Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours 2016/2017

daithijjj

I'd be very careful in making any suggestion that we will not be less potent without Mane for the next while. The squad still lacks pace and physicality even with Mane in it.

I dont believe United will come and attack us from the start in that game in any gung-ho fashion but i think they will control a lot of the game.

We wont be in our best shape, no Mane, Phil not match fit, a few other niggles and obvious issues at the back. On the other hand, if Sturridge can put a shift in for 90, Matip goes back in, who knows.

I'd be happy enough to move on with a point from that game considering the above.

hadepsx

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Klopp will play his game.

Jose can't afford to go anti football at home against Liverpool with Alex and Bobby in the stand.

This is Jose. I wouldn't put it past him to park the bus, try score via a corner or set piece,then keep it at that.Then you'll have the usual gob****es saying they played us off the pitch.

murpho999

Delighted with tonight's result, shows that Chelsea can be beaten, will drop points and can be caught.

No reason why Liverpool can't go for this title. If we can cut out our habit of throwing away leads against 'lesser' teams then we're in with a shout.

As for the clamour for signings, I don't get the urgency.

Next league game is against Utd on the 15th and we should have Coutinho and Matip back then. I would imagine Henderson , Milner and Sturridge should be fine too. So the main loss for league games this month is Mane which we'll just have to manage without for a couple of games.

mormank

OwaynOTT wrote: »

Was watching that game with two Utd fans. Went from Utd will finish second to Utd will win the league within 90 mins.
Chelsea are useless as well after that game. Liverpool be lucky to finis 5th.

Well I've got 25 quid riding on us finishing higher than Utd this season with a utd fan mate of mine and another 25 on the game at Old Trafford. You haave no idea how much I'm hoping we go there and do a number on them but it being sandwiched in between two League cup semis against Southampton is far from ideal.

5starpool

daithijjj wrote: »

I'd be very careful in making any suggestion that we will not be less potent without Mane for the next while. The squad still lacks pace and physicality even with Mane in it.

I dont believe United will come and attack us from the start in that game in any gung-ho fashion but i think they will control a lot of the game.

We wont be in our best shape, no Mane, Phil not match fit, a few other niggles and obvious issues at the back. On the other hand, if Sturridge can put a shift in for 90, Matip goes back in, who knows.

I'd be happy enough to move on with a point from that game considering the above.

Yep, Utd rightly favourites for the game, but not overwhelming by any means. They will control the ball a lot, but we showed against City that we have the capacity to be tight and play a different shape against the better teams when we have to. It's a pity Mane won't be available to exploit the spaces in the big OT pitch,but hopefully we will be able to get at them properly anyhow, which I think we will.

I wouldn't take a point now if offered (as if it were possible), but it would still be a very decent result if we got a point. We can certainly win the game, but it will be a very difficult proposition against a Utd team with their tails up in recent weeks. They could well beat us, but it would be so satisfying to shut them up again for a while.

BorneTobyWilde

It's a top 5 race now
Anyone that can win 8 on bounce will go top

5starpool

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

It's a top 5 race now
Anyone that can win 8 on bounce will go top

You discounting Utd Toby?

Agent Coulson

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

It's a top 5 race now
Anyone that can win 8 on bounce will go top

If we win 8 on the bounce and Chelsea only win 7 out of 8 they still stay top.

You slipping Toby.

chicorytip

Are any of you seriously convinced that this current Liverpool team is good enough to win the Premiership title let alone be competitive at Champions League level? I think Klopp can be regarded as an improver of teams but not some new managerial messiah.

Agent Coulson

Iused2likebusts

chicorytip wrote: »

Are any of you seriously convinced that this current Liverpool team is good enough to win the Premiership title let alone be competitive at Champions League level? I think Klopp can be regarded as an improver of teams but not some new managerial messiah.

who do you think will win it.

5starpool

chicorytip wrote: »

Are any of you seriously convinced that this current Liverpool team is good enough to win the Premiership title let alone be competitive at Champions League level? I think Klopp can be regarded as an improver of teams but not some new managerial messiah.

Personally I'm onboard with anything he wants to do at the minute. Will it be enough for us to win the league this season? Probably not, but we've got a very good chance still. I'd rather be where we are than utd at the minute, even with their bigger squad as we have more points simply put. Also, I'd take 1/10th of Klopp over all of Mourinho any day of the week. He may turn out to be yet another nearly (or possibly not even that near) man for Liverpool, but I'm glad he;s in charge of us.

Turtyturd

You know they're getting worried when they have to come in here.

5starpool

Turtyturd wrote: »

You know they're getting worried when they have to come in here.

I don't think he is a utd fan.

Gbear

I think we'd likely have to win our next 10 in a row to still be top going into the end of the season.
We might go top if we were to beat Chelsea at the end of the month but there'll be plenty more tooing and froing.

