Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

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Retaining the title this year:

Agent Coulson

When VVD was fit and played the team set up with a super highline & press with VVD and Matip/Gomez playing at the center circle both Robbo and TAA played in the opposition half.

Right now we defend deep in our own half and how often do you see the fullback play in the opposition half now, both TAA & Robbo spend more time in their own half defending since VVD was injured.

The reason we could play the super highline & press was because Fab was there to protect that highline and now Fab is back in CB and the highline is no more.



What we are missing now is that highline and the press in the opposition half.

radiata

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Ole talking about how far they've come LOL We're dropped down 5 levels to theirs, they haven't climbed up 5 levels to ours.

I'd still prefer to be in there position over Liverpools

BorneTobyWilde

Jose has had more points with United after 18 games (41) and he was sacked, yet Ole brags about how far they've come. Anyone with a brain can see the MASSIVE drop back for Liverpool, not a massive step forward for United, Leicester, City, Spurs, Everton.
This is all down to Liverpool and our injuries.

Harry Palmr

Sh1t comeback game for me.

The defence is fine and has been throughout this slump. Everything that's wrong is in the opposition half.

TAA's attack has fallen off a cliff, remember when he would and did cut inside and float a brilliant ball into Mane's path? He isn't even able to get past his nominal marker with genuine threat these days.

Thiago/Shaq did well in the circumstances but both were running out of puff understandably as the game opened up a bit.

The front three are a real conundrum, they are too flat and high up in attack - end up just adding another body in a crowded zone as oppositions defend both deep and narrow, someone has to stay deeper/wider to make a run - Thiago showed from No 6 position a glimpse of an alternative approach. The way Lampard once did that was hugely effective. The other thing that's lacking is simply control in or near the area, balls bouncing off shins all too often.

BorneTobyWilde

radiata wrote: »

I'd still prefer to be in there position over Liverpools

I wouldn't. Jota will be back soon, as will VVD, Fab in midfield.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJN4f_A1Ij/

giveitholly

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

I wouldn't. Jota will be back soon, as will VVD, Fab in midfield.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJN4f_A1Ij/

Vvd won't be back this season

~Rebel~

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

I wouldn't. Jota will be back soon, as will VVD, Fab in midfield.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJN4f_A1Ij/

Zero chance VVD has any meaningful impact on this season, and its most likely (and preferable) that he won't be back at all.

That's just not how cruciates work. No matter how good he feels, one wrong twist and it's another 9 months out.

Agent Coulson

Recovering in Saudi a nice place to get away from the pandemic as well.

Muahahaha

Agent Coulson wrote: »

When VVD was fit and played the team set up with a super highline & press with VVD and Matip/Gomez playing at the center circle both Robbo and TAA played in the opposition half.

Right now we defend deep in our own half and how often do you see the fullback play in the opposition half now, both TAA & Robbo spend more time in their own half defending since VVD was injured.

The reason we could play the super highline & press was because Fab was there to protect that highline and now Fab is back in CB and the highline is no more.



What we are missing now is that highline and the press in the opposition half.

All correct but what can Klopp do to change it up? Only thing I can think of is reverting to the heavy metal style we played before VVD joined. Problem with that though it two fold, the front 3 are not on it plus it means running them into the ground. Its remarkable how none of them have suffered a long term injury.

The only other option is to trust one of the kids at CB alongside Fab in order to get Hendo back into midfield. But thats only fixing some of the problem when Fab is still at CB.

Hate to say it but we are very short on options to stop this rut. The front 3 looked like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders today, they are completely devoid of confidence right now. Jota cant come back soon enough but its a tall ask for him to turn things around on his own.

fyfe79

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Zero chance VVD has any meaningful impact on this season, and its most likely (and preferable) that he won't be back at all.

That's just not how cruciates work. No matter how good he feels, one wrong twist and it's another 9 months out.

Yep. Even in that little video, he would've been instructed by the physio to move in a straight line and not dart to the left or right. A cruciate is a terrible injury - the victim feels fine after a few weeks but needs to be totally guided on what they can and cannot do, and need to be very strong-willed to follow professional advice to overcome it. At this stage, I'd be happy NOT to see VVD this season... I want him 100% for the new season.

