Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2024/25

25-09-2023 6:15pm

Being positive was almost frowned upon by some pre season.

It's early days but it's been a superb start.

K-9 · 25-09-2023 7:28pm

I'd love another title challenge but its very early days yet. There's a lot more to be happy with than not, so I'll take that for now.

Electric Nitwit · 25-09-2023 7:34pm

I'm not normally a great fan of isolated stats and, like most, I can see Darwin's flaws as well as his qualities. So caveated, this is pretty amazing...

https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/1706352477988163947?t=23Jz25eLivzTxHdjQ2yWIA&s=19

noodler · 25-09-2023 7:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156095#Comment_121156095

Impossible not to be positive.

Feels like we've had a tough fixture start and now we've spurs and Brighton away, next, if we got through these two games with 4 points... we have a reasonable fixture run coming up.

paulie21 · 25-09-2023 7:49pm

Kostas signs a new long-term deal. Thought he might look to move on next summer but must be happy with his role.

GiftofGab · 25-09-2023 10:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156375#Comment_121156375

I'm amazed at that. He got 15 goals last season if you include that Charity Shield and if I remember correctly Mane got a similar goal tally in his first season with us. But I'd be delighted if Nunez hits over 20 goals for us this season. 25 would be an incredible season.

cj maxx · 25-09-2023 10:16pm

I know some of the stellar players are off form , but I honestly think this is a title contender team . Early days , but I don’t doubt we’ll be there at season’s end.

passatman86 · 25-09-2023 11:54pm

Ok hands up... I didnt expect this start to the season - much better than i imagined .. Come on the Pool

Widdensushi · 26-09-2023 12:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121153330#Comment_121153330

Some people are still missing Henderson and fabinho....

happyoutscan · 26-09-2023 7:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121157425#Comment_121157425

Expected us to be in the top 4 at this stage. Don't think we will maintain a title challenge but will be happy with CL qualification and a cup.

Osmosis Jones · 26-09-2023 9:21am

Surprised but happy with Tsimikas' re-signing. He's good enough to start for about half the Premier League imo.

K-9 · 26-09-2023 10:02am

If we could just get RB cover sorted now. Have been saying that for a few years now. Gomez is fine there, but somebody of Tsimikas's quality there and we'd be sorted.

rob316 · 26-09-2023 10:17am

Great to have a player of his quality as a backup left back.

Robertson contracted until 2026, you'd imagine he won't be getting another, if there is a player I expect to suddenly decline its him, he has ran himself into the ground for 7 seasons.

Ottoman_1000 · 26-09-2023 10:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121157034#Comment_121157034

I don’t see a title challenge this season, we should go well and hopefully finish well within the top 3, but I think we’re 1 or 2 players short currently. I definitely think Klopp has the bit between the teeth though and knows he’s got the tools to build something special again, reinforce the defence this January and next summer and I think we can go toe to toe with City next season.

The next 2 weekends are going to be a real test, there’s a possibility we only come away with 1 or maybe even 0 points from both fixtures. However, we shouldn’t let that derail what has been a very good start, both Spurs and Brighton are flying and to have them both away one week after the other is tough. I think that is the difference between ourselves and City currently, forget about City’s current Spurs jinx but if they had our fixtures the next 2 weekends it would take some monumental efforts to deny them taking all 6 points. They look as formidable as ever.

rob316 · 26-09-2023 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158111#Comment_121158111

We should be beating both, min. 4 points from the next 2. Spurs have had a great start but fairly kind fixtures.

McFly85 · 26-09-2023 10:39am

Can’t think about a title race unless we’re within 6 points of City after the AFCON.

Hugely encouraged by our start but City without De Bruyne still look formidable. Will take 90+ points to be in the mix.

My personal expectations after last season were to get back into the CL spots and we’ve made a great start for that. A trophy too(particularly the EL) would be the cherry on top!

x43r0 · 26-09-2023 10:40am

The Ange Postecoglou interview with Gary Lineker on the BBC iPlayer (Football Focus) is a great 20min watch. He's a very likeable bloke, no ego and talks a lot sense in his management style.

He mentions Liverpool a few times. Says he's a lifelong Liverpool fan from watching Shankly's teams as a kid. Keen to see how he does with Spurs. If Klopp was to finish on the current deal, he'd be worth a look.

Ottoman_1000 · 26-09-2023 11:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158158#Comment_121158158

That’s my point, we all feel we should be beating them, but in reality it can go either way, both teams are flying it and we’re still suspect at the back. Whereas we know City would take 6 points and it would take something drastic for that not to happen. That’s why I feel a title challenge this year in unrealistic, but we started very well, seem to be putting together a nice team and I think we should finish comfortable within the top 3.

