29 Jan 2018 19:04:44
I am really annoyed about our last two results but please lads (not really many people on here to be fair), have some perspective with the whole "sack Klopp" stuff. People also talk like we have no good players and the future is doomed. We have a handful of weak links, is all.

Our goalkeeper situation is a mess. Mignolet is quite simply not good enough, Karius lacks confidence because he wasn't backed when he should've been, and Ward wants to leave. You have to assume Mignolet and Ward are gone in the summer and we will look for a new First choice keeper, and an experienced back up.

The right back situation is starting to look concerning. Whilst Arnold and Gomez are great talents, neither player are great right backs. Gomez should be in centre back next year, and Arnold should be in midfield. Sadly, Klopp has no other choice right now because Clyne is atrocious and has been injured anyway, and Flanagan just isn't good enough, ignoring his indiscretions. So it is pretty obvious we'll look for a right back in the summer.

Centre back for me is still a glaring weakness but can be easily solved. Van Dijk hasn't settled well though as he is pointing and shouting a lot, but to be honest he has been poor so far. Matip is the worst defender I've ever seen in professional football. I really mean that as well. He literally cannot do anything right defensively. He is probably our best passer of the ball in defence though, even better than Virgil to be honest. Klavan is a reliable back up. Lovren is a good player who just can't seem to cut errors out of his game. Ultimately, Gomez should be playing here with Van Dijk and they should play every game in front of the same keeper, unless one of them is injured. Continuity.

Left back is now amazingly the only position at the back i am pretty much comfortable with. Moreno is still completely hit and miss to be honest (and he'll probably leave in the summer) but Robertson has defended brilliantly and is still only 23. We also have 2 very bright prospects here in Adam Lewis and now Tony Gallacher. Lewis is very much like Arnold in that he may end up in midfield, but Gallacher looks like he will be groomed to be the long term answer at left back, as the club had hoped to do with Sessengon.

On the whole, we are basically a right back and a keeper away from sorting the defence out. Everyone knew that before the Swansea or West Brom games.

Midfield is where it starts to get a bit more hairy. Henderson is clearly our best midfielder. He has been since at least 2014, and nothing I've seen from anyone since then has changed my mind. Can will leave and with his attitude, it can't come soon enough. Keita will be here in the summer and hopefully he sorts his attitude out! Milner just needs to be moved on to be honest. We are still light here and should be targeting another player unless either Chirivella or Matt Virtue have exceptional loans and cone back ready for first team action.

Attacking midfield is an enigma. Ox had looked great but he's been strangled against the compact teams and the lack of movement around him has meant the gaps he likes to drive into haven't appeared. Lallana seems incapable of staying fit. Wijnaldum only shows up for 19 games a season and even when he does he isn't great. Ejaria and Woodburn have showed promise but being good at u23 is a different kettle of fish. Realistically, Lallana probably needs to be replaced in the starting XI plans, this summer. He's actually been fit for less games than Sturridge or Henderson in the last 2 years. He is no longer reliable enough to be considered a first choice player.

Midfield is the weakest area of the team right now but when Keita signs and the club replaces Can and Coutinho, we should be fine. It is the waiting that kills you!

Forwards is the only place Liverpool have the quality to compete, and yet ironically it is the position everyone wants to sign players for. In Salah, Firmino and Mane we have a front 3 that can rival any side in Europe. People complain that our back up options aren't that great but Ings and Solanke can both play across a front 3, as can Woodburn. Ox, Gini and Lallana can both cover wide areas. In the youth ranks Liverpool still have Kent, Ojo, Wilson, Brewster and Dhanda who are all highly rated and will be needing chances in the coming seasons if they are not sold. If there is any position Liverpool are not short in, it is forwards. Origi and Sturridge are only away on loan for a start so either player could still realistically return even if it isn't likely. Ings and Solanke have barely played this season so just give them a chance before you right them off.

If you actually take a step back and calm down Liverpool need a goal keeper (to replace Migs), a back up keeper (to replace Ward), a right back (to replace Clyne and free up Gomez), another midfielder (to replace Can), and another attacking midfielder (to replace Coutinho) . Does anybody want to say they didn't know that after we beat Man City? Of course we all knew. A couple of bad results does not kill the season and i don't understand why people start screaming for a striker every time we lose when the only thing we do right is score goals. Whenever we draw a blank it usually stems from a lack of quality and urgency in midfield.

We are not a useless team though as some would have you believe, and Klopp will sort these problems out if he is as good as we all thought when he took over. He said 4 years to win a trophy. We need to stop blaming players who are not the problem in the mean time (Firmino and Gomez seem to be the fall guys lately) when it is obvious who the main culprits are; Mignolet, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Can and Milner.

Our problem is that we have squad players pretending to be first team quality. We have enough squad players with Klavan, Lallana, Wijnaldum and Ings. However in Gomez, Virgil, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino and Mane we have the nucleus of a good team. A little bit of pinpointed reinforcement and i still think we can challenge next year. I said 10 days ago we were the second best team in England and two bad games doesn't change that.