Osmosis Jones

What if we tried doing away with the notion of a Front 3 for a couple games? Back when we still had Coutinho we often played a 442 with himself and Mane out wide, Bobby and Salah up top, we could give something like that a go. Might be a good solution to Trent's attacking woes too, to have someone playing a more traditional wide midfielder role in front of him.

Alisson
TAA-Fab-Henderson-Robertson
Ox-Wijnaldum-Thiago-Mane
Salah-Firmino

Alternatively Mane up front alongside Salah, Bobby on the bench, and Minamino on the left.

SlickRic

Just your weekly reminder that Fabinho isn't a CB.

That is all.

machiavellianme

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Zero chance VVD has any meaningful impact on this season, and its most likely (and preferable) that he won't be back at all.

That's just not how cruciates work. No matter how good he feels, one wrong twist and it's another 9 months out.

Unless the season is deferred again, but that's unlikely now.
Plus, I'd hate to see him back and then get injured again at the euros.

Agent Coulson

The main objective/miracle the team need is for Matip and Keita to stay fit for a prolonged period of time as when they play the team plays at a different level.

Harry Palmr

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

What if we tried doing away with the notion of a Front 3 for a couple games? Back when we still had Coutinho we often played a 442 with himself and Mane out wide, Bobby and Salah up top, we could give something like that a go. Might be a good solution to Trent's attacking woes too, to have someone playing a more traditional wide midfielder role in front of him.

Alisson
TAA-Fab-Henderson-Robertson
Ox-Wijnaldum-Thiago-Mane
Salah-Firmino

Alternatively Mane up front alongside Salah, Bobby on the bench, and Minamino on the left.

It's not ever going to happen but when Jota is back

TAA---Matip--Fabby--Robbo

---

Thiago

---

Hendo

---

Gini

---

Shaqiri

---

Mane

---

Jota

Kelleher, N Williams, Tsimikas, Jones, Ox, Minamino, Firmino, Salah and maybe Naby (or probably Milner)!

fyfe79

Agent Coulson wrote: »

The main objective/miracle the team need is for Matip and Keita to stay fit for a prolonged period of time as when they play the team plays at a different level.

My main objective is to win the lotto.

Which is more likely to happen?

Shanee.

I dont care what any Liverpool fan says, we need a CB (or two) its very simple to see. Front 3 not in form is an issue but for the last 2 years our defence has been our first point of attack VVD / Gomez spraying balls to TAA/Robbo who would be playing way further up. We need Fab & Hendo back into the middle alongside Thiago. TAA out of form but he doesnt have VVD or a commanding CB alongside him allowing him to press further up. I have been saying it for weeks and will continue to say it we need to sign a CB in the next 2 weeks or we will be looking at similar performances for the rest of the season. You just simply cannot win a league with two of your best midfielders playing as makeshift CB's.

On todays game, I'll happily take a draw as beforehand I was sure Matip would play after seeing him train yesterday, so when team news came out I was not at all confident. Henderson is such a vital cog in our midfield that was missed him massively - he did a great job at CB today dont get me wrong but he provides way more in terms of creativity then Gini. All in all an okay point, but we really need to get things back on track if we are to have any hope of retaining the title this season. Sooner Jota is back the better, Bobby looks completely out of sorts.

yourdeadwright

Just need Jota back he will spice up the front 3

Be fantastic is Matip amd Keita could stay fit

giveitholly

If we don't sign a centrehalf then I think we struggle for top 4

koppy

Harry Palmr wrote: »

It's not ever going to happen but when Jota is back

TAA---Matip--Fabby--Robbo

---

Thiago

---

Hendo

---

Gini

---

Shaqiri

---

Mane

---

Jota

Kelleher, N Williams, Tsimikas, Jones, Ox, Minamino, Firmino, Salah and maybe Naby (or probably Milner)!

Shaq best is not good enough. Not consistent enough. Couple of 5 minute spells here and there . No where near good enough.

fyfe79

It's pretty obvious... sign CB's (at least one) or we're throwing away this title. It's madness to play our best two midfielders at CB.

RugbyLover123

IF we are to sign a CB then what is the 11? People looking for Hendo and Fab back in midfield would push Gini or Thiago to the bench? And by the time we get a CB in Jota will hopefully be back..

