Liverpool 2014/15 | WARNING: Contains strong amounts of Scouse nonsense

[caid]

I'd be more worried about them if they bought or were being linked with a good dm and defenders.

It'd be so easy to upgrade that area of their team its not funny.
Sturridge, Sterling et al wont get anywhere close to scoring the goals that suarez was giving them last year
but if they weren't giving away so many, they'd score enough to beat most teams fairly comfortably imo.

But gerrard is going to be their dm midfielder again next year by the looks of things
and they're going to ship goals at a stupid rate again.
So i think they're going to be top 4 at best with current squad and probable signings.
Dont think they'll be title challengers or even particularly close.

Last season was a bit of a freak as far as injuries and form goes.
But i do think they've got some good players and rodgers ... works for them.
They'll be no pushovers for getting in the top 4 and i'd rate them quite a bit higher than everton and tottenham.
With out current squad (hopefully we get some more players in), I'd say were probably closer to competing with them 3 than
chelsea and city really.

Mourinho and Pellegrini have had a year and in the job and i think it'll benefit them a lot.
Both are great managers too so expecting van gaal to be the difference between our squads is a tall order, especially in his first year.

 

[Moonred]

Decent squad nothing more, they will suffer with european involvement. Losing Suarez is huge and last season's performance have raised expectation which will be detrimental to their progress.

 

[ShadesOfTomato]

Relax now, Tomato. If anything I was downplaying United in my post. And most would agree that you'll find it hard to replicate last season's success - for a number of reasons. But the main ones are, in my opinion, that both Chelsea and Arsenal have strengthened over the summer - and might do so further - whereas you're weakened from the loss of Suarez.

United have strengthened too - not least in the manager department. It's not madness to suggest that both Liverpool (from 2nd) and United (from 7th) are both in roughly the same boat - with 4th as their immediate target.

No doubt fourth is the target for you guys, but I'm expecting/hoping for another title challenge from Liverpool.

The first ten games of the season will tell us a lot.

Right, a team going from 7th to top 4 in a single season has never happened before. Oh wait..

But Rodgers' impact wasn't instant. It took a season for him to get his feet under the table & 5 seasons for us as a club to get back into the top four.

 

[johnny boy]

I wouldn't be worried about Liverpool tbh. It's blatantly obvious they're going to fall back to the 5-8 position where they belong. They're looking more and more like a mid-table side now that they've just bought Southampton.

They sold the best striker in the world and bought Rickie Lambert... lol. Liverpool just don't buy Superstars. They just sign the unknowns or guys who were already at smaller clubs already (like Lallana). I wouldn't get my hopes up about them signing a superstar if I was an LFC fan. Brendan is probably gonna do a Spurs and spend the 75 million by paying over the odds for guys like Lovren, Moreno, Lukaku and Rodriguez (that's JAY Rodriguez, not JAMES...) when he should be on his knees kissing Cavani and Balotelli's feet and begging them to come to Anfield. They need a world class replacement cause right now, they look like a mid table side.

Just to point out United (currently a mid-table club on last seasons evidence) just spent £30m on a player from a "smaller club". A lot on here said it was blatantly obvious we wouldn't even make top 6 last season.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Just to point out United (currently a mid-table club on last seasons evidence) just spent £30m on a player from a "smaller club". A lot on here said it was blatantly obvious we wouldn't even make top 6 last season.

That's true. And it should teach us to show some caution when shouting out predictions too loudly.

The only thing I feel reasonably sure about is that next season will be tight. Top four won't be easy for anyone. I do think, however, that expecting a title challenge from Liverpool on the evidence of last season alone - is naive. This season will be...different.

But to simply write off Liverpool completely, as some have done, is premature at best.

 

[AltiUn]

Just to point out United (currently a mid-table club on last seasons evidence) just spent £30m on a player from a "smaller club". A lot on here said it was blatantly obvious we wouldn't even make top 6 last season.

I know you have a little girly giggle to yourself every time you say it but unfortunately a midtable team would have finished in the position 9-11 as that is the actual middle of the table

 

[johnny boy]

That's true. And it should teach us to show some caution when shouting out predictions too loudly.

The only thing I feel reasonably sure about is that next season will be tight. Top four won't be easy for anyone. I do think, however, that expecting a title challenge from Liverpool on the evidence of last season alone - is naive. This season will be...different.

But to simply write off Liverpool completely, as some have done, is premature at best.

Fair comments, thankfully. We are not being naive, it's clear it will be a tough campaign, you have to compete for the title regularly not just over one season. However, to write us off already I think is also , as you correctly say - premature.

 

[NK86]

No doubt fourth is the target for you guys, but I'm expecting/hoping for another title challenge from Liverpool.

The first ten games of the season will tell us a lot.



