half was looking I think 1 point is a fair results here.

Salah and Firmino already seem to be clicking. Moreno actually had a decent game and I believe Clyne's days at RB may well come to an end.

Draw it is, one point away to what looks like a pretty decent outfit, better than nothing.

And before we all go hap hazard on our defence, Arsenal conced 3 yesterday.

EPL becoming more and more competitive now.

Bet many would come out and say now because of Coutinho we did not collect the three points.

That is BS. Second half showed we do not need Couts.

Salah is going to be a star!

Believable0 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 14:43:41
It was offside but hardly blatant. Virtually impossible for a linesman to spot that with conviction in what he saw.


12 Aug 2017 14:46:17
Sorry fella, we were crap for most of that game. The failure to address our defensive shortcomings is beyond a joke now, it really feels like the only people in the entire universe who can't see it are our management team and that troubles me.


12 Aug 2017 14:58:52
it was a poor Liverpool performance. both team and klopp. some sustitutions were baffling.


12 Aug 2017 14:32:22
Don't know if you guys will all agree but im starting to dread klopps subs every game baffle me. They definitely cost us today, it does seem to be recurring though with klopp. We just carried no threat with players he chose to take off.

Believable5 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 14:36:13
He needed to protect and rest them for Tuesdays game. The squad is thin in quality, this is the real problem.


12 Aug 2017 14:37:42
Subs had nothing to do with not having a keeper who can deal with corners.


12 Aug 2017 14:38:28
TAA was fully capable of playing the full 90 yet brings him off? Brings on Origi who's hold up play is notoriously shocking but chooses against Solanke who's hold up play is one of his best attributes and brings on Milner for Salah who would of kept that stretch in the watford back line? The changes baffled me also.


12 Aug 2017 14:40:57
Seems to me a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Last season he was lambasted for not seeing out games by failing to make defensive substitutions, this game he does just that and he is lambasted for doing it. Holding on to a 1 goal lead with 7 minutes of regular time and he brought on defensive players. what could he have been thinking?


12 Aug 2017 14:41:47
Some games I wonder if he is even going to make subs. It is definitely a problem. They seem so random.

I do wanna talk about defenders. I'm not sure we need new defenders as much as a new defense. One of the commentators here said Liverpool have two teams on the pitch. One team of defenders, and one of attackers. The defenders don't aid the attack, and the attackers definitely don't help the defense. Firmino was a STATUE on that first goal. TAA played well but has to clear the ball on the 2nd.

I think there are some things to build on so it's not all doom and gloom. I am upset with Klopp though. Same song different dance.

Bring on Hoffenheim.


12 Aug 2017 14:42:31
Started to become a doubter never mind a believer same old same old non of the blatantly obvious problems addressed.


12 Aug 2017 14:46:39
The subs definitely did change everything in the second half until he took off the best three performers on the pitch for us in my opinion watfird didn't seem to be carrying any threat since half time. Then we can barely get beyond half way line after cause we weren't carrying any sort of threat.


12 Aug 2017 14:32:10
If that shambolic defensive performance doesn't finally make Klopp realise we need a new CB, or even a new defensive coach, then nothing will. What a joke.

Believable6 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:37:37
Klopp knows that's why all the VVD chasing. Do you want him to buy another rubbish defender?


12 Aug 2017 14:41:47
A defensive mess. again!


12 Aug 2017 14:44:16
100 games and he still can't sort the defence and he was once a defender himself.


12 Aug 2017 14:45:14
Sadly every man and his dog can see where the problems are apart from the man in charge maybe klopp should wear stronger glasses to avoid snow blindness.


12 Aug 2017 14:46:01
VvD will not fix it.
Working on defensive shape and how to defend as a unit will.
Something it looks like we haven't done since Rafa left.


12 Aug 2017 14:46:45
If Klopp still can't see it, then he should be kicked out ASAP. The entire defense has been pathetic and clueless ever since he took charge. The man has done nought to rectify Brendan's mistakes and the only reason now why he is been given leeway by fans is bcoz of 2 brilliant seasons at BVB which happened more than 5 years ago.
We ain't winning the league title with Klopp in charge, of that im 100% sure. He can't tell the difference between a good and bad defender which will stop LFC winning any meaningful trophies and then he will run off to Bayern where he will win the league there (which my grandma could win) .
Really hoped Klopp would learn from past mistakes but like Ed002 said, he really is not that good a coach and his fake persona will soon be found out.


12 Aug 2017 14:48:32
Maybe it's the way Klopp sets them up rather than just purchasing new defenders?


12 Aug 2017 14:56:39
Anyone please name a decent back four that we have had from left to right compared to the rest of the top clubs as I can not think of any season we're I've sat down and thought he's solid we have no composure no thought we seem to be second to the ball week in, week out and mig please go how many more chances you need son not a good keeper just poor or, shot stopper yes but apart from that. Nothing pleases me with him i shake when I see him go near a ball come for a ball as 8 out of 10 he misses or fumbles it.


12 Aug 2017 15:00:08
Roy of course I don't want another rubbish defender, but VVD isn't the only good CB in the world, there's more than just him. Klopp mucked it up with VVD in June, he's had plenty of time to consider another CB, which he obviously hasn't done. Yes, he wants VVD and so do I, but we don't always get what we want, and he needs an alternative.


12 Aug 2017 15:22:00
Sorry for the language to whatever Ed edited my post. Heat of the moment.


12 Aug 2017 14:32:02
We are a joke at the back and defensively minded as a team wiljadum should have been replaced with 15 mins to go out on his feet he was at fault for the 3rd goal but i blame klopp he's the man in charge and yet again seems clueless with his tatical decisions utterly terrible defensively played well for a 15 minute spell in the 2nd half otherwise poor all round performance sick is not the word.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:31:59
I hate to say it but klopp cost us 2 pts. Poor subs. Why take off taa playing so well and bring on Gomez whose cold. Why bring on origi who is awful and can't hold the ball up. Offside goal that kills us is hard to take and game shows why we need to pay for vvd.

Believable5 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 14:40:50
Origi offers nothing.


12 Aug 2017 14:28:38
Rubbish. How long has Klopp had to sort out the defence, yet still the old problems remain. I know this may seem like a knee-jerk response to a poor result, but it's simply not good enough. Not good enough for LFC. Sort it out Klopp instead of fannying about tapping up players.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:32:48
Same old same old, Mickey Mouse defending, we need two centre halfes and two fullbacks for starters, its a joke.


12 Aug 2017 14:33:05
I'm starting to think he hasn't got a clue.
Bought one first team player, gone backwards, just can't see us beating Hoffenheim.


12 Aug 2017 14:47:32
The stupid smile when Watford equalised really annoyed me. Don't always agree with Ed002, but the phrase smiling clown act to (badly) paraphrase the Ed, is really beginning to look like a shrewd assessment. If it were any other manager in charge of LFC, there would huge rumblings of discontent already. I guess good PR is everything.
I may regret this outburst going forward but I'm just so pissed off at how many goals we concede and continuously snap defeat ( or draws) from the jaws of victory.


12 Aug 2017 14:26:09
Had chances to finish off the game but yet again give the opposition something to fight for in the final minutes and we melt.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:28:55
It's going to a be long season with this defence.


12 Aug 2017 14:42:24
This, so much. We seem to always give the opposition a sniff, every time, encouraging them to come back into it.


12 Aug 2017 14:59:58
Klopps fault took off all our attacking options causing us to drop deeper and deeper brings on Origi who was pants couldn't hold onto the ball takes off Trent Arnold who played well and brought in Gomez who gave away a free that nearly lead to a goal brings in Milner who was completely off the pace when Guric should have come on for wilajdum who was clearly out on his feet for the last 15mins and at fault for the equaliser utter baffling substitutions which seems to be growing bad trait of his.


12 Aug 2017 14:25:51
Top 10 side
Klopp smiling like an idiot tells you we are already in trouble.

Believable6 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 14:07:31
Bring in Solanke for Firmino.

Believable6 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 14:20:49
Solanke will get his chance, Firmino didn't play nearly as badly as the chat was making out.


12 Aug 2017 14:32:31
Yet he brings on Origi who contributed nothing. His hold up play is woeful.


12 Aug 2017 14:33:14
Crying out for solanke and he brings on origi. His subs worry me.


12 Aug 2017 14:01:53
Anyone else agree that TAA is like having a new signing.

He is whipping in some beautiful balls. Let's hope he continues along these lines.

Refreshing to see some very good talent from the youth kicking on.

Believable9 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:03:34
Looks good so far!


12 Aug 2017 14:09:43
He's been superb so far.
Been impressed with Moreno on the front foot, do think he was at fault when he went to ground early in a challenge on the edge of the box.
I tend to think Klopp leaves it too long before he uses his sub's though.


