Liverpool Banter Archive January 28 2018

28 Jan 2018 21:16:21
Just to change the subject.
I have just been reading that at certain comedy gigs they are banning mobile phones and cameras going into the theatre. They take the phone off you before you go in and lock it away until afterwards.
I've been to a few games this season and couldn't help but notice half the people in the crowd where either filming the game or taking pictures of the game through their phones half the time, seems completely bizarre to me why you would do this when you can watch match of the day later on and to everyone else sat there it's bloody annoying, not to mention the annoying people filming are not actually contributing anything to the atmosphere.
My question to Ed001 and the posters is, do you think mobiles should be locked away during football games as well?

{Ed001's Note - yes, yes, Yes, Yes, YES!}

28 Jan 2018 21:33:53
I understand what you are saying but look at it from the point of view that it is the only time some people will be to anfield so want to savour the moment if you went yo a concert of your favorite band would you take pictures and videos.

{Ed001's Note - no I would not take pics and vids. The whole point is to enjoy the moment, not miss it all while you are filming it on your phone so you can show off on social media that you were there. People are far more interested in telling other people what they are doing than actually savouring the moment.}

28 Jan 2018 21:35:23
They are just sheep.

28 Jan 2018 21:36:04
I went to the chris rock gig in Birmingham on Thursday and they implemented these rules.

28 Jan 2018 21:36:19
I went to see Stewart Lee and he had an absolute zero tolerance policy on it and said that if he saw one person turn their phone on during the gig he’d embarrass them in front of the rest of the audience and then boot them out.

28 Jan 2018 21:52:35
Taking photos is a part of modern society, sadly. My partner was ill today so i took my son to a birthday party by myself. When i got home, my partner said "can i see the photos".

What photos? 😂 I literally did not take one because i was too busy playing with my son and enjoying watching him having fun. Then afterwards i took him to my grandparents. My phone did not leave my pocket in 6 hours. My Mrs looked at me like i was crazy when i said I'd taken my son out for the day and not taken a single photo.

I'm abnormal though. I don't feel the need to broadcast and brag about everything i do on social media. Most people probably would've put up a collection of pictures of the party and at least one status about along the lines of "visiting the fam" 🙄.

28 Jan 2018 22:10:33
I agree people shouldn't be recording the match when they should be watching it but with regards to selfies or like myself who has a picture of myself and my son at a match on my phone its not for social media its a personal photo.

28 Jan 2018 22:11:15
I went into the women's changies and they implemented these rules.

28 Jan 2018 22:21:59
I don’t understand it, makes even less sense at gigs, you can’t even hear the music it sounds so distorted.
I was at the Seville game and couldn’t believe the number of people recording the penalty! why would you want to watch it over? doesn't make sense to me and if you really want to watch a replay watch it recorded professionally.

28 Jan 2018 22:53:20
I might get to 2 or three matches a season if I'm lucky and maybe an international I always take a photo or 2 before kick off but that is it once the game is on. I don't get these people filming a corner and every free kick. My phone gets put in my pocket as soon as YNWA or flower of Scotland starts.

28 Jan 2018 23:21:21
I've only seen phones during the match useful in Celtic matches when the fans put their torches on during the 67th minute to commemorate their European Cup win. This could be done at Anfield under the lights in the 15th 77/ 78th 81st and 84th minute singing we won it 5 times would look pretty good.

{Ed002's Note - I think going in to cabaret is a really nifty idea.}

28 Jan 2018 23:45:15
I did think taking a selfie with whoever your with would be a counter argument but then I thought you can always take a selfie outside the ground with Anfield in the background and you can savour that photo if it’s your first game with your kid, or if you really really have to tell all your Facebook friends that you went to a football game and these are the types of friends that need photographic evidence lol
But not being able to take a selfie inside the ground is a very small price to pay to stamp out this ridiculous practice.

29 Jan 2018 00:13:24
Ed002 I doff my cap 😁.

29 Jan 2018 01:39:39
It's not really fair to van them.

Listen the regulars don't use phones. The away boys don't use phones. It's people who are visiting do.

And I would.

I have 3 son's. When I take them to there first game, I'm pretty sure 1/ I won't be able to afford it slot throughout the season and 2/ will I be able to get 4 tickets.

I want them to remember there experience.

What I would suggest, is an opportunity to something after the game where you get can photos. Which as an agreement all season ticket holders would have to opt out of and people who can get to a few games through out the year aswel.

29 Jan 2018 04:53:01
If people want to take photos and videos of their time at Anfield what business is it of anyone else? Maybe the atmosphere at the library, sorry, I meant Anfield, would be better if you'd concentrate on the game yourself instead of worrying about others taking photos.

29 Jan 2018 07:39:09
On Saturdays game, I was filming the match so I can't see anything wrong. Oh hang on. I'm the ****** cameraman. Sorry.

29 Jan 2018 07:44:16
I’ve been to Anfield many times and I’ve never taken a photo nor video of it. I have a memory and can remember what it was like. These are my memories and not for anyone else. If I wanted to watch the game through a screen I wouldn’t have gone and stayed at home to watch it on the TV.
Going to Anfield is a privilege and I would highly recommend savouring every moment.

29 Jan 2018 08:26:07
Lmao makes me laugh, moaning at people for taking a pic might aswell moan at the people for taking a **** in the toilet and not contributing to the atmostphere.
not everybody there wants to contribute. People need to worry about them selves and not what others are doing all the time.

29 Jan 2018 00:13:24
Ed002 I doff my cap 😁.

29 Jan 2018 09:23:56
Maybe it could be a rule that all photos and videos stop at kickoff. Stewards are all over the ground. Just my thoughts.

28 Jan 2018 20:24:59
Lemar not in the squad again, suffering from a case of Coutinhotis in the left thigh. 😂😂😂 Anyway Guys at this point anything can happen. I still think (hope) that there will be a couple of signings before deadline day.

28 Jan 2018 21:30:43
Mate nothing is happening. Ed would be aware if summin was going on, and would of told us. There isn't enough time now to get anything done. We have our lot.

28 Jan 2018 21:30:59
I can't see 1 never mind a couple.

28 Jan 2018 21:37:01
I think it’s a genuine injury and not a transfer injury.

28 Jan 2018 21:46:39
There’s pictures on there fb page of him training with the team. Make of that what you will. I can’t see us spending anything more. Clubs dropped the ball selling without checking if replacements where available for prices they where willing to pay.

