Liverpool Banter Archive December 04 2015

04 Dec 2015 22:54:37
Wow I never realised hendersons heel injury was so bad! Doesn't sound great for the lad at all.

04 Dec 2015 23:16:59
And he will suffer more problems as the years run on.

Fergie was right about his gate, everyone flipped bit I think I was the only one who agreed as I have the same issues. He doesn't have any cushion when he runs, he just bangs at the ground and all that pressure goes into his knees and hips a lot more than other players. Over the next few seasons he will regress in terms of his running ability. He has heart and energy but unfortuanlety its not going to be enough. He isn't over yet and if he manage himself very very well and lowers his work loads and redefines his position into more if an Alonso (steady in the middle of the park) and starts taking positional lessons off Lucas (as he won't be able to make up for his indescresions with pace) then he will be fine as he is super talented but his body can't support him for another ten odd years.

I may come across as over the top and a scare mongerer but I know what I'm talking about with regards to this.

{Ed007's Note - That sounds really painful mate, is there nothing they can do to sort it for you?}

04 Dec 2015 23:39:56
Personally I think you're talking rubbish - not everyone's physical make up is the same, Jordan Henderson has had an injury, like all professional sportsman, it has been diagnosed, remedial action and physiotherapy had been carried out - he will now carry on and be the great professional footballer that he was.

05 Dec 2015 00:42:05
John I think you are being harsh there Paulo96 seems to be talking from experience so no need to say he is talking rubbish. Paulo I think the reason people had such a problem with it is the fact that Fergie saw fit to mention something that is so personal in his book I wonder if Henderson had signed for united would he have put it in?

05 Dec 2015 01:49:34
Paulo, you may know what u are talking about but using Fergie as a reference point makes your post sound weird. Ferg was only pissed because Hendo rejected him in favor of Dalglish hence, he hasn't put the pint of bitterness down down since. Hendo will be fine so let's just pray for the lad and move on.

05 Dec 2015 08:25:36
Paulo, for all you know, you may be absolutely wrong. Just because Fergie said it doesn't make it right, and just because you have something similar doesn't mean it's the same. Even if it is, prognosis is often different for different people. Two guys may have exact same cancer diagnosis but different outcomes. So please don't sound too damn right and pathetic, and let's just watch how things turn out. And don't come back here in few months or years saying: I told you so. Nobody wants to hear that! Just wish the kid a speedy recovery if you can, if not, stop painting this doom and gloom picture!

05 Dec 2015 09:00:26
I've suffered with plantar fasciitis for years. If you stretch more, especially your calf muscles and achillies tendon and also wear orthotics in your shoes/boots it's perfectly manageable. It can be very painful but I don't see it causing him any issues in terms of his running ability if it's managed correctly. It's a fairly common injury but often hard to diagnose and initially treat.

05 Dec 2015 10:27:18
The condition is most definitely manageable but when there is a flare up it will be very painful and it's what is considered an irritable injury. Although this seems really obvious it is difficult to rest the injury because you need to walk. If you step up recovery a little too quickly it will not take much to aggravate the inflamed tissue and as a result increase pain. I suspect this why we are seeing cameo appearances at the moment which may be a way of assessing how the foot is reacting for certain periods of time. The report suggests that the problem was aggravated by a change in boots last season which would certainly raise question of an issue with foot biomechanics. This is something that would normally be addressed with corrective orthotics or footwear. Surface or change in surface can have an impact on the condition which is probably more of an issue nowadays because the pitches are much harder than they were before. I would personally still raise questions over the introduction of artificial components to playing surfaces as the number of soft tissue injuries, certainly severe ligament injuries seems to be on the rise. In addition to what Raoul said there are also effective strapping techniques to alleviate pain and in cases of there being a boney spur directly irritating the plantar fascia surgery can be performed. I would not at this stage see the injury as a reason to refine Henderson's game but more than likely alter his training schedule to accommodate increased rest periods. Fortunately he is very fit and there are low load bearing ways of maintaining aerobic fitness.