12 Aug 2017 14:24:51
Why take him off with 5 left? Silly.


12 Aug 2017 14:00:09
TAA, finally someone who can deliver a ball that beats the first man.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:56:35
Have to say Moreno overall has had a decent game.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:09:26
Not sure about him. Ok going forward but still diving in to challenges with his eyes closed.

Against the teams that won't cause him too many problems he will play, but put a decent winger against him and he will struggle.


12 Aug 2017 15:01:43
Did well, but second goal dived in didn't stay in line with the defence and they scored, can't rely on him as a full back as always makes mistakes that cost us goals.


12 Aug 2017 13:47:27
Looks like it's back to outscoring teams again lol.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:57:53
That's always been the aim as far as I recall.


12 Aug 2017 14:04:20
Lol you know what I meant😅.


12 Aug 2017 14:06:11
Ha ha love it.


12 Aug 2017 13:32:25
When we equalised, I thought "right, we won't concede as poor a goal as the first one again today so we've got this". Well that didn't work out too good.
Quite a few issues out on that pitch.
The 2 CBs have been awful.
Could Mignolet have come for the first corner?
Midfield has been anonymous bar Can for his assist and best impression of Lucas (giving away needless free kicks) .
Salah wasteful so far.
Firmino very poor.
Moreno and Mane - our two best players so far.
It's like it's the Rodgers' era again.

Believable0 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 13:51:55
Don't think Migs was really at fault for the first goal. More worried about him barely being able to complete a pass beyond 10 yards again. Even a simple roll out for a counter ended up with a Watford player.

Still we're 3-2 up without actually playing well. Alexander-Arnold's been the highlight. So much more positive with his use of the ball than Clyne.


12 Aug 2017 14:09:06
Migs took his eyes off the ball.


12 Aug 2017 13:31:43
Does anyone have the numbers for Nicky Tanner, Phil Babb, Barry Venison and Steve Nicol?

Believable3 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - I do for Nicky Tanner, who has a new book out incidentally if anyone is looking for a good read.}

12 Aug 2017 13:41:32
I think a bid for Steven Caulker might be on the cards!

Baz.


12 Aug 2017 13:44:24
Does he fancy a book signing in Germany on Tuesday, and when I say "Book Signing" I mean 90 minutes of Champions League football.


12 Aug 2017 13:31:08
Optimism to despair in one half of football. I love this site!

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:28:40
Can we play Mane centre forward, drop Firmino to a number 10 and bring in a left sided player. Mane would easily bag 30 goals.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:36:55
We should switch to 4-2-3-1, drop Firmino back and replace Gini with Sturridge then ask our FBs to sit a bit deeper against the counterattack.


12 Aug 2017 13:50:52
Lol good luck with moreno.


12 Aug 2017 13:27:27
Ok guys, let's not get too carried away with the criticism.
Yes, we have been playing like a bunch of 5 yr olds chasing a balloon in a gale and our defence has been an utter dogs breakfast and everyone bar Mane are playing like they were clubbing until 4am last night and it has never been more plainly obvious that we need a creative force in midfield and a half-decent centreback, but there's still another 45 minutes to go (god help us) .
Cmon the reds!

Believable0 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:26:16
Remind me why we have preseason?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 14:10:12
So our best players can get injured without causing stoppage time in league games.


12 Aug 2017 13:25:36
Just look half asleep. Even Klopp looks subdued. Second to every thing. Worrying.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:22:51
1. Liverpool players not sending a strong message for Coutinho to want to stay.
2. Premier league a hell of a lot tougher than friendlies vs Bayern Munich.
3. Lack a proper no 9
4. Salah quite.
5. Despite Hendo and Can, midfield very lite weight.
6. Tempo very slow, no aggression. I think they have been distracted by Coutinho.
7. Have they got the CL qualifier on their minds?
8. Poor transfer window is obvious

Only half time here's hoping a Klopp bollocking sorts them out.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 13:28:40
Does he though?

If you knew you were in for a bollocking you wouldn't go there in the first place.


12 Aug 2017 14:08:35
Lol, so couts is watching the game thinking if we smack watford im going to stay, if it's a close game I'm off. Ridiculous comment.


12 Aug 2017 21:57:31
Swish, if Liverpool were smashing the likes of Watford, then it would reinforce the view that he may be part of something that could turn out great. Instead Barce say come and join us an have a 50/ 50 chance of winning all the Spanish domestic trophies.


12 Aug 2017 13:21:51
Jesus.
When they say preseason is never a barometer of how you'll play once the season starts then that first half has it down to a T!

Woeful.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:20:39
Come on boys! This really isn't helping things out. Show some passion, start moving and creating things between the lines. We're just so static and lethargic! 45 mins to sort their mess out.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:17:54
If I were Klopp now I'd be taking the £120m for Pip as he wants to go, and go back to Southampton with his tail between his legs and give what they want for VVD.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 14:33:55
Im just wondering if 120m could buy us four new defenders.


12 Aug 2017 13:07:05
I'm sorry but this game is showing exactly why we need a new leading CB to partner Matip, to sell moreno and a new CM. This surely needs to be sorted before we enter the champions league and are playing some of the best teams in the world. If Watford can get through our leaky defence then we can't hold much hope against the world's elite.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:20:51
We look awful at the back pal. Same old, how have we not addressed this situation when is clear to see we needed to strengthen at the back.


12 Aug 2017 13:34:19
To be fair we need a new CB but the FBs are as much a part of the problem. How many times have they gotten in behind and put dangerous balls into the box? We went cheap at LB, failed at CB and ignored RB. Can't be surprised at the result.

Should have started Milner and Gomez away from home and started with the first rule of not conceding. then hoping our front 3 can win the game with a moment of magic. Don't know why we tried to start with two such attacking FBs away to Watford who will clearly want to hit us on the break and in the air.


12 Aug 2017 13:07:00
Is there a better word than adequate for wijnaldum? I didn't even notice him on the field till my brother was talking about the lineup. He's not a detriment to the team, but certainly brings nothing but a body, somewhere, on the field.

Believable1 Unbelievable4

12 Aug 2017 13:19:21
To be fair to him the only players I've realised today were for messing something up lol.


12 Aug 2017 13:25:03
I agree with Wini, I think he's average, don't get the love for him on this site.


12 Aug 2017 13:26:36
Whole team aside from mane has been adequate . I don't think we can play Much worse so let's get behind them.


12 Aug 2017 13:04:17
The defence is a shambles.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:03:39
On this defensive performance the need to strengthen is glaringly obvious.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:30:43
We've all known this and so has the club for the past 2-3 seasons but nobody fixes it.


12 Aug 2017 13:00:31
MANE MANE MANEEE.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 13:04:54
Same old same old poor defence we've had all pre season to sort out an done nothing about it.


12 Aug 2017 12:58:23
Lovren seriously get a grip man.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 13:04:35
Shocking.


12 Aug 2017 12:57:29
Didn't take Watford long to figure us out! Saying our squad is strong enough bewilders me!

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 12:49:05
Edds I cannot write in chat, any reason why?

Thanks

Baz.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - The eduacational sysytem in England falls far behind the baccalaureate-based systems utilised in near neighbours Scoitland and France, and at a higher-level, far, far behind the USA. I suspect that is what lies behind your problem.}

12 Aug 2017 12:55:03
Okay I'll rephrase that. I can write a sentence or statement within the page box however my sentences or statements are not going onto the page.

Baz.


12 Aug 2017 13:23:40
He says whilst making a few spelling mistakes. lol 😅😅.


12 Aug 2017 13:30:26
Great spelling Ed. very eduacated. Where is this land of Scoitland?! 🤔.


12 Aug 2017 12:41:32
1st set piece of the season and we concede.

Are there still those on this site that thinks our defence is sorted?

I rest my case.

Believable6 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 12:45:53
Why is Firmino picking up their biggest player it's beyond me. Horrendous defending.


12 Aug 2017 12:48:58
Absolutely shocking. The transfer set up at our club is the worst in the league.


12 Aug 2017 12:50:48
Name 5 cb better than what we have.

Me
You
Ed1
Me Nan
Keane
Hanson even at his age

Lol.


12 Aug 2017 12:52:30
Lovren is getting totally out muscled off the ball.


12 Aug 2017 12:55:14
I've been saying this for months, no difference to the Brendan Rogers era.


12 Aug 2017 12:40:59
Same old same old.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 12:49:51
Totally unmarked.


12 Aug 2017 12:58:05
Lovern leaves him to run in absolutely disgraceful but sure what's new there same old same old .


12 Aug 2017 12:15:12
Hi Eds

Although macca has said naby is house hunting . Is their any interest in savic of lazio read that they wer prepared to sell but for big money . I vaguely remember 1 of the eds saying they though the lad could be a worldly . Any interest from us?

