Liverpool banter 8

09 Apr 2024 10:18:49
Just heard an astonishing stat. In the two league matches against Manchester Utd (forget about the cup match where they were also abysmal but somehow we gave them four goals), we had 62 efforts on goal. That is a record for any team against any other single team in a season. And yet we scored just two goals across those approx 200 minutes.

Those stats will include a lot of long range or wild speculative shots. This in itself is problematic in
my opinion and talks to a scenario where a team is dominating but is unable to create really good chances (and misses the good ones) . I don't want to see another Gomez shot on goal this season; for a player who is regularly afforded so much space and time to move infield from left back, I find it incredible that he can't even hit the target. Surely he would practice and practice knowing he would be getting all these chances to shoot.

There seems to be some consensus that getting Jota back will be a big positive. I reckon he'd be going a goal a game and our top scorer if he hadn't been out for so long. On a lighter note, I never understood all of the Diogo "he contributes nothing other than goals" Jota criticism. Glad that the penny has dropped.

In the meantime, I would have our forwards + Szoboszlai doing additional training just working on 5 v 3 or 4 v 2 breaks against the reserves or youth defenders. Over and over and over again. Our execution in those situations has been shambolic. The wrong choice or wrong execution every time. Make them practice it until at least 9 out of 10 ends up in a goal. Look online and find the compilation of how many we've messed it up this season.

09 Apr 2024 10:47:52
My favourite ones on Jota are “he stinks up the place and shouldn’t start games and then also he’s our most clinical finisher and we miss him”

Those gems came from the same poster.

09 Apr 2024 11:03:47
I think Szobo has had a great first season so far but feels like he needs a break having been out injured for a while. Elliot to start in his position for the next game I'd say.

Similar for Bradley - been fantastic but I reckon get Robbo back on the left and shift Gomez over to the right untill TAA is ready to return.

And no, this isn't me slating the players, just think that a little shake-up is needed which might help get us over the line!

09 Apr 2024 11:07:26
I think some of it may be because our current group of forwards (Diaz, Gakpo, Jota, Nunez and Salah) have not spent enough time with each other in actual match time. We don't have a solid trio upfront in the same way that we used to field Mane, Firmino and Salah in their heyday. Remember how the media and the fans used to say "those 3 could find each other on the field with eyes blindfolded"? This season Diaz has been injured and affected by family circumstances, so in and out of the team. Gakpo has been benched very often. Jota has been injured, so in and out as well. Nunez has been in and out also. And Salah has probably had the longest time out of the team with injury, in his career with us. Then there is the fact that, aside from Salah and Diaz, Klopp has had Jota, Gakpo and Nunez shuffling back and forth between LW and CF all season long. It has positives but the major negative is that a player isn't given the chance to develop cosistency.

I also think Salah, Firmino, Mane, Origi and Minamino were a better skilled attack corp than the current one of Salah, Nunez, Jota, Gakpo and Diaz. Salah, Firmino and Mane were a phenomenal trio; history may show that they were possibly our best trio ever.

{Ed001's Note - I think we really could have done with Taki this season. I have no idea why Klopp barely played him as he always did well for us and was a goal threat. He is showing in France how potent he can be when given a run. I really liked Taki. He would run himself into the ground, not sure why Klopp didn't like him.}

09 Apr 2024 13:07:39
Ed001 call me cynical but I think taki was assigning to appeal to certain markets given he was so cheap.

Can't think of any other reason the club would buy him and not play him.

{Ed001's Note - I would say it is more likely that his personality was not the kind Klopp likes. He wants players to be forceful and full of belief in themselves. Taki is quiet and unassuming. Klopp wants them to be more brash I think.}

09 Apr 2024 16:47:03
Ed001, fully agree on Taki; I liked him very much. And really think that he would have thrived if he had gotten the same number of opportunities that Gakpo has gotten and has been getting (I'm referring to Gakpo being 5th choice, like Taki, and not specifically the positions they played) . We live in a time where all players love the limelight and the tv cameras on them; loving the public adulation; courting all the attention possible. Minamino's personality did not gel with that kind of ethos. I still remember the players forcingTaki to celebrate the UCL win with the fans in the stands.

