Liverpool - 2017/18

montpelier

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This is all on Mourinho for me, if we'd gone to Anfield & smashed these 5-0 like what we should, LFC would have totally collapsed by now & none of this would be happening. Also, Firmino is crap & AOC is a terrible signing.

Thankfully, Karius looks like he might be even more useless than Mignolet & Lovren is still getting selected, :D.
 

zonaldefending

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I think Maguire is better and has more potential than Lovren and Klavan easily.

The fact remains you didn't HAVE to go big on VVD. There were other options available for less money or you could have gone overseas like United and picked up an Eric Bailly for 30m (IMO better than VVD already and younger).
Certainly there were other options out there then VVD that we could have gone for. But, if there is one thing that we have learned from Klopp is that he is ok waiting and getting the exact player that he wants. And, the good thing is, the owners are willing to back him. This is why I don’t think we’ll be replacing Coutinho this window and will go the rest of the season with what we have UNLESS the one player that Klopp wants becomes available.
 

montpelier

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the owners have just banked the Coutinho money, they had to do something a bit sensible with it to retain trust / credibility

jury is still out I reckon
 

TheReligion

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Well done Liverpool.

Enjoyed that yesterday. City lost their record and Liverpool showed they still can't defend a lead.
 

Roeindo

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Being the one team that cancelled out City's unbeaten run in PL is such an achievement considering that City team has beaten us and Chelsea away from home.

Classic high scoring game. I think we had the chance to do the similar damage to city if only we play more open. That chance ended up when our only striker doing defensive job by defending corner instead of standing in half way line waiting to counter attack. That striker failed to do both job.
 
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Pelé as a Comedian

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This is all on Mourinho for me, if we'd gone to Anfield & smashed these 5-0 like what we should, LFC would have totally collapsed by now & none of this would be happening. Also, Firmino is crap & AOC is a terrible signing.

Thankfully, Karius looks like he might be even more useless than Mignolet & Lovren is still getting selected, :D.
Wrong on both counts. Both are having a stellar season and on course to top their respective personal goals and assists records. Do yourself and your audience a favour and think your posts through before hitting the post button.
 

ShadesOfTomato

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the owners have just banked the Coutinho money, they had to do something a bit sensible with it to retain trust / credibility

jury is still out I reckon
Absolutely. FSG are probably especially chuffed at our recent form, because it's distracting from the fact we've sold our best player mid season and don't look likely to sign a replacement.
 

Dipper

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Great game on Sunday. Very happy with how things have progressed since the Spurs pasting.

Chamberlain seems to be a good acquisition so far, absolutely bossed it against City, he's shown he deserves to be in the midfield. I feel like his set piece delivery is something we have been sorely missing for quite some time.

Our run of form over this congested festive/new year period has been impressive and really put us in good stead for the remainder of the season, on thing for certain however is that Spurs at Anfield is a must win game, the earlier we can start putting them out of sight the better.

Only worry is that our performance against City might distract certain fans from the significance of selling our best player mid season without seeming to have a replacement lined up. Playing and beating an open and expansive attacking team like City without Coutinho is impressive. However, they're a very good stylistic matchup for us in general and we'd have had a good chance of winning with or without Coutinho. It's the small teams fighting for relegation, the teams who park the bus and defend for 90 minutes where we may find ourselves missing the genius and creativity of our former best player.

We've shown that we can struggle to break teams down at times and I guess we'll just have to see what happens but I wouldn't be surprised if we found ourselves suffering some very frustrating draws against lower table teams over the next few weeks.
 
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cyberman

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Feck I hate Monday night games la, good job I have Everton and Tranmere to follow as well to pass the time.
 
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montpelier

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Wrong on both counts. Both are having a stellar season and on course to top their respective personal goals and assists records. Do yourself and your audience a favour and think your posts through before hitting the post button.
Ah well, y'see, I was attempting to be fantastically amusing about some Red Cafe views of proceedings so my 1st para is a spoof, basically.