Cheers.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No, Juventus, Arsenal, Stoke and Manchester United are the clubs who enquired.}

12 Aug 2017 12:01:43
Is Robertson injured? Weird that he's not even on the bench.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Just not picked.}

12 Aug 2017 12:32:06
What was your reasoning behind that Ed002? :P.


{Ed002's Note - His hair is just too normal.}

12 Aug 2017 13:36:00
Ah, good thinking Ed002, we were lacking in style throughout Moreno's absence afterall.


12 Aug 2017 12:10:24
Coutinho is nowhere to been seen on the LFC website - I reckon we have accepted the reported 120m Euro bid.

Believable0 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 12:32:25
The side looks balanced now. with no DM I think we need three CM players, with pipco in there sometimes we get caught which leaves the defence exposed. Salah has taken the left position now.


12 Aug 2017 12:33:29
Meant mane lol.


12 Aug 2017 12:52:55
Coutinho is still on the team website.


12 Aug 2017 12:56:34
KingCarlos - Coutihno is clearly on the website under first team players - take another look.


12 Aug 2017 11:40:29
Like the team we've put out. Come on Redmen! ⚽️🔴.

Believable2 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 11:53:41
Yeah, happy with the team selection. Moreno starts which is the biggest surprise and hoping he has a blinder of a game and turns his career around!

Come on Pool!


12 Aug 2017 11:35:53
This moment, right now, an hour away from the start of our season beginning is the best feeling.
So much hope, ambition, worry, excitement, nerves and fear all built in to one hour of build up.
At this point anything is possible and every match/ competition is an opportunity.
Let's not get too caught up in the Coutinho stuff, none of us can affect it. Let's all enjoy the opening day and get behind our team.
All the best for the season, whoever you all follow (mostly aimed at the eds)

Believable3 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 11:29:34
Re. Handing in a transfer request.

Is there some kind of automatic penalty for doing this? For example, I keeping reading about 5% of transfer fee?

Do all contracts include a "transfer request penalty clause? " If so, is it subject to change?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No, they don't need to. All players are entitled to 5% of the transfer fee unless it is them that requests the move.}

12 Aug 2017 11:49:09
Thanks for the answer.

So part 2. I know you don't like talking about money, but assuming the transfer goes through, has Phil just forsaken over four million quid, or would the
loss likely be compensated via a signing bonus or some such incentive? Perhaps via an increase wages?
Just curious about it as it's a lot of money to be missing out on, even if you aren't exactly going to be starving!


{Ed002's Note - Clubs will often negotiate signing on bonuses but it is nothing to do with what Liverpool owe him or not.

He is happy to lose out of the money in order to leave Liverpool.}

12 Aug 2017 11:33:05
Good looking team today.

Really hope Moreno and Can kick on. Moreno because we've shown faith and Can to prove he deserves a new deal.

Good luck to the boys today!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 11:33:03
Migs, Moreno, Matip, Lovren, TAA, Can, Hendo, Gini, Salah, Mane, Firmino
Our starting line up against Watford. Can't wait to see our front 3 tear Watford a new one so we can get some respite from the Coutinho mess.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 11:28:22
Long time reader first time posting. As much as it pains me to say as I believe Coutinho is world class, if he wants to leave we won't keep him too long. But if RB Leipzig and Southampton can hold on to players who want to leave to come to us we would be showing weakness by giving him away without fighting tooth and nail to keep him.

The way I see it he had no buyout clause and a 5 year contract and in the current climate (where we are being quoted £50m-£70m for a defender, mbappe who has had half a good season is £100m+, Barcelona have just received £200m for a player. ) They need to either pay up or shut up Coutinho is got to be worth £130m+ and they are low balling as they always do. They expect top dollar for their players but always try and low ball other clubs. If Liverpool are seriously wanting to challenge they either need to stand their ground or tell Barcelona £130m+ or no deal then they need to pump that money straight back in.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 11:28:13
Yay go team and go season!

I just LOVE all the work you eds do for us common folk. All your info and stuff is bear awesome.

Phillipipoo Couticouti can go and swivel. Or Klopp can, whoever is in charge of ruining our lives anyway.

What time is the curling on?

Believable2 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 12:00:53
Seek help.


12 Aug 2017 11:22:32
Let's get behind the boys today! Anyone else feel like with all this going on with Phil, Bobby really has a chance to shine and prove he can become the main man this year. Really big season for him imo and am ready to get behind all the people wanting to put on the red shirt. At the end of the day it's football and players have ambition, not happy with the timing of Phil's request but Ed has been saying for over a year he's been looking for a move to Barca, so I don't believe for one second yesterday is the first Klopp heard about it. Leaves us tight on time to replace him but if you look statistically the games with and without Phil the difference isn't monumental. If we pull our fingers out and get deals that are looking unlikely in Keita and VVD I cannot see how we wouldn't be in a better position with them two and not Phil. Anyway it's game day, let's see if this positivity still flows through me after the game!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 11:12:41
One way of knocking this Coutinho situation on the head would be to price him out of Barca's range. Put a value on him of £150m which is fair enough considering what they got for Neymar. At least he can't then say we are keeping him against his will.

If by some miracle Barcelona come up with £150m snap their hands off.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 11:30:21
Why not 180 million? 😂 honestly a young Gerrard would be worth 100 plus million in today's ludicrous market.


12 Aug 2017 11:31:48
Apparently, that's exactly what we've done. At least according to some media sources this morning, anyway.

Can't wait to see the "fans" ripping into FSG for taking the money and not caring about winning if it were to come to a £150m bid though.


{Ed002's Note - It is not FSG who have been negotiating with Barcelona. They are simply the owners.}

12 Aug 2017 11:09:49
The biggest issue for me, with letting Coutinho go is time. Positionally he's already been replaced, but our squad will still be far worse without him. I don't think we can replace him 'like for like' but there are plenty of players out there who could bring our squad upto a similar level, but we are running short of time to get these players in place. It would appear Klopp has hung his hat on Keita, which doesn't look like happening at the moment, but if it does come off that don't half soften the blow.

Believable2 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 11:25:09
I think that uncertainty is what's making everyone anxious, particularly with regard to the defense. There are some awesome front lines this year in the Premiership, but it is at the back that the title will be won I think.

Arsenal can't win every game 4-3 and neither can we.


12 Aug 2017 11:01:02
I understand Coutinho wants to leave but to rock the boat on the eve of our first game of the new season is totally unprofessional.

Believable5 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 11:32:26
Poetic justice, but I agree. Really shouldn't be the way things are done.


12 Aug 2017 11:33:01
It's not his fault the transfer window sits where it does.


12 Aug 2017 10:47:55
Hi Ed, would someone like Draxler be possible in your opinion? With Neymar and possibly another heading to PSG I was thinking it might be a doable deal. I'm asking more about psg willingness to sell rather than liverpool interest.

Also, do you think spurs would sell eriksen if 100 mill was offered. Thinking it would be a long shot they'd sell to liverpool.

The reason I ask about these players is that klopp has shown an interest in the past.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - no.}

12 Aug 2017 11:27:57
Draxler is a wide forward. So he probably would not start even if he signed for us. To replace Coutinho we need to sign a creative midfielder ideally. Keita would be great, so would Kovacic.


12 Aug 2017 10:52:45
Let's get behind the team today and get 3 points. Put the transfer talk on the back burner for a few hours. We go again red men!

Crooky.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 10:46:08
My take on the PC situation is this. I am unfortunately old enough to remember Keegan, Souness, Rush, Owen, Torres, Suarez all leaving. 40 years on the club is still one of the biggest clubs in the world. We have a top manager and a very good side.
I think if we could get a replacement for PC the club would kick him out of the door right now, however he has signed a five year deal and the club are still in the driving seat. Barcelona and the likes think they can run rough shot over clubs and I for one are happy the club has taken the stance they have, they have had plenty of time to put in a suitable offer but they have been tossing around for weeks, using the media to unsettle the player. We are the biggest critics of our club messing around with transfers, however close on our tails are Barcelona - if they wanted him that much they should have made us an offer we could not refuse and not let it get to the situation where PC feels he is forced to put in a TR.
I can only think that the club are frantically looking for a suitable replacement at the moment. However Klopp and the club are right, if we can't get a replacement then the player has to lump it and stay until we do. Why should we be penalised for Barcelona dragging their feet and being muppets.

Southampton and RB have dug their heels in, and good on them so we should take a leaf out of their book - clubs all over have to stick together and stop this nonsense of players throwing their toys out of the pram every time they want a move. They get paid enormous amounts of money and should show a little respect. liverpool bought CT a few years back when he was struggling as a player and have made him into a very wealthy man - HAVE SOME RESPECT! Mr and Mrs Coutinho.

Evered.

Believable5 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 11:28:28
Great post agree with everything said. We get blasted on here for the way we go about transfers and quite rightly. But Barcelona should stop low balling in the current market the bids they have made are insulting. The cheapskates need to offer the majority of that Neymar money if they want Couts and we should accept only if we can find a suitable replacement first.


