11 Jan 2024 01:11:46
2 wins out of 2 since Salah and Endo left us.

On the match, I appreciated that we went all out to win it in spite it being a 2 legged tie. Of course, it could have ended very differently if Fulham took their 2 chances on the break. But they didn't and we took ours, so I'm enjoying the win.

Kelleher, thought he could do better with their goal, but otherwise he was stable for the rest of the game.

Bradley, what a talent we have in him! Proper offensive minded fullback who defends well. And I like that he loves a tackle and is rather effective in attack.

VVD, made the error but bounced back and was pinging some nice balls to stretch Fulham in the 2nd half.

Konate, love his strength and aggression. A bit too much grabbing at times, but as long as he's not being blown for it, I'm cool.

Gomez, seems to be playing his best for us in LB. If only he had a better left foot. Still hoping one of those rasping drives goes in.

Elliot, think I like him better in midfield as he doesn't have the pace or trickery for wing play but is full of industry and has some quality on the ball.

Still waiting to see the best of Macallister. Perhaps only possible when Endo is back to play DM.

Gravenberch, hoping he will come good. But for someone with his athleticism, I liked to see more strength, hard work and as a CM, more tracking back with purpose and conviction. For the talent he has, more quality on the ball as well too I hope to see soon.

Jones, what energy, even after he was slightly hurt. Yes he got a huge deflection but he keeps driving the team forward with his dribbles, pressing.

Jota, no scoring boots on today but his neat and quick footwork in and around the box means there's always a chance somewhere.

Gakpo, has a good finish about him and pops up with goals here and there.

Diaz, back to his livewire self. Perhaps a good time to test him on RW? Only issue is it seems Bradley also likes to get to the byline, so that has to be worked out.

Nunez, say no more. We all know he needs better finishing and luck, but him on the pitch means, chaos, effort, spaces created for others, pace, power, opportunities. 2 assists and a point blank save to deny him a goal. I did also love for him to get smarter when holding up play, to win his battles with greater awareness around him to know when to use his strength and when to use other qualities to link up play or get past his man.

Enjoyed how we turn this game around. 2 games away from a trophy!

1.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 02:41:58
A great post mate, as per usual.

Gomez, this lad deserves a goal so much and when he get's one anfield is going to go mental, hopefully it's at anfield. I bet it's a right belter as well, fingers crossed we see it this season. The lad is doing exceptionally well.

Jones, he's quickly become one of our most important midfielders, he's faultless in my eyes and puts in 100%, what more can we ask for? this kid will go places with us and will be lifting a trophy or 4 very soon.

As I'm typing this I'm googling how old some of these players are, we have a very young squad. A squad more than capable of winning the lot, I'm really excited about what we have, now more then ever. We are future proof, we have incredible talent coming through and I'm certain, we're going to get more than the one trophy this season.

Usually I hate a long break from a game but it's needed. Bring on Bournemouth, it'll be a tricky one though because we have Fulham again only 3 days after. It'll be interesting to see how we rotate our players because at the end of the month it's jam packed.

2.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 04:17:10
Did you watch the match Ed1? I didn't watch it as it was 4.00 am in my place. Really interested to know how do you think Bradley is doing last night.

{Ed001's Note - it was 4am here too but I got up to watch it and he was very good. Early days but he did well.}

3.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 07:08:29
For the Bournemouth game I really hope Klopp plays Nunez on the left Jota through the middle and Diaz on the right. Midfield go with jones MacAllister and Elliott.
Think that’s our best front 6!at moment.

4.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 06:23:00
Come on Ed 1, don’t be stingy, he did very well! He was up against a very experienced winger, 2 players with good speed and strength on his wing and I thought he was the best performer on that side of the pitch. I just hope that he continues to do so well that Klopp is forced into thinking letting stay atm RB and TAA to midfield.

5.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 07:26:45
On the Joe Gomez goal situation I’ve convinced myself that he’s saving it up to win the title for us at the end of the season.

A Joe Gomez “aguero” moment may well lift anfield to the moon.

6.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 08:39:44
Mfahamee2, you live in Malaysia too?

7.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 08:11:38
Very good post indeed. Where are you now Ed001?

{Ed001's Note - Manila.}

8.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 08:54:31
Am not convinced on Gravenberch at all. Loses the ball all the time, falls over way to much and doesn’t track back! I am really pleased for Bradley the boy definitely has a bright future!

9.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 09:10:59
I feel like you're being a bit harsh on Kelleher. He was completely unsighted and it went through VVDs legs.

10.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 09:29:13
Very good sum up there sgynwa. I agree with pretty with all of that.

