General Premier League Thread 2023-24 Mod Note in op 27/6/23 And 21/05/24

I love him, and he's great, but he didn't start playing regularly in the PL until December, and he's only played 4 games in 2024 since he was off with Japan at the Asian Cup (11 starts in 26 PL games). He's been a great buy, but Mac Allister and Szoboslai have been far more influential as far as new midfielders go. Even with all Szoboslai's injuries, he's still played almost double the PL minutes of Endo. Mac def the standout buy though, has been just incredible, an absolute rock and the midfield foundation that this season's success has been built on despite all the turnover.

But absolutely no shade on Endo who's definitely been a hell of a bargain in his own right, and has come on in leaps and bounds since he's been given more game time. Firmly cemented his place as a starter and key player now.

You are so funny.

Firstly you berate somebody for saying who they think has been great 'in the games they've seen'. I only saw one Liverpool game this season where he didn't start. My opinion is based entirely in the games I've seen. I was surprised to find out how it's only recently that he's become a regular starter.

Then you go and state as fact who Liverpool's best player has been, basically telling us that you know more than anybody else who has given an opinion.

I could go down the stats route to blow your statement of fact away but I don't care enough.

Mo Salah is a great player but goals and assists don't decide he's the best player or at least shouldn't. In this day and age it's not often you see a midfielder or defender get awards. Van Dyk and Kante were the last two I think.

I have a Liverpool nut as a friend, season ticket holder for 30+ years. We aren't in touch that much these days but I was on the phone to him last week and he was raving about Endo, Mac Allister and Jota. He said with Salah out that Jota has been exceptional explaining to me that what you don't see much of on TV is him running interference, I presume that means jumping in front of defenders to slow them down, I didn't ask. He said he hopes Jota continues to start when Salah is back.

Maybe I'm being sentimental but I think that the real star of Liverpool this season has been Klopp.

He's had a lot to deal with this season as manager, which started from the outset. Liverpool dropped down to the Europa League for the first time in his tenure, and a somewhat poor campaign, coupled with a summer of upheaval with 6 senior players and trusted lieutenants all leaving. Young blood was brought in, along with a (perceived) stopgap journeyman midfielder from the Bundesliga. He promoted a couple of academy lads who were on loan in League One last season.

This brought about a new expectation level for many with nobody expecting a title challenge. Top 4 was the goal. Klopp didn't have that mindset though and got to work on the mentality within the team, like he had many years ago. 5 wins from the opening 6 before controversially losing away at Spurs. He galvanised the young squad through that, and even through all those early 12.30 kick offs away from home - more than any other club has had to do, or will have to do for years, Klopp stayed firm.

He's constantly having to deal with injury setbacks or multiple players in a position missing at the same time, be it GK, LBs and/or RBs at the same time, a mass of midfielders, or the 3 top goalscorers in the team missing at the same time. And then having players depart to 2 different mid-season international tournaments on top of this. There has been 10 PL games (out of 22) where 7+ first team squad players have been missing. All comps, it's been 17 games (out of 39). Going away to Arsenal in the cup missing 10 players and still winning. Just for one example, players like Joe Gomez have stepped up who went from being a 4th choice CB to being the starting RB because both Trent & Bradley were injured to then becoming the starting LB because both Robertson & Tsimikas were injured. Gomez had a poor season last season but Klopp instilled the change in him by making feel 10 feet tall and a main player in this team throughout the season.

And the team keeps battling on, keeps grinding out wins.

There was 7 players that took to the pitch last night aged 21 and under. Academy players playing has been a feature this season, partly because Klopp always gives young players a chance, but also because of how stretched the squad has been all season. IIRC 5 different academy players have been given their PL debut this season (Quansah, Bradley, McConnell, Danns & Beck). This is in additional to Clark, Gordon & Doak who have made PL appearances this season but made their debut in recent seasons. All 3 are still teenagers. Bajectic would have played a lot more if he wasn't out injured but himself, Scanlon & Chambers have all played multiple cup games each.

He makes all these academy players, and squad players like Gomez, Tsimikas, Elliott, Endo etc feel like they are main players within the squad and it's having some big rewards for the team. Klopp had no qualms at giving Quansah his Liverpool debut away to Newcastle while down to 10 men. He's slotted into the first team set up with ease. Not all managers do that.

But the biggest thing Klopp has been his half time tactical shifts, or subtle tweaks that have changed the game. That Newcastle game being one big example. The Luton game last night with a team largely made up of reserves being another. The massive difference in mentality from first half to second half. Liverpool have recovered 22 points from losing positions this season and and I think they have the most goal involvements from substitutes in the PL aswell.

Regarding post above about the youth in the team now, that's down to the Academy and first team training in the same facilities, Klopp thought it was ridiculous that they didn't train in the same place, so the club built a new training ground, its paying dividends.

should have been here last week when it was the Utd thread

Huge goal in the Everton game. Three points above Luton with a game more played and only one behind Forest if things stay the same.

Gilmour guilty of not being Harry Maguire and that earns him his red card.

Amazing how fragile that United midfield is, nobody with an ounce of defensive nous or instincts there at all with Casemiro gone off. They might pox a result here, but since half time especially Fulham have been way on top

Mad how often it seems to be McTominay and Maguire popping up with big moments since they were told they were surplus to requirements.

Leno palming every save into the penalty area

What a weird goal the net barely moved if at all.

Some man to call on when you need a goal 🤦‍♂️

Presume Rashford will get the same treatment as Sancho and Martial? Oh wait different strokes for different folks!

Ouch, I didn't realise Fulham were that bad on the road.

I haven't seen any highlights of their game today so can't comment on the quality of chances but Man Utd gave up 17 shots at home to Fulham who are missing a few key players.

That's after giving up 22 shots to Luton in their last day out. West Ham are in brutal form but managed to get away 22 shots away at Old Trafford. Villa also managed 22 shots in their game, who were in poor form at the time.

You can't give up 20+ shots every game and get away with it. Both Casemiro + Mainoo started all go those games too. That's a direct slight on Ten Hag's set up and something that can't be blamed on the Glazers.

Arsenal fan here.

Can't really add much to what you already discuss in your thread. I have watched a bit of Utd lately and it feels like there is a pattern in the set-up of the team: since you can't control the midfield area, you let the opponents have the ball and hit on the counter. And it worked lately. Today you didn't have Hojlund so quite toothless up front.

Karius starts for Newcastle

More Arsenal goal difference padding incoming so.

Bournemouth giving City a game here

Bournemouth gave it a good go, fair play to them.