12 Aug 2017 10:40:22
Anyone else really pee'd off with this whole Coutinho situation? It's becoming like a soap opera! Phil says he will only leave if amicable, then hands in a transfer request, as the club relseases statements about not allowing him to leave - its embarrassing! So now, if he leaves, we look like we've been proper mugged off, if he stays it is blatantly obvious we are hanging onto him against his will which just looks desperate. If he wants to go just let him go, we don't need players who don't want to be here, however good they are.

Give me a nudge when it's all over.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 10:38:42
Come what may re Coutinho.

Today we will be on the pitch without him and we need to show that nobody is bigger than the club.

3 points please!

Believable5 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 10:36:06
Ed do you think fsg where wrong with their two statements they've issued this summer re vvd and couts. They could end up going back on both of them.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - They were forced in to the first by Klopp and probably the second as well. The first had to be done.}

12 Aug 2017 10:45:37
What else did you expect from FSG?

And why on earth are fans still crying about the VVD situation? What has happened has happened.

It has been done to death. Let's just move on and look forward to our first match of the season.


12 Aug 2017 10:50:40
Ed002, please how can klopp force FSG to come out with a statement? Employee and employer, it look absurd. Means Klopp is to be blame for Coutinho's transfer request.


{Ed002's Note - Klopps illegal and unprofessional behavior forced them to make a humiliating public apology to Southampton. Klopp has been the one who is adamant to Pipco is not to be sold - hence the statement and hence the transfer request.}

12 Aug 2017 11:46:42
Klopp has only done what managers have done for years Ed2 stop moaning on about it everyday for God's sake he's not committed murder. From top to bottom of that league managers tap up players.


{Ed002's Note - Why are you such a jerk. I answered the question asked. Anmd this is not the norm. Other clubs and managers do not do what Klopp has done - he has acted illegally and been completely and utterly unprofessional and so far has screwed up the summer for the club and emabarrassed the board and the club. If you don't like reading the truth then I suggest you walk away from the site - or else stop bitching, whining and making yourself look ignorant.}

12 Aug 2017 10:27:44
Some years ago we had a young goalkeeper in the U18s, Ryan Crump was his name and like so many others, he left for pastures new, joining Blackburn in August 2014 then Southport in July 2016,ending up at Hyde I think whilst working part-time at the B&Q.

Last night he was on our bench for the U23s.

Have I missed something? There is absolutely no mention of him on the club website!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 10:46:13
I heard he was just in as cover due to lack of availability of GKS for this game. I may be wrong though.


12 Aug 2017 10:27:23
Think Coutinho played a blinder, conducted himself brilliantly when he though there was a chance of a move, as soon as his chance of a move disappears he's gone out and got one his family members to publicly slag off Klopp, and let's be honest that's upset a lot of fans and I'm guessing Klopp will be outraged.

Let's just say Mama Sakho did a lot less than that and he's never been in a red shirt again, reckon Phil goes to Barcelona for 110m rising to 130m, something around that.

But you never know as we saw with Luis Suarez there are two sets of standards in football, brilliant footballers get away with a lot more.

Believable6 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 10:52:57
His fam member can run his mouth till he's blue in the face. FSG have spoken and he is not going anywhere. Suarez did 5 times more than Cou and his family member did and challenged John Henry to let him leave. Remind me how that worked out? American owners will not be dictated to by a player whose wages they are paying. No Way! Cou like Suarez, will lose big time here.


12 Aug 2017 10:26:09
Our current first team center backs are matip, lovern klavan and gomes

At cm we have henderson, wjanaldum, can, millner and gruic


I seriously hope we have alternatives in mind to vvd and keita, squad looks thin for cl year.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 10:21:07
We all now need to forget about the transfer situation. We are stronger than last season with the business that has been done. The others will pan out as they will, let's be honest none of us know what goes on behind those Shankley gates.

What we do know is that today is the start of a very exciting season. We are back where we belong in the CL and let's get behind the lads for the first game.

Our front line is going to cause shock waves this season and with the lessons learnt from last season the foundations to build upon are there for all to see.

With a little luck on the injury front we can compete with the best out there.

Good luck today and let's hope for a big 3 points to kick us off. YNWA.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 10:42:26
We are not stronger if Coutinho leaves.


12 Aug 2017 09:50:06
Apologies in advance Ed001 because I believe you know the Carraghers, but Jamie has really disappointed me since retiring.

He sold his soul to go and work for Murdoch for a start! But it is just some of the stupid, irresponsible things he says.

He now says that if Coutinho is sold he will understand if the fans riot and will be a part of the riots! He is still a massive role model to younger Liverpool fans and he is publically approving fans rioting over one player. Why can't he be mature/ sensible and just stick to the mantra, No one player is bigger than the club. He is actually becoming an embarassment to LFC now. I thought United gad it bad with ex-players like Roy Keane running their mouths on TV, but Carragher is getting just as bad lately. I highly doubt he'd actually start smashing up Anfield or Melwood, but he has just condoned it to the knuckle heads who actually might!

Deary me, I wish ex players would just shut their mouths at times.

Believable1 Unbelievable4

{Ed001's Note - no worries, I find it difficult to forgive him for selling his soul.}

12 Aug 2017 10:35:21
Think you're being a bit sensitive there. He wasn't advocating taking up arms and smashing up the streets of L1, he was using words that inferred the fans wouldn't be happy - possibly start showing outrage via social media, or get in a frenzy talking to their mates about it whilst down the pub. No need to jump on the pc super podium.


12 Aug 2017 10:36:09
You can't really moan about him selling his soul to sky when your watching him on it though mate.


{Ed001's Note - I am not watching him on sky. I am not watching him at all.}

12 Aug 2017 10:43:39
He always was mouthy git on the pitch. Why would you think he would change now he's got a platform to voice his opinion.
He's got no problem slagging off anyone. But its just his opinion, don't take it to heart. Opinions r like arseholes, we all have one just some r full of sh*t.


12 Aug 2017 10:54:58
Carra has lost his credibility and watching he and the pathetic manc Chuckle Bros. Gary and Phil talking nonsense, just makes me pity him even more.


12 Aug 2017 11:26:44
I don't just like Carragher even when he was still at anfield, but he is saying what an average lfc fan would say. FSG promised a project when they came and under different managers the inconsistency on field is apparent, no one can tell where the project will lead to. Honestly, it will be wishful fan minded between me and you to say that lfc will win a cup or challenge for the tittle this season, and you know why, the truth is our ambitions then and now is still the same, we can't match the ambitions of our quality players in giving them the services they needed on field to winning trophies. we all see how our star players leaves with lots of monies in the club's coffers.


12 Aug 2017 10:18:27
All that matters is 3 points today. forget the background noise and support our team unequivocally (that's a big word for Saturday morning :)

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 10:07:02
Hey! Just want to say a massive thank you to all the Ed's on this site- I have been following this site for a long time so it is exciting to finally be on board here! Your knowledge and contributions are invaluable and what has kept me coming back over he years.

I am sure you are absolutely sick to death of the topic and if it has already been covered then I do apologise!
I was just curious in regards to the relationship between Klopp and Coutinho? As this aparantly became public from a family member stating that their relationship has been downhill for the past six months- I just wanted to know how true this is to the best of your knowledge? I am also interested to know how the rest of the team are taking all this at the moment as well- perhaps square tomato might be able to contribute to this with Gomez being around the team.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea idea and could only speculate. The club has known for more than a year that Coutinho had been talking with International colleagues about other clubs and had used Neymar to talk to barcelona. They are also aware of what went on last October so they knew something was going to come up.

But we don't care for the gossip.}

12 Aug 2017 09:43:04
Less than 3 hours to go fellow fans. I reckon we are in for one hell of a season.

Thoughts on who will be our stand out player this season?

I am going with Salah.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 10:19:59
Depends on how you measure "stand out" but if the definition is most consistent and important to the success of the team I'm going for Gini.


12 Aug 2017 10:20:05
I think this season is going to see a record number of goals, but I mean like the previous record will be smashed. Even that game last night, that was 2 teams who either can't or don't care about defending. Will be very entertaining I think, if it's a shoot out we'd be in with a chance.
As for us, I'm excited about salah I have to say, IF certain individuals can stay mostly fit I think we'll do well. A lot down to mane and salah I suspect, fingers crossed!


12 Aug 2017 10:21:27
Sturridge, he is going to stay fit and bang in 30+ goals. Maybe.


12 Aug 2017 10:22:20
Would agree with Salah, he's going to score loads, but really think Firmino could genuinely break that 20 goal barrier with the amount of tap ins we will create.
Similar to the Suarez, Sterling, Sturridge season, Sturridge had so many goals put on a plate by the direct running of Suarez.


