24 Apr 2017 00:22:08
Quick thoughts (besides being absolutely gutted, trying to be rational here)

The first 60 minutes weren't too bad actually, thought we controlled the game pretty well, and apart from one really poor piece of defending for Bentekes first (where they opened us up ridiculously easily and no-one tracked any runners - where was the defense? ) we didn't give too many other chances away but created a reasonable amount. Brilliant goal from Coutinho apart though we lacked the killer touch and there were theee notable issues in converting possession into goals IMO
1) It was mostly poor delivery from Clyne who failed on numerous occasions to look dangerous from good positions
2) Coutinho kept dropping into midfield, which was fine, but we lacked any quality on the overlap outside him, and likewise missed a fullback able to get in behind on the left
3) This was a game we really missed Llalanas energy and creativity, with Can and Gini struggling to create anything in the tight spaces

The last 30mins however we really started to panic and I thought the nervousness of the race for top4 got to us. We needed a change on about 65mins to shake things up but there very little Klopp felt confident turning too off the bench which was a major problem, and we let the game stagnate which gave Palace increasing confidence. Predictably another silly mistake from defense, a soft corner and we concede yet again from a set piece (why don't our own corners ever seem so dangerous? ) . I think being able to turn to Sturridge when we were in control but struggling to score would have been a major boost and forced Palace to move to a much more defensive mindset, such a shame he couldn't at least make the bench.

What I think Klopp should have done is put on TAA for Clyne, taken off Lucas and pushed Can deeper, dropping Coutinho into midfield, then let Woodburn have 30mins on the wing. As it was it turned into a bit of a shapeless mess and we took a major blow in the race.

The good news is though, the Manchester Derby is yet to come and some tough games left for Man Utd too so let's not panic just yet. Hopefully with Llalana back and maybe Hendo too we can strengthen things up again and push on. Keep the faith and here's to Klopp getting a new CB and one or even two FBs in the summer.

1.) 24 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017 09:41:46
Honestly i don't think we will get 4th, players are bottling it again. Hope they prove me wrong but just can't see it.

2.) 24 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017 09:44:50
Sorry but I thought we were poor all game. Take away Coutinho's goal and we where slow and predictable with many of our players just not at the races. Wijnaldum, Can, Origi and even Firmino just not firing.

Then you look at our back line, Milner was poor, slow to attack and even slower defensively with Clyne the same but worse because, well how many times can you get forward only to hold or waste possession? Lovren, least said about him the better and Matip wasn't much better.

You can't fault Mignolet today, couldn't do much with the goals. Midfield was just nonexistent and has to take some of the blame for our defensive woeful defense as Palace just breezed past them, both Can and Wijnaldum may as well not have been on the pitch.

The worst thing for me is that everyone could see we had lost our momentum and things needed to change but Klopp waits until inside 80 mins, I mean what's the point?! We have 2 young players with pace which could of got at Palace given time and who comes on Moreno? I just don't get it, Klopp was working slower than Lovren and that is saying something!

3.) 24 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017 10:19:31
What exactly is happening behind Wilson and Ojo. A team that has no pace up front should play either one. It's a no brainer to me. Are they not good enough?

4.) 24 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017 10:55:28
natural poolie how can you have a go at firminio he may not have been effective upfront as you want against a back 6 which he did get behind a time or two, one of the few who made them runs but the lad run every yard of the pitch harrying and closing down and even found himself in the right back position behind clyne who would have been caught out more if not for him and even although your right about can and matip letting benteke ghost away what that was an example of is the frailty of zonal marking because all you seen in that goal position ways was all and i mean liverpool players marking the space and not attacking the ball or marking men. If your going to have a go understand what your seeing first.

{Ed001's Note - that is not a weakness of the system, it is a weakness of our players. Not attacking the ball and not blocking off runs are the two things we struggle with. That is why we concede. We have no organisation from the keeper or the centre backs, no one is doing their job. If we were man marking the problems would be the same, it is just people would blame the individual players, rather than the system.}

5.) 24 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017 11:56:13
Bruffio you answered your own question. Getting behind them once or twice in 90 mins in a game against an opponent who let us have possession and you call think that's good? Sorry but I stand by my opinion, they were all poor.

6.) 24 Apr 2017
24 Apr 2017 14:15:41
Spot on, Ed. I have mentioned this numerous times. We have a load of buck-passers who just stand there hoping that the ball will clear itself. There is no bottle amongst our defenders when it comes to being assertive in defensive situations like set-pieces. NOBODY takes charge, organizes and holds players accountable in such situations. No one wants to get their hands dirty and stick the boot in. Look at their second goal, and you will see what I'm talking about. even the Sunday League don't defend set pieces the way we do.

Man marking is even worse IMO, cos all you have to do is block players off (picked as they say in the NFL) and the a man or two will be free and the problem will be the same, as you said. The best system is a mix of zonal and man marking in certain areas of the box BUT the problems will remain if our players have the gutless defensive mentality they have now.