With or without Klopp, our future is bright in my opinion.

1.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:21:12
Mate we're one injury away from starting Danny Ings in the Champions League knockout stages. We've had an absolute nightmare in the market once again.

{Ed001's Note - no we are not. What one injury would that be? If Mane, Salah or Firmino are out, one of the others could move central and Ox up to the wing.}

2.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:21:51
Agreed MK and a good read. Showed how much we miss Henderson the impact he had when he came on the other day easily our best midfielder, even if I do disagree with him being a DM. I’m so disappointed in Matip, I just hope Ed001 is right when he has previously mentioned that Klopp wants him replaced.

3.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:30:18
Good post although bit harsh on Van Dijk. He was good against Everton and Swansea and beside Moreno against West Brom. I’d give Lovren a go beside him I think they would be well balanced . Agree on Robertson I think he really has potential to be a 7/ 10 week in week out.

Midfield is the huge issue but fingers crossed we can get through the rest of this season as is and strengthen accordingly.

Plenty of positives to look forward with and exciting games coming up, unfortunately we can’t win every game but hopefully we can finish top 4 and get to semis of CL then who knows.

4.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:32:26
MK the future is bright under klopp, and id agree with the positions you said but that's nearly half a squad not a handful.

We have struggled for years against the team's that defend but in the transfer windows we always seem to take one step forward then one step back. We have been one or two players away from competeing for years.

Again this season we bought salah then sold coutinho who has that quality to get goals out of nothing, which can't be said about many in our team.

The midfield lacks any creativity what so ever and klopp and the club are banking on our front 3 too pull the team out of the rubbish every week.

We are in a cracking position in the league and also the champions league but any injuries to the front just destroys the team.

Henderson and lallana don't ever look like being first team regulars so unfortunately they are out of the picture.

I know its difficult to buy in Jan but id rather spend some money now and have a quiter summer than risk going with what we have.

5.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:33:19
We have the second best attack, but our midfield, defence and goalkeepers are certainly not, in fact they’re nowhere near. Matip is a liability, Moreno looked back to the Moreno of the UEFA cup final against Sevilla, Mignolet and Karius both make bad mistakes at critical moments and let in soft goals, not one of our centre midfielders would get a start at any of our top four rivals and this is being horribly exposed at the moment with no answer. Last year when we wanted to stiffen things up, we had Lucas who had the defensive and tactical acumin, there’s not one midfielder at the club with that ability, games are won and lost in midfield and we keep losing games because our midfield simply isn’t fit for purpose.

6.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:33:40
I get annoyed when the Mrs texts me 10 times in a row instead of one text, now it’s not so bad. Haha

Good read 👍🏼.

7.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:38:04
Great read MK.

8.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:46:19
MK, I posted something similar yesterday, it was quite a long post so will summarise it as best as I can.

Goalkeeper - Just get it sorted now if possible or summer. Spend what it takes, over pay if needs be and get in either Oblak or Alisson Becker.

Right Back - Slight concern as Gomez has dipped in form but is young and if you want players to come through the ranks you got to back the youngsters through these dips and allow them to develop. Keep rotating Gomez and Arnold like he has been doing for the next year or two and ease Gomez into the Centre back role in cup games.

Left Back - I agree with Ed1 I would rather bring in someone better than our current two options. Ryan Sessegnon is my personal choice and someone Klopp has looked at previously. He turns 18 in May and can hold down the left back spot for next 10+ years, pure class despite his tender years.

Centre Back - We need an experienced centre back to partner VVD. Sell Matip who like you just infuriates me and I would sell Lovren. I would go into next season with VVD, experienced centre back with Klavan and Gomez providing cover.

Midfield - possibly the weakest midfield out of the top six sides. Emre Can another who infuriates me, plays one good game out of say 8 then coasts and gives away needless fouls. The only midfielder who infuriates me more than Emre is Gini, who offers nothing apart from backward passes. I would sell everyone, yes everyone in midfield and keep Ox and Henderson as cover/ rotating and bring in another top midfielder to play alongside Naby Keita.

Attacking Midfielder - This is a grey area but one thing we know is FSG and Klopp are trying to bring in a top top player so let's wait and see. I am optimistic and hold out hope we might get this player, whoever he is so fingers crossed.

Front Three - Can stay as they are.

9.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 19:57:15
I guess i just don't know why people are so worried about Ings or Solanke playing.

I know people say they have no goals this season, but that is due to lack of game time more than anything else. When they've played they've made an impact and looked like scoring. We are now only in 2 competitions. Presuming we go all the way to the CL final we have about 20 games left this season between now and May. Salah, Mane, Firmino, Solanke, Ings, Woodburn and Chamberlain. Is 7 players for 3 positions. People seem to have this idea that all 3 of our first choice players will get injured at once 🤔

It's fair enough to be worried though. I just personally have a lot of faith in guys who've not had a chance yet this season. Especially Ings. So what if Ings plays in the Champions League? I've seen a team win the CL with Baros up front.