12 Aug 2017 10:57:29
Firmino for me, he works like nobody else and its never just mindless running. He has a good shot, can pass the ball, he reads the game good both attacking and defending. I also think Emre Can will have a great season if he stays fit and start matches, please LFC give him a contract suited for a German international.


12 Aug 2017 11:03:58
I think we've always seen the best of bobby when he's been playing with couts. Hopefully he'll strike up a good partnership with salah.


12 Aug 2017 09:38:55
Hi Eds and Reds

If Phil was to go to Barcelona do you think there would be time to get a replacement in? If so who do you think might fit the bill.

I look forward to your reply. I have been reading since this site was simply footba-rumours.

Kind regards.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Yes, absolutely.}

12 Aug 2017 08:35:04
Eds is kovacic available? i know he hardly started last season and I think he is a fantastic midfielder who can sit deep or bomb on. great close control and an eye for a pass.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - They have no plan to sell and Liverpool have no interest.}

12 Aug 2017 09:34:02
On another note 1st game of the season and were on telly. bring it on can't f******g wait. This is what its all about. have you forgotten!

Believable1 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 09:33:55
It's weird how good Barcelona are, yet none of there players really interest me rather be dealing with Real Madrid.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 09:52:21
That's only because you know that their best players aren't available.
Messi, Suarez, Pique, Rakitic, Jordi Alba would interest me if I thought we could get anywhere near them.


12 Aug 2017 09:58:46
Barcelona have been in a very transitional period. In defense they've really never replaced puyol in midfield they've struggled to replace Xavi and Iniesta through injury has not been the same player in the last 18 months. Any Liverpool fans that feel we get a lot of our transfer dealings wrong should take a look at what barcelona have bought in the last 5 years bar the odd exception like Neymar Suarez alba they're has been a lot of wasted money there.


12 Aug 2017 10:03:39
Because behind a truly elite front two (was three), their squad isn't that good. Iniesta was a great player even as recently as 2014, but no longer, and the rest of them are either poor buys or have become used to the front three annihilating opposition by themselves.


12 Aug 2017 10:04:43
For me they have a handful of world class players, and then a pretty average squad.

Messi is different class, and I'd take him in a straight swap for Couts. Never happening so not worth asking.
Suarez is world class but I'd steer clear after his behaviour last time.
Iniesta is world class but his legs are going. He would be very good as a Gary Mac-esque signing though.
Pique is world class but he is an ex Manc and he needs to stay off social media.
Busquets is top class but his antics annoy the hell out of me and he plays in our captains position.
Alba is top class but we have just signed a left back.
Sergi Roberto is top class and I'd take him no questions asked.
Mascherano is a good player but like Suarez, left in disgrace.
Rakitic is a good player but many seem to think his legs have gone or are going.
Turan is a good player and an LFC fan, but he is really injury prone.
Umtiti is a good player who I would take.
Ter Stegen is a good player who I would take.
Gomes is a decent player, but Can is better.
Munir is a decent player, but Solanke is better.
Denis Suarez is a decent player, but Lallana is better.

I think I'd ask for Sergi Roberto, Umtiti, Iniesta or Ter Stegen (knowing full well the answer is probably a flat no) and if they do say no, I'd want full cash up front. Any of their other players (Messi aside) would just be settling out of panic.


12 Aug 2017 10:53:39
I agree with you MK in that we should ask for Sergi Roberto. Brilliant player and he's still relatively young.


12 Aug 2017 09:14:42
I don't understand all the Coutinho hate. He wants to move to Barca. This was well known. He has done nothing to upset the club or has been disrespectful in any way. Yes, the timing of the transfer request could have been better. That is his only fault nothing more. Barcelona are a bigger club than us right now. They win trophies and phil wants to do that. Nothing wrong in that. Not just footballers, people in general want what is best for the and right now Barcelona is better for phil if he wants to win trophies.
So, we should set a price and if Barcelona pay it then we shouldn't stand in coutinho's way.
Yes we will have to look for a replacement for phil but I'm sure with the amount we'll get for him, we can find a suitable replacement.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 09:36:59
He wants to go. We don't want him to go. He's got a contract with us. Why should we let him go if we're not finished with him? We don't HAVE to. If he'd carry on with his performance if he stayed then make him stay. Hard to judge what sort of person he'd be though being forced to stay. Maybe this so called nice guy persona would disappear and we'd have a troubled player at the club. It's a tough one but all this talk of, it's every South American's dream to play for Barcelona does my head in. so what? You don't alway get what you want in life. I don't feel sorry for him £150k a week. I'd catch a train from west wales to train with Liverpool every day for that. I don't feel sorry for him.


12 Aug 2017 09:47:03
I think he's now been disrespectful to the manager, if I'm honest. Why has he gone out and said there's been problems between them for 6 months. He's also dragged gerards name into it, whom I would suspect isn't too happy about that.


12 Aug 2017 10:24:08
I don't want a player who has handed in a transfer request.
A transfer request means a player is not committed to the club and wants to leave. We should do what is best for LFC and that is get the best deal and move on. God forbid Coutinho is made to stay, performs poorly, disrupts the team spirit gets a terrible injury and never recovers his peak form. Who would force him to stay then?

The sensible thing is to let him leave and move on.

With hindsight who would have made Torres stay? Plenty would have on the day but his form nosedived and he never rediscovered it.


12 Aug 2017 10:50:19
Can only let him go if Barcelona pay what we want for him though.


12 Aug 2017 08:51:05
Good morning everyone, eds I know all of my previous posts were stupid questions in my negative and gloomy mind I couldn't accept that we weren't making any progress this window, then yesterday Phillipe bombshell I just wanted to curl up and not even watch today's game.

But I read some of the posts yesterday and I came to the realisation that no one will be bigger than our club, as you've said time and time again, players come and go. If he wants to go, good luck to him.

Today we start the new season like warriors. Let's have a great game and fingers crossed we finish the season by lift the premier league trophy. It's so hard sometimes supporting Liverpool, it's like being in a relationship for years, no matter how pissed you are with the missus you'll still be in love with her.

Again I apologies for all the previous rants eds. To all the fans let's have a great game today and to the team good luck lads

Y. N. W. A.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 08:45:29
My 10 year old daughter summed this all up perfectly yesterday. "Daddy he signed a contract for 5 years so he can't go back on his word"
PC if you are reading this shame on you.
My 8 year old boy idolised you.
Leave Judas we are LFC. Go and be the little fish you are.
Your timing stinks. Collect your silver pieces and go.

Believable4 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 09:14:32
Wouldn't actually call him Judas.
Are you expecting VVD and Keita to come in, because if you are then you want them to behave exactly the same as Coutinho.
Every player has the right to want to play at a bigger club, fair enough the timing isn't the best and he has gone back on his word that he wouldn't put in a transfer request, but he still might not move.


12 Aug 2017 09:17:02
I'm embarrassed tbh
These are professional athletes.
keita is under contract as is vvd, so why should we be able to sign them?
So called fans will help push couts out the door

A contract is just a means by which clubs put a value on a player, not many see them out.


12 Aug 2017 09:20:29
That's an embarrassing post.


12 Aug 2017 09:30:23
The one thing I find remarkable is that 10yr olds know the complexity of transfer contracts.


12 Aug 2017 10:20:08
VVD signed a 5 year deal last year and yet have tapped him up and are demanding he is allowed to sign for us. So do we call him a Judas or is it only our players that we reserve that title for.
If he goes then Bobby F drops back into his role for the time being, but if he stays then we should get behind him 100% with no booing when he touches the ball.


12 Aug 2017 08:43:50
Barcelona are a bit like a kid in a toy shop! They this vast riches from the proceeds of the Neymar sale. They are trying to squeeze Liverpool for Coutino cause they want Dembele as well with the money. Liverpool should stand firm and demand what they think is current market value for the player. I personally see no value in retaining the player unless of course Barcelona refuse to pay what the pool deem acceptable. I think we should be looking £120m at least. Barcelona desperately want Coutino as he would replace Neymar initially but also Iniesta longer term! come lads today at Watford YNWA!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 08:36:30
Just let PC go. He was great for us, don't want harbour any hard feelings. Best of Luck.

This is no one's fault really, Couts was willing to stay for another 12 months, I guess the unanticipated Neymar transfer set the entire thing in motion.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 09:26:42
Must be Neymars fault to some extent 😉 I joke, but in all seriousness he has spent years tapping up Coutinho, unsettling him, and now his decision to leave Barcelona and chase money in Paris has given Barcelona the cash to make a deal happen and left Barcelona in a position where they are bullying LFC by making ultimatums to their players. That Neymar transfer has made them desperate.

I have to say though, this is only Karma. This is how Southampton, Roma, Leipzig and Co must've felt after Liverpool's appalling behaviour all summer. What goes around, comes around.

