Last seasons Top 4, I guess!Spurs, West Ham, United and Chelsea are the top 4 teams currently
This is their biggest issue and why it's great Klopp seems a bit pissed about transfers (or lack thereof). Feel like if Man/Salah go to AFCON they will struggle to keep up with the rest.If any of those teams fail to get top 4 (unless they have a lot of injuries) then something is really wrong. A lot of great talent there and it feels like they could pull away from the other usual top 4 contenders.
Weaknesses/question marks for me are:
United's midfield/right back
City's strikers
Chelsea's keeper...I think Mendy has looked decent but i'm not 100% sure about him sometimes
Liverpool's overall squad depth. Their first 11 is easily a match for anyone.
Kelleher over Kepa? Come on mate, I know Kepa is a meme but this is laughable - has Kelleher even made 5 PL appearances?Removing the same amount of key players in each position per team here are the strongest possible line ups:
Liverpool:
Kelleher
Neco Gomez Konate Tsimikas
Jones Keita Ox
Elliott Jota Minamino
Utd:
Cavani Greenwood Martial
VdB Matic Lingard
Telles Bailly Lindelof Dalot
Henderson
Chelsea:
Kepa
Sarr Azpi Silva Chalobah Alonso
Niguaz Loftus
Ziyech Werner Odoi
Keeper: 1) Utd, 2) Liverpool, 3) Chelsea
Defence: 1) Chelsea, 2) Liverpool, 3) Utd
Midfield: 1) Liverpool, 2) Chelsea, 3) Utd
Forwards: 1) Utd, 2) Chelsea, 3) Liverpool
Midfield was the very closest battle but with the number of PL games played gave it to Liverpool. Niguaz hasn't even played yet. Utd badly lacking here.
Utd come last twice, but also the only team that comes first twice. Strikers blowing away the opposition by a long way. Arguably the most important position in a squad.
All in all the difference in squads isn't as clear cut as first thought. Doing City is pointless.
I took 2 main CBs and both main FBs out. That's why Azpi remained in the team even though he's played in the first team.Kelleher over Kepa? Come on mate, I know Kepa is a meme but this is laughable - has Kelleher even made 5 PL appearances?
The way you've done Chelsea players is slightly off as well - Azpi is in the first XI and Sarr plays as LCB; CHO becomes RWB and Pulisic comes into the attack. Also, our backup midfield is Niguez / Kovacic, not Niguez / RLC.
Thus, Chelsea look like this:
Kepa
CHO-Chalobah-Silva-Sarr-Alonso
Kovacic-Niguez
Ziyech-Werner-Pulisic
Rankings for me on this basis are:
GK: 1. United, 2. Chelsea, 3. Liverpool
DEF: 1. Chelsea 2. Liverpool 3. United
MID: 1. Chelsea 2. Liverpool 3. United (big gap between 2 and 3 here to be fair)
ATK: 1. United 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool
Ah I see - apologies, I assumed you'd taken out the first XI.I took 2 main CBs and both main FBs out. That's why Azpi remained in the team even though he's played in the first team.
Then I took everyone's best four midfielders out, Kovacic was the fourth for you. Finally I took out everyone's best three forwards, so you can't use Pulisic.
Kepa is your Karius. I'm a better goalie than him.
You are aware that Kepa hasn't saved a shot since he has been at Chelsea that has been travelling to the top left hand corner aren't you? His save percentage over 3 and a bit seasons in the league is something like 55% (whilst playing for Chelsea and not a team like Huddersfield) and his goals expected is something like an average of -12 a season.Kelleher over Kepa? Come on mate, I know Kepa is a meme but this is laughable - has Kelleher even made 5 PL appearances?
The way you've done Chelsea players is slightly off as well - Azpi is in the first XI and Sarr plays as LCB; CHO becomes RWB and Pulisic comes into the attack. Also, our backup midfield is Niguez / Kovacic, not Niguez / RLC.