But Rodgers' impact wasn't instant. It took a season for him to get his feet under the table & 5 seasons for us as a club to get back into the top four.

Yes but you guys were perennial mid table for 5 years before Rodgers came and thus it took him time. Unlike us, which is just a blip.

 

[johnny boy]

I know you have a little girly giggle to yourself every time you say it but unfortunately a midtable team would have finished in the position 9-11 as that is the actual middle of the table

Indeed, however...on here we were regularly called mid-table when we finished just outside the top 6. So I am afraid that still stands.....

 

[AltiUn]

Indeed, however...on here we were regularly called mid-table when we finished just outside the top 6. So I am afraid that still stands.....

Oh go on then, I'll let you have it!

 

[johnny boy]

Oh go on then, I'll let you have it!

Thanks! For what it's worth I think you will finish higher next season.

 

[Oneunited26]

The problem liverpool face, allot of their signings seem very quantity thank quality, allot of numbers but its not really improving them, seems like 2002/03 all over again for them

 

[Chesterlestreet]

I think they're improvements - but perhaps improvements of the sort which won't make a dramatic difference, and perhaps not right away.

The crucial part, though, is whether they're players who can come in and work within Rodgers' system. If that system truly works, over time, Liverpool won't go away. And if that happens I'll stand bloody well corrected - because in all honesty I didn't rate Rodgers all that highly.

 

[PickledRed]

That's irrelevant - money in the bank is not going to win you games next year.

Oh right, thanks.

 

[Dumbstar]

Relax now, Tomato. If anything I was downplaying United in my post. And most would agree that you'll find it hard to replicate last season's success - for a number of reasons. But the main ones are, in my opinion, that both Chelsea and Arsenal have strengthened over the summer - and might do so further - whereas you're weakened from the loss of Suarez.

United have strengthened too - not least in the manager department. It's not madness to suggest that both Liverpool (from 2nd) and United (from 7th) are both in roughly the same boat - with 4th as their immediate target.

Et tu, Chesterlestreet? You're not falling for this too, Shirley?

Any manager that comes into the premier league will have first season syndrome. Even Mourinho who had a better squad last season than you do even now finished behind....Liverpool of all teams. And he was hailed as the genius and the chosen one - for some good reason too.

LvG isn't hailed as those things yet - for some good reason too. So why will he outdo a manager that's already won two PLs and seen it all before? Its called settling in period, all managers need it.

Us losing Suarez vs you having LvG does not equal the same thing.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Et tu, Chesterlestreet? You're not falling for this too, Shirley?

Any manager that comes into the premier league will have first season syndrome. Even Mourinho who had a better squad last season than you do even now finished behind....Liverpool of all teams. And he was hailed as the genius and the chosen one - for some good reason too.

LvG isn't hailed as those things yet - for some good reason too. So why will he outdo a manager that's already won two PLs and seen it all before? Its called settling in period, all managers need it.

Us losing Suarez vs you having LvG does not equal the same thing.

Oh, I'm not getting all giddy, believe me. I have doubts about Van Gaal - some of which I hardly dare utter, and certainly not on here.

But he's no mug - and Moyes looked like just that last season. So, there's clear improvement there. Plus, we've bought an actual, decent-at-worst midfielder. That's an immense improvement.

But shooting right to the top as though nothing had happened - like a certain Alex Ferguson not being around anymore - no, I certainly don't expect that.

Bullet points!

• United have strengthened. How much, time will tell - but we have strengthened. And we might strengthen further.
  
• No European football. Worked like a charm for you last season.
• First season syndrome - yes. But: new life blown into the team, a new manager who won't face the issues Moyes struggled with (lack of excitement/spirit from the players).

 

[Dumbstar]

Shamelessly nicked from an LFC forum (not RAWK) but it needs to be seen:

Total Clear Cut Chances Created last 2 seasons:
37 Suarez
27 Baines
25 Lambert
24 Silva
23 Mata, Cazorla
22 Coutinho
21 Hazard, Snodgrass

Remembering Coutinho has only had 1.5 seasons compared to the others. Now for the mind blowing stat:

Mins per Clear Chance Created last 2 seasons (min 15):
Coutinho 148,
Suarez 160,
Silva 195,
Walcott 196,
Mata 209,
Nasri 215,
Baines 232

Courtesy of Dan Kennett.

 

[peterstorey]

22 clear-cut chances but only 7 went in - 15 on Sturridge's right foot then?

 

[Dumbstar]

The chances don't have to be taken, so all 22 could have been on Sturridge's right foot.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Someone needs to explain this. I'm too thick to get it. How frequently does Coutinho create a clear-cut chance? One every...X...minutes?

 

[peterstorey]

22 clear-cut chances but only 7 went in - 15 on Sturridge's right foot then?