Damien360 · 26-09-2023 11:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158158#Comment_121158158

Brighton is a serious team and the harder of those two fixtures. Spurs break very fast but are softer at the back.

TitianGerm · 26-09-2023 12:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158254#Comment_121158254

Spurs are actually giving up plenty of chances so we can definitely get at them. Should be a good game.

Ottoman_1000 · 26-09-2023 12:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158607#Comment_121158607

I think so to, I'd love to sneaky the win and we might pull it off, but i think this has a high scoring draw all over it. 2-2 I predict.

robwen · 26-09-2023 12:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158254#Comment_121158254

You say we know City would take 6 points, even though Spurs have beat City at home the last 4 seasons or so & beat them at home in the Champions league aswell

Ottoman_1000 · 26-09-2023 1:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158716#Comment_121158716

If you read my post my post above that you would see I already highlighted the that. My point was that this City team are expected to win every match regardless of the opposition and do 95% of the time, whereas we’re not quite there yet, we need 1 maybe 2 more additions before we can be considered title challengers in my opinion. Especially some defensive reinforcements.

K-9 · 26-09-2023 1:48pm

As another poster said, they'll be up on 100 points again. I don't think we'll be able to match that pace.

Electric Nitwit · 26-09-2023 1:58pm

I think you're 100% right Otto. City are just to consistent, thanks mainly to incredible squad depth

We've got great results, especially initially when we weren't playing well, but we don't have that inevitability about us

That said, I think we're going to have a very enjoyable season and finish pretty high. I just don't see us finishing top. Obviously I'll be absolutely delighted to be wrong though, come on fate 😉

Osmosis Jones · 26-09-2023 3:22pm

Guessing something like this for tomorrow, though wouldn't be shocked to see Nunez keep his starting spot.

Kelleher

Bajcetic-Konate-Quansah-Tsimikas

Elliott-Endo-Gravenberch

Doak-Gakpo-Jota

5starpool · 26-09-2023 3:53pm

Long time no post in here, thought I'd drop in.

On this season I'm very happy with how we look compared to the shambles of last season. We can't continue to go behind in games though, but at least unlike last year we have some cohesion going forward and a platform in midfield. I actually think Gomez does really well filling in on the right side of defence, and prefer him there than centrally, although against Villa at CB he was excellent.

City will almost certainly win the league, we can almost all agree on that I'm sure, but I think we are the only team that can stop them winning it. If City are behind or similar points to any team after 25 games, of the possible teams it could be, I think Liverpool under Klopp are the only ones at that point that could go toe to toe with them. After this weekend City have a tough run of games coming up after a very kind start to the season for them. We need to keep being consistent and not let a gap develop, even though 2 years ago we came close after there being a decent gap after nearly 25 games, but realistically we need to be ahead or within a couple of points by Feb to have a chance.

I don't think it'll happen, but I do think it could happen, which is great considering most of last season. I think it is important to stay in competitions as long as we can, and was a point that Lijnders pointed out in the presser earlier today, that while we are in more competitions it keeps the whole squad sharp knowing they will get games, and the squad is very important. A bit of luck with injuries, especially when Salah is at Afcon and we could give things a good rattle this season.

If nothing else, it's nice to be optimistic at least while things are going well.

noodler · 26-09-2023 4:47pm

City usually are particularly flawless in the second half of the season.

Its worrying to see them win their first 6.

Then again, a month ago I probably didn't think what City did would concern us so nice to be dreaming for now.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 26-09-2023 5:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121160056#Comment_121160056

They haven't really been tested yet to be fair, but I'm not getting any hopes up.

brevity · 26-09-2023 6:00pm

We need some luck essentially.

Electric Nitwit · 26-09-2023 7:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121160344#Comment_121160344

..

Osmosis Jones · 26-09-2023 8:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151317#Comment_121151317

Found a couple (excuse the cursor on screen)

Also as mentioned Nunez' hold-up play was so good, I could do a whole post on that alone but I'll leave it with this one

EDIT: the gifs may be dying nevermind 😐️

Fitz* · 26-09-2023 10:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121159714#Comment_121159714

I've a feeling this will be it too.

Possibly Trent starting as he hasn't played in 4 weeks and could do with some minutes before being expected to start vs Spurs & Brighton.