Ali
TAA NewCB Matip Robbo
Hendo Fab
Thiago
Salah Jota Mane

For me the balance in a Fabinho, Hendo and Thiago isn’t right. All occupy the 6 role. I suppose that will be a nice concern to eventually have though.

giveitholly

What happens if henderson or Fab pick up an injury? which is quite possible

The White Wolf

giveitholly wrote: »

What happens if henderson or Fab pick up an injury? which is quite possible

Milner will be there at some point I'm sure.

giveitholly

The White Wolf wrote: »

Milner will be there at some point I'm sure.

True and maybe Gini

fyfe79

The White Wolf wrote: »

Milner will be there at some point I'm sure.

giveitholly wrote: »

True and maybe Gini

No danger of an actual CB being available anyway!

BorneTobyWilde

giveitholly wrote: »

Vvd won't be back this season

I think he will, with 10-7 games left.

fyfe79

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

IF we are to sign a CB then what is the 11? People looking for Hendo and Fab back in midfield would push Gini or Thiago to the bench? And by the time we get a CB in Jota will hopefully be back..

Ali
TAA NewCB Matip Robbo
Hendo Fab
Thiago
Salah Jota Mane

For me the balance in a Fabinho, Hendo and Thiago isn’t right. All occupy the 6 role. I suppose that will be a nice concern to eventually have though.

This team is spot on, imo.

Nunu

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

I think he will, with 10-7 games left.

7 months is the absolute minimum. That be mid May with only 2 or 3 league games left.

Osmosis Jones

Even if we sign someone I think Fabinho plays out the rest of the season as a CB, Matip can't be relied upon to stay fit.

Tusky

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

This is the first time that I can remember where all the front three are not playing well at the same time. Usually if one of them was in a slump the other two would still be performing.

Apart from a very short good spell last month Firmino has been off form for well over a year.

Ottoman_1000

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

I think he will, with 10-7 games left.

After recovering from 2 ACL injuries myself I can tell you there is not a chance VVD gets back with 10 games to go!! Best scenario is a moral boasting cameo on the bench in late April/early May!!!

yourdeadwright

People might think it mad bit its going to be a a real struggle for the top four this season December and January has been an absolute nightmare for us result wose

Girly Gal

Real shortsightedness from the club not to have a CB in the door on January 1st, we're paying the price for that now and until we get one in we'll continue to struggle when Matip is not available, getting another CB in would also free up Fabinho for midfield when Matip is available.
It won't solve all our problems, but, it'll go along way to sorting things, I think at this stage we can forget about the league as City look like they're back close to their best again and on our current form we have little chance of overhauling them.
As for anyone who thinks VVD will be back for the last 10 games, dream on, at best he might be in the squad for last game or two, but, I hope we don't see him play again this season as I'd prefer to have him right for next season.

~Rebel~

yourdeadwright wrote: »

People might think it mad bit its going to be a a real struggle for the top four this season December and January has been an absolute nightmare for us result wose

I've a certain amount of faith that things will pick up... we've had these runs of poor form over the past few seasons. This has been worse, but they always dig their way out of them sooner or later.

So I'm not terribly worried about top 4, but think it'll cost us the league alright.

mightyreds

I don't think Chelsea will be in with a shout and leicester will fall off leaving it city atop with any combination of us, united and spurs underneath. Sickening thing is it'll probably be in around 80 points winning it and we'll probably end up or 72 or something after dropping 9 points this last month.

Harry Palmr

The next run of games is particularly tricky plus Leipzig X2. It'll probably decide teams fate this season.

Girly Gal

~Rebel~ wrote: »

I've a certain amount of faith that things will pick up... we've had these runs of poor form over the past few seasons. This has been worse, but they always dig their way out of them sooner or later.

So I'm not terribly worried about top 4, but think it'll cost us the league alright.

We have a different run of fixtures until the Everton game towards end of February, on our current form we'll struggle to pick up many wins or points in those games, so we could be in a real dogfight for top 4 by then, I think City will have be well out of sight by then.

Agent Coulson

3 draws 1 lose since the 0-7 win at Palace and that was also the last game with fans.