Thus, Chelsea look like this:
Kepa
CHO-Chalobah-Silva-Sarr-Alonso
Kovacic-Niguez
Ziyech-Werner-Pulisic
Rankings for me on this basis are:
GK: 1. United, 2. Chelsea, 3. Liverpool
DEF: 1. Chelsea 2. Liverpool 3. United
MID: 1. Chelsea 2. Liverpool 3. United (big gap between 2 and 3 here to be fair)
ATK: 1. United 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool
Oh trust me, I was banging on about the need to replace Kepa after 19/20 when he was historically bad. That said, last year his save percentage bounced back (~68%), and his PSxG +/- was more or less average (-0.6).You are aware that Kepa hasn't saved a shot since he has been at Chelsea that has been travelling to the top left hand corner aren't you? His save percentage over 3 and a bit seasons in the league is something like 55% (whilst playing for Chelsea and not a team like Huddersfield) and his goals expected is something like an average of -12 a season.
Whilst, it may be a stretch to say Kellher is better as we don't have enough evidence, it isn't madness for people to say they do not want Kepa anywhere near their team with those stats.
Liverpool were plagued with injuries last season. They will be a lot better this year.We finished 2nd and strengthened more than chelsea and city and miles more than Liverpool.
So any suggestion we should be further from the top this season is absolute nonsense.
You spent a lot of money on players and salaries for sure. A lottttt of money. But you spent it on strengthening in a position you excelled at already (scoring goals).We finished 2nd and strengthened more than chelsea and city and miles more than Liverpool.
So any suggestion we should be further from the top this season is absolute nonsense.
We have Telles and Dalot as FB cover, how many FBs do we need?You spent a lot of money on players and salaries for sure. A lottttt of money. But you spent it on strengthening in a position you excelled at already (scoring goals).
Apart from Varane you've neglected the rest of your team (no cover for your FBs, the whole of your defensive midfield is very weak even when McFred are playing, etc).
So maybe the vast amounts of money you spent doesn't necessarily equate to a strengthening of the squad as much as you would have hoped for.
Yep, Liverpool don't spend money on salaries, only Manutd do.You spent a lot of money on players and salaries for sure. A lottttt of money. But you spent it on strengthening in a position you excelled at already (scoring goals).
Apart from Varane you've neglected the rest of your team (no cover for your FBs, the whole of your defensive midfield is very weak even when McFred are playing, etc).
So maybe the vast amounts of money you spent doesn't necessarily equate to a strengthening of the squad as much as you would have hoped for.
If Telles and Dalot start against Newcastle, this forum would lose its collective mind, wouldn't it?We have Telles and Dalot as FB cover, how many FBs do we need?
Undoubtedly there is. In comparison to Liverpool though? They’ve a couple of pub players as back up.If Telles and Dalot start against Newcastle, this forum would lose its collective mind, wouldn't it?
I'm a huge fan of Shaw and AWB but there seems to be a huge drop off in quality in their replacements.
Agree with your ranking.Kelleher over Kepa? Come on mate, I know Kepa is a meme but this is laughable - has Kelleher even made 5 PL appearances?
The way you've done Chelsea players is slightly off as well - Azpi is in the first XI and Sarr plays as LCB; CHO becomes RWB and Pulisic comes into the attack. Also, our backup midfield is Niguez / Kovacic, not Niguez / RLC.
Thus, Chelsea look like this:
Kepa
CHO-Chalobah-Silva-Sarr-Alonso
Kovacic-Niguez
Ziyech-Werner-Pulisic
Rankings for me on this basis are:
GK: 1. United, 2. Chelsea, 3. Liverpool
DEF: 1. Chelsea 2. Liverpool 3. United
MID: 1. Chelsea 2. Liverpool 3. United (big gap between 2 and 3 here to be fair)
ATK: 1. United 2. Chelsea 3. Liverpool
Ofcourse, that's why they are back up players. If Lindelof, Bailly starts also they will get lot of shit when the line ups are announced.If Telles and Dalot start against Newcastle, this forum would lose its collective mind, wouldn't it?