I could never figure out why Klopp didn't play him more. I'd take a shy, timid and unassuming player who doesn't sky every shot he gets in front of goal, over a brash and confident player skying chance after chance in an important game, any day of the week. 😉.

{Ed001's Note - me too, Taki was a quality player who worked hard no matter where he was playing. There was never any whining in the press, just got on with it. And he scored goals.}

09 Apr 2024 18:55:53
Aray “We live in a time where all players love the limelight and the tv cameras on them; loving the public adulation; courting all the attention possible”

Does that some any of our current squad up?

09 Apr 2024 19:28:47
Sorry Aray that’s probably come across Aggressive.

Meant as in do you believe that sums up any of our current squad. Personally I don’t see it so interested in your opinion if you do and which players.

09 Apr 2024 20:08:40
JK23, I was the one who said that he stinks up the joint apart from scoring and I was not the only one saying it. Even the Ed’s on their podcasts used to say that and Ed01 wanted him sold and said so on multiple occasions about 2/ 3 years ago.

In fact, many on here were saying he should be sold should Newcastle bid for him as it was rumoured at the time and I didn’t even want him sold cos yes, he is the most natural finisher we have and that is still the case. That did not remove from the fact that the guy used to play as if he had never seen a football before as he was SO poor on the ball back then 2 seasons ago.

This season, his all round game has improved massively and he is a much better and well rounded footballer and I’m all for that. Listen if you’re going to spout stuff about people then first off, say the name of who said what and don’t be a coward. Secondly, tell the whole truth rather than peddle half truths and lies just to sound funny, something you are relentlessly poor at cos you fail to realise that comedy is not and will never be your strength.

09 Apr 2024 20:20:44
Loved Taki to death when he was here. Shane it didn’t work out for him but to me, that had nothing to do with his talent and overall ability. Klopp messed him about and even he admitted it in public.

09 Apr 2024 20:41:24
Oil why so triggered. Not everything is about you.

Get yourself to an actual game of football and give your keyboard and wifi a rest.

You follow Liverpool like my mrs follows Eastenders.

I’ll try and do better with my banter. Maybe one day I’ll hit your levels and call Utds manager Seven Haag #topbants.

10 Apr 2024 11:21:28
JK23, I wasn't thinking of LFC or any of our players, when I wrote what you quoted. I was referring to professional footballers in general, within our current digital age in the entire range of sports and athletics where the emphasis is very much on sound bites and visuals or videos of players before and after events.

Lately, I have been seeing a lot of Van Dijk giving post match interviews. It's absolutely natural given that he is the Captain. The media seek him out, I'm sure, and he accepts to participate, too. And I'm also sure he likes it. To my mind, Taki my wouldn't like it or do it. That was my point.

10 Apr 2024 13:45:55
Cheers for the reply Aray. I kind of gathered that.

In fairness I’d say there’s actually less top level footballers in the limelight than there is out of it.

Just looking at the top 3 sides and apart from Grealish, Foden and Walker I can’t really pinpoint anyone else from City or even arsenal.

09 Apr 2024 10:05:25
Has anyone mentioned how poorly Dom played again? I am sorry I don’t see what he offers to the team. Also how is Robbo on corners he struggles to beat the first man nearly every time. Better than Szlob’s corners I suppose but there has to be someone else. The trying to walk it into the net rubbish has to change. The sooner Trent and Jota are back the better at least they can both shoot properly and test the goalkeeper. Salah has forgotten how to kick a ball at goal with any power whatsoever. Was a shambolic performance yesterday and they have thrown the title away just as they threw the F. A cup away. There is no one to blame but themselves.

09 Apr 2024 10:57:07
Give it a rest mate. Go touch some grass or something.

09 Apr 2024 11:04:10
I suppose we all see games differently but whilst Dom wasn't great on Sunday i also believe he was one of our biggest threats apart from the front 3.

