23 Aug 2016 18:05:56
"12 - Liverpool have allowed the opposition fewer shots (12) than any other PL team in 2016-17, yet have conceded a joint-high 5 goals. "

While many people aren't fans of the midfield trio of Hendo, Lallana and Wijnaldum clearly they have been preventing the opposition's attacks (mainly due to Hendo) .

The 2 main problems are the defence which, for me, will improve when Matip is back, and hopefully Sakho remains, and Mignolet who has only saved 2 shots from 7 on target, the last being Walcott's pen, so has conceded from the last 5 shots on target. This will improve when Karius is back from injury.

While I don't completely agree with the team Klopp is playing at the moment, I still think he can make it work. If we can stop the individual errors I think we can do very well this season.

Apologies for any optimism or confidence in Klopp and the team, I know many on here don't like it.

1.) 23 Aug 2016
23 Aug 2016 18:17:37
Hoping the changed team tonight puts a real shift in and causes Klopp a headache.
If he chooses a midfield of Can Stuart and Grujic, and they put in a real performance, the likes of Hendo and Wdum will be very worried after that showing over the weekend.

2.) 23 Aug 2016
23 Aug 2016 18:21:11
A few assumptions you've made that don't necessarily follow on - 1. all the shots on target were saveable by any keeper; 2. the traditional defensive unit were the ones who always screwed up to allow the ball in; 3. the midfield actually stopped there being more than 12 shots. For example if the FBs block a dozen crosses that isn't a shot and isn't the midfield doing anything of value. Likewise if centre backs are cutting out through balls or even if forwards are chasing down moves to make a miss pass happen. 4. The teams "allowing" more shots could have been forcing the opposition into wild hopeful shots from further out, meaning they're performing better than us in some senses and potentially their midfield are doing the good job.

I appreciate you're being positive and not a bad thing at all, the squad/ manager is what Liverpool have right now so it is better to hope they come good. But as the saying implies, you can make anything you want out of stats but rarely do you get the real picture. Hence the reason ckubs have bought some utter dross based on stats.

3.) 23 Aug 2016
23 Aug 2016 19:07:59
DBol Henderson played well at the weekend, he was the only one who sensed danger, broke up most of Burnley's attacks and kept hold of the ball. The only thing he didn't do was create and that doesn't mean he played bad, there was no movement in front of him.

LondIrishRed
1. Having watched the games, I think at least 2 were saveable, maybe 3, but that leads me to concerns with the keepers positioning when he's being beaten so easily by shots on target.

2. Again having watched the games, the only goal that could be remotely blamed on the midfield was the first v Arsenal when Lallana lost the ball, but if Moreno had been in position, the goal wouldn't have happened.
The others involve 3 mistakes from Clyne and Klavan not taking out Defour on the halfway line. So it is the defence allowing the goals, plus Mignolet not saving shots.

3. Yet again having watched the games, and Hendo breaking up countless attacks, the midfield are stopping the other teams getting shots away.

4.) 23 Aug 2016
23 Aug 2016 21:16:22
You, agree 100% about Mignolet positioning so don't have an issue with that although that still leaves as many he couldn't save and 2 he did so pretty even there. Defence I know were to blame on most of the goals but then we have specific issues we know about there, i. e. FBs are pretty ordinary to say the least.

More the point I was making is that less shots doesn't mean midfield are playing well as a unit, just as more shots against you doesn't mean they're playing badly. Burnley didn't exactly come to attack and create lots of chances, it was a very successful smash and shut up shop exercise. Also Henderson has been singled out by many as breaking up attacks but that is one player. I know you're trying to be positive and I don't have an issue with that but I feel there are issues with defensive and midfield units still being a long way from functioning as units.

5.) 24 Aug 2016
24 Aug 2016 19:53:12
You are spot on, You. Three of the goals were saveable for Mingo had he even attempted to dive for them or anticipated where the shot would be going to which he didn`t because he`s that awful. We have conceded the least shots on target (6) yet have the worst record at conceding goals. That is damning in itself. Also remember that LFC led the PL in ceding at the first shot on target and we are leading that category again after tow games. Who was in goal all last season and this season? Mingo. The midfield and defense are doing their jobs, stats wise but we need a goalie who will at least keep us in a game until we at least score a goal instead of conceding oat the first shot he sees.