Cheers.

05 Dec 2015 10:54:28
I hate fergie as much as everyone else. I know why he said and why he did, but I can't just not agree with it because of his motives.

Hendo does have a bad gate. John b you may want to do a bit of research on hendos injurys before you say its been dealt with, because I'm pretty sure he has his heel pain for the rest of his life.

Just watch hendo run next time he plays and look at the other plays, they all run from the hips. When they all run the pressure release throughout the body, when hendo runs its from the knees, he has no suspension the pressure goes right into his joints. Can is similar aswel btw.

I am his and When I use to play even for half an hour the pain I would be in all up my legs after was unbearvale. It's not through warming up rhay the problems come about, because its the joints rather than the muscles. A car with warmed up tires but not suspension is a berry bad idea for the driver.

What I am saying about jendo is he is a brilliant footballer and is going to be a great component for our team for years to come but as far as his running ability that is going to have to be calmed down and his joints csnt take it for x more years.

I can't say what I don't know and I have no idea if he feels pain anywhere in his legs after a game or training, but what o can say is he will start soon if he keeps. playing so hard.

He's not a bad player, plsass don't take that from what I am saying. If anyone has any oropedix doctors in the family just ask them what they think about his run and they will at least say all that constant banging pf his knees against the hard ground isn't going to be good for him

Ed007 I don't know wether that was sarcasm or acrhal concern but no as unless I get a different set of legs I will continue to run the same on the pitch and therefore the pain will continue afterwards.

I can't even think of a proper example. I suppose sitting on a none suspension bike going over sleeping policeman will take its toll on your derier but when you have a suspension bike its not bad At all is it. What that example also says is it doesn't mean one bike is better than another, it just means there is a pro and con from eacb.

Someone like Phil will be able to play until he is about 50 aslong as he looks after his waist haha but hendo won't. Doesn't mean hendo won't have a great career.

{Ed007's Note - It was genuine concern mate, I live with chronic pain in my leg everyday after 6/7 operations on my ankle and foot and have needed to use crutches to get around for the past 5 years. It would have been a bit 5hitty to be sarcastic about someone else's medical condition - give me some credit ffs! :)

05 Dec 2015 10:21:55
Fergie said it would be his back, not his heel,

05 Dec 2015 13:21:07
Sorry ed for thinking you were being sarcastic, and sorry tl hear about your own health problems. The body can be a real pain in the ass. For me there is some pain that doesn't sound that bad oh a little problem on your heel, you can't imagine it being horrendous, but when you think every time you go to make a brew your going to feel it, puts it as a lot worse rhay can be imagined.

Welsh I know fergie said his back, and he will have lower back problems along with hip problems and knee problems and heel problems. It all comes about through his constant banging on the ground, all the pressure everytime he runs shoots up into his legs and eventually his own resiliance will waver and the problems will continue to mount up. His heel being one of the first. People really don't want to underestimate that heel proble btw that alone could really scupper his career.

Here you go a bit lf a better example. Imagine being in a press up position, now you have your arms perfect straight, you push up yourselve in the air and then land without bending your arms and keep doing it, the pain will be in the palm of your hand (heel), your wrist (ankle) your elbow (knee) and your shoulder (hip) and eventually your upper back and shoulder blades (lower back) .

People read what they want to see and think they have to defend thjnfs, it's absolutely no critism for hendo infact its more supportive, I'm basically trying to get people to understand what his problems are/could be or are going to be.

I'm not insulting his skill or importance to our team lr saying I hate him!

If anyone is game for trying out my sample and posting there own findings then please inform us on wether it has changed your mind on this post about hendo.

You can push up with all your arms bent but have to land with them stiff.

Disclaimer - you are trying it at your own risk, you have not been forced to and I hold no responsibility for any injury sustained by yourselves or family member who you have coaxed into trying it (even if it is your nan) .