So the question would then be, can we do that (I'm skeptical) and then, can we match Chelsea in what remains as well.

Assuming Chelsea don't totally fall off a cliff you're looking at us needing 45/54 in the remaining games - something like 14 wins 3 draws and a loss.

Looking at lost ground... Bournemouth, Sunderland in particular... do you think this squad has 8-game winning streaks in it?
Do you think it has the capacity to go 20 games undefeated?

It really doesn't look like that calibre of squad to me.
On the day you always feel like you can win but that's the same of every game you don't win throughout every season of football.
You can always point out reasons after the fact but I think you just need more quality than we have for these bumps in the road not to mount up to crippling a title challenge, particularly when you're aiming for near-perfection.

Tonight's a nice boon and vaguely keeps the dream alive, but I think we're pretty much squeezing everything we can out of this squad at the moment and we're on course for 84 points and probably 2nd, with a decent bit of cushioning us from dropping out of the top 4.

BorneTobyWilde

Agent Coulson wrote: »

If we win 8 on the bounce and Chelsea only win 7 out of 8 they still stay top.

You slipping Toby.

Yea
But what I mean is there are games on paper where 8 games are possible to win
Chelsea's last 6 were easy games. We will not win next 8, neither will Chelsea.
Our last 9 games of season. We win them on paper if nothing else.
That could be our saving grace. If gap is 5 going into last 9 we'd win if we win the 9.
Chelsea could never win last 9. If they did they'd deserve title.

BorneTobyWilde

Chelsea play first next round, and Leicester's home record is great, they are the Champions.
It's a tv game also, which brings the best out in Leicester. They will be up for that as will crowd. If they lose them gap will only be two when we beat united 0-5.

5starpool

We'd be over achieving to win the league, or even to finish top 4 based on what most thought at the start of the season. Keeping most players fit (which we're not great at) is key though.

J Mysterio

5starpool wrote: »

We'd be over achieving to win the league, or even to finish top 4 based on what most thought at the start of the season. Keeping most players fit (which we're not great at) is key though.

Finishing top 4 is not overachieving. I expect us to finish top 4.

Potential Underachiever

J Mysterio wrote: »

Finishing top 4 is not overachieving. I expect us to finish top 4.

I'm sure he meant at the start of the season top 4 would be overachieving, of course it wouldn't be now, we're probably odds on to do so albeit I have not checked the bookies prices.

5starpool

J Mysterio wrote: »

Finishing top 4 is not overachieving. I expect us to finish top 4.

If you did so at the start of the season, genuinely, then you were not in the majority. There were quite a few who did probably, but I didn't think we'd have enough. I'd be disappointed now not to though, but it's too close yet for comfort.

Top 4 this season will/would be a fantastic achievement for us.

It would /will also be an over achievement even accepting we had no European involvement.

We play with a midfielder at lwb & more often than not 3 AMs as our strike force.

We also have GK ers that aren't great.

Osmosis Jones

Much like in 13/14 top 4 is the goal, but we're achieving that and then some right now so why not strive for greatness while we can.

Utopia Parkway

chicorytip wrote: »

Are any of you seriously convinced that this current Liverpool team is good enough to win the Premiership title let alone be competitive at Champions League level? I think Klopp can be regarded as an improver of teams but not some new managerial messiah.

Leicester just topped their group in the Champions League. I think we'd manage to do OK should we get there.

ardinn

Schmeichal In and done at £11m

http://www.socceronsunday.com/article/schmeichel-signs-for-liverpool/

Vicxas

ardinn wrote: »

Schmeichal In and done at £11m

http://www.socceronsunday.com/article/schmeichel-signs-for-liverpool/

Was honestly expecting that to be the Kate Cohen article lol

Liam O

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Yea
But what I mean is there are games on paper where 8 games are possible to win
Chelsea's last 6 were easy games. We will not win next 8, neither will Chelsea.
Our last 9 games of season. We win them on paper if nothing else.
That could be our saving grace. If gap is 5 going into last 9 we'd win if we win the 9.
Chelsea could never win last 9. If they did they'd deserve title.

You dont win games on paper. Each team has played just over half it's games, trying to garner some sort of advantage out of the fixture list at this stage is a bit of a reach. It's simply at the stage where the best team will win at this stage. Liverpool have as much to worry about from the 4 teams within 5 points below them as they do the one 5 points ahead.

I see no reason why they wouldn't be throwing money at some high quality targets this month. If it was me I'd have tried to have some at least very far along by now.

brevity

https://twitter.com/SportdecApp/status/816305669099966465

Klopp Smash!

murpho999

Augeo wrote: »

Top 4 this season will/would be a fantastic achievement for us.