I'm a huge fan of Shaw and AWB but there seems to be a huge drop off in quality in their replacements.
Dalot is rubbish though.We have Telles and Dalot as FB cover, how many FBs do we need?
Mount is a nailed-on starter for Chelsea.Probably the key difference looking at those squads is that 8-9 out of 11 players are automatic starters (on paper) when available in every squad but City's, where you could change half the team and it'd be just as strong. Case in point:
For United: Maguire, Varane, Shaw, AWB, Pogba, Bruno, Sancho, Rashford, Ronaldo
For Liverpool: Allison, TAA, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Mane
For Chelsea: Mendy, Azpi, Rudiger, James, Kante, Jorginho, Havertz, Lukaku
For City: Only Ederson, Diaz, De Bruyne, and Foden are nailed on starters where you have a genuine drop in quality with their deputies.
Can't decide where this reflects well or poorly on City.
Why would we struggle?This is their biggest issue and why it's great Klopp seems a bit pissed about transfers (or lack thereof). Feel like if Man/Salah go to AFCON they will struggle to keep up with the rest.
Is it really just two matches that the AFCON bound players will miss? That's good news for Chelsea.Why would we struggle?
It’s 2 Premier League matches that they will miss
Brentford at Home and Crystal Palace Away
YesIs it really just two matches that the AFCON bound players will miss? That's good news for Chelsea.
What about other cups though? Not to mention if they’ll have to quarantine, additional chance of injury etc.Why would we struggle?
It’s 2 Premier League matches that they will miss
Brentford at Home and Crystal Palace Away
I think people seem to think they’ll be out for several matches, which is not true, Joe Cole keeps spouting “several games”…..it’s 2
Then I would say it's still fair to say several. It's not like cup games don't count as games missed.Yes
2 premier league matches
I suppose the several games missed narrative comes from the other competitions during that period of AFCON that the players will miss, like cup competitions etc
but Premier League wise it’s just the 2 games
Additional chance of injury could be anytime of the season, it’s not really an additional chanceWhat about other cups though? Not to mention if they’ll have to quarantine, additional chance of injury etc.
For me Liverpool have as good a first XI as anyone but you haven’t spent enough on the depth side.
It is when talking about premier league games missedThen I would say it's still fair to say several. It's not like cup games don't count as games missed.
I guess I always look at internationals for United players as no win situation re injuries. If they’re injured playing for United it’s understandable but nothing worse than a player coming back injured and then missing PL games. Fair enough if you feel it’s no different from any other games.Additional chance of injury could be anytime of the season, it’s not really an additional chance
Quarantine isn’t an issue
and although other cup competitions are important imo, we all know they aren’t top priority
Agree on your last statement though on depth, but at the same time it’s not as weak as people make out
We fielded a fantastic team against Chelsea, our bench was
Jota
Thiago
Gomez
Keita
Ox
Tsimikas
Konaté
Minaino
Hardly a bad bench, but yes, injuries to the starting XI would stretch this for sure
Still got Milner to throw into the mix and also
Neco Williams
Curtis Jones
Nathaniel Philips
who have all proved themselves to be capable of stepping up quite well when needed and have more experience from last season’s appearances due too injuries
so Liverpool’s depth is made out to be worse than it is imo
Not going to say I’m delighted we didn’t add depth though, I’m course I’m not, especially seeing others strengthen, but we’ve still got a strong strong base to work with
BIB 100%I guess I always look at internationals for United players as no win situation re injuries. If they’re injured playing for United it’s understandable but nothing worse than a player coming back injured and then missing PL games. Fair enough if you feel it’s no different from any other games.
Its on the attacking side where I think depth is the issue for you, I like Jota but after him the drop off is big in my opinion.
Re missing games I’m trying to work out if it would impact CL games but I think knock outs start in Feb & have seen quite a few Pool fans saying Klopp seems a bit less bothered about the domestic cups (not sure if true but if so I guess you’d have to back yourselves to beat Brentford/Palace).