For the record, I think Firmino is very good & links beautifully when he's on his game. It was also a bit early to write-off AOC too but folks were getting stuck into him. (I hope this doesn't get me a ''Scouse Lover'' tag, :() - :lol: :lol:

And in light of your scathing critique, I am currently considering whether I have any worthwhile posting future. It feels a bit like like I might have been wasting my time making all these 7000+ brilliant & incisive contributions, tbh.
 

JustFootballFan

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Absolutely. FSG are probably especially chuffed at our recent form, because it's distracting from the fact we've sold our best player mid season and don't look likely to sign a replacement.
Would you feel better, if Klopp bought Carroll again? :D

Last year Liverpool had no VVD, no Salah, no AOC, no Gomez, no TAA, no Robertson, an awful Christmas period and still somehow finished top 4. Now half a season without Coutinho is the end? There is no guarantee that a new shiny toy like Lemar produces immediate results in a new league and country, just because you paid +€100M.
 

ShadesOfTomato

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Would you feel better, if Klopp bought Carroll again? :D

Last year Liverpool had no VVD, no Salah, no AOC, no Gomez, no TAA, no Robertson, an awful Christmas period and still somehow finished top 4. Now half a season without Coutinho is the end? There is no guarantee that a new shiny toy like Lemar produces immediate results in a new league and country, just because you paid +€100M.
Not the end, it's just that our front line now looks thin. Especially with Sturridge seemingly leaving. An injury to any of the usual 3 means we'd have to rely on Ings - who hasn't played first team football in two and a half years, or Solanke who is yet to score this season.

We got away with a thin squad last year because we had no Europe or FA cup - we're still in both as it stands. Not bringing in another attacker is a risk.
 

Stick

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Not the end, it's just that our front line now looks thin. Especially with Sturridge seemingly leaving. An injury to any of the usual 3 means we'd have to rely on Ings - who hasn't played first team football in two and a half years, or Solanke who is yet to score this season.

We got away with a thin squad last year because we had no Europe or FA cup - we're still in both as it stands. Not bringing in another attacker is a risk.
We're equally thin on the ground in central back, left back, right back and centre midfield. I dont me numbers wise but quality wise. I would much rather us sign an quality/experienced centre back and a goalkeeper who is commanding and confident. I dont know where to find them but I would prefer those investments than another striker. Solanke has shown great promise and hunger and Ings had a great scoring record before his unfortunate injuries.
 

Rafateria

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Not the end, it's just that our front line now looks thin. Especially with Sturridge seemingly leaving. An injury to any of the usual 3 means we'd have to rely on Ings - who hasn't played first team football in two and a half years, or Solanke who is yet to score this season.

We got away with a thin squad last year because we had no Europe or FA cup - we're still in both as it stands. Not bringing in another attacker is a risk.
Not necessarily relying on Ings. We've played with Salah as the CF and done well so I'd assume if Firmino were out at any stage then Salah would go centre with Mane on the left and AOC or Lallana on the right. Mane out and Lallana goes left. Salah out and AOC or Lallana right. Not perfect but it's not like we don't have any other options than Ings or Solanke. I'd prefer Studge to stay though .. he clearly has far better stats than Solanke from almost the same minutes in the PL this season.
 

ShadesOfTomato

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Not necessarily relying on Ings. We've played with Salah as the CF and done well so I'd assume if Firmino were out at any stage then Salah would go centre with Mane on the left and AOC or Lallana on the right. Mane out and Lallana goes left. Salah out and AOC or Lallana right. Not perfect but it's not like we don't have any other options than Ings or Solanke. I'd prefer Studge to stay though .. he clearly has far better stats than Solanke from almost the same minutes in the PL this season.
I think there's a big drop off in quality in any case. Ox and Lallana are far less effective in the front 3 than in midfield. I suppose Klopp may be looking at the likes of Solanke, Ings and Woodburn and thinking they can contribute, but not having a replacement lined up for Coutinho isn't great look for the club at all.