{Ed007's Note - No worries, Paulo. I had a bad accident at work about 15 years ago when a pile of steel H beams fell on me trapping my leg ending with me breaking my leg in 4 places and practically shattering my ankle. I had steel pins/plates etc fitted at the time but the in 2010 the metalwork in my leg became infected and had to be removed - which wasn't very pleasant at all - and it's just been one thing after another since then and I'm 'lucky' still to have my leg.}

05 Dec 2015 14:26:50
Hendo on his twitter, has said it's been blown out of proportion and that he'll manage his condition, so will be fine!

05 Dec 2015 14:46:05
Raoul, I agree mate, I've suffered with it for a while now and plenty of stretching beforehand and orthotic insole means I'm still playing football and squash into my forties. Can feel painful though.

05 Dec 2015 15:32:24
A little bit too much is made of the gait pattern. Admittedly not driving your running from your hip flexors will result in not the most efficient gait but you can still have a so called knee driven gait pattern and still remain athletic with little problem. Look at Michael Johnson, he wasn't a bad runner! This style of gait results in an extended lower back and reliance on hamstrings which could pose a problem for those areas. The issue with the feet is much more likely due to abnormal foot biomechanics. Normally if there is a dynamic pronation this causes a heavier impact on bottom and inside aspect of the heel. This can cause direct stress on the plantar fascia but with pronation (flat foot) you will also get a stretching of the plantar fascia and increased stress on the Achilles. Adaptations to running style can be looked at but in reality could cause other problems. Addressing foot mechanics is vital and affording the injury the chance to settle completely is crucial.

Cheers.

05 Dec 2015 16:17:58
I relieve this is the same injury that Batistuta had back in 97/98 aprox. The difference being that medics at that time did not realize the complications in the long run so he infiltrated, he played the entire France 98 world cup infiltrated. Nowadays he regrets not being able to stand up and move enough to play football with his sons. He ended up playing polo hehe.

Fortunately, Henderson's diagnostic is in time to be managed. I hope it is dealt with properly for him not to have serious consequences even after his football career.

05 Dec 2015 16:47:09
Ed007, was a prosthetic leg not suggested at some point? Although for totally different reasons, a boy here where I'm from had a bone cancer in his shin and they said amputating it and putting a prosthetic in was the best choice, not only because the cancer was removed, but also because the new prosthetics are so good that kids with similar conditions have been spotted playing soccer with them afterwards. Lifestyles are basically as normal as ever; granted, I think that those kids got to keep their ankles (the prosthetic was put in between the knee and ankle, and still they could maintain feeling in the foot. incredible really) and it sounds like yours is the problem. I'm a hopeful Doctor, not one yet though, but this stuff always intrigues me. Hope your condition improves mate!

{Ed007's Note - Thanks buddy but it looks like this is as good as it gets for me, just to clear it up my leg was bang on for 10/11 years after it healed, I was back working as an engineer, playing football and golf and just leading a normal life, nobody would have known as I didn't even have a limp and it was only occasionally a bit stiff or sore but nothing major.
Thankfully it never got to the stage of actually talking about prosthetics. One of the ops I had was to stretch my Achilles as it had seized with my foot pointing down the way, the wound took over a year to heal and I was used as a guinea-pig by the specialist trying all different creams, gels, tablets and even ionised water to try and get it to heal, it was during that time that that they told me there was a chance I might end up losing the bottom of my leg and foot. I have some rather gruesome pics of it :)
Good luck with your planned career, doctors and nurses have my 100% respect.}

05 Dec 2015 17:44:09
I think you'd need to be some kind of orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in sports medicine to speak with any authority on this.
Hendo will have the best advice money can buy.

04 Dec 2015 20:10:36
I think this run we have will really test our depth in the squad, I think we should use it and change players here and there just to give rests and use what's at our disposal. Why not want certain players to be 100% like Moreno (who must be knackered) and coutinho who is obviously not 100% for example.

