30 Jul 2021 10:54:43
Good morning fellow reds.
I hope you are all in good form coming into the bank holiday weekend. I don't really read too much out of pre season friendlies as it is just a step by step process for match sharpness and fitnes. However its easily noticeable that when we substituted Mane and Salah who are both worldies that the quality of our attacks become mediocre. Jota who is a very good player doesn't have the same impact as either of the other two, Mino who is also a good player is just too light for the premiership and Ox well he was playing some fantastic stuff before his horrific injury but I don't think he's ever going to get close to recapturing that form in a red shirt ever again. I know we will loose them for a couple of games for the AFCON but heaven forbid if both of them got injured for a long period at the same time we'd be in deep s##t. The same can be said for our midfield outside of Hendo, Fabs and Thiago the same applies Jones has great potential but needs to concentrate about his positional play more, milly who is the ultimate professional and who I love gives 100 % every time but he's 36 and its starting to show in games and last but not least Keita showed some glimpses of form pre season but for me isn't near good enough, doesn't work hard enough for the team, loves going forward but can't be arsed to help out most times when we are defending. What I am stating I know is obvious to everyone but I do think we really are 2 players short of where we need to be. It happened to us last year by not replacing Lovern and it could well happen to us this year if we choose not to replace gini. Lightening can strike twice espically with our luck or lack of it, sure maybe one of the young lads might come good and have a wonder season Elliot has great potential loves been on the ball reminds me of Grealish a bit, Jones likewise great talent and still only a chap. But imo if we could get Bossiuma (spelling 🤔 ) and Bowen in then that would be great and help our HG quota too, in an ideal world I wish it was sombody like Saul and Chiesa but Saul is too expensive and Chiesa is going to be a Juve player once they make the loan move permanent. We really need 2 players imo and I'm sure Kloop knows who he wants but I would be very disappointed if we didn't add to these 2 positions for the coming season. I think Philips, Shaq and Origi will be sold along with possibly a loan move for maybe Minamino. Here's hoping that we can get some business done in the next couple of weeks and give this season a real go again on all fronts. Wishing you all a great weekend.

Notsozippy

YNWA.


1.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 11:48:37
Think you’re being unfair on Jota, he returned to pre season this week so is way behind Salah and Mane in his return to fitness. He showed last year that he can be a vital player for us who scores goals when called upon.

From what ed2 has said, the priority is a versatile forward before a cm.


2.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 11:52:05
Our midfield without Henderson and Fabinho is almost non existent. Keita is clearly the kind of midfielder who thinks getting his hands dirty is beneath him (his agent also said this too), we just can’t afford to carry a player like that when they don’t deliver at the other end. At least Thiago does press and try to tackle (albeit rashly) . Keita just looks like he doesn’t want to get his boots dirty.


3.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 12:34:45
Alright Shaq Attack

I didn't mean for it to come across that I don't rate Jota I think he is a great player but obviously not in the same bracket as Salah and Mane. All I ment was that let's say a forward line of Jota, Firimino and let's say Minamino is going to be less prolific during the AFCON. To the current front 3 Jota is the next best but after that we you know yourself so that's why I think we need another versatile forward.

Regards

Notsozippy.


4.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 16:32:39
Our first goal came from Keita winning the ball back. Why make up a post VVVV.


5.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 16:34:25
Jota was excellent before his injury and never got back to that level. Lots of positives in how we closed out the season. We have Konate, Virgil, Joe and Joel to come back in, Tsimikas sounds much improved. Curtis is another year older, Trent is still developing, Robbo is Robbo. The big questions for me are can Mane and Bobby pick up their form from last season? How big an impact might Elliot have coming off the bench? Our mid should be more than solid barring injuries. Thiago started to look like a player end of the season. Take that into the new season and we won't be a pushover for anyone. Our biggest threat is injuries w the smaller squad.


6.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 17:18:45
We will definitely need Mane back to his best Redflyer.


7.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 19:02:55
Keita clearly had a better game than average. His average. He does it every pre-season.

{Ed0666's Note - he looked good because everyone wasn’t fit when everyone’s up to speed he’ll stink the place out again.


8.) 30 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 20:03:30
Ed0666, I'd like him gone just as much as anyone. But Klopp's the Boss. He wants that position played a certain way and he feels Keita can do it. Who am I to argue?

{Ed0666's Note - I think it’s more of case that he plays him cos he can’t be shifted. Of course there’s better players than keita for that position but no one will take a punt due to high wages, injury record, attitude, WP limitations and he’s not a good footballer anymore.


9.) 31 Jul 2021
30 Jul 2021 20:05:07
Hahahaha come on. "I don't really read too much out of pre season friendlies as it is just a step by step process for match sharpness and fitnes. However. " Massive load of waffle full of broad sweeping statements, assessments and assumptions. Giz a break mate, we haven't even got started yet.