He was finding himself in spaces between the lines and attacking UTD although his final pass or shot weren't always good.

I thought when Jones came on he played extremely safe and slowed us down which is great when you're winning games but we were drawing and behind at these times.

That's not to blame Jones mind but i think Szob coming off actually restricted a threat for us and i think Jones for Endo would have been the better hindsight choice as Jones could do his thing and we'd still have Doms running in behind.

09 Apr 2024 11:52:36
I agree with you mostly there about Jones JK23. In my opinion though, he has been out injured for a while, and like anyone who has had a good spell on the injured list, it does take time to get up to speed when they do get back.

This is also the problem I see with the other players soon to be back from injury who have been out for some time. We only have 7 league games left. TAA, Jota, Ali are probably out until 18th April, which leaves even fewer games to get up to speed, which might actually be a negative.

09 Apr 2024 12:40:50
Dom was poor, his decision making was awful against United, nothing wrong with saying it, he is still a class player but can't ignore how poor he was, constantly looking for Salah instead of switching so we had 2/ 3 on 1 situations cost us massively.

09 Apr 2024 12:55:14
I agree with h you jk I thought dom had a decent game and was definitely a threat, but he’s to be let loose and shoot more also. Also agree that jones comes on for Endo, the midfield of United had no threat what so ever and Elliot should been on earlier.

09 Apr 2024 19:06:39
More "scout spout".

09 Apr 2024 20:10:39
The “chief scout” should stick to actual “scouting” as player performance analysis is not his cup of tea, clearly. The guy can barely get the @scouting” part right.

09 Apr 2024 22:35:52
He’s a class player, in his first season, he’s shown enough.

10 Apr 2024 14:32:08
Whoever thinks Szlob played well on Sunday are fooling themselves. How he managed to not get hooked after 50 mins is beyond me. What game where you guys watching he was the worst player on the pitch. How l long do we wait for him to start playing well? Others should be ahead in the pecking order.

10 Apr 2024 17:54:33
We have had several new players for one to not live up to his talent first season is exeptional
most teams would of taken a season and half to settle in.

09 Apr 2024 10:05:25
Has anyone mentioned how poorly Dom played again? I am sorry I don’t see what he offers to the team. Also how is Robbo on corners he struggles to beat the first man nearly every time. Better than Szlob’s corners I suppose but there has to be someone else. The trying to walk it into the net rubbish has to change. The sooner Trent and Jota are back the better at least they can both shoot properly and test the goalkeeper. Salah has forgotten how to kick a ball at goal with any power whatsoever. Was a shambolic performance yesterday and they have thrown the title away just as they threw the F. A cup away. There is no one to blame but themselves.

09 Apr 2024 08:20:12
Hi Eds

Been reading for a while here and finally decided to post with your balanced and straight talking responses .

I remember a certain AVB being young super talented coach who won things in Portugal. went to chelsea and spurs . and let's face it . didn't set anything alight in terms of tactics or success.

Any concerns that the new favourite for our soon to be vacant managers post may follow the same path . or in ypur opinion is he vastly different to bot think about that?

Have a nice day!

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - it is always possible the new man might not be able to make the step up. He will be moving to a new country, dealing with a bigger club that he lacks inside knowledge of and bigger egos in the playing staff. But all the options out there are massive gambles. There is no sure thing, whoever comes in will be a huge gamble.

The difference between Amorim and AVB is experience and a proven track record as a head coach, rather than as an assistant. Amorim has trophies already and taken his team into European competition.}

09 Apr 2024 08:54:22
Ed, do we know how much of the backroom team will go with Klopp yet? I am assuming Mona and Kornmayer will go along with Ljinders, Matos and Big Pete. But what of the goalkeeping, medical, nutrition and conditioning departments?

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea sorry.}

09 Apr 2024 10:28:30
Achtenberg (the goal keeping coach) was from the previous regime and he stayed throughout Klopp's reign. So I imagine he is probably continuing. I hope Taffarel stays on too.