He got 7 assists so some of them must be have been on his left.

 

[Dumbstar]

They could have bounced in off his arse. Only Suarez scores goals on our team.

 

[Grinner]

What the feck is a clear-cut chance?

 

[BorisontheRock]

Someone needs to explain this. I'm too thick to get it. How frequently does Coutinho create a clear-cut chance? One every...X...minutes?

About once every 3 halves of football.

 

[njred]

Unlike us, which is just a blip.

Just a blip???? Moyes set you back years. So you lot said after last season. It's a big fecking blip. Another season in the wilderness for united it seems till VG gets rid of the malcontents.
A blip

 

[AltiUn]

What the feck is a clear-cut chance?

Seems like the mysterious "chances created" stat where basically you have to have looked at the ball for it to count.

 

[Grinner]

A clear-cut chance for Suarez probably isn't one for Carrollol

 

[Rykker_4united]

A "Clear cut chance" is an "almost assist'

feck the Assist on an assist stat! Liverpool are onto bigger and better things: The almost assist.

 

[BorisontheRock]

I'd be more worried about them if they bought or were being linked with a good dm and defenders.

It'd be so easy to upgrade that area of their team its not funny.
Sturridge, Sterling et al wont get anywhere close to scoring the goals that suarez was giving them last year
but if they weren't giving away so many, they'd score enough to beat most teams fairly comfortably imo.

But gerrard is going to be their dm midfielder again next year by the looks of things
and they're going to ship goals at a stupid rate again.
So i think they're going to be top 4 at best with current squad and probable signings.
Dont think they'll be title challengers or even particularly close.

Last season was a bit of a freak as far as injuries and form goes.
But i do think they've got some good players and rodgers ... works for them.
They'll be no pushovers for getting in the top 4 and i'd rate them quite a bit higher than everton and tottenham.
With out current squad (hopefully we get some more players in), I'd say were probably closer to competing with them 3 than
chelsea and city really.

Mourinho and Pellegrini have had a year and in the job and i think it'll benefit them a lot.
Both are great managers too so expecting van gaal to be the difference between our squads is a tall order, especially in his first year.

Spot on, it's easy to write off Suarez's goals and assists, but it has to be said that Liverpool were very good in attack last year, particularly early on when they blitz teams, if I was a Liverpool fan I'd be worried about my defence which was shocking, and generally worried that the team was styled around Suarez. I actually saw more of Liverpool than I would normally like and admit too last season (they were entertaining to watch particularly as an ABL fan!!). It seemed that the general plan was to move the ball forward quickly with sterling, sturridge and coutinho, using Suarez as the star attraction to distract defenders, create space or do something genius. In those games where Suarez couldn't create space of the attackers, or produce magic, Liverpool struggled. For me the biggest issue will be that Liverpool miss the scare factor in attack, sterling can be doubled up, sturridge can be isolated, coutinho can be pressured and Liverpool will need to overload the attack leaving the creaking defence even more exposed.

To expand, it's actually midfield that leaves the defence exposed, with Henderson having to push on and Gerrard not having the legs/desire to track, the defence is exposed to runners. It's the main issue our defence had with our static/non existent midfield (other than Evras walk abouts).

Unless Liverpool get a magician or change their style I can't see them replicating their success, and if they change their style to a patient build up, the major attributes of sterling and sturridge will be blunted.

 

[Rykker_4united]

Just a blip???? Moyes set you back years. So you lot said after last season. It's a big fecking blip. Another season in the wilderness for united it seems till VG gets rid of the malcontents.
A blip

There it is lads. Lets not even watch next season, we are guaranteed to fail again on our targets.

Oh, and for you:

 

[AltiUn]

As much as I hate them and discredit everything they do I think they're still going to get top 4 comfortably.

 

[Eila]

How has Yesil been growing up? I remember him being a class above the other boys at u-17 level. It's disappointing that he's barely played pro games.
Emre can also looked very good, but that one is a safer bet, with his Bundesliga experience.

 

[Mindhunter]

Spot on, it's easy to write off Suarez's goals and assists, but it has to be said that Liverpool were very good in attack last year, particularly early on when they blitz teams, if I was a Liverpool fan I'd be worried about my defence which was shocking, and generally worried that the team was styled around Suarez. I actually saw more of Liverpool than I would normally like and admit too last season (they were entertaining to watch particularly as an ABL fan!!). It seemed that the general plan was to move the ball forward quickly with sterling, sturridge and coutinho, using Suarez as the star attraction to distract defenders, create space or do something genius. In those games where Suarez couldn't create space of the attackers, or produce magic, Liverpool struggled. For me the biggest issue will be that Liverpool miss the scare factor in attack, sterling can be doubled up, sturridge can be isolated, coutinho can be pressured and Liverpool will need to overload the attack leaving the creaking defence even more exposed.