Anyways it’s done now guess will just have to see how season goes.

28 Jan 2018 22:30:56
I'd love to see an attacking midfielder come in but I really can't see it now.

28 Jan 2018 23:12:46
What gets me is, we don't even need him lol there's other positions needed to be strengthened before buying an attacking mid again, another CB, a Rb, CM, Lb not to mention a GK. in no particular order that is. Our attack doesn't really have a problem its the rest that does.

I don't think we'll see anybody else join in this window and I'm ok with that, let's go for our desired targets in summer instead of panic buying players just to keep fans happy.

29 Jan 2018 07:47:09
I’d prefer not to buy anyone and give Woodburn a few games. We have a top quality youngster who is chomping at the bit for games. I really hope he doesn’t turn out to be another Suso.

29 Jan 2018 15:50:38
They didn’t know vvd was happening. just saying.

28 Jan 2018 19:25:33
Positive thought:
So we go knocked out of the FA cup by a team we expected to beat. To top it off one of our defenders tried to defend a cross by doing an outrageous attempted back heal instead of keeping it simple.
Last time that happened? Djimi Traore against Burnley.
4 months later we won in Istanbul 🏆.

Keep Believing 😎.

28 Jan 2018 19:40:10
The signs are promising. This is our year😉.

28 Jan 2018 19:41:47
Lol great post Ron, we'll win the league mate and Champions league, I don't know what people are moaning about :)

28 Jan 2018 19:43:02
To be fair Traore's was a belter. The way he dragged the ball into that net, quality, and he has a Champions League Winners medal😲.

28 Jan 2018 20:15:03
Good ole Ron.

It’s hardly the end of the world - we played poorly and lost two games, let’s go secure top 4 and get a really good run in the CL and we can still have an excellent season by most of the standards of the last 10 years.

I think we’re still in building mode, but we’re 2-3 blocks away from a genuine contender side, namely a Keeper, FB and midfielder.

One thing I really hope we see for the foreseeable future is Karius in every game, and personally I’d play either Lovren or Klavan alongside VVD and Robertson at FB again.

Robbo, Klavan, VVD, Gomez and Karius has to be our most consistent defence IMO, with maybe TAA for more width in attack as required.

28 Jan 2018 20:26:38
I don't believe it sorry, unless we start sliding down the PL table and out of the top 4 spots. then oh yea the miracle is on!

28 Jan 2018 23:51:17
The best thing is that Milan 11 could win the champions league right now. We had no right beating them, anything is possible.

29 Jan 2018 00:49:15
Clutching at straws. West Brom have more chance of Silverwear than us this season. We won’t make top four the rate we’re going.

28 Jan 2018 17:46:36
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - A Liverpool Perspective

28 Jan 2018 18:26:37
I'd say you had steam coming out of your ears writing that. It was a shocking performance. Thanks for the review.

28 Jan 2018 18:30:37
Hi Ed001
another painful review to read but well written.

{Ed001's Note - thank you mate.}

28 Jan 2018 18:32:41
Great analysis, uncomfortable read but the truth.
Something need to change in our midfield, but I won't hold my breath
Thanks Ed 1.

{Ed001's Note - it will change in the summer at least.}

28 Jan 2018 18:44:04
Called it as it is there Ed001. Mignolet has been at the club 6 years now and just got worse, some people blame the GK coach but for me a keeper should have the intelligence to play his own game and he should be vocally controlling the back 4 . Moreno for me is just brainless hasn't got any positional sense at all . Ed001 I know you've yet to be convinced by Robertson but I'm sure you'd agree that he at least takes responsibility for his defensive duty.

{Ed001's Note - I already said today I would take him over Moreno right now.}

28 Jan 2018 18:50:48
Ed001 perfect picture used and a top summary, sadly the players can talk the talk but not walk the walk, I really thought we had a good chance of a good cup run this year as well, if our front 3 are not at it, we have got nothing to offer and that is a frightening thought.

28 Jan 2018 19:07:42
Spot review ed a dire performance with little to write home about were has all the energy gone from 2 weeks ago are we simply a big six team and can't handle anything below been watching Liverpool for 60 years now and can only compare these last 2 games to the dreadful Watford cup defeat back in the day.

{Ed001's Note - I hope it is just a blip.}

28 Jan 2018 19:11:24
Cheers for the reply Ed001 I suppose we've just got to hope for a reaction on Tuesday night now. I'd like to see Henderson start even if he only manages an hour the lad needs minutes on the pitch to reassert himself for the run in.

{Ed001's Note - we have to be better than that or we may as well give up.}

28 Jan 2018 19:39:16
Ah was waiting for this, very well wrote Ed, thank you.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate, sorry the sites were busy so it was difficult to get it done. Probably best anyway as it gave me a bit of time to calm down!}

28 Jan 2018 20:12:04
Up there with last weeks eds1 really good read and no bull.

{Ed001's Note - thank you.}

28 Jan 2018 20:24:47
Due to the midfield struggling to protect the back 4 and not providing any quick passes to the front players. Do you share my view that a change in formation is needed?

Or maybe just a change in rolls of the full backs ie Gomez and Robertson defend 80% of the time.

My main player to change and I say it every week, Lovren must play.

{Ed001's Note - just need the midfield to actually track runners imo.}

28 Jan 2018 20:43:44
thinking about roberston, he is prone to lapses on defense too. have seen bomb up the pitch and then get countered on his side, and also he could have been tighter and goal side to gundogan for his goal. not trying to be overly critical, just pointing out he has to pick up in some areas too.
on the whole tho it'd be good to see the same back 4 trotted out for a few games in a row. am sure it would do them some good.

28 Jan 2018 20:29:44
No, of course mate, I understand you must be busy a lot of the time :) I'm thankful you got the chance to write this today.

{Ed001's Note - I wish it had been a totally different review I was writing though!}

28 Jan 2018 20:36:28
Sadly agree with all that ed, spot on review. I can't remember a worse team performance in a long time. The Migs situation beggars belief. Btw was Robertson injured?

{Ed001's Note - no, just left out.}

28 Jan 2018 20:51:34
If you tell them 1000 times and it doesn't sink in we need plan B. Having seen Klopp in action though he is unlikely to change. He looked so down after the West Brom game.