One person who definitely is not to blame is Coutinho. He wants to go, he has given us 100% for about 5 years, and he is not being a public disgrace over this. Just let him go i say. It is very rare for foreign players to stay at an English club for as long as he has done anyway.


12 Aug 2017 08:24:38
My personal opinion on the Couts saga is that FSG showed back in 2013 with Suarez that they can dig there heals in and I for one suspect on the back of their statement yesterday that they will not sell.

I do, however expect him to leave by next summer after the season finishes.

Cheers.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 08:08:34
Been a while since posting but find it kind of strange that LFC were not aware of the Coutinho to Barcelona issue. I felt that after we bid a ridiculous 60-70m for a relatively unknown German lower team midfielder in Keita added to a potential 50-60m for VVD that the money was probably going to come from the sale of PC but with both Leipzig and Soton holding out and like us not willing to let go of their best players without a fight we have ended up with this problem. My opinion would be that there was some contact from Barcelona weeks ago that PC was aware of and LFC were hoping to soften the blow by sealing the two key transfers plus another to appease the fans. Basically no Keita, VVD progress and now a potential stand off with PC. A good outcome although massively unlikely would be PC to Barcelona in exchange for Rakitic and Gomes plus some cash? Albeit this close to the season is highly unlikely would be interested in anyones thoughts>!

Believable3 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 08:24:18
No. Why buy a player we didn't want. I am not up for this let's take him cause you don't play him much and that can help you financially in take our best player off us.
I do believe if we had got Keita then our Manager might of been happier. But i still think he would of stood his ground over one of our best players leaving.


12 Aug 2017 08:30:16
We are not going to have any of Barca's players when there is absolutely no interest from Liverpool to take on players which are surplus on Barca's books.


12 Aug 2017 08:47:07
Take the money, we don't need Rakitic and Gomes.
I'd consider Javier Pastore from PSG. They need to sell to get Mbappe, Neymar has benched Pastore. Pastore is 28 - at his peak - and a world class player. He will help bring through the likes of Woodburn and is a similar player to Coutinho.
Take £120m for Coutinho and buy Pastore for £35m - good business.


12 Aug 2017 09:14:45
Leipzig finished 2nd above Dortmund last season. They are hardly a German lower team.


12 Aug 2017 09:18:41
Always liked Pastore but would PSG really sell . I'd prefer if we could keep Couts for 1 more year I mean if we really, I mean really have any ambitions for the season ahead then it's imperitive that we keep Phil I know its Barcelona calling and it's nearly impossible to not have your head turned by a club like them but isn't it about time the someone stuck 2 fingers up to them and told them where to go which is what's needed to be done to put some manners on them and the likes of Madrid who both think everyone should bow down to them and sell them their best players at a snip of what they are worth .


12 Aug 2017 09:19:20
Wasn't couts a surplus player at inter?
Just because Barcelona don't need a player doesn't mean they are all bad.


12 Aug 2017 09:37:05
I don't rate Pastore at all. He is lazy, slow, inconsistent and physically weak for a player so tall.

He reminds me more of Ozil than Coutinho. Except he is a poor mans Ozil.

I'd take Rabiot, Cavani, Draxler, Verratti, Trapp or Matuidi! Doubt any of them are available though.


12 Aug 2017 09:42:40
Pastore is available.


{Ed002's Note - I suspect it will be more likely that they would look to players they have an interest in.}

12 Aug 2017 06:50:29
ED001.

My question to you is this.

Would you accept a "holiday request" ( for now ) from ED002 during this meltdown on the rumours site.? 😎😎.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - request? Not a chance! What would I do without him?}

12 Aug 2017 08:14:00
It's good cop, bad cop. And the pages would be a just a love in, if we had no Ed2 and his scathing words of wisdom.


12 Aug 2017 09:29:52
Ed002 is shackled up in Ed001's basement with Harry Scouser. You think that it is WonderDogSparky you can hear in the Sharkopods, but here is something to blow your mind; what if it is just Harry? Is Harry Wonderdog sparky?


12 Aug 2017 07:41:09
First time poster and loyal red for 40 years now in Perth, Western Australia.

Thought I'd change the subject from JK not getting on with PC who FSG said was not going to FCB or was it RM, BBC or ITV?
But was it not PC for LFC to go for VVD and NK from RB? IDK? WTF does any of this mean anyway?

I digress. We should be ecstatic as we are on the cusp of a new season. The excitement is building, and don't forget one player does not make a team - remember there's no ME in TEAM
. oh wait. oooppps
Anyway the team is only as strong as its weakest link. We all thinking the same one ;)

What I wanted to ask was for people's memories of their best opening game of the season.

Mine was going to Highbury to see Liverpool, can't recall who they were playing, on 15th August 1987.
I was excited to see two of our new signings Barnes and Beardsley - who didn't disappoint after 9 minutes setting up Aldridge for the opener. From what I could see - us Liverpool fans were stuck in a corner behind a massive pillar (ahh those were the days! ), we were really good, fluid, exciting football.
The gooners equalized (boooo! ) . Then 2 mins to go Steve Nicol (my fave player at the time) scored with a header from the edge of the box - seriously you need to youtube this if you've never seen it!
We were jumping up and down and twirling our rattles like good uns. The best opening game ever!
Team that day included: Brucie - goals, Hansen (best hair ever) - captain, Ronnie - mid, Skippy - upfront.
Bit light with depth of squad (sound familiar) as occasionally that season the manager had to play - K. Dalglish (what happened to him? ) . They still won the league! Food for thought with JK though - wasn't our current manager a defender? Could save 100 million on VVD!

Regardless of on/ off transfers - 11 brave warriors will today don the famous (red or whatever colour) shirt and proudly display the Liver Bird on their heart. We should stand together as one and support these heroic champions. Remember the greats: Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish; we have to believe that Klopp will be up there with them.

Let's get behind the team and dare to dream - You'll Never Walk Alone.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 08:43:40
Could not agree more and I do remember that header.


12 Aug 2017 08:51:01
Love an acronym don't you!


12 Aug 2017 10:25:47
My favourite headed goal ever. Loved collymores opening day goal and what a belter manes was last year.


12 Aug 2017 07:55:07
I don't feel there is any need to suddenly get nasty towards couts, his feelngs have been clear for over a year. Get a decent fee and get the deal done.

I maintain if the club had acted responsibly this summer we could have been in a much better position and maybe he would not want to go because of the quality we brought in.

Alas much like every window bar a few over the last 25 yrs (torres, alonso, suarez) we have once again failed to capitalise on a good season and bring in real quality to push on and get back among the elite.

I am more frustrated about that than couts wanting out. I am ambivalent towards him in fact as his departure makes no real difference to me as i know we have a good squad which will kick on regardless.

But despite the quality we have, we have also yet again not sorted the problem areas (dm and cb) . This will see us fall short yet again which is sad because we are close.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 09:19:28
But if his feelings have been clear for over a year why sign a new contract and why talk about being an Anfield legend and having statues and things? We all thought more of him than this and he's let the club down. People are entitled to be angry about it. So far he's not getting his way anyway so he'll have to lump it I'm afraid.


12 Aug 2017 07:09:52
Morning all

Match day so should be positive but can't help think we are going into the new season weeker than last season with negatives all around us with our bad handling of trying to sign players, our best player wanting out and so on.

Another concern is our potential target to replace pipco in Diego Laxalt, having looked him up he played 37games last season most pf which from LW or LB scoring one goal and a couple of assists. He is not a play maker doesn't take the free kicks or corners and seems average. How a player with these attributes is being considered a replacememt for Phil is beyond me.

Anyhow 3 points today is a must and will lift some of the gloom but we need to strengthen in key areas as at the minute we will be well down the pecking order imo.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 07:49:44
I'm sure many of us said that when we got pip from inter for a measly 8.5m keep the faith!


12 Aug 2017 08:07:09
@Once

But we don't have 6 years to let a player become good this time. We need to buy anyone who will bring quality right now.


12 Aug 2017 08:18:21
I think people are over exaggerating way over the top. Yes Coutinho's ability may be missed but he played on left of the front three for majority of last season. It is only towards the end of the season he moved into midfield.

We have Mane who will now play on the left and Salah on the right with our midfield which did not feature Coutinho last season when he played left of the front three.

The window is far from over and we still do not know whether the club will decide to hold onto Coutinho. Irrespective of what happens with PC, new faces will be arriving before the window shuts.

For me, the loss of Coutinho will impact us but not on the scale of the loss we had with Suarez. We may not have another player in midfield with Coutinho's explosiveness but if he was hardly playing in midfield last season and the addition of Salah has negated the problem we had with a lack of pace then I reckon we will still be ok.


12 Aug 2017 08:30:08
Match day an it feels crap with the pc situation an very few new faces as promised.


12 Aug 2017 09:04:43
Agreed Max.

Coutinho last season bagged 14 goals and 9 assists playing primarily on the left wing.