It would /will also be an over achievement even accepting we had no European involvement.

We play with a midfielder at lwb & more often than not 3 AMs as our strike force.

We also have GK ers that aren't great.

Thing is that we're in with a great shout.

Also, when you look at the fixtures after March. We have then played all opponents in top 6.
Last 9 games are all very winnable (I know) and if we're still in the hunt at that stage then we have a great chance as the other teams all still have to play each other.

8-10

Harry Palmr wrote: »

The U23s were playing Bangor Town tonight in the last of their friendlies before the League gets back running

It was a rout in the end 6-0 with a goal from Toni Gomes, a Harry Wilson brace and a Jack Dunn hat-trick. Ojo went off at HT, hopefully he'll be in the FA Cup squad

8-min hattrick for Dunn off the bench. Also a 19-year old centre half from Coventry played in the game on trial (will need to replace Ilori and Sakho soon enough) named Cian Harries. Was convinced with that name he'd be Irish but nope!

brevity

brevity wrote: »

https://twitter.com/SportdecApp/status/816305669099966465

Klopp Smash!

For anyone wondering it's the post match questions regarding Mane and the hand ball.

RobertKK

OwaynOTT wrote: »

Was watching that game with two Utd fans. Went from Utd will finish second to Utd will win the league within 90 mins.
Chelsea are useless as well after that game. Liverpool be lucky to finis 5th.

The thing is United hold the record for reeling in a team to win the league from being 12 points behind.
It will all be pointless if United do not beat Liverpool.

RobertKK

RobertKK wrote: »

The thing is United hold the record for reeling in a team to win the league from being 12 points behind.................

That experience will no doubt really stand to the Utd squad this season and really be crucial in the run in.

Iused2likebusts

RobertKK wrote: »

The thing is United hold the record for reeling in a team to win the league from being 12 points behind.
It will all be pointless if United do not beat Liverpool.

What difference is that going to make to the current squad or the squads of all the teams they are chasing. Fair enough if it happened last season.

5starpool

Augeo wrote: »

That experience will no doubt really stand to the Utd squad this season and really be crucial in the run in.

It'll be counteracted by Liverpool's experience of closing out the league title many times as well.

RobertKK

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

What difference is that going to make to the current squad or the squads of all the teams they are chasing. Fair enough if it happened last season.

It is like history, there is the saying history repeating itself.
Look at Liverpool in 2005, news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/4449773.stm

10 points is not insurmountable with 18 matches to go, as Souness said United are still in the title race.
The United/Liverpool game is huge for both clubs.

NukaCola

When was the last time Mourinho, Manchester United or any of the United players involved in a title race which they reeled in a team from a 12 point lead to win the league?

I wouldn't rule them out of course, but I wouldn't throw money on them. For them to win it they need to outperform 5 teams above them while also closing a 10 point gap.

Iused2likebusts

RobertKK wrote: »

It is like history, there is the saying history repeating itself.
Look at Liverpool in 2005, news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/4449773.stm

10 points is not insurmountable with 18 matches to go, as Souness said United are still in the title race.
The United/Liverpool game is huge for both clubs.

Of course its possible but the fact utd closed a 12 pt gap years ago will have no bearing on this seasons title run in. I'd also imagine utd weren't 6th the season they closed the 12 pt gap. Utd are doing well at the moment but so are most of the other top 6. Its easy to look at your own team and then forget about how the other teams are doing. I'd imagine Chelsea Liverpool and spurs fans are also feeling pretty happy right now. I know utd have won 6 in a row and that's great but really I'd have expected them to get a minimum of 14 pts from those fixtures.

6am7f9zxrsjvnb

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

It's a top 5 race now
Anyone that can win 8 on bounce will go top

Good point...Arsenal have no backbone.

Bandana boy

I think we really need to beat utd or they will be right back in it , the fixtures after us are decent for them and I suspect they would get serious momentum and self belief from a win against us .

RobertKK

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

Of course its possible but the fact utd closed a 12 pt gap years ago will have no bearing on this seasons title run in. I'd also imagine utd weren't 6th the season they closed the 12 pt gap. Utd are doing well at the moment but so are most of the other top 6. Its easy to look at your own team and then forget about how the other teams are doing. I'd imagine Chelsea Liverpool and spurs fans are also feeling pretty happy right now. I know utd have won 6 in a row and that's great but really I'd have expected them to get a minimum of 14 pts from those fixtures.

It is all about belief and knowing what is possible and not possible.
United are currently the top team form wise.
The confidence has to be high, the turn around in the Middlesbrough game only enhanced it.
All any team can do is win their next PL game, Liverpool will want to get back to winning ways and United will want to keep their winning streak going.
Look Chelsea are vulnerable at the back, and have started to concede goals unlike earlier in the season.
Some people were near prepared to hand them the trophy.
We will see in a month's time where everyone stands.