Seven 1 - 0 wins are better than One 7 - 0 win Klopp was right with that statement after the Palace game.

RugbyLover123

Girly Gal wrote: »

Real shortsightedness from the club not to have a CB in the door on January 1st, we're paying the price for that now and until we get one in we'll continue to struggle when Matip is not available, getting another CB in would also free up Fabinho for midfield when Matip is available.
It won't solve all our problems, but, it'll go along way to sorting things, I think at this stage we can forget about the league as City look like they're back close to their best again and on our current form we have little chance of overhauling them.
As for anyone who thinks VVD will be back for the last 10 games, dream on, at best he might be in the squad for last game or two, but, I hope we don't see him play again this season as I'd prefer to have him right for next season.

Would you be happy with the club spending 20/30m+ on a CB that they aren’t particularly sold on? I can only assume our first choice was one of the lads at Leipzig and that’s a no go as we play them in the CL. They could even be first and second choice. The club probably don’t want to fork out 20/30+ million on a CB that will be surplus to requirements in a few months and probably won’t make too much of a difference if he’s their 3/4th choice.

The Mig

We’re in a title race and also a top 4 race. That’s just how this season has gone unfortunately. Hoping we can put on a performance on Thursday at home to Burnley

~Rebel~

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

Would you be happy with the club spending 20/30m+ on a CB that they aren’t particularly sold on? I can only assume our first choice was one of the lads at Leipzig and that’s a no go as we play them in the CL. They could even be first and second choice. The club probably don’t want to fork out 20/30+ million on a CB that will be surplus to requirements in a few months and probably won’t make too much of a difference if he’s their 3/4th choice.

What's very frustrating is not even moving for a stopgap loan option, which we know are available. In terms of that short term market, we don't need the best, we just need better than Nat and Rhys, which is a pretty low bar.

Plenty of teams have 4th choice lads on the bench not getting games, but earning wages. Like Sokratis at Arsenal - who offered him to us. Or Militao at Madrid. Or someone like Ranocchia at Inter, who is fit all season, on high enough wages, but not playing.

Can only hope they're working on something like this, but if the window closes and we've not even brought in a stopgap loan player I'll be hugely disappointed.

Ikozma

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Suarez banging them in , so much so Costa gets his contract terminated. Would love Suarez leading the line today .

Far superior player then any of our front 3

Ikozma

The Mig wrote: »

We’re in a title race and also a top 4 race. That’s just how this season has gone unfortunately. Hoping we can put on a performance on Thursday at home to Burnley

I wouldn't bank on it, how will we score when we don't shoot?

Girly Gal

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

Would you be happy with the club spending 20/30m+ on a CB that they aren’t particularly sold on? I can only assume our first choice was one of the lads at Leipzig and that’s a no go as we play them in the CL. They could even be first and second choice. The club probably don’t want to fork out 20/30+ million on a CB that will be surplus to requirements in a few months and probably won’t make too much of a difference if he’s their 3/4th choice.

Don't need to spend 30/40 million on a CB right now, could bring in a solid defender on loan for the remainder of the season I'm sure there are plenty of CBs around Europe who are available who are better options than Williams, Philips and Henderson, for example players similar to Rudiger who was out of favour at Chelsea for most of the season, there are plenty more across Europe who would be better than what we currently have. We don't need to sign the next long term CB now, we just neet a solid CB who can get us through the remainder of the season.
We can sign a permanent CB in the summer when they're available.

mada999

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Thiago as well as running the game for Liverpool kept Bruno in his pocket for the whole game.

Bruno who ? lol it doesnt suit him to defend

mada999

The Jman wrote: »

Solskjaer is just big Sam with talented players, getting a win against them was always gonna be tough for ye. Lacking a bit of creativity but overall a solid performance from Liverpool.

I think you are correct chief... Bolton, stoke or any of those on steroids imo.. they were fierce cowardly today..

Ikozma

Tusky wrote: »

Apart from a very short good spell last month Firmino has been off form for well over a year.

I'd go so far as to say 2 yrs, time for Bobby to either move to midfield where I actually think he'd be more suited, or say his goodbyes

The Mig

Ikozma wrote: »

I wouldn't bank on it, how will we score when we don't shoot?

Start shooting obviously