Salah last season (in a league much better defensively, but possibly in a slightly better team than Liverpool) scored 19 goals and created 15 more.

It is pretty clear Salah is a better winger than Coutinho and thus we have improved our team of last season. The disappointing factor is that Salah freed up Coutinho to play deeper where he is better than Lallana or Gini. So whilst signing Salah could've improved the front 3 and the midfield indirectly, it will now only improve the front 3. Solanke certainly improves our depth up front though. He looks a real handful.

Do not forget though that our midfield was basically missing Henderson and Grujic last season, and our defence has gained Robertson, Gomez and TAA.

The reason it feels like we've not improved is because of the ridiculous money being spent by United, City and Chelsea. In a normal summer we'd have been pretty pleased with signing a 30 goal/ assist a season winger, a left back and the one of if not the best u21 striker in England.

Keep the faith. I can see us dismantling Watford in style today.


12 Aug 2017 10:28:04
Well said Adam.


12 Aug 2017 06:59:30
Ed1, done a preview for round 1? Or have i missed that? Cheers.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - no I didn't get a chance sorry.}

12 Aug 2017 06:49:13
My only disappointment with coutinho transfer is that he is going when we finished 4 last time around Suarez gone. I would like to see him stay. But than again I feel for owners too despite them trying they are getting a lot of abuse from a section of fan always. What you can do if a player want to go you can try to maximize the money you got from his sale. But one thing I can say is the remaining transfer window period is maddest ever we will witness.

Good luck eds.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

12 Aug 2017 06:48:26
Morning Eds and Reds.

After the events of yesterday I cannot wait for the welcome distraction that is our season opener. Even without Coutinho and Lallana, look at the midfield and front line we are likely to start with. Hendo, Can, Gini, Salah, Mane and Bobby. That should see us to 3 points come 2.30. I, for one, am extremely excited to see that front 3 in competitive action for the first time.

Watford, Hoffenheim and Palace in just over a week could realistically see 3 wins out of 3 and the mood of the fan base is transformed. Followed by VVD signing on deadline day and a couple of other top level signings before (we can all dream right) .

Prediction for today, 1-3, with a goal apiece for our new look triumvirate.

On a side note, if Phil does get his move I would love us to go for Draxler. I know he only moved in Jan but with PSG signing Neymar and looking like getting Mbappe, both club and player could be tempted by a deal. Sorry for mentioning a random name Eds, I'm not asking if interest is there. It's just who I'd like to see come in IF Phil goes.

COYR YNWA.

Believable5 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 06:44:32
I'm gutted about pip but if we get 3 points today it'll make my weekend.

I'll be honest I'm not sure how the transfer window will unfold from here but a little bit of me feels this is karma for our behaviour towards RBL and Soton, and that poor kid at stoke.

Ideal end to the window would be the team winning their games and getting UCL, a defender (can't see us getting VVD personally) a replacement in midfield for PIp (Meyer) and the mentioned outgoings, we need to just accept the offers and cut our losses better to get the cash in then just have wages stuck on the books.

Believable5 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 07:28:46
If this was karma then it wouldn't be Barcelona benefitting cos they are consistently one of the worst for scavenging other clubs. It is just the business of football players and transfers. Definitely agree though that 3 points, some good performances in key positions and the club can move on like it has done before.


12 Aug 2017 03:54:57
I was very impressed with the U23s today, especially Yan Dhanda and Matty Virtue, by far the two best players on the pitch. Lloyd Jones and Nat Phillips were the stand out defenders. Herby Kane was everywhere and created all kinds of space but won't get the headlines. Its only the first game but these kids are talented.

Believable4 Unbelievable2

12 Aug 2017 04:23:21
Yan Dhanda looked great in the no.10 role, looks to be maturing well and seems to have added a real goal threat to his game. I agree though, mentioned him last year too, but Virtue might well be worth a shout at some point. He's everywhere on the pitch and able to do it all - a bit like Henderson, not the flashiest but makes the whole thing stick.

Aside from those, agree on the defence and Brewster seems to have also grown quite a bit! Looking much more like a physical presence at striker. Nice for Ings to get 45mins and on the scoresheet. could have had two.


12 Aug 2017 03:39:29
I'm glad Coutinho could be going if you don't want to play for the club we should take the money and find someone who does.

Believable3 Unbelievable5

12 Aug 2017 04:04:54
Glad that we could be losing one of our best players? Yeah great, let's all have a party.


12 Aug 2017 01:37:35
First time post. I know a lot won't agree with me but the way I see it, if a player does not want to play for the club or any club sell him for the best possible price. Why do I say this? Because we all know contracts are not worth the paper they are written on, only causes unwelcome stress and distraction for coaches and players trying to prepare for games. For me contracts appear to have 2 uses. 1 stops a player walking away without club receiving any money so don't let them run down and 2 put the highest posssible release clause your happy to receive if another club comes calling, so no whinging. This way everyone knows where they stand, maybe add certain % add on's to cater for development of the player i. e. Ratings for previous season, form influence on the team, international caps etc. Lastly, will someone change the closing of the transfer to before season starts. June and July are plenty.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 07:31:27
Perfectly logical response there. People move jobs. The club's job is to make sure that causes as little disruption as possible.


12 Aug 2017 01:06:48
Why are we hearing from a family member? Will there be a similar statement a some stage to the one of VVDs?

Believable1 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 04:28:39
Have you been speaking to he's family? I have not seen any of he's family give a interview.


12 Aug 2017 07:32:13
Stoupid I don't think anyone gives interviews any more they just put bits on social media and leak to the press.


12 Aug 2017 00:48:41
"sell him, we don't want him affecting the dressing room"

Oh come on. Suarez was on the verge of taking legal action to force a move out during the summer that preceded him having the season of his life and us almost winning the title. If coutinho stays, it will be fine.

Believable3 Unbelievable3

12 Aug 2017 02:07:43
Gerrard convinced Suarez to stay coz it was only Arsenal, not Barca. In Coutinho's case, Barcelona is the only move he wants and maybe his last chance saloon to join them. Completely different situations.


12 Aug 2017 02:44:39
I have supported our great club for 45 years now. I don't want to see anybody in our shirt once they hand in a transfer request. We are Liverpool Football Club, bigger than any single player no matter who he is.
A terrible way to start the season. Depressed before a ball has been kicked.


12 Aug 2017 05:26:39
Agree with the first part of the post Spark, SPOT ON 👍

Totally disagree with the second part. This is going to be an incredible season for LFC.

Mane and Salah flying down the wings, Sturridge rediscovered his spark, Woodburn shaping up to being a real first team player, Grujic stepping up. Wijnaldum and Matip having a season under their belts.

Teams are going to be petrified of playing us!


12 Aug 2017 06:45:22
Nice post Ron bang on.
Although no mention of Lovren or Clyne? Hmm.


12 Aug 2017 06:53:36
We love you Ron! I actually agree that Hendo, Gino, Lallana midfield and Mane, Firmino, Mane frontline is a fantastic starting lineup. We'll be very dangerous if we can keep that side fit, and our subs of Sturridge, Can, Origi, Grujic ain't bad either. Its a sad day if Coutinho leaves but we're hardly a rubbish side without him.


12 Aug 2017 07:28:10
Sell the little runt getting his family to say his relationship with bloop was strained, don't need this player at the club .
We are Liverpool and we are a team all of us . ynwa.


12 Aug 2017 00:43:43
I don't have any issue with Phil wanting to go. It was sadly inevitable. It is the stuff most aspiring footballers dream of - plying their trade for Barcelona or Real. The issue that I do have is the timing. Phil has been courting Barcelona for over a year and it was about 4 weeks when substantial moves were made by Barcelona to bring him in, and Phil remained fairly silent. This subsequently brought the impression to many fans that he was going to give us another year. The fact that he has left it this late in the window to hand in a transfer request and really drive through the move is what really annoys me the most. It's on the eve of the season, limited time left to get a quality replacement and basically has left us in a really bad posistion. Hopefully, some sort of compromise is made between Phil and the club because if not I will have sadly lost some respect for someone who I really wish well and appreciate some of the top moments he's brought us.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 01:39:16
Suarez ill only ever play 4 lfc in the prem!
I guarentee he's been 1 of the main players in taking him there.
I was only saying 2 my son he has been quiet lately about his love 4 liverpool fc the other day.
I no he was over in july cos they give another donation 2 arrowe park hospital witch they reguraly do 4 the maternity ward.
Witch hatsoff 2 them they have 4 ladt few years lucas and agger being regular funders.


12 Aug 2017 07:38:36
The timing is down to Barcelona basically. They offered less than the club is prepared to accept and then made it clear to Coutinho he joins them now or never. the Neymar situation delayed some bits potentially but ultimately the only way his happens earlier is if they threw silly money at LFC. Let's be honest if the club had taken lower offers or hadn't said not for sale or he had put in a TR previously people on here would have been merrily putting the boot in. So how could it have been done earlier, without Barcelona throwing in lots of money, without it turning into a case of LFC and the player being ripped to shreds?