28 Jan 2018 20:51:55
Spot on again Ed001.

Here’s to a better review after we’ve played Huddersfield on Tuesday and Spurs at the weekend!

{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed.}

28 Jan 2018 20:57:02
Great post Ed!
Our midfield was bullied terribly. What's worst is they allow themselve to be bullied. Like you said, i do hope too that it was just a blip. Went to sleep with so much frustration!

{Ed001's Note - it is maddening to see a performance like that.}

28 Jan 2018 21:28:13
Great review ed. Barring city every team will blip so maybe this is ours. Was due at some point i think the issue is after dismantling city in 12 minutes the expectations were boosted. Had we done that to city earlier in the season these last 2 results wouldn't hurt so much. can't see anything major happening in terms of a boost to our midfield so I'll trust Klopp and hope migs injures his small finger and misses the rest of the season because he is camel toe.

{Ed001's Note - I hope you are right.}

28 Jan 2018 21:55:19
Almost 70% possession yesterday and more than that at Swansea.
It's more about what we do, and the balance of the team looks wrong now.
Midfield anyway.

28 Jan 2018 22:07:40
Credit to you Ed1 for even doing a review mate because if it was me I'd be too bitter to do a review of us losing such a game lol.

{Ed001's Note - it is never easy when we lose, but I have to admit that was the worst as the performance was so lacking.}

28 Jan 2018 16:43:05
stubbornness is the great enenemy for a football manager and im afraid its klopps biggest weakness. Football is a simple game where you identify the weakness of your team and set about fixing it, our weakness is our defence including goalkeeper and a midfield that is so unbalanced its embarrassing, surely klopp and his backroom staff can see this, so the question has to be why are they not fixing it? days after declaring karius as his undisputed number 1 he puts mignolet in goal, partnering 2 of the most casual centre backs in the history of the game side by side is sheer madness, as for the midfield they are like 3 greyhounds chasing the same rabbit, can's head is elsewhere, I have no clue as to what wijnaldum brings to the table and AOC looked like he had taken set piece lessons from milner. The result of yesterdays loss is surely another season without a trophy. Klopp needs to wise up before its too late.

28 Jan 2018 16:53:30
Going by Klopps expression yesterday I am sure he knows what the problems are and I'm sure he is working on improving the weaknesses. The players are letting him down at the minute. Too inconsistent in a lot of areas. You cannot just buy for the sake of buying so you work with what you have. The players need to have a long hard look at themselves because the standard guy showed yesterday is not what it should be. They have proved the high standards they can achieve.

28 Jan 2018 18:03:19
he needs to work on them faster mate, it was west brom out there yesterday not Barcelóna, we are just to easy to score against, even when we go 4-1 up we are left begging for the final whistle because we have let the opposition peg us back to 4-3 ( this has happened twice under klopp) we should never have sold lucas or we should have used either grugic or chrivella in a defensive midfielder role, something has to change burying your head in the sand is not a option, charisma can only get you so far as a manager, at the end of the day they are judged on results, a top 4 finish is a absolute must now for jurgen klopp.

28 Jan 2018 19:10:00
Well who knows. I'd like to think he's working hard on the weaknesses we have. It is his job after all. The fact is that these are the same guys who beat city and and looked faster, stronger and hungrier than city did. The performance against Swansea was poor but this latest performance was quite worryingly the worst. All the players were poor yesterday, some more than others. I think Klopps subdued expressions on the sideline was purely shock at how bad we were. Sometimes it slaps you in the face and this is a big wake up call. You can send a team out to a game and think all the preparation is great and all looks good and then bang they perform like they do. Utterly crazy.

28 Jan 2018 19:34:49
then he needs to be utterly ruthless to those who are letting him down, he surely can't be shocked as to how bad the gk and defence were, its been shocking ever since he arrived, why for gods sake did he play mignolet why not give danny ward a game? these are his players and his tatics, does he need new glasses?

28 Jan 2018 20:38:21
I agree on your opinion about Mignolet. Just no need. As for being ruthless elsewhere, where would that leave us. Half of that team could be dropped after yesterday but that's not the answer and not Klopps style. He likes to improve what he has. I'm sure he's still scratching his head on what on earth he witnessed yesterday. If you want him to be ruthless that would mean bringing in some youngsters. Is that the answer? We could drop more points and he would be scrutinised still. I'm as upset as you're mate but sometimes players have to take a look at themselves. I think Klopp is perhaps learning that more significant players will need to be signed once some inconsistent individuals are moved on.

28 Jan 2018 15:38:42
Hi eds, reds, any official word on how long lalanna is out for? I seen some reports saying he's out for six weeks while klopp said it was a minor muscle tear, thanks.

{Ed001's Note - Liverpool say he should only be out a week or so.}

28 Jan 2018 15:44:52
Thanks ed01, let's hope that's true,

28 Jan 2018 15:30:43
Disappointing last nite . Thought when the team was named and we took the lead that we would get the result. Agree with most of the posts in relation to our midfield and defence. Matip and Moreno in particular had shockers. Moreno out of position for all 3 goals. I just don't think the lad has a footballing brain at all. I know he has missed a lot of football but Not cover in close to your centre back on 3 occasions is unforgivable. As for Mignolet the less said the better. How Ward wasn't given an opportunity was a disgrace. Mignolet has had chance after chance.

However I'm not getting to disheartened. I hope this is a minor Blip and we can get back on song on Tue. Will be happy to see Hendo back but worry about the fitness or Lallana.

So important we turn it around as clubs who hit bad form in Feb generally end up out of CL.

Fingers crossed.

28 Jan 2018 16:23:12
Really taught Henderson made a difference when he was introduced last night. Think Emre was woeful along with Matip who i just don't rate and personally i think Robertson should have started. but i still believe we will get top 4 with or without new faces arriving 😁.

28 Jan 2018 20:51:18
transfer window closes on Wed evening, too late now to bring in a star player,
so best option is to pay the extra, and get Keita here in this window,
our midfield looks out of kilter, our full backs last night were just awful,
Matip is going backwards,
Migs might have played his last game,
were playing again on Tue night V a team we should beat,
if we don't get the win and 3 points, we can goodbye to the top four,
not looking good is it?