I think this time of the season is when injuries come in abundance so games like Newcastle are games we have to use squad depth for. The team prepares for these matches all together so all of them should be on the same page anyway although some are better than executing them than others. I think these are the games that you rotate a bit but stick to the first team as close as possible.

That being said I think mignolet will start (bogdan was alright in goal against the saints and should start against sion. He deserves to be our cup keeper at least) . Back four will be the same apart from clyne coming back, I would not be against a smith or even an Enrique starting the match we have the depth why not use it. Moreno must be knackered and it's not like Enriques forgotten how to play football or smith doesn't deserve his chances.

Midfield will either be the two holding (Lucas, Allen) or three (Milner Lucas allen) . Again with Allen, why not use your depth on these games when you can afford to. Can is suspended and Henderson is going to be baby stepped into coming back. I see a sub appearance for hendo like Southampton. Plus Allen was awesome against the saints deserves a shot at least.

Forwards will either be the three behind benteke (ibe Firmino Milner) or two alongside benteke (ibe firmino) . It becomes obvious who's being rotated, lallana starts a game, Ibe comes on as a sub, then the reverse happens the next match. Origi on the bench and will probably start against sion, with Sturridge rested for this match. I think he will be wrapped in coton for the forseable future.

I don't know what's the situation with texiera but he should be getting his opportunities in the cup competitions and should make cameos in the league matches but it's not happening at the moment. I hope this isn't another Suso.

2-0 Liverpool on Sunday.

04 Dec 2015 20:56:43
I used to say strongest 11 in every game although I have to admit with Klopp it doesn't matter because he makes the most out of anyone. I would still be careful to assume that whoever we play against Newcastle we will walk the game. There is still a massive difference between Moreno and Enrique and I wouldn't take unecessary risks there. Moreno is a young guy, have no injuries issues, didn't play all 90 mins on Wednesday, I don't see a reason not to start him.

By the way, the two weeks after the coming week we don't have midweek games so no need to panick there.

04 Dec 2015 21:01:29
You say hope its not another Suso, I get Suso had some Raw Talent but he has gone to Milan and done absolute nothing to note he isn't as good as some people think., going onto your point about Moreno I would play him for 60 and bring smith on Can`t just throw Smith in at the deep end.

04 Dec 2015 22:14:51
Well, he did pretty well for almeria and did brilliantly for Spain u18 at the World Cup. Similar to texiera with Brighton and Portugal u21. Very similar type of players, texiera links up better with players but Suso had far superior vision and passing abilities at the same age. So yeah, I hope it's not a similar situation to Suso. Also if you watch the games Suso has played for Milan (mainly pre season) he has played well, he's just not favoured. Kind of like how Rogers played Lovren ahead of sahko. Just because a player isn't being played doesn't mean they are bad players all of the sudden.

04 Dec 2015 23:53:48
Tex hasn't been included in the euro squad hence he can't play there. I read somewhere klopp was frustrated that he was unable to use him in that comp so that could change in jan. I don't think this is another Suso. It's very clear from the rotations that players will get their chance.

05 Dec 2015 01:55:08
Be ruined Suso and almost ruined Can, Tex, Ibe and The list goes on. Milan is dripping with players many of whom can't get a game so Suso not playing, means nothing.

05 Dec 2015 03:17:28
Agree with the op. I would start Smith at LB, the boy has talent and can play a big part in the future at LFC. And Allen was awesome in midweek so I would start milner, allen and Lucas in the middle. Firmino, Origi and Sturridge up top. Newcastle's arguably the easear game in the next couple of weeks so give the main men (Coutinho, Henderson, Moreno) more rest. I would play a semi strong team against Sion as well, because it would be critical for us to end on top of the pool in Europa League and if they were to win they would jump us in the pool, so that's something to look out for.

04 Dec 2015 16:22:14
Eds is there something that klopp and rodgers see in texiera that they don't like as he never really gets a look in.