Vicxas

Bandana boy wrote: »

I think we really need to beat utd or they will be right back in it , the fixtures after us are decent for them and I suspect they would get serious momentum and self belief from a win against us .

That's what i'm worried about, a win or draw for UTD would be a massive morale boost for them.

Good news for us is that we've a good few of the top 6 to play at Anfield still.

MD1990

RobertKK wrote: »

It is all about belief and knowing what is possible and not possible.
United are currently the top team form wise.
The confidence has to be high, the turn around in the Middlesbrough game only enhanced it.
All any team can do is win their next PL game, Liverpool will want to get back to winning ways and United will want to keep their winning streak going.
Look Chelsea are vulnerable at the back, and have started to concede goals unlike earlier in the season.
Some people were near prepared to hand them the trophy.
We will see in a month's time where everyone stands.

You could easily say Man Utd are too reliant on Ibrahimovic for goals. If he gets injured or loses form Man Utd could be in trouble.

Knex*

Personally, I think United beat us, and I'll be avoiding the inevitable meltdown here afterwards.

Start of the season I thought we'd be doing very well to challenge for top 4, and by and large, I still think the same. We've done remarkably well and I enjoy watching us play, but we're obviously far from the finished article.

I look forward to seeing how the season pans out, but I certainly don't hold any expectations of a sustained title challenge, to be very honest. I would, however, be disappointed to see us fail to get top 4 now, considering the position we've put ourselves in, but I wouldn't actually be massively surprised.

RobertKK

NukaCola wrote: »

When was the last time Mourinho, Manchester United or any of the United players involved in a title race which they reeled in a team from a 12 point lead to win the league?

I wouldn't rule them out of course, but I wouldn't throw money on them. For them to win it they need to outperform 5 teams above them while also closing a 10 point gap.

Jose bought the right players in terms of mentality for winning.
Pogba has been winning titles in Italy and Zlatan is going for his 9th league title in a row or his 14th league title in 16 years.
That winning mentality along with Jose who knows about winning has been brought into the club.
Over the last 6 games which is where most have for form stats United have gained the following points on the other top 6:
Arsenal 8
City 6
Liverpool 4
Spurs 3
Chelsea 3

Who knows what the future brings, but United have recently being outperforming their rivals.
The next big test for United is Liverpool.
That is such a massive game for both clubs. A draw is a bit meh, a win for either is just so massive.

Iused2likebusts

RobertKK wrote: »

It is all about belief and knowing what is possible and not possible.
United are currently the top team form wise.
The confidence has to be high, the turn around in the Middlesbrough game only enhanced it.
All any team can do is win their next PL game, Liverpool will want to get back to winning ways and United will want to keep their winning streak going.
Look Chelsea are vulnerable at the back, and have started to concede goals unlike earlier in the season.
Some people were near prepared to hand them the trophy.
We will see in a month's time where everyone stands.

There are loads of twists and turns to come and its far from being Chelsea's title. The problem with just focusing on the last 6 games is that it doesn't take into account the fixtures and circumstances each team had to face in those games. As I said utd have done really well and have probably gained 4 pts more than expected in that period.

RobertKK

RobertKK wrote: »

...............................
Over the last 6 games which is where most have for form stats United have gained the following points on the other top 6:
Arsenal 10
City 6
Liverpool 4
Spurs 3
Chelsea 3..........................

You've obviously just picked that period as Utd have won their last 6.

KaiserGunner

RobertKK wrote: »

Jose bought the right players in terms of mentality for winning.
Pogba has been winning titles in Italy and Zlatan is going for his 9th league title in a row or his 14th league title in 16 years.
That winning mentality along with Jose who knows about winning has been brought into the club.
Over the last 6 games which is where most have for form stats United have gained the following points on the other top 6:
Arsenal 10
City 6
Liverpool 4
Spurs 3
Chelsea 3

Who knows what the future brings, but United have recently being outperforming their rivals.
The next big test for United is Liverpool.
That is such a massive game for both clubs. A draw is a bit meh, a win for either is just so massive.

I don't mean to be pedantic, but it's 8 points gained on Arsenal not 10.

RobertKK

KaiserGunner wrote: »

I don't mean to be pedantic, but it's 8 points gained on Arsenal not 10.

Thank you I was thinking of the 10 out of 18 you gained and wrote 10 instead of 8.

RobertKK

Augeo wrote: »

You've obviously just picked that period as Utd have won their last 6.

I do use this site:

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/premier-league/form-guide.html

btw the same was said to me in the United thread earlier in the week.

The thing is the top 4 in form are arguably the best teams anyway right now, and have a good chance of being the 4 that get the CL spots.