28 Jan 2018 14:06:20
Football fans make me laugh! We are so fickle it's unbelievable! After the man city result, we were all praising klopp, saying we can beat anyone on our day and champions league glory is beckoning! After 2 very disappointing and admittedly embarrassing results it's all negative! Klopp out, we need a new team, sell everyone! I'm not just talking about posts just on these pages, I'm talking about different pages I've read over the past weeks. We should be getting behind the manager and team at times like this not abusing them!

Sadly the frailties that have let us down during the past 2 games are nothing new. Defensively very poor! Lack of protection from the midfield, lack of creative quality and ideas from the midfield. Against opposition that sit deep we've always struggled and I admit it's so frustrating to sit and watch because you know exactly what's going to happen. From what macca and the eds have said, klopp is aware of these issues and wants to strengthen the weak areas. It'd be very frustrating if we don't get anyone in this window and it's looking increasingly unlikely but I'd rather not panic buy as that's got us no where in the past. We have a good team, we just need to get our form back, finish in the top 4 and build again for next year.

We have come forward under klopp (I know that can be up for debate with certain people) but I do think we have moved forward. Not massive steps but still better than where we were. If we buy right in the summer, new goalkeeper and creative midfielder are the musts for me. But another centre back, a defensively minded midfielder, right back and back up striker wouldn't go a miss either. Keep our best players, sell the likes of Milner, Ings, Sturridge, Can, Lovern, Mignolet. I think we'll be challenging on all fronts. Let just hope the team can turn things around for the rest of the season. Let's not get too high when we win but not get too low when we lose either.

28 Jan 2018 14:28:50
This team will bounce back and will fly in the latter half of the season.

28 Jan 2018 15:12:28
yes they will fly in the later part of season, till that time we will be out of Fa cup and Cl, so no trophy this year and may be out of the top 4 race.

28 Jan 2018 15:36:47
We don’t actually have a really good team.

We have some good attacking players.

We have a good left back in Robertson.

We have bought ourselves a good centre back in van Dijk.

We have no good midfielders, we don’t have a good right back and we don’t have a good partner for van Dijk in defence.

Ward is the only decent keeper we appear to have and he’s a million miles away from the first team.

In this context a mid season collapse was always likely.

28 Jan 2018 16:03:45
Let’s be realistic, another 5 minutes in the City game and we’d be looking at 3 defeats on a row.

I like Klopp and am not advocating that he is replaced, but he hasn’t addressed some obvious weaknesses and can be too stubborn. I don’t need to mention the goalkeeping situation, other than it highlights one aspect of his stubbornness.

Teams don’t win trophies if they are completely unbalanced. Klopp must surely know that but seems reluctant to address that. It can be argued that Man City have as much, if not more, attacking talent than us. However they are not embarrassed to have a player like Fernandinho protecting the back 4. Any defender in the country can be made to look poor if they are left within cover.

28 Jan 2018 16:16:31
"We have a good left back in Robertson. " lol.

28 Jan 2018 17:08:49
I never said we have a really good team, I simply said we have a good team. Which we do. These are talented players that got us a top four finish last season for the first time in years. For whatever reason, in the last 2 games they haven't been good enough. They haven't been good enough in other games this season either. That's just football sometimes.

Don't forget after the man city game this midfield was over the top praised! Can was apparently a beast, ox was a future captain and gini was immense. Now they are all not good enough and need to be sold. It's ridiculous!

I'm not the biggest fan of some of our players but if they pull on the red shirt I'll support them until the day they leave. My point was, some fans need to gain some perspective and get behind the team. I agree klopp is stubborn but it sounds like he wants to address the weak areas but with the players he wants only.

28 Jan 2018 17:18:48
Doom and gloom merchants.

28 Jan 2018 13:21:23
How will Keita/ Lemar or whoever you're begging for stop calamitous midfielder team mates next season?
Players who leave massive gaps right in front of and expose our defence time and time again?

This is our best front 3 we've had in a few years (2 when Mane takes a day off like yesterday) but our worst midfield since Souness was manager, remember those Mike Marsh, Paul Stewart and Michael Thomas days to name but a few?!
Not to mention the man mountain of flesh himself Jan Molby (Great player when not too fat to jog) .

How can we expect our defence to improve when they're exposed all the time by inept midfield players like Wijnaldum, I'm sorry, I've said it, he's not good enough and inept in midfield at best.

Can has proven me completely wrong and has fully regressed recently, I was actually relieved when Henderson and Milner came on to my surprise.
I like Milner but he's not a CM for me. Henderson not good enough recently but looked good last night.

Mignolet was not to blame for the goals but VAR saved his bacon with the 1st offside goal.
At 6 foot 4, why is he not dominating his 18 yard box, he couldn't even get 2 yards off his line for that set piece.

He will argue Barry blocked him off, fair enough, so move forward another yard so your starting position is further out .
The chances of the corner going directly in are minimal .
The missed punch was hilarious, I think it's fair to say his sporting career won't extend into Boxing later in life!

This guy has a degree in University apparently, I wish he'd show some brain power on the football field.

28 Jan 2018 13:28:26
Once again another great post, I couldn't agree more with everything you have said mate.

28 Jan 2018 13:43:40
Totally agree. That missed punch when all 6 of their players were offside was amateurish and in all honesty embarrassing. Cannont belive how mignolet maintains to be our first goal keeper for 4 years.

28 Jan 2018 14:16:13
Olrish Your about 2 years behind on your Mignolet assesment.

9 months behind on Can

4 months behind on Gini

In 3 months you will tell us Matip can't defend. You are just now saying what the rest of us have been saying all season and last season re Mignolet.

28 Jan 2018 14:22:56
Couldn't agree more.

As far as I'm concerned, there's only one decent central midfielder at this club and it's Jordan Henderson. Within five minutes of coming on yesterday he'd played more forward passes from the 'pivot' position than Can and Wijnaldum had put together in their previous two matches. He's not great defensively, but he makes a better fist of it than anyone else we have and the stick he's gotten has been over the top.

Can's a raw player who has ability and with time could become very good. Except we've been saying that for 4 seasons and 150 appearances. He hasn't advanced as a footballer at all and at this stage, I don't think he will. You see him playing a good pass, outmuscling an opponent, or injecting a bit of pace into the attack with a quick one two and think there's a quality player in there, but in between those fleeting moments, he's sluggish, poorly positioned, wimps out of tackles and takes four touches to play a pass that Henderson (or Lucas when he was here) would've played in one or two.

