10 Jan 2021 21:36:11
Hi Ed001, just read that Sepp van den Berg looking likely to go out on loan this month? Do you think this is a good move for him and is it clear that he is well down the pecking order even as cover?

{Ed001's Note - he needs games but it is impossible to say if it is a good move until after it is over.}


1.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 01:21:17
It seems to me - with no insider information - that Klopp prefers R Williams, Phillips and perhaps even Billy Koumetio ahead of him. Ignoring the fact that we chose to field no recognised CBs against Southampton despite all 4 being fit, I'd say he's far from ready tbh.

I did post a comment a while back, referencing an interview Billy Beane gave to the Liverpool Echo. He seems to be of the opinion that signing VDB was a calculated gamble, on a very young player we had senior-level data on. I would suggest a loan move supports that.


2.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 07:04:43
I have to proclaim myself disappointed with Liverpool’s younger centre backs in terms of their pace. Apart from possibly Koumetio, none of them are particularly quick.
It just seems really disjointed transfer business; all the first team centre backs are extremely mobile and virtually all the back-ups / younger ones aren’t!
The current problems are of our own making if that’s the case?


3.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 12:43:41
Jurgen and his staff insist on the defence playing a high line where the crunch point for tackles and interceptions is pushed towards the halfway line, whereas Rhys Williams lack of pace leaves him more suited to playing deeper where the crunch point is near the edge of the penalty area. They clearly feel that his prowess in the air, ability with the ball at his feet and his passing is worth the risk of him being caught out for pace. Though this lack of pace has led to at least two goals lately they obviously feel from what they see in training that he is preferable to the other options.

{Ed001's Note - it is not his lack of pace that is the problem, it is his reading of the game and inability to defend. The goals have come because he is going the wrong way and positioning himself badly. Instead of dropping off to give himself a yard or two head start, he runs forward every single time. Until he learns to do the basics, he will never be of any use to us, even if he was quicker than Usain Bolt, because he would still behind the attacker and chasing back.}


4.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 14:30:47
Spot on, Ed01. Williams is not able to read the game and that is his biggest flaw right now. In the Villa game, he gets right on Barry whereas we all saw that the pass was on even before it was released and all Barry had to do was spin him and he was away. That can happen to any defender regardless of whether he is pacy or not.

Williams should have just diagnosed the play a bit earlier, drop deep to allow himself room to contain the runner and give him a better chance. Same thing in the Spurs game, he gets caught underneath the ball that let's Bergwijn in. Vs WBA, he does not drop deep to contain grant early enuff. He needs to be smarter and learn very quickly cos this is the big leagues where sometimes, he will have to fend for himself a bit.

{Ed001's Note - this is basic stuff he should know as a small child, let alone by now. If your man is quicker than you, then you drop off and give yourself time to react. You don't sell yourself in the challenge, you jockey them and play for time so others can help out. These are the kind of things the academies are failing to teach.}


5.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 14:42:54
Ed01, I fully agree but do you think Williams just panics in these situations cos like you say, these are the basics of defending?

{Ed001's Note - I don't think he has learnt them because they focus so much on technique and passing the ball etc, not enough time on actually learning the game itself.}


6.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 17:20:08
Putting aside whether you think they're good enough to play for us ed, would you start R Williams or Phillips if you had to chose?

{Ed001's Note - Phillips.}


7.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 17:51:59
Henderson, lol.


8.) 11 Jan 2021
11 Jan 2021 18:37:30
R Williams, while being a decent defender for his age, should not be playing for Liverpool first team,
see how he has improved in a few years,
the only way to win something this season is to bring in a quality centre back,
otherwise, it won't happen, not doom and gloom,
just how it is, I will go with whatever the club sees fit,
I am just waiting on VVD to return .