06 Feb 2024 09:54:05
When I heard Szobo and Darwin would be out, I feared for the selection. Klopp has got most selections and subs right this season but Gravenberch has been a blind spot for him. He’s miles off it. Elliott deserved to start yesterday.

On to the next one. It’s still in our hands.

1.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 10:19:20
Just a blip mate. We'll win every game now and go win the league.

2.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 10:32:03
Szob out for 7-8 games is the report.

On Nunez and Elliot they hardly covered themselves in glory on Sunday when they did come on.

3.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 10:40:20
It was the starting formation that cost us yesterday more than selection imo, if Endo was here he would of started instead of Gravenberch, we lack a really DM, that's our main problem in big away games.

4.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 12:57:25
Key is still going to be beating City at home - do that and we deserve to go on and win it. If not then it’s going to be tough.

5.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 14:34:33
Elliot in front of Trent imo would have made very little difference. We have a good game at the weekend to get back on track and we need a much improved performance. Then another week of training and the likes of Trent, Robbo, Salah should be up to speed.

6.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 14:47:02
Spot on, Salah. All that could go against us, went against us. The issue with this here is that the parts we could control, we did not and that is what frustrated me the most. Several of the stuff was just simply avoidable esp. the team selection esp. on that right side with Gravenberch in that midfield.

We left Macca on his own and he got overrun. VVD going to press Odegaard deep left the gap in behind for Havertz to run into with Konate left out on his own. He took himself out of the game, right there. I mean, I can keep going but I think I'll stop now and look forward to rebounding come the weekend vs Burnley.

7.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 14:04:43
Guessing Endo might be back in time for the next game? Depending on Bradley's situation I'd be tempted to stick him back in at RB and go with MacAllister, Endo, TAA in midfield. Just not feeling it with Gravenberch at the moment, he needs to improve quite a lot.

8.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 18:23:29
TAA over Curtis? Not for me.

9.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 18:31:54
Seeing as we are discussing midfielders, who does everyone think will need to be moved on, as I think we have too many central mids now. In order of importance for me at this precise moment:
1. Trent - He needs to be in midfield. Been saying it since he broke through, argued with Ed001 at the time and I will die on this hill. He has a special 'KDB ESC' ability and isn't the best defender.
2. Endo - We look so much better with him holding. Big gap at DM at the moment.
3. Jones - Made starting spot his own. Holds the ball well, gets around well, adding end product.
4. Szlob - Brings so much control and balance, our best B2B IMO.
5. Macca - Great versatility and vision. Prefer him at CM to DM.
6. Bajectic - The future of our DM position IMO. Untimely injuries hampered his progress, but people shouldn't forget how good he was performing. Great vision and passing ability plus protected the back 4 well. Looking forward to his return.
7. Elliot - Great energy and ability going forward. He presses hard but he leaves big gaps in the midfield that get exposed by teams that don't panic. More suited to a 10 role in Alonso system than an 8 in ours I think.
8. Grav - Victim of his own all round footballing competence and versatility I think. Definitely ability there and he could be great, but I worry he's got to much competition here to get the run he needs to develop into his potential at Anfield. I hope I am wrong and he develops into a great player as I don't hate him like some on here, but likewise it wouldn't suprise me to see him be surplus to requirements quite soon.
9. Thiago - Great player but can't be relied on to stay fit. Surplus.
10. Morgan - As above with Grav. Great potential but can't see it happening with us given those above.

Thoughts?

10.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 18:53:06
Every single player was trash on Sunday we never looked like winning the game or even drawing. One of the worst performances under Klopp for sure. Konate was back to his best headless chicken bambi on ice impressions, Jota was disgusting on the ball would take too long to mention how poor the players where. Can’t wait to have Bradders back in the team next game. Also can anyone please explain Lucho’s obsession with holding on to the ball for an age without passing so many occasions he should release quickly and go for a one two. Needs to get his head up a lot more and release so frustrating. Gakpo is a very average player along with Grayback.

11.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 19:49:14
@johnnyr1970: play our best dm at rightback and our right back in mf. c'mon mate, there is 3-4 midfielders at the club who start if fit and if young Conor carries on playing at the chelsea game level Trent starts on the bench ( wow I actually said that out loud)

12.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 20:13:41
@nicolBecker who is Lucho and Grayback?

13.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 20:21:13
There are way more examples of games where we’ve started poorly and come back to win thanks to impact from the bench and/ or change in tactics. One thing I hate about many fans analysis is the absolute statements that are made when they finally get the result that backs up their hypothesis.

14.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 22:09:59
Phil_LFC, the new prospects he has been scouting for the new DOF coming in next season.

15.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 22:23:04
Thank you Faithinworks. I was beginning to think I was on my own.

