Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2024/25

It's going to be frustrating losing key players to covid as the season goes on. It disrupted us this time, but we got through it.

I disagree on Ox. He wasn't brilliant last night, but I like what he offers. It's different to others.

Thiago is a tricky one. He's the type of footballer I can't help but adore. He's exactly how I'd want to play football if I could. But in certain games, he looks like he gets surprised by the pace of the game.

When he's on it, which he has been more often than not, he's simply a joy.

If Liverpool’s games between now and start of Jan were postponed, and Afcon went ahead - am I right in saying that there’s no gaps in the schedule to allow those games to be rescheduled during Afcon?

For example, if they cancel Spurs, they can’t play that game while Afcon is on - or can they?

Games will still be going on when AFCON is being played

That's nonsense, firstly Shar was holding his back and second Hayden landed looked down at Schar then looked to see where the ball was and then hit the deck when he seen we had it ,

If the ref's blew up for that what stops teams at every free or corner just have different players jump into each other and hit the deck holding there heads ,

Think the critism of Ox andame are a little off.

They weren't great last night, but they were good.

Apart from his goals, Mane is very effective and pivotal to our system. His pressing and his pace are central to what we do: his pace lengthens the field and he chases everything. He's a physical threat from set pieces too. Besides, he played a part in both goals last night, and was a threat. His finishing is a little off at present, but I'm happy when he plays for us, and he'll always start the big games.

Ox wasn't great last night, but he wasn't terrible either, a solid 6.5/7 out of 10 performance. We all know his Liverpool career has been badly effected by injury, but his work rate and application can't be faulted, and he seems a positive presence in the squad. He might be moved on in the next year, but I somehow doubt it, Klopp seems to like him and he fits in well.

The biggest problem I saw with our midfield last night was that Fabinho wasn't in it. This guy is just so good now, probably as food as any in his position. He gives us such a solid foundation, gives the others such licence to drive forward, and he's badly missed when he's out. Henderson is OK there, but just OK, he has a different skill set to Fab and doesn't be as effective as an anchor.

Good to see Bobby back, he looked lively on his cameo appearance.

If we have to fit extra games in during the AFCON, we are fecked. Maybe that's why Klopp is keen to get some games played now and not have a backlog of games to fit in in January. Get the games played with Salah, Mane & Keita.

Jones is absolutely awful off the ball ,Remember that City game he was like a dog chasing two car and no where near anyone ,He was at fault in the lead up to there two goals for being neither here nor there, neither pressing his man & making a tackle & not dropping off and cutting off the line off the pass ,

Of course Jones has time to learn this but Ox is far better right now

Id argue Ox's running in that right channel is making things happen but its making it happen for Salah & Trent ,He is creating there space , Hendo does the same when played RCM ,

Our left hand side can be very quite in games because Thaigo does not have that in his locker & its easier for defender to handle Robbo & Mane with out the extra forward run , I think Klopp knows that & that why Jots makes a lot oh is own runs on the left

He's not a RB is he, he's like a false RB, He spent most of last night inside in the midfield position ,

You can see why he has "issues getting back" He's doing exactly what he is asked and the manger knows he can't get back all the time ,

Yeah just to clarify I’m talking about the scenario for the Spurs/Leeds/Leicester/Chelsea games.

I just can’t see the PL limping on like this with games being postponed every day.

Our starting midfield is Thiago, Fab and Henderson.

Ox, as a squad player who puts in a 6.5 to 7 on average is a great option to have when needed. His first time pass that set Salah away was class.

Nice to see Klopp saying OX is at his very best since we signed him, Said his all round game is now where Klopp wants it to be

Does anyone know the protocol for players now, Do they sit out for 10/14 days or until the return a negative PCR (which could be sooner or later)

Really does seem like Pool are looking at buying top young talent to fill those emerging gaps in the squad that'll be becoming more apparent over the next year or two. Makes sense too, it's about the only way we could ever compete with the top teams, short of continuing to pull off miracles in the market. I'm sure we'll continue to make astute senior signings too, but if even a third of the squad could be bolstered with these younger players coming through their final developing years within the academy, it'd save a lot of money elsewhere. Lower risk too, as even those lads who don't make the grade usually still turn a profit.

In this sort of vein, I'd love to see us make a bid for De Ketelaere - could be a great longer term Bobby replacement, has that same midfielder/forward mentality that Havertz has. He's kicking on fast, so now's the time to get him.

Its always nice to get a bargain but it would be nice to compliment that with some experience but I suppose we are getting that as the squad ages.

Some tenuous links to Rodrygo at Madrid...but I think that's nonsense tbh.

I thought Chelsea were the favourites about a month ago.

They looked so amazing defensively, and were scoring goals, that I just couldn't see past them. the problem seems to have been that all their goals were coming from their defence, and realistically, that's not sustainable.

Also, boo hoo, they've had some injuries in midfield. Two or three first choice in the same position, so, to be fair, it's something that no other team has ever had to put up with, and in fact, no team has ever had to put up with it.

the reality is that City are relentless, and Liverpool are ferociously underappreciated, even by some of their own supporters. the amount of people that simply wrote this team off, that had us potentially fighting for a top 4 place, that thought the teams cycle was over, was hilarious. even now, an argument against this team being title winners seems to be that we can't maintain it for whole season. it's like people have forgotten 2018/19 and 2019/20 all of a sudden - as if those seasons didn't happen.

it's City v Liverpool for the title. City slight favourites, purely because of their squad, but it's going to be the latest titanic battle between the two best English clubs of the last 4 years, and arguably, the two best teams in the world right now.

Tielemans is a realistic target, but that rumour had no real traction. Leicester were in the red last season, due to empty stadiums ect, but so was everyone, hard to see Liverpool doing anything in Jan, but he'd be a great signing. Do we have anything that Leicester needs. Leicester are a selling club, whenever United, City, or Chelsea went for one of their players, they simple paid up, and he was sold.

Kante, Drink Water, Chill Well, Mahrez, Maguire ect , all gone with no fuss.

Would you rather retire now, or play for Man United.......🤷‍♂️

If Origi gets more game time and goals this season, which I fully expect he will, then this summer will be it, someone out there will finally see his worth. He really has so much skill, so much to offer, and still so young, same age as Minamino. Sometime you feel a player is coming to the end of his career, as they're around so long, but Origi is yet to get started.

The penguin from Madagaascar? Will give them options!