{Ed001's Note - you would have to ask them.}

04 Dec 2015 16:27:37
There's a lot of players in his sort of area. Maybe Klopp wants to rotate the more senior players at the moment.
I think with Klopp, if you're good enough you will get a chance. He had a chance against Bournemouth and played great IMO. He'll get another chance once injuries and more games build up.

04 Dec 2015 17:05:34
It's just tough when he's effectively competing for one of 3/4 slots with benteke sturridge ibe lalanna origi firmino coutinho Milner without even mentioning injured or youth players.
Obviously he is more of a coutinho/lalanna type of player but at the end of the day there are usually 4 attacking players and unfortunately for him but good for us all of these players are in relatively good form and as Ron rightly said he will get chances and it's up to him in training and in matches to force the issue then.
I as much as anyone love seeing the youth but it's tough when the team is flying at the moment.

04 Dec 2015 18:37:36
He is clearly a very good player and did well against Bournemouth, he needs game time to become better but in order to give him game time he would be displacing one of Ibe, Coutinho, Milner, Firmino etc. I hope when January comes around Klopp registers him for the Europa league (the fact he wasn't was a travesty in the first place) now that Ings and Gomez are both out for the season and then he can get some game time there and Klopp has rotated the squad quite a lot. Given some good performances and he could throw his hat into the ring for more starts in the more 'important' games.

05 Dec 2015 05:44:59
Why do people keep referring to him as a youth player - he's almost 23 years old.

05 Dec 2015 09:41:38
That's what happens when the previous manager wanted to buy lots of attacking midfielders - too many players infront of him!

04 Dec 2015 15:36:13
Just realised we face arsenal and man u in space of 4 days in January! Its a 12 pointer! So unfair.

04 Dec 2015 16:17:19
At home for both games, especially if our form keeps up, I'd be looking for at least 4 points.

04 Dec 2015 16:24:23
1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City, 1-6 at Southampton.

Why are you worrying?

04 Dec 2015 16:28:32
How is it unfair?
You play everyone twice.

04 Dec 2015 16:27:27
Arsenal are struggling with injuries and I expect us to beat them. I am very confident of beating UTD at home.

04 Dec 2015 17:07:04
Hsf. We played them away. If we pick up home form then maybe no reason to worry but as it stands I can see concerns but not worries!

04 Dec 2015 17:07:49
I agree with Ron and eg here. you have to play every year twice and I expect that arsenal to hit their poor patch a little more earlier in this year with all them injuries.
Also worth noting it's very possible we could have be ahead of both teams going into those matches aswell.

04 Dec 2015 17:20:41
Its 6 points. No such thing as a 12pointer. Does my head in when people refer to it as that.

04 Dec 2015 17:30:14
Exactly what the hell does it mean?

04 Dec 2015 18:18:03
Who cares? The next game is against Newcastle! Focus on that and take it one game at a time!

04 Dec 2015 18:43:59
Relax, we just had Chelsea (A), Kuzan (A), Palace (H) City (A), Bordeaux (H), Swansea (H), Southampton (A) . The only blot is the palace game. We won 6 of our last 7, our players are returning from injury for the first time we have a 'deep' squad. Klopp is making our underperforming players look excellent, we have a bunch of loan players that Klopp might do the same with and a few that will be sold for funds if Klopp wants and a excellent group of youngsters coming through (fingers crossed Rossiter and Sinclair are convinced to sign new contracts) .

I am not afraid or apprehensive about any fixtures even when we went 1-0 down against S'hampton I was confident we would win the game. Why worry about anything?

05 Dec 2015 00:04:00
Its 12 pointer because your direct rival lose 3 points and you gain 3 points. So 2 direct rivals in top 4,if u beat them its a 12 pointer gap between u and them ( 6point for each team)

05 Dec 2015 05:47:44
Not true Leekuanyew, they don't lose three points if they lose. They remain the same as before the game so there is no such thing as a 6 pointer.