The thing is we probably played better in this game than we did in the FA Cup game at Arsenal but in that game we somehow managed to keep a clean sheet and picked them off at the end. I didn’t see the amount of hyperbole after that game that I’m seeing now and Arsenal were actually creating chances in that game.

This game could quite easily have gone the same way had we not gifted them a goal and the narrative would’ve changed to how resilient we are.

The end result clouds the analysis with most people but as we all know you can play well and lose just as you can play poorly and win. We played poorly but ultimately limited them to very few chances and only lost because of an individual error.

I’d have loved for us to be totally dominant and tear Arsenal up on their own patch and win 4-0 but was that ever really a possibility? Maybe it was if only we’d played Elliott instead of Grav and Nunez instead of Gakpo. Somehow I really don’t think so.

Everyone’s an expert after the event.

16.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 22:48:13
The game showed the squad is still too short of quality. Few injuries and its panic stations. Diaz right back etc ?.

17.) 06 Feb 2024
06 Feb 2024 23:34:35
LFC8 I think you’ll find Diaz went to right back because we were down to 10 men and needed a goal so took a risk.

We have more than enough quality options all over the park but especially in the fullback areas. Trent, Bradley, Gomez, Robbo and Tsimikas. That’s 5 quality players for 2 positions.

18.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 00:54:17
Crazy how people twist the truth just to push a narrative.

19.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 07:46:44
BP - I have watched the match back a couple of times now, and I have to say that I agree with your comments.

It's funny how watching after the live game when the apprehension and nerves are not involved gives you a different overall impression.

It's true Arsenal were 'at it' more than us in the first half, which I'm sure everyone would have expected, but they had very few direct attempts on goal.

Second half we were very comfortable until the gift.

In fact it was Arsenal that were looking more likely to concede.

So they had a huge slice of luck at Anfield when we were refused a stonewall penalty, and again on Sunday with the late Christmas present from Ali and Virg, oh and the fact that Gabriel should have been sent off too.

20.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 08:57:19
@ScouseJohn - where did I suggest playing a DM at right back? Endo, MacAllister, TAA in midfield with Bradley at Right Back was my suggestion.

21.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 08:58:09
@LiverpoolFC8, we have a very good squad but we have injury problems (oddly just like other clubs who are compelled to play every 3 or 4 days at an extremely high level of skill and intensity) . The game was an aberration compared to the overwhelming majority of 30 or so games we’ve already played this season - it was an exception. As an aside if you thought the squad was deficient you should have called it out in the transfer window.

22.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 14:19:29
Lucho is Diaz’s nickname and I call Gravenberch Gravyback don’t know why. I just wish Diaz could improve his general team play releasing the ball faster and making a run to receive a through ball. He try’s to beat his man every time and hardly ever does in fact he is quite easily dispossessed mostly. I think Trent Mac and Curtis can do the business in midfield whilst Szob is out. I can’t see Bradley losing his place now his energy and enthusiasm is contagious and benefits us greatly.

23.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 19:48:40
Aah thanks nicolBecker. Sorry I was genuinely confused. I would agree that diaz is probably trying a bit too hard atm but in last couple weeks i reckon he has improved. Not sure I agree about your view on Gakpo. He works hard and does well linking up players. But yeah Gravenberch is someone Im still undecided about. can't work out whether he has been badly trained or just thinks defending is beneath him.

24.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 20:37:46
LFC8, that's not true. Before the game, we were all (prolly you included) waxing lyrical about how deep our squad was literally 3 dadays befor the game and after we smoked Chelsea.

Suddenly, you and many others changed their tune after we played our worst game of the season, as if anyone could help what happened to Bradley, Szobo getting injured a day before the game, Darwin struggling with a bad foot with Robbo and Trent being not fit enuff to start but had to play due to the last minute absences. Give over, bro. It's boring now with the hindsight schtick.

25.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 20:41:10
@BP, I fully agree with you and KBL. Arsenal outworked us overall esp. in the first half and it was VVD's mistake that exposed us for the first goal. We fight our way back with Diaz not giving up on the play with Saliba waffling about and we scored.

In the second half, we weathered their storm and frankly, it was an even game with both teams canceling each other out (tho, we had very little in terms of chances) and the gift happens and it's all over. I stand by that cos like you, I watched the game with no emotion attached cos I knew the score before hand. We let them off the hook cos we could have done SO much better and so much more. We move.

{Ed025's Note - you never actually had them on the hook Oli..

26.) 07 Feb 2024
07 Feb 2024 21:01:26
there was only one team up for the win first half, very lucky to draw level just be4 half time, fitting that it was an OG, as we never looked liked scoring, what I did see, was the difference i the team when big Joe Gomez went at right back, plus for me Gomez should have started the match there, as Trent was nowhere ready for such a big game, we had enough players to go left back,