To expand, it's actually midfield that leaves the defence exposed, with Henderson having to push on and Gerrard not having the legs/desire to track, the defence is exposed to runners. It's the main issue our defence had with our static/non existent midfield (other than Evras walk abouts).

Unless Liverpool get a magician or change their style I can't see them replicating their success, and if they change their style to a patient build up, the major attributes of sterling and sturridge will be blunted.

The biggest factor will be the fact that Sterling and Sturridge won't get away by playing just one game a week. The moment they are rested, they will be replaced by Lallana and Lambert and that is where they will struggle.

 

[ZDwyr]

How has Yesil been growing up? I remember him being a class above the other boys at u-17 level. It's disappointing that he's barely played pro games.
Emre can also looked very good, but that one is a safer bet, with his Bundesliga experience.

He has done his ACL hasn't he? Or maybe I am imagining that. Will have set him back though.

 

[NK86]

Just a blip???? Moyes set you back years. So you lot said after last season. It's a big fecking blip. Another season in the wilderness for united it seems till VG gets rid of the malcontents.
A blip

Laugh all you want. I know you lot are shit scared. Got a top 4 finish for the first time in years (I understand how big a deal it is for a perennial mid-table side). Lost your best player and replacing him with an average bunch (Lambert ). Yours will be the place we will take in the top 4. And then we can all call you lot a one season wonder. Laughing could actually help you keep that dismay at bay. So I don't mind it. Add a few more smileys if you like.

 

[NoPace]

They won't score 101 goals again.

Citeh had 102, Chelsea 71 and Arsenal 68. Suarez leaving and teams doing a better job of sitting deeper against them rather than allowing space in behind means they should be closer to the latter figures than the triple digits.

They probably won't concede 50 again either, though. That's a ton. Gerrard as the DM will hurt as he loses even more mobility (and he doesn't have the defensive nous to make up for it), but I think teams will be a bit more conservative against them, so I see them cutting their amount conceded by 5 or 10 but losing 20-25 goals, so 4th or 5th place looks likeliest to me.

Still 6 weeks of transfer time left, though, and they should have money to spend. They should probably spend a feck off amount on the single best CB they can find. They need a dominant one even worse than we do, especially with Rodgers' aggressive (and generally effective) style and Gerrard at DM.

Long-term, they still scare me as Rodgers has had them playing mostly brilliant football for a season and a half now, and has done it with some players that could be massively upgraded. He has the potential to do what Simeone did and turn some Europa League talents into world beaters. Don't think it will be right away, though.

 

[redman5]

I think they're improvements - but perhaps improvements of the sort which won't make a dramatic difference, and perhaps not right away.

The crucial part, though, is whether they're players who can come in and work within Rodgers' system. If that system truly works, over time, Liverpool won't go away. And if that happens I'll stand bloody well corrected - because in all honesty I didn't rate Rodgers all that highly.

If Lallana, Can, & Markovich can make the same instant impact that Coutinho & Sturrdige made, then we'll be in business.

If they make the same impact as Borini & Aspas, then we'll be in trouble.

 

[Sky1981]

IMO:

They'll be strong and solid, continuing from last season. The 1-5th position is not a given, I can see them battling fiercely for 4th or 5th (with losing steam on the last 2-3 months) and ended up 5th with the rest battling for 1-4th

Suarez is a very big gap to fill, Gerrard is a year older, and it's yet to be seen whether their boys will be able to maintain their performance last season. Their new striker would have to click instantly, and they can't afford to miss too many points going for 4th.

I'm not sure about their actual line up, but defense looks shaky to me, and without the threat of Suarez, I'd think teams will be less pressurized and can attack more. I do think Mignolet is a solid keeper though.

Midfield - It's interesting to see how Rodger would play Gerrard this season, with his age catching up and the pressure of CL games in between.

Striker - Not sure, have to see who they brought to replace Luiz

Coach - It's a testing ground to see whether B-rod can adapt from losing Suarez and he will need to develop a new pattern with so many new players, rotation, and extra matches altogether.

All and all 4-5th is my prediction with potentially 6-7th if last season is a fluke, and 3rd at best if they can keep their form from last season

 

[johnny boy]

We played some of the best football in the league last season, I still think we will do well this coming one. The squad is already stronger and that was one of our few weaknesses last season. The signings we have made add quality & depth.

If people want to write us off for top 4 then so be it, time will tell. I think we will be up there challenging again. People also need to remember the transfer window is still open, we don't have the complete picture yet.

 

[Jayvin]

. Yours will be the place we will take in the top 4.

Yep, that's what has me so excited about this season. It almost makes last season worth it.