We're equally thin on the ground in central back, left back, right back and centre midfield. I dont me numbers wise but quality wise. I would much rather us sign an quality/experienced centre back and a goalkeeper who is commanding and confident. I dont know where to find them but I would prefer those investments than another striker. Solanke has shown great promise and hunger and Ings had a great scoring record before his unfortunate injuries.
We definitely need a new goalkeeper but left back? Moreno and Robertson have both been in great form. Can't see us signing a right back any time soon either.
 
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montpelier

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my theory is that Phil might recommend Albie to the Barca management - but that FSG then holding out for £ 85 Million for Moreno might scupper the deal, :(

(not a serious post, btw)
 

LMessi

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This is all on Mourinho for me, if we'd gone to Anfield & smashed these 5-0 like what we should, LFC would have totally collapsed by now & none of this would be happening. Also, Firmino is crap & AOC is a terrible signing.

Thankfully, Karius looks like he might be even more useless than Mignolet & Lovren is still getting selected, :D.
Firmino is anything but crap .... he is better than anything United have up front ..... probably even when Sanchez arrives. Time will tell.
 
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LMessi

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Apologies Monty .... I read on and seen that you were joking.

Obviously you were spot on about Karius.
 

Oga on top.

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We have lost a huge player in Coutinho and we have recouped a lot of money. Currently in this January transfer window high calibre players seem to be on the verge of moving clubs so I don't see why we wouldn't be replacing Phil now rather than in the summer? I am convinced we will beat Porto (don't ask why), we've got the league and we are still to play the FA cup so just sign someone now and give them a bedding in period of 7/8 months until the new season. If they can contribute this season than great. @ShadesOfTomato has got it fecking bang on. Because I know damn well if we get injuries it will be our best ones that suffer just look what happened already with VVD weekend gone, minor as it may be.
 

Rafateria

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We have lost a huge player in Coutinho and we have recouped a lot of money. Currently in this January transfer window high calibre players seem to be on the verge of moving clubs so I don't see why we wouldn't be replacing Phil now rather than in the summer? I am convinced we will beat Porto (don't ask why), we've got the league and we are still to play the FA cup so just sign someone now and give them a bedding in period of 7/8 months until the new season. If they can contribute this season than great. @ShadesOfTomato has got it fecking bang on. Because I know damn well if we get injuries it will be our best ones that suffer just look what happened already with VVD weekend gone, minor as it may be.
Well if you don't know Klopp's modus operandi by now you never will ;)
 

Oga on top.

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Well if you don't know Klopp's modus operandi by now you never will ;)
True :). I'm just desperate to see us win something :lol: so desperate. I would snatch someones arm of to take the FA cup and top 4 this season. You can hold your head high after a season like that. Trophyless again though? Hmm.
 

giorno

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The fact we make that list, have conceded 17 in 18 and it's perfectly normal that we did suggests that stat is not all they're making it to be...
 

Rafateria

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The fact we make that list, have conceded 17 in 18 and it's perfectly normal that we did suggests that stat is not all they're making it to be...
It's a good and relevant (to the quality of the GKing) stat ... unfortunately in Liverpool's case are the worst in the PL for the amount of goals conceded divided by the number of shots on target ! Two sides to the coin ;)
 

ShadesOfTomato

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It's a good and relevant (to the quality of the GKing) stat ... unfortunately in Liverpool's case are the worst in the PL for the amount of goals conceded divided by the number of shots on target ! Two sides to the coin ;)
Highlights how shit our keepers are, basically.
 

giorno

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It's a good and relevant (to the quality of the GKing) stat ... unfortunately in Liverpool's case are the worst in the PL for the amount of goals conceded divided by the number of shots on target ! Two sides to the coin ;)
Yeah, see, aside from the few games were Keylor was injured, our goalkeeping has been quite good too! It's just that while we may give up few shots per game, those shots we do give up tend to be the kind that's easier to score than miss...