Cartman78 · 26-09-2023 11:05pm

Jermaine Pennant is on Celebrity SAS boxing the head off Matt Hancock.

What a time to be alive 😅

happyoutscan · 27-09-2023 7:50am

If we start Darwin against both I think we will win comfortably against Brighton and Spurs.

He needs to start these games.

Osmosis Jones · 27-09-2023 8:43am

Was just thinking about Gakpo and how he spent a lot of time at PSV playing on the left wing. He created a lot of chances ad got a lot of assists from cutting onto his right and crossing it into the big man in the box.

Could be something to consider with Nunez. I feel like we haven't seen much of Gakpo/Nunez playing together and whenever we have it's Nunez on the wing or Gakpo in midfield.

Widdensushi · 27-09-2023 8:49am

Obviously need to mix it up for different opposition but my preferred front three is what started at the weekend.

Osmosis Jones · 27-09-2023 8:50am

Also a little Van Dijk PR:

Of the 21 Aerial Duels he's faced this season he's won 19 of them, which is the second best success rate in the league and the best out of anyone with more than 10 duels won.

His assist for Jota against West Ham has been our set piece blueprint all season, everyone cross is put in to him to head it back across goal for someone else. He did the same against Wolves I think Nunez' header that was saved at point blank.

Ottoman_1000 · 27-09-2023 11:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121162311#Comment_121162311

It’s a funny one with Gakpo, I think he was originally signed as a left sided forwarded, but as last season’s shi*e show progressed, he was used more centrally for whatever reasons, and he was actually very efficient in the almost false 9 role ala Bobby. To be honest he was probably 1 of our best performers towards the end of the season and was one of the few bright notes on what was an extremely forgettable year. I have no doubt that he would have been Klopp’s first choice No.9 going into this season also, however injuries to midfielder’s kind of screwed him at the start and he was required to play as one of the midfield 3 for the first 2 games. Then Drawin comes on against Newcastle and the rest is history.

Onto your original point, I don’t know if Klopp will be looking at a situation where he wants both Gakpo and Nunez in the same front 3, I think he now sees them as 2 different options on how he wants us to set up. Nunez gives us way more scoring options when he starts as he’s just such a handful, whether its ball into feet or runs off the shoulder and in behind, defenders hate him, Nunez is now also a perfect foil for Salah, whereas teams were doubling and even tripling up on Salah last season they now can’t afford to do that because Nunez is very good at making runs into the gaps left behind. But I think Gakpo will get game time against the teams where Klopp will fancy a bit more control, I could definitely see him starting against City, Arsenal and even Brighton next weekend.

dmigsy · 27-09-2023 5:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121162184#Comment_121162184

Not sure about the comfortable wins but I agree that Nunez needs to be the starting central striker. He's starting to hit his stride and has to start for as long as his form and fitness holds. Rest him for the cup games but want to see him start in the league.

giveitholly · 27-09-2023 6:03pm

Can anyone remember the website that shows you the channels worldwide showing the game tonight?

realrebel · 27-09-2023 6:13pm

Live on sat

Damien360 · 27-09-2023 6:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121165487#Comment_121165487

Bein sports 2/3

ESPN+

Electric Nitwit · 27-09-2023 6:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121165487#Comment_121165487

Taken from This Is Anfield, in case it helps. I haven't checked out what works yet...

SuperSport 6 Digitalb, TOD, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN Sports HD 2, beIN Sports English 2, SuperSport GOtv Football, ESPNPlay Caribbean, Star+, beIN SPORTS 3, beIN Sports Connect, DAZN2, DAZN, Moja TV, Arena Sport 5 Serbia, GUIGO, ESPN2, NOW NET e Claro, Diema Sport 3, Play Diema Xtra, Arena Sport 9 Croatia, Cytavision Sports 7, Cytavision on the Go, TV3 Sport, Viaplay Denmark, Viaplay Estonia, Elisa Viihde Viaplay, V Sport 1, V Sport 1 Finland, Arena4, Vodafone Sport, Viaplay Iceland, Mola TV App, Mola, mola.tv, Sport 2, Setanta Sports Kazakhstan, SuperSport Kosova 6, Viaplay Latvia, Viaplay Lithuania, Viaplay Netherlands, MaxTV Go, V Sport 1, Viaplay Norway, Viaplay Poland, Sport TV Multiscreen, Sport TV4, Digi Online, Digi Sport 3 Romania, Arena Sport 3 Slovenia, DStv App, SuperSport Variety 3, DAZN 4, Movistar+, Viaplay Sweden, V Sport Extra, ESPN+