05 Dec 2015 07:08:38
It's 6 points because you've prevented your direct rival from having 3 and gained 3 yourself. Just a fun way of pointing out the importance of certain games.

04 Dec 2015 15:02:46
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, 16 Is Now The Age For Goalkeepers To Emerge

04 Dec 2015 18:12:19
Loved the final point ed about Ronaldo.

04 Dec 2015 09:40:08
I saw the game for a second time yesterday (they were showing it on TV again, so why not? ), and was really impressed with Origi. He has the makings of a Drogba in a couple of years, if he is nurtured the right way. Not because of the hat trick, but because each goal was different. The first, an instinctive reflex of a goal poacher, the second a powerful, accurate blast from medium range, and the third a soft header from close quarters. He's tall, strong, powerful, quite fast and technical enough with both feet. Always willing to take on an opponent and yet also hold up the ball. And his range of movement is impressive for a striker. He was all over the pitch - the left, the right, the center and even deep midfield to support in closing down opponents. Sure, he has a lot to learn, but this was his form during the World Cup, and I understand why he was bought. He's only 20, and I shudder to think how good he can be at 23 or 25. I hope he continues progressing - I'm sure there's a lot of people counting on him and Ings on supplying the goals in the years to come.

04 Dec 2015 11:46:34
I know I'm being that 'guy' but come on, the lad's had one good game for us. Can't we just enjoy a good performance without the anointing of legendary status.

04 dec 2015 12:08:41
"he has the makings of a drogba in a couple of years, if he is nurtured the right way. not because of the hat trick, but because each goal was different. "

you could say that about anybody.

04 Dec 2015 12:14:03
"anointing of legendary status"? Where do you see that? I was talking entirely about future potential based on current raw and developing skills. Look at your own posts. Don't you look into the possibilities of the future? Or is no one else allowed to do that here?

04 Dec 2015 12:16:14
I think comparing him to Drogba is way over the top - Drogba's technique was/is world class, Origi's is a long way off. Sure it can be improved upon but I would think it highly unlikely that he would reach Drogba's level. I hope i'm wrong like but this is a daft comparison after his first good game.

{Ed001's Note - I seem to remember Drogba being a late bloomer, so maybe he is comparing him to Drogba at the same age?}

04 Dec 2015 12:46:57
Ra, of course say anything you like but be prepared for people to disagree with you. Don't be angry when they do. You wrote a gushing post about a player who's put in one good performance in 11 games and suggested he's similar to one of the best PL strikers of the last decade. I think that's an unreasonable comparison. It's your right to think I'm wrong in return.

04 Dec 2015 12:50:11
Absolutely correct Ed001. Drogba was a very late bloomer at Guincamp and Marseille and that was precisely what I was hinting at. He didn't fully develop until he was 25'ish or 26'ish, and moved on to Chelsea. My English is not that bad, so I don't see where I've compared him to Drogba at the present time. I clearly said he had the makings of a Drogba in a couple of years, if he continued to progress. And that is strictly my opinion. "Daft" is not having an opinion, but more like not bothering to fully comprehend the written word.

04 Dec 2015 12:52:38
Ra it would've been perfectly fair to say his style reminded you of Drogba. But you said that you reckon he could be the next Drogba in as little as 2 years; "He has the makings of a Drogba in a couple of years".

You can't say that about a 20 year old with 3 goals in the whole season, 3 of which came in a single game and not expect to have a few people teling you to calm down a bit.

I personally think he is more like Welbeck. Tall, fast, strong, works like a trojan, can score all kinds of goals etc. But has a slightly heavy first touch and is inconsistent in patches.

I don't mean this as an insult. I think Welbeck is a very good player.

Fingers crossed for Origi. I think he's a good young player with a definite future at the top of the game. Drogba is arguably the best striker of the last 10 years though so its too early to say Origi will be that good in a couple of seasons time.