09 Apr 2024 11:46:05
For me it's almost impossible to judge how a manager will step up from a lesser league. I absolutely loved watch ten hag's Ajax team that got to the semis of a champions league. It was fluid, worked hard, pressed, skillful, attacking. Honestly, I really thought United got a good one. And maybe that potential is still there but look how it has gone for him. He clearly wasn't ready for the step up. Certainly his man management of big players doesn't seem great although that is a two way street. He is struggling and most likely will be sacked.

There are plenty of other bright sparks that haven't been able to step up.

So I certainly can't say for sure what will happen with Amorim. Particularly as a person who has only watched 70 minutes of Sporting play live against Benfica and some YouTube stuff.

2 things I think he has going for him that might help with the step up.

1. He smiles and jokes.

It might sound ridiculous but I think that's important. It will help build a better atmosphere on the training ground and help him connect with players and fans. You hope that doesn't make him a soft touch with the players but it doesn't seem that way at sporting where the players look like they would run through a brick wall for him. Liverpool players are no strangers to running through brick walls for a coach, so I think him enjoying himself and passing that onto the players is a good thing. It would be hard to go from Klopp to a coach who gives little of his personality away and is strictly business ruling with an iron fist. I don't think the Liverpool players would respond to that type of management. So I think he has the right personality.

2. Defence wins championships

He is a balanced coach that plays decent quick attacking football from what I saw but I cannot say for sure if his attacking structures will take off in the premier league from what I saw. I would hope they would. But defence on the other hand. I think that will certainly work in the premier league. It looks like all his players love defending. Every one of them scanning, filling in for each other, talking to one another, getting in challenges, being brave. The structure is great in my opinion. It's very difficult to go centrally through then. They push you to the wing and then suffocate you. I like it. Hard to see it not being very effective in the premier league if he gets the players but in.

If Alonso is definitely a no go (I would go ask again with a brief case full of money and a golden left boot engraved personally by Salah with a lovely message to Alonso. Probably allow another two weeks for Salah to complete a crash course in engraving. )

If it's still a no, then I think from everything I've seen, heard and read, then I think Amorim is our best bet. He really has had almost nothing but success so far. He is on the up. I think like Ed said, everyone is a gamble, I think I would gamble on him ahead of the others.

09 Apr 2024 07:41:46
Ed’s serious question, where have all the worlds top strikers gone; remember the 90s 00s they was a surplus of really top strikers, seem few and far between now.

{Ed001's Note - they got old and retired mate. Same happened to Pele and Maradona as well.}

09 Apr 2024 09:30:44
But where is the new generation, there seems a seriously lack of quality of strikers in the majority of leagues and nationalities. Take England for instance apart from harry kane there are no more top class English forwards whereas we had shearer sheringham fowler Cole Owen Ferdinand ect.

{Ed001's Note - because everyone is taught the same - how to pass, pass, pass and pass some more and to avoid giving the ball away by doing things like shooting.}

09 Apr 2024 20:15:16
Spot on, Ed01. Strikers back then were mavericks who were allowed to flourish with the talent they had naturally. Coaches built a system that would allow their natural ability to shine.

Now with Haaland as the big example here, he makes the same runs, the same movements all the time cos that’s how Pep wants him to do them hence, he cannot freelance using his natural ability. If he does, Pep is onto him like a rash. Sad.

09 Apr 2024 20:50:35
Nobody likes a brown nose WOli.

09 Apr 2024 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ork has posted a new article entitled, The case for keeping Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

09 Apr 2024 07:30:14
Have we now mathematically qualified for Champions League football next year?

09 Apr 2024 07:56:05
Technically no because there are currently only 4 spots for the champions league and we are 11 points off 5th with 21 available.

But it is looking increasely likely that there will be an extra spot awarded for the coefficient points due to how well the English teams are progressing in the european competitions but it is not decided yet.

If we do get the 5 spots then yes, we are 22 points infront of Man U in 6th.