I give up on Wijnaldum completely. He's a coward. He went missing every other game last season, this season he's gone missing at a rate of about 4 games in 5. Doesn't tackle. Doesn't look for the ball. And when he does get it he does nothing with it. And it frustrates because the few times he has stepped up to the mark he's actually shown himself to be a good player.

Milner and Ox aren't really central midfielders and I'd be very concerned about their positioning and defensive contribution, but at least they put a shift in.

We need three central midfielders, imo. Keita's one. We need two more after that, at least one of whom is good defensively, and the other at least has to have the capacity to make a tackle. I get that Klopp doesn't want to play with a pure defensive midfielder sitting 8 yards in front of the back 4, and that's fine, but the midfielders we have still need to be able to do a bit of defending, even if they're not 'defensive' midfielders. They have to be able to tackle a player who's trying to dribble past them, and they have to see an opposition player making a run and go with him. Most of our current crop just don't do either of those things.

Remember when we had Mascher, Alonso, Gerrard and Lucas? We all know that Gerrard wasn't asked to defend much, and was the weakest defensively anyway, but he could at least put a tackle in when he needed to, and if he happened to be between an opposition player with the ball and his own goal, you can be certain that player had a harder time getting past him than anyone has getting past Can or Gini.

28 Jan 2018 14:45:35
Great post Something Red, my thoughts exactly.

28 Jan 2018 15:13:48
Thanks Salah and Jomil.

Mark, are you stalking me or something mate?
I've always said Mignolet was woeful.
This was my assessment of his effort last night mate.
Always wondered what Wijnaldum brought to us, from the second he was bought but guess what mate, I supported him all the time unlike some.
Emre Can, I admitted I called him wrong, still think he's a fine player but something isn't right.

Been posting here for many, many years Mark, probably close to a decade now and have always been prepared to argue or discuss differences of opinion with fellow posters or editors, but you strike me as the type who is never wrong mate, my advice is to ignore my posts going forward mate as I don't converse with "know alls" fella - Cheers!

{Ed001's Note - don't converse with know alls? You have talked with me many times you fibber!}

28 Jan 2018 15:14:42
Always enjoy your posts Something Red, nice job mate!

28 Jan 2018 15:48:42
Emre Can is avoiding injury for the World Cup and his next move, so you won’t see him put a shift in.

28 Jan 2018 17:23:48
To be fair Ed001, I'd probably talk about Liverpool to a deaf giraffe mate :)

{Ed001's Note - sorry, what did you say?}

28 Jan 2018 17:30:09
Totally agree Something Red, a really good post.

28 Jan 2018 19:03:07
Our midfield has been letting poor teams walk through it since long before Klopp.
He has done nothing to address this either.

He needs to take the hint which has been 5 years in the making and adapt his midfield tactics.
His teams need a player to sit in front of the back 4 and STAY there. Not chasing into the opposition penalty box or getting involved in “the press”. We need a defensive midfielder to take the next step. It’s not a case of personnel, this is a tactical flaw which is continuously exposed.

28 Jan 2018 19:13:27
Disagree Ron.

Imo, you don't need to have someone babysit the back 4 as long your midfielders aren't all running ahead of the ball like headless chickens, can put in a tackle once in a while, and if they see someone running past them, go after them instead of standing around looking.

If Can or Gini never strayed more 5 yards from the center backs, our defence would still be exposed because neither of them tackle, or track runners. It's not a tactical issue, it's a case that apart from Henderson, none of our midfielders are anywhere near the standard we need.

29 Jan 2018 09:50:21
I think the truth is probably somewhere in between our 2 opinions 🤝.

28 Jan 2018 12:15:35
Well after last night im not so unhappy anymore.
You always learn more after a defeat or two lol
think we know Matip is not the long term partner for Virgil and I would (if fit) play lovren till klopp deems Gomez ready or buys another centre back
in the midfield obvious to see why we are failing George W has not the defensive attributes suited to klopp needs and is much better nearer to the opposition penalty are then his own
Ox seems to be trying too hard but is at least trying and looks like he wants to win and improve.
Can im afraid I would bench when Hnederson is fully fit as he just can't play two good games in a row and imo his head is in Juventus
Seeing lots of comments about Mane but let me tell you this I would rather Mane a be Liverpool player then be at any other top 6 team
we need to appreciate players like that rather then keep having a go when they don't play well after injury and illness and also some of the comments I read about trent was very disappointing.
REMEMBER THE ANSWER IS NOT TO ALWAYS KEEP BUYING NEW PLAYERS.
but to try and improve those you have.

28 Jan 2018 13:06:51
Johncrow, coaching is all very well, but you cannot, with all due respect, polish a cufflink. No amount of coaching is going to make Mignolet a good keeper, no amount of coaching will make Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Can and AOC anything more than very mediocre footballers, no amount of coaching is going to give Moreno any brains. Eventually if you want to compete at the top, you have to bring in very good footballers. Which is what we lack in goal and in midfield. Selling Coutinho and not reinforcing the squad in centre midfield, keeper and a replacement for Pipco will look a really bad decision when we finish trophyless and outside of the top four.

28 Jan 2018 13:14:16
Spot on, Johncrow. The performance was not good enough, for sure and we are in a wobble right now so that part is obvious. WBA were the better team and showed the fire and desire to win this game while our players esp. in midfield, were just not up for it and could not match the intensity WBA showed so credit to them.

That said, fans being petulant and throwing their toys out of the pram should be ignored, IMO cos had we won yesterday, we are not having this conversation globally. Matip is poor and has been poor thru out this season. Those saying Hendo is inferior to Can are just talking porkies cos if he was, he would be playing the 6 role now. He is NOT cos he lacks the tactical, positional sense and awareness that Hendo possesses. Also, Hendo is light years ahead of him in terms of passing range long or short.


I am happy that Migs will not play for us again (it was a mistake to put him in anyway cos Karius needed games) and now Hendo is back to help in CM. We need a reaction vs Hudd esp. since Spurs are in a wobble as well with them facing the bus-parkers in midweek. Keep the faith, lads!