04 Dec 2015 13:00:50
Muscatred. Not angry at all. I read everyone's posts on here and respect everyone's right to have an opinion - including yours. What is irritating is that my post is being misread. Nowhere have I implied that he is Drogba, now. I was just talking out loud about possibilities of the future, because of some basic characteristics that both Origi and Drogba seem to share from a footballing perspective - strength, power, speed and technique. My post was more about "guys, maybe we are seeing the beginning of something special with this kid". Maybe I should have written that.

04 Dec 2015 13:23:00
EMS - I'm very calm. But I don't like Welbeck. Just seems too much of unachieved potential, to me - only 45 goals in 212 career appearances, as a striker. You could say Origi is the same with 3 goals in 11 appearances, but he's only 20, whereas Welbeck is already 26. Greater scope for Origi to improve than Welbeck, I would say. I hope Origi turns out to be far far better.

{Ed001's Note - Welbeck is awful, a sprinter on a football pitch.}

04 Dec 2015 13:27:15
One thing. It was the perfect hat-trick. Left foot, right foot, header.

04 Dec 2015 14:05:37
As soon as that rocket goal went in, I just went oh well Ngog scored one of them against arsenal haha.

I like the boy but along way to go but he has age on his side and a manager who likes him, plenty of fellow Belgium's in the squad and all the attributes to become top notch.

04 Dec 2015 14:18:20
Do you guys think Origi was trying to get a touch for the first goal? I was pretty sure he was just trying to get out of the way and failed.

04 Dec 2015 14:26:55
I agree 100% with the Welbeck comparison and see the potential to go further as you say Ra. I think he just needs to learn to use his pace and strength better and make more decisive and aggressive runs. That'll come with more experience and confidence I expect.

As it stands he can still look slightly uncertain sometimes and gets caught between two stools, but the game against Southampton (particularly his second half movement) was a great first step.

One thing in his favour though is he's in the right place and company to learn right now with Klopp and role models in Sturridge, Benteke, Ings and Firmino.

04 Dec 2015 15:38:07
In terms of physique and looks he reminds me of Patrick Kluivert.

04 Dec 2015 15:48:19
To me he's definitely better than Ings. Faster, better touch. more talent really.

04 Dec 2015 15:35:27
ed001 - he is perhaps comparing him to Drogba at his age but, given Drogba was playing for Le Mans and only played 2 games that year (source: wpedia) I doubt he knows how Drogba was at that time. Would anybody realistically know? I appreciate it was a casual comparison - just think it's a little over the top. I hope i'm wrong though and he does become the next Drogba, would do us no harm!

{Ed001's Note - if you are using wikipedia as a source, then you invalidate your whole argument from the start.}

05 Dec 2015 05:26:19
I only used wpedia to check where Drogba was playing when he was 20 as I didn't know, not sure how my argument that the Drogba-Origi comparison is way overboard is suddenly invalidated because of it?

04 Dec 2015 08:25:41
I see most people think klopp will start sturridge against Newcastle. I personally think klopp will keep him on the bench and only bring him on if needed.
I think his next start will be against Sion as he works to get match fitness.

04 Dec 2015 09:00:57
I think our right hence why firmino and benteke wasnt used against Southampton. I wouldn't be surprised to see origi potentially on the team sheet, would be interesting to see tekkers and origi up front.

04 Dec 2015 09:23:42
Id quite like to see the same team that was used against Chelsea and city.
Newcastle are a mess in the defence at the moment and I think if we set about the game in the same manner (considering we at at st James park so the fans will expect them to attack) we could have a field day!
Does anybody know if coutinho will be back?

04 Dec 2015 09:30:41
Would keep Benteke on bench. Use Firmino like in mancity.

04 Dec 2015 09:59:05
Would Origi not have justified a place? If I scored a hat trick and was then benched the next game, I would not be happy.