If you give up 5 high-quality shots per game, you're likely to concede a lot of goals, even if you only give up those 5 shots. Even if you have a monster like Neuer in goal

Now, can't say that's the case with liverpool, but i'm just pointing out that conceding few shots isn't necessarily an indicator of a good defence
 

Irrational.

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Tonight's match just shows how one-dimensional they are.

In boxing terms, Liverpool are your classical slugger. They will KO you if you decide to go toe-to-toe with them, they love it. Show a bit of defensive nous, and they toil and quickly run out of ideas, and start swinging wildly for the one-punch knockout.

Pep was incredibly arrogant thinking he didn't need to adapt his tactics and could play Liverpool at their own game and beat them at Anfield. A lot of teams make the same mistake by pressing them high and trying to attack Liverpool head on. That is exactly what Jurgen has them trained for.

The Swansea manager summarised the blueprint to beating them perfectly when he said Liverpool are your F1 car, but you have to make them sit in London rush-hour traffic to win.

Tonight also showed how much they'll miss Coutinho if they don't replace him. His ability at FKs, creative passes in the final third and long-range strikes was incredible - he's bailed them out so many times. Today, instead, you had the likes of Can and Gomez trying to replicate the same - and they were failing miserably. 21 shots and only 4 on target. Firmino also looks like a lost sheep without him - they had a great understanding.

VVD is also not a top four level defender just yet. His passing tonight was poor and was at fault for the Swansea goal. The way Liverpool play he had so much time on the ball today and he resorted to trying Scholes-esque chips into the box. Oh, and not to mention being pushed up front in search of the winner and having balls hoofed to him. Not so beautiful now, eh Jurgen? His premature celebrations were also pretty funny. :lol:

All in all, I'm glad Liverpool have reverted back to type.

Never change, my Scouse friends.
 

Liver_bird

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Tonight's match just shows how one-dimensional they are.

In boxing terms, Liverpool are your classical slugger. They will KO you if you decide to go toe-to-toe with them, they love it. Show a bit of defensive nous, and they toil and quickly run out of ideas, and start swinging wildly for the one-punch knockout.

Pep was incredibly arrogant thinking he didn't need to adapt his tactics and could play Liverpool at their own game and beat them at Anfield. A lot of teams make the same mistake by pressing them high and trying to attack Liverpool head on. That is exactly what Jurgen has them trained for.

The Swansea manager summarised the blueprint to beating them perfectly when he said Liverpool are your F1 car, but you have to make them sit in London rush-hour traffic to win.

Tonight also showed how much they'll miss Coutinho if they don't replace him. His ability at FKs, creative passes in the final third and long-range strikes was incredible - he's bailed them out so many times. Today, instead, you had the likes of Can and Gomez trying to replicate the same - and they were failing miserably. 21 shots and only 4 on target. Firmino also looks like a lost sheep without him - they had a great understanding.

VVD is also not a top four level defender just yet. His passing tonight was poor and was at fault for the Swansea goal. The way Liverpool play he had so much time on the ball today and he resorted to trying Scholes-esque chips into the box. Oh, and not to mention being pushed up front in search of the winner and having balls hoofed to him. Not so beautiful now, eh Jurgen? His premature celebrations were also pretty funny. :lol:

All in all, I'm glad Liverpool have reverted back to type.

Never change, my Scouse friends.
In one, apart from the VVD bit, he created our best two chances in fact both him and Matip were our most creative players which sums up the problem.
Instead of analysing in depth the issues and the nuances around them ill just keep it concise and say we need a signing a Lemar/Fekir/Mahrez. We've lost one high output player and we need to replace him, it's sheer arrogance if we dont. Utter delusion from the club if they think this will suffice.
 

Klopper76

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It’s worth pointing out we’ve had dead performances like that with Coutinho in the side this season. It was a mix of a solid Swansea performance with a terrible Liverpool one.

We need to sign someone now to replace Coutinho I think.

Apart from the defending surrounding the Swansea goal, I thought Van Dijk was ok. He tried too hard though.