10.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:07:26
Great read MK and to be honest mate, youve gone some way to making me realise things are no way near as bad as they seem.

11.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:13:37
Why worry?
Are about to get relegated out of football?
Will Salah have his arms cut off if we don't fix our defence?
Will Firmino and Klopp's teeth go yellow again if Huddersfield turn us over?
It's all going to be ok boys!
No need to worry about it.

12.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:13:44
Really appreciate all the replies and you make some great points Alonso. I completely get why you'd have Gomez as back up centre back for a season, but then the guy you sign either needs to be pretty old, or come in on loan. Otherwise, Gomez might as well be sold. I'd throw him in. He'll be 21/ 22 next season and this season will have been a huge learning curve for him. People often forget this is still his first season in the starting XI and he missed a year injured.

I'd not be replacing Robertson just yet either. Lewis is on the cusp of a break out season according to most, and Gallacher has been signed to immediately train with the first team so i think we have enough young talent there for now.

I tend to agree with most other points. Though i hope Henderson and Ox can be more than just squaddies.

13.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:27:26
MK, we all know where our issues are BUT slating young players like TAA and Gomerz who have been solid overall this season, is a bit oTT. If you expected them to be great then you did that on your own cos even you yourself know that young players struggle and to me, they have not struggled as much as the could have but that is just me. Moreno is coming back form a long injury so again, your assessment of him is harsh.

As for the CB's, I would play Lovren w/ VVD as he is a much better defender tho he has a mistake in him. Well, so does VVD tho if you look at the Swansea game BUT I won't slate him for that as he was stretching. I just don't think Lovren would get the same benefit of the doubt if the roles were reversed.

As for midfield, we are missing Hendo big time cos he is he cool head and controller there who is more tactically aware and is rarely out of position except when covering for his fellow CM's like Wiji who give him no help a lot of the times. I hope he can come back and help us in midfield cos we need him as both Wiji and Can are not getting it done at all. The GK issue to me, is settled for now so no point moaning about it and I'm not sure Allisson is the answer either as he's only been the first choice at Roma this season BUT we'll see.

As LAVERS said, we are in a cracking position in the PL and we have to make the most of what we have got and the chances we have BUT I don't want any panic buys this Jan, none whatsoever. We have seen what happens when Klopp gets who he wants. They improve the team for the most part so why people want him to get some warm body he himself does not believe in, is beyond me. Keep the faith, lads!

14.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:48:22
Danny Ings in the champions league?

We won it with Neil Mellor up front in 2005.

15.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:51:38
Agree with what you are saying MK. Only thing I think we all need to do is stop suggesting (I know you weren’t) that Klopp needs to go. Do we really all want to be in yet another bloody transition for three years until we sack the next manager!

Let’s just hope Klopp has the backing in the transfer market to get who we need. I would be very surprised if he can’t see the issues every one else can. I think something else might be going on.

16.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:55:02
Mk scouser . Bang on mate . i've been saying this all season . Some of us watch our beloved club with the blinkers off . And we see the full picture . Great post lad .
And just on kieta he is quality . Only having issues this season because he wants to get to us .

17.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 20:56:24
Sinama Pongolle and Le Tellec as well.

18.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 21:08:14
Its a tough one with the centre backs MK, I can see an argument for both leaving Gomez to rotate with Arnold at right back and your point in Gomez going in centre back next season. Centre back is far more unforgiving than right back though, one costly mistake or a few in a relatively short period and the press and fickle fans will jump on his back, which could be damaging to the lad.

Gomez turns 21 in May so even another two full seasons rotating at right back with Arnold would see him go into the third season at 23 years of age which is very young for a central defender and with experience at centre back in cup games means he could still play 10 years at centre back. I do agree that the defender will have to be an older experienced one, someone reliable that won't block Gomez's eventual transition to centre back.

Henderson has injury problems so unfortunately cannot be relied on as a first team starter so another very good central midfielder I feel is required to compliment Naby Keita, someone possible in a similar mould who has the tactical awareness to shield the defence but offer something further up the pitch.

Ox who I like will still get a lot of games as he will challenge for the central midfield spot and if form is good merit game time, plus can rotate in the front three due to rest, injury or when formation and opposition requires his present further up.

In relation to the left back spot, I had completely forgot about the young lad Lewis and the fact we just brought in Gallacher. I am all for giving our youngsters a chance and this Gallacher seems to come with a lot of hype so one of the two might well surprise us and make a break into the first team next season.

19.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 21:13:08
Cheers KingLuis and Kdfirst (and Salah etc! ) . Struggling to keep up with the thread 😂

I wouldn't say i was critical of Gomez or Arnold, BRover. I just don't think they are great right backs. Trent struggles defensively and Gomez is weak offensively. If you put them in their natural positions i think they'd be quality to be honest. All I've really said is they're not right backs.

Mellor though, Ron 😂 if he can play CL, Ings can! Pretty sure Craig Bellamy scored against Barcelona and Ings is at least as good as Bellers was in 2006/ 7.

20.