28 Jan 2018 13:22:29
with all due respect Mr Dennis you have completely misunderstood my post
my coaching comment was about trent hence why it came straight after I mentioned his name.
I just don't understand how you keep saying we will not finish 4 do you have a crystal ball or something?
you do realize that these same players currently have us in 4th spot?
and where was pipco when we beat man city
this constant bleating out for new players is a current trend for fans who really think football is like Football manager, well it doesn't work like that in real life mate.

28 Jan 2018 13:23:13
You can't polish a candlestick I'm afraid.

28 Jan 2018 15:52:56
Fourth spot AT THE MOMENT. Regrettably, the way we’re playing I can’t see where our next win will come from? Huddersfield have a blueprint to work from that others have used this season and Spurs are likely to hump us again like they did away from home because they are not only man for man a better side, but they’re better organised.

28 Jan 2018 11:23:13
Hi ed's
Kevin trap is not psgs number 1 anymore could he be a good addition? there was rumours linking him with us before haven't seen him play in a while could we be in for him.

{Ed002's Note - Trapp is available but has already turned down a transfer and will wait to see what his options are in the summer. Liverpool has shown no interest.}

28 Jan 2018 11:59:41
Kevin Trapp is as bad as Mignolet. Haven’t you seen them play?

{Ed002's Note - Don't try and confuse him. That is all unimportant.}

28 Jan 2018 12:29:15
I think you’re right that the keeper situation hasn’t been managed well at all Ed. Mignolet should have been given the bums rush last summer and Karius and Ward should have been competing. Ward has always looked competent when I’ve seen him.

28 Jan 2018 13:10:34
I always liked the look of Trapp when I saw him (albeit not a great deal) but he’s fallen down the pecking order and PSG are looking for a new number 1 so he mustn’t be that good.

28 Jan 2018 13:20:26
Dennis, I agree with your first part BUT this Ward love-in needs to end, IMO as there is NO basis to suggest that he will be better than Karius cos like it or not, Karius is more experienced than Ward overall both in the CL and in the PL and the Bundesliga. Ward has not shown that he can do it at any of these levels cos well, he has not played at these levels and one game this season proves absolutely nothing. Because you think a player is better does not mean he is esp. if the guy is virtually yet to play for the club this season. That is the reality, I'm afraid.

28 Jan 2018 13:44:07
Agreed Brover. I think a lot of people are desperate for him to play cause ed001 rates him and that's not a dig as I respect all the eds but for me ward would not get anywhere near a game in a top 10 team in the league. Yes he played well with Huddersfield in the championship but that's a completely different level to ourselves who are so desperate to get back to the top.

That being said migs or karius don't fill me with any confidence either. We are badly in need of a new no1. Priority in the summer with a cb.

{Ed001's Note - sorry but you are wrong, I have never said I rated him, not once. I have said I would have liked him to be given a chance as he looks the best of the 3 we have, but that is not the same as 'rating' him. This is what annoys me, is when people like you make up nonsense about what we say. Then you spout lies about how it has influenced people's opinions, when clearly it was never said so how on earth can it have influenced anyone's opinion?}

28 Jan 2018 13:56:40
BR, how do you know Ward is not better? The guy played very well on loan last season and was wanted again. But for some reason Klopp will neither play Ward or loan him out, that smacks of very poor managing to be honest.
Give him the chance then we can all give our opinion on best keeper but if you are not going to give him a chance then don’t be a tool and let the guy move on and try and make a career and life for himself.

28 Jan 2018 19:04:51
Trapp is aptly named.

Avoid him Jürgen.

28 Jan 2018 20:37:19
ed001. I wasnt having a go mate but like it some people on here are influenced by what you say and that's not a dig. Prime example ndidi off Leicester and obiang off West ham 2 players you rate which is fair enough but how many times have posters jumped on that and asked for us to sign both of them. I'd say half haven't even watched them play properly but take your word that there good players instead of having there own opinion.

On the ward debate to me he isn't the answer and never will be. I think he will be fortunate to have a career as a premier league goalkeeper but people are jumping up and down about him from a pre season game and a league cup game against Leicester if I'm right. Is he better than migs or karius who knows? They are two awful keepers that seem to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

I wasn't trying to offend you ed and apologies if I did.

{Ed001's Note - you didn't offend me, it just annoys me when people say I said something about someone when I didn't. People constantly throw stuff in my face that I never said and try and claim I did. It is frustrating after a while.}

28 Jan 2018 22:25:55
Mcgoveb, read my post again and the answer to your question is hiding in plain sight. Oh and by the way, the Championship is NOT the PL nor the CL and NEVER will be.

29 Jan 2018 17:20:14
No problem ed001. I'll be more careful in future pal 😊.

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it just wears you down at times on here.}

28 Jan 2018 11:17:28
What a deference a week makes. That midfield got walked through and it was really hard to watch.

We need a dominating performance against Huddersfield and spurs to get a bit of confidence back.

The best team won last night well done West Brom.

28 Jan 2018 12:45:40
Don't hold your breathe, we havnt hit rock bottom yet and we are fast approaching it.

28 Jan 2018 13:21:53
Rock bottom? Really? Calm down, man. We are in a wobble right now BUT rock bottom is a bit OTT. Keep the faith, my friend.

28 Jan 2018 10:17:49
Ed, would it really be such a bad idea for Klopp to change his mind and go get a good DM. We have so much possession in almost every game, control almost every game but capitulate so easily and so often. Do you think a change in tactics would help with some of our abject performances and in the games we let teams get back into so easily?

{Ed002's Note - I have explained before that it should be forced but remain of the opinion that there is an issue with Klopp and his inability to adapt is a large part of the problem as to why Liverpool are still inconsistent. Obviously the fans won't hear anything against Klipperty so the answer is the knee-jerk reaction to a loss to a PL team in the FA cup is spending vast amounts of money.}

28 Jan 2018 11:03:33
So Klopp should change or he shouldn’t, Ed? Surely a change would be a knee jerk reaction.

{Ed002's Note - No, it does not require a knee-jerk reaction to change. Taking on appropriate coaching staff who can improve the squad and ultimately the performances might be a knee-jerk reaction to you but to me it is simply adapting to changing circumstances.}

28 Jan 2018 11:31:41
Whatever happened to midfielders who could defend as well as attack.

{Ed001's Note - I think they went the way of centre backs who could defend rather than just stand just outside the penalty box passing it back and forth with a deep lying central midfielder.}

28 Jan 2018 11:34:28
Sorry Ed but I don’t believe I’m having a knee jerk reaction. The manager has not improved the defense or midfield defending by his coaching or by bringing in someone to help in that department which I’ve posted about last season and this season. So if he’s not up for getting in help then surely he should be up for a personnel change. It’s hardly knee jerk when it’s been happening for two seasons. We can’t expect the front three to score 3 or more every game to make up for the poor defending and poor positioning and organization of the 2 or 3 in midfield. This has been pretty obvious since January last season mate, hardly knee jerk.

{Ed002's Note - Deciding to spend money that may not be available in the closing days of the transfer window on random players which is what everyone wants is a knee-jerk reaction. Perhaps they will now be regretting not taking up the offer from RBL? If Liverpool had won yesterday we would not be having this discussion.}

28 Jan 2018 12:03:30
Oh come on ed02, we have been having this same discussion for well over a year. Klopp has done great work getting the front 3 scoring and playing so well but there have been endless posts and threads regarding either proper defensive coach recruitment or need for dedicated DM.
The onus is on the front 3 to save us every match, 4 goals from Can, Wini, and Hendo in league this season so they’re not exactly prolific plus a lot of our problems in defense like last night are the same midfielders letting players walk through them so not setting the defensive side of their duties alight too.
Something needs to change because Salah Mane and a Firminho can’t carry the club every game.

{Ed002's Note - I have explained my view repeatedly. The Liverpool squad has plenty of players that Klopp decides not to play - such as Ings. This iudea to keep adding and adding players is ludicrous.}

28 Jan 2018 13:28:41
Spot on, Ed BUT as you know, sensible posts like yours, are nothing but poison pills to many in the LFC fan base.

28 Jan 2018 14:02:57
BR, that reply from Ed is also a slight against Klopp, because he’s neither using the squad of players he has at his disposal, not taking on appropriate coaching staff to improve the squad and results, so therefore not adapting to changing circumstances.

28 Jan 2018 22:20:54
Mcgoveb, I agree ith your post overall. Ed02 gave his opinion and that is how I took it. He has had his views about Klopp and that has not changed. The part of his statement that I responded to is the part where he said that "The idea of keeping on and adding players to the squad is ludicrous". That was the part I responded to.

28 Jan 2018 10:13:37
The biggest problem I have with Liverpool's defence (Inc the midfield in this also) is the lack of organisation, communication between the players. Nobody seems to know what there supposed to be doing. Lessons are never learnt from previous mistakes. So who's to blame the players the coaching staff or both?

{Ed002's Note - There is no defensive coach as Klopp won't have one.}

28 Jan 2018 11:18:13
I like klopp but what a stubborn bar steward he is an that stubbornness could be his down fall.

28 Jan 2018 13:37:59
Klopp made us one of the best defences in the PL for about 4 months and if he did not need a defensive coach then, why does he suddenly need one now when it was clear that our boys had a poor game from top to them? Also, to me this whole defensive coach business is a false argument. Arsenal has one in Steve Bould, one of the best CB's in PL history and they are still crap and City don't have one and they are crap defensively as well if you attack them like we did. Our problems lie in midfield as was shown yesterday cos runners were being left untracked or are the defenders supposed to track them too?

{Ed001's Note - Bould is not a defensive coach. There is a need for a coach to look at drilling the team in defending as a unit, though it would be better if we actually tried to buy some players who know how to defend.}

28 Jan 2018 13:51:00
We don’t have a defensive coach? I didn’t know that but that explains are frailty at the back. Surely every team needs someone who strictly looks at the defensive shape.

28 Jan 2018 19:07:47
Klopp could write a book on defending.

Well a paragraph maybe 😄.

28 Jan 2018 22:17:07
That is a good shout, Ed.

28 Jan 2018 09:28:41
Hi Eds, just wanted to know if you think our recent results are due to Coutinho leaving? Tactics (when we play defensive teams)? Or just a bad defense? I ask because, every time we sell one of our best players, our team starts to look average. Great job with the site as well, I dunno what I'd do without it lol.

{Ed002's Note - None of those. It is simply business as usual. Liverpool will win games, draw games and lose games. There is no secret message Jigz.}

28 Jan 2018 09:52:49
aw ed2, I was really hoping you'd share some secret juice that would help liverpool win every game they play. :p
yup, business as usual. and actually going 3 months undefeated was more odd than anything lol we going through a rough patch so hopefully we snap out of it. I truly believe it's not skill, but more to do with concentration and patience. all intangible things.

{Ed002's Note - So if Liverpool had won 3-2 yesterday everything would be fine?}

28 Jan 2018 10:34:29
of course not ed2! been saying all season about our deficiencies that rear their head in wins, draws and losses. Just not losing my mind over a loss / draw and equally not going over the top after a win. but like you say, we just got to suck it up and move on to the next game.
Having said that, I do think in cup games it can be a bit of 'whatever it takes' ya know!?

28 Jan 2018 11:58:38
I think Klopp will be under the microscope as realistically it's a third season under him with no silverware and very little progress. Defensively we are still a shambles and hardly been resolved.

28 Jan 2018 08:33:16
Simple question do we have the worst midfield in top six?
I was going to ask about worst keepers but that's just obvious.

28 Jan 2018 09:16:42
Good question. I think we are joint worst with Arsenal.

So if you take our midfield 3 of Can Wij and AOC that started against WBA, would the other midfield trios of the top 6 our perform ours.? I would say most likely (apart from Arsenal although it’s close) .

I would happily swap any of Ctiy’s Utd’s Chelsea’s and Spurs’ midfield with ours as a straight swap. I think it would be hard to argue against that.

Arsenal I probably wouldn’t though. Of their midfield I think Ozil is the only one who could get in our team (I have secretly always rated him and never truly understood all the abuse that comes his way) . But it’s too close to call over all so I shall say it’s a tie.

Red Sandman.

28 Jan 2018 09:35:16
I'd put put our midfield 3rd behind Chelsea and City. our midfield has been fantastic for large chunks of this season imo. defensive deficiency and prone to errors yes, but they have held their own more than last season imo.