12 Aug 2017 09:58:01
Completely agree, fresh.


12 Aug 2017 00:23:09
Mightily unimpressed with Coutinho's actions.

If he so badly wanted to leave to Barcelona (which is fine), then he shouldn't have signed a new contract in January - with no release clause - that gave complete power to Liverpool, and he also shouldn't have left it so late in the transfer window to hand the request in.

Not only has he left it it too late, he's also created a very unneeded distraction to his team mates before the first game.

Liverpool absolutely do not need to sell this window. He won't down the tools because he knows he needs to perform to make the WC squad.

Come on Phil, you're better than this.

Believable5 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 01:03:09
liverpool absolutely needed to buy more quality than we have done in this window.

if we had then coutinho might have seen more hope of silverware. i don't blame him for wanitng out. any of our besties that want to win things iultimately leave because ultimately they don't think we will challenge.

see torres suarez etc. even gerrard considered leaving at one point. and now coutinho is no different.

the owners had the perfect opportunit to sign 3 world class players and elevate the club into genuine title contenders brakcet and maybe our besties might not feel so inclined ot leave in future. and don't gimme the we tried to sign keita for 70 m. where is the keita alternative signed for 70 m. where is the van dyk alternative. spending the entire summer chasing two players with no alternatives is reckless and leaves us in danger of having not strengthened at all particularly this summer.

as it is only salah is genuinely top class. and its not enough.

absolutely gutted by the failure of the club once again to really do something in this window that meant we could have a genuine chance at winning the league and going far in the champions league.


{Ed002's Note - The owners don't buy the players.}

12 Aug 2017 01:17:29
the powners pay for them.

so you believe klopp is to blame for lack of alternative targets should deals like keita not come through?

is klopp so narrow in his focus that only these two players can improve his side. surely he realised there are lots of midfielders and centre backs who are stronger than our current midfield and centre back options. i just don't understand his all or nothing approach. he did it last season regarding left back chased hector got quoted 20 m a price he deemed too much and went with milner.

this season can't get keita and once again milner is now a midfield option.

if he doesn't get vvd does he have a bck up? if not how cn our defens improve? it was fifth best last season in the league. we are minus lucas and added robertson . currently the heart of the defense is weaker than last season.

it seems very narrow minded and rigid in his thinking to chase two such specific targhets failing to get them comes to the conclusion that milner will do or our current cb options will do when there are other players out there that could yet strengtthen us.

why is klopps field of targets so narrow? surely one would expect a list of at least five possibilities for each role needed filling in the squad.

what have the been doing since the january window? shouldn't they have sounded out the possibilty of getitng their prime targets well in adavance of the window opening and even when the window opened and if not possible move onto the next target down the list.

i really don't understand why klopp appears not to do this.


12 Aug 2017 01:52:05
Blame Klopp for this shambles. Thinking the defense is good enough (WTF is he thinking), having no alternatives lined up for VVD and Keita when he himself believed the two positions needed immediate addressing, putting the Coutinho situation on backburner etc.
Like I suspected, we will end up panic buying again. Meyer, Axhalt, AOC don't fill me with any confidence going into the new season. REplacing Coutinho with such average players and his conduct over the VVD saga itself is a sackable offense. All I see is a manager completely out of control of the situation and FSG have been forced to act accordingly in order to protect their manager's reputation.


12 Aug 2017 07:43:04
If he hadn't signed that contract it might have been easier for him to be bought on the cheap. The contract helps the club more than him yet it is another thing to beat him with. Jeez talk about can't win. He shouldn't want to leave, he should have signed a contract that allowed him to leave, he should have left earlier, he should stay another season. no wonder things are screwed up, what a fan base to try to keep happy. If FSG followed the fans lead we'd have 500 players signed this summer and every one of them would have been called garbage on here.


12 Aug 2017 00:13:34
Good Evening Ed's.
Just to change things up a bit, I know he just arrived last year at PSG however with Neymar coming in and wanting to raise funds potentially for another big bid (Mbappe I believe Ed25 mentioned) not to mention an abundance of CM's, could Draxler be an option? I know he's been used as a CM and LM/ LW at times, curious if PSG would listen to offers? Thanks again for all you do! Cheers from Canada.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

{Ed002's Note - No.}

12 Aug 2017 00:01:31
Hello Ed002, I just wanted to ask your opinion on couple of comments I have seen from people who are pretty reliable with their information.

Are you aware that Barcelona have advised both Coutinho and Dembele to behave the way they have been over the past couple of days? Apparently, Barcelona has asked Coutinho to hand in a TR close to Liverpool's PL season opener, and CL qualifier as they thought this would help him move to Barcelona faster as Liverpool wouldn't want distractions this close to the season.

A similar story is emerging out of Germany with regards to Dembele as well.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Of course they haven't.}

11 Aug 2017 23:59:02
Have to say that I am most disappointed in the "leaked" info that klopp and pipco don't get along. I'm fairly certain that if that were the case, one of the eds here would have known that and made reference to it at some point this past 6 months. It sounds like a PR guru trying to feed lines that explain all. Very very sad that it's reached this level.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

12 Aug 2017 06:40:53
I agree totally. To suddenly start saying things like that is totally out of order. All I keep hearing is what Barcelona need and what little Philippe wants. I'm sorry, but his loyalty should be with the club who plucked him out of obscurity, and pays him huge money and made him the player he is today.
You don't give into toddlers who spit their dummies out and I hope our great club doesn't bow down to the Coutinho and his cohorts tantrums.
We paid £8.5 million for him. Even if we sell him next year for a bit less than £100 million it's still a huge profit. Coutinho won't sulk for long if he wants to be picked for Brazil's World Cup team.


11 Aug 2017 23:34:05
Ed,

Any new news on ox?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No.}

11 Aug 2017 23:24:17
Hello Eds. Quick question what do you feel the odds might be for example if we sold coutinho and went after some of our long-standing targets in the January transfer? I'm not sure of Red Bull Champions League games start but if for example they are out of it by the break might they be more willing to negotiate a transfer at that time? I know the January Market is usually not the greatest and is often overpriced but just wondering if you think there could be a chance that if we sold coutinho we might realistically have the opportunity to invest some of those funds in quality players and not have to wait for the following year. Thanks.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - I don't know who these "long standing" targets are.}

12 Aug 2017 00:56:27
fair point ed002.

who are our alternatives to keita and vvd. we do not appear to have any.

surely a manager would hve more thna one option for each positiion in the squad he wishes to fill.

i can't blame coutinho for wanting out. this was a perfect summer for us to sign 3-4 top quality players and no offense to solanke and robertson but the have not proven themselves to be top qualit at the highest level. lack of ambition and resultantly silverware means our besties will always seek pastures new where they can fulfill their dreams.


{Ed002's Note - We have been through this over and over. LFC could have done a lot better if they had behaved professionally - may Klopp will have learned a lesson - maybe not, The laughing clown personna has gone and he is seemingly seeking sympathy with the hobo look and alcoholic's red nose. I doubt he can keep this up all season. Keita was never going to be a Coutinho replacement - now they need to take stock and decide on the way forward.}

12 Aug 2017 01:19:26
i never expected keita to be a coutinho replacement.

but why does klopp only seem to have one individual target in mind for each position in the squad he wants to strengthen? this seems inane.


12 Aug 2017 01:57:27
Klopp will have learned a lesson? At what cost though? One of the Eds mentioned he was guilty of pulling off the same nonsense at BVB too. Did FSG not warn him when giving him the job? Or were they so oblivious to the situation?
We all pan Suarez, Sterling for bringing disrepute to the club through their conduct so why should Klopp be given any leeway for his actions? So far he has failed miserably in what is the club's most important transfer window to keep pace with the big boys but he has ballsed it up completely.
Has anyone seen the fan reaction to the whole situation now? They expected progress and instead will be treated to a untenable situation with Coutinho and failure to land any of our top targets.
Really looking forward to the Watford game hoping it will take my mind off this disaster and nothing less than a win will do.


12 Aug 2017 03:38:45
Ed002 so correct he does look like a hobo. How the hell that guy cracked the LFC job interview?
It's going to be a downhill season by the looks of him. He is out of sorts. I think he looks fed up of the job and pressure. We aren't media darlings are we. But it prepares him for Bayern only the second most hated club in Germany.


12 Aug 2017 01:58:17
Klopp has lost the laughing clown persona and looks like a hobo? I don't see how Klopp looks any different to how he always looks? He's always had stubble, he's always been a drinker and he's always been a smoker. As for dropping the laughing clown persona, yeah, because he was so unentertaining at the Audi Cup presser?! Come on ed!


 
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