On Elliott for sure he lacks the pace to perform the role like Salah and when him and Diaz are on together as wings, there's simply not enough runners the other way. Rather than take Diaz out of the team who is playing really well, I completely agree that it's time to put Elliott in midfield again. Few years ago I did not like him in midfield but he has grown a Lot more physically now. He played excellent against Burnley starting there and I think he is our best option with the players we have missing to fill the gap there against Bournemouth.

We could all see Bradley was not at his best for the goal but that really was an error even more experienced players could make. He ran himself into the ground last night and drove the team on. He plays with a serious amount of heart. I exceeded my already lofty expectations of him. Having not played at this level before I was not expecting a fully polished article and he wasn't. But he looks ready to take big steps. There was so much in that performance that showed me a player that could rapidly make progress to a top RB. Very excited by him.

Him and Quansah are going to save us a tonne of money. Two super exciting prospects that we have to develop.

11.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 09:45:31
Good round up of last night's performance. Our success comes from having team mentality and I don't think there's another bunch of players around that want to be there for eachother, the fans and the club.

12.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 10:28:31
Nailed it, Sgynwa. You summed it up perfectly. For me, all we are doing is checking of each game with a win. We focus on the next game and ONLY on the next game. Allow others to talk their talk. Our manager and players have our guys mentally prepared to do the job that is right in front of them, not looking past any game until it is won and then, on to the next one. Long may that continue.

13.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 10:46:31
Nice one, Sgynwa.

Time for the winter break now. Hopefully a couple more options available for selection when we return.

14.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 11:23:55
Some of our players will always get more praise over others and some will get criticised more it’s just the nature of the beast.

I think it’s fair to say though that you don’t win as many games as we have this season or over the last few seasons carrying passengers at this level and maybe everyone is pulling in the same direction and doing their bit.

Either that or we’re the most successful team ever in Klopps era to play games with only 9-10 men whilst the likes of Wijnaldum, Kieta, Matip, Gravenberch and Jota have gone missing and contributed minimal to the cause.

15.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 13:01:00
I have actually managed to find some time and watch our last couple of games. Regarding last night, I though VVD started the match in one of his more blasé attitudes and sure he enough, his casualness led to the goal. However, he got better as the game went on.

Jones was excellent, one thing I have noticed in the last 2 games is how good he is at shielding the ball under pressure. When most players would go down, he just holds them off and the managers to get away with the ball, good quality to have.

I thought Elliot was unlucky to be subbed and Mac was needlessly giving the ball away a lot. Hopefully still settling after his injury.

Still a lot to do at the second leg though, Fulham shouldn't be underestimated.

16.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 20:21:43
Hope Szoboslai is back for Bournemouth. If not I'd play Elliott. I thought Gravenberch started ok w us, got a bit better then has just completely fallen away. I think there's a player in there he's very good in tight spaces. Just looks clumsy and a bit lost at the minute. But I think he'll come good. Diaz on the right Nunez left Jota through the middle. Jota has been sensational the last two games.

We'll have our hands full at Bournemouth Senesi Kluivert Solanke Christie all playing very well.

17.) 11 Jan 2024
11 Jan 2024 21:50:42
Kelleher seems to have a problem with balls hit low and close to him. He falls backwards and kicks his legs forward which makes him smaller and easier to get the ball past. It’s tough for him because we are so used to seeing Ali save everything that when a shot like Willian’s goes in it just doesn’t look right.

He did well but I think Ali saves that all day long.

I’m torn on Elliott right now. He doesn’t do enough when played in the front 3 and is defensively poor when played in midfield. He’s great to come on when we need a goal as he’s just asked to attack and be direct which is his game. When we are trying to keep possession or manage a game I think he struggles.

He’s really a number 10 but we don’t play with a traditional 10 so he needs to adapt or I just can’t see him starting when everyone is fit and he’ll end up leaving.

If Dom is back after the break it’s got to be Mac, Dom and Jones for the foreseeable future until Endo is back and we see what shape he’s in.

I’d agree that Nunez left, Jota middle and Diaz right is the best front 3 until Salah comes back.

18.) 12 Jan 2024
12 Jan 2024 06:34:32
Becks I agree on Elliott. The lad was clearly disappointed last night coming off and I think Gravenberch didn't help him. Elliott is a tidy player who works so hard and I think sitting deep and picking a pass is his game ie a 10. He's been effective coming on 20-30 left against tired legs and more open games. Tight games w a sitting block he's not as effective. I think next season if Gravenberch kicks on and Macca is pushed to 8 Elliott slides further down the pecking order.