28 Jan 2018 10:03:26
Really 3Rd? Wow very interesting.

28 Jan 2018 10:16:13
Faithinworks you’re deluded. Are you seriously telling me that our bunch of also rans are better than United or Spurs? None of ours would make their starting elevens.

28 Jan 2018 10:16:13
Faithinworks you’re deluded. Are you seriously telling me that our bunch of also rans are better than United or Spurs? None of ours would make their starting elevens.

28 Jan 2018 10:39:45
ye truth, fully! although I must say I like manU's midfield for their system.
but I like how we play versus them, so a bit of a homer call on ranking our midfield above them.

on that point it's a bit hard to make the comparisons cos each team is set up specifically for them.

28 Jan 2018 10:50:28
it's just an opinion mate. we've run both those teams ragged over the last 2 and a bit seasons, so it's doesn't seem right to say that our midfield isn't as good as theirs. Our midfield is getting the Alberto Moreno treatment now. suffering from stereotyped and biased self-fulfilling prophecies. there will be nothing good that this midfield can do for some fans, even tho they have carried us this far. I agree we need to improve on it, but I'm not giving up on them. and hopefully others at the stadium don;t give up on them either and give them the support they need.

28 Jan 2018 11:35:38
Did we run Spurs midfield ragged. I must have missed that watching the 4 goals they stuck past us.

28 Jan 2018 13:51:54
If you look back at last summer, every man and his dog was saying midfield was our strongest position haha. No-one would listen. It is the worst in the top 10 for me.

28 Jan 2018 19:08:52
No, we have the worst midfield tactics of the top 6.

28 Jan 2018 08:02:53
What a disappointing result yesterday but that is our Liverpool for you.

Not sure what others opinions are about VAR but I think it is going to take out the life and soul of the game. It slows everything down and becomes like a daily soap show when you see the referee running over to the tele to make a decision.

And please people, there is no space for kneejerk reactions. WBA beat us because they wanted it more. End of the story, get over it.

Liverpool have no divine right to silverware unless it has been won.

28 Jan 2018 08:38:50
I agree but it’s yet another year without a domestic trophy.

28 Jan 2018 09:43:55
It was mentioned that certain people would concentrate on the VAR rather than discuss one of the most pathetic Liverpool performances in a long long time. Well done Max, true to your colors mate.

28 Jan 2018 09:45:31
I honestly couldn't even remember who won the FA Cup last year. googled it and reminded that it was arsenal, well fat lot of good it done them aye? then I see they been knocked out of the cup already this season haha.

on a serious note, yes a trophy is important and prestigious, but as the OP said we don't have a divine right to win trophies and shouldn't carry ourselves as if we do. I'm more focused on our journey to being a consistently competitive club. I really think we are on that path and am hopeful that we can keep adding to this current squad to achieve that. I mean we brought Hendo, Milner and Ings off the bench today. And that is with lallana and sturridge still in the wings. ok they not exactly galacticos, but 12 months ago the bench options were kids. we are building, very slowly mind lol.

28 Jan 2018 10:08:28
No team has a right to win a trophy. we are a team that on it's day can beat any team, but lack consistency defensively. it was the first time VVD had played with that back five and it showed. Continuity brings success and we all know that our manager is tinkering with it because it's obvious that teams are finding it so easy to cut through it.
West Brom worked hard and earned the right to continue in the cup.
We now need to get behind the team for our league games and hope we can keep pushing for the top spot, that will in turn help us finish as high as we can. I have always said that top 4 and a competitive run in the champions league would be a good season and I am amazed by the fans that expect more than that.
I am disappointed that were knocked out of the FA Cup, but we still created enough.

28 Jan 2018 10:18:59
We still have a lot to play for this season, don't expect anything, support the team and help them achieve the best they are capable of. The Manager should stick with the same defence and Goalkeeper now and hopefully create some stability that continuity brings.
Let's keep the faith. Come On You Reds.

28 Jan 2018 10:18:59
We still have a lot to play for this season, don't expect anything, support the team and help them achieve the best they are capable of. The Manager should stick with the same defence and Goalkeeper now and hopefully create some stability that continuity brings.
Let's keep the faith. Come On You Reds.

28 Jan 2018 06:15:26
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 28th January 2018

28 Jan 2018 04:27:33
Well that wasn't very nice viewing. Seemed very casual and passive for large parts of the first half, thought West Brom had an intensity and energy to their game that we lacked and was why they scored (of course our defending helped) . Just hope this isn't the start of a down turn in form - crucial part of the season, would be a bad time to start dropping tons of points.

28 Jan 2018 01:29:20
We were so much better when Henderson came on for Can.

That is all.

28 Jan 2018 04:38:24
Noticed that straight away just with that penetrating pass through to Moreno when he first came on. Can takes way to long to make his decision and by the time he does the opportunity is gone. Definitely need a creative midfielder though.

28 Jan 2018 07:49:42
Hendo when fit is class, Can when fit is not. Can good at one off bicycle kicks though.

28 Jan 2018 09:05:27
I have always thought Hendo was our best centre mid but he has been awful this season though, worse than Can and Gini IMO. I hope he can rekindle the form he had in the first few months of last season and get a few goals cause we are desperately missing that atm.

28 Jan 2018 00:22:15
Salah never helped in defence all night he schould av been taken off @half time.

28 Jan 2018 00:39:04
Exactly, should have dropped back and played cb with Van Dijk when he realised how poorly Matip was playing *eye roll*. His job in the team is to score and create goals, anyway, he was still applying pressure on the West Brom players. Taking off your best player and biggest attacking threat at half time when losing for not defending enough, especially when the options on the bench are nowhere near his level, is a silly, silly thing to do.

28 Jan 2018 01:01:51
I think he must be joking Lamuel? Surely? if your not Gingerred I suggest another sport might be best for you mate. Salah is not a defender mate.

28 Jan 2018 09:55:56
I’d like to see Salah bloody rested at some point he works his balls off all game every game.

28 Jan 2018 00:15:40
I've seen many a tactical innovation but never have I seen a team play a false defender as we did with Joel Matip today. He's like a Ferrari without an engine, looks stylish as he's good on the ball but when it comes to performing the function he's actually supposed to perform, defending, he's absolutely useless.

28 Jan 2018 01:57:02
Forget abt matip . We need a defending coach to come and help us. Our defenders with midfield are all over the place which is unacceptable at this level 🙈🙈.