04 Dec 2015 09:16:28
I don't think Benteke would work in tandem with any other strikers let alone Sturridge. The SAS and feeding off each other isn't happening in my mind.
Benteke would thrive with Genuine Wingers and overlapping full backs whipping in croses.
Firmino on the other hand is wasted playing in this system.
Given you press high and Sturridge taking up different positions would ease firmino into much more of his territtory ( the false no. 9) He genuinely needs crisp movment.
The front three has to constatnly interchange in between and its the movement that did the damage against City.

04 Dec 2015 10:10:21
True Stuie, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him start. Its good to see the manager have a headache about who to start as they are all in form.

04 Dec 2015 13:38:31
I would absolutely do it the other way around.

We are through in the Europa League and so there is absolutely no need to take risks against Sion. Yes we want to finish top of the group but we have enough up front to go there and not need him.

Whilst in the same respect we also have more than enough to go to Newcastle without him that is game he have to win. If we want top four we have to go to places like Newcastle, given the form they are in, and give them a good seeing to. Same again. Given him sixty minutes, subbed and then give him the week off.

I also wouldn't drop Origi.

04 Dec 2015 01:12:02
Hey ed01 beginning of seasons I think and I might be wrong your CB partnership would have been Llori and sahko? Do you think skrtle has improved under Klopp and should now be 1st choice alongside sahko or lovren
Ps my love of the game has been brought back by the kloppmeister.

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

04 Dec 2015 08:58:48
Sqizza,

I've just tried to check the stats for these players on the club website and can't find any of them. Have you made Llori, Sahko and Skrtle up mate to go with Mingolet, Firminio and Sturbridge?

04 Dec 2015 00:07:16
Hi guys, considering the performance with the new formation against Southampton, do you think Klopp will employ the same against Newcastle?
Or revert back to 1 up top?

Personally would like to see the same again!

04 Dec 2015 00:31:03
I imagine he's in the process of getting the diamond in place, with Benteke and Sturridge now seemingly available for selection. I think the most appropriate formation given our intention to counter press, along with the pleasant headache of having Coutinho and Firmino in the same squad, would be a 442 asymmetrical diamond. The only way I can see fitting Sturridge, Benteke, Firmino and Coutinho on the pitch; which we definitely want. The only problem with that system is selecting the two supporting Midfielders, I'd go for Lucas (holding) and Can/Henderson right now. Just my opinion though.

04 Dec 2015 01:26:20
That means Milner might be off in the summer because he'll never see the pitch with your player selection, Fornax.

04 Dec 2015 05:34:30
I don't think klopp is preparing to get diamond in place. It's more of the "best" available player for that particular match allowed that formation to be used. With lallana firmino coutinho playing just 1 in the number 10 role seem to be an issue. Personally think 4-2-2-2 would fit all our best player but with that being said, doesn't mean it will be the best way to result given how narrow and lack of width.

04 Dec 2015 08:07:48
With Can out, I can see Hendo, Milner, Lucas, Couts, Firmino, Llalana, Sturridge and Benteke in contention to start.

Tough call whether goes for two strikers or 4-2-3-1 but I'm guessing he might try Benteke and Sturridge together and fit Firmino in behind, with a midfield 3 of Coutinho (or Milner if not 100%), Lucas and Hendo.

04 Dec 2015 10:44:35
Is Milner being on the pitch something we want? I can't see what he offers, especially in CM. I don't see what obligation Klopp has towards him, he was signed by the previous regime.

04 Dec 2015 14:48:24
He does a solid job as an all rounder in midfield IMO, breaking up play defensively yet can also provide assists going forward. I would personally also happily see him in DM where Lucas need a rest (in particular at home where his mobility and ability to break up counterattacks could be extremely useful) .

I don't think we've seen the best of him, and think he might well be a key piece of the puzzle in the closing stages in the season where we need someone with experience and grunt to help close out key games.

04 Dec 2015 20:01:55
With Coutinho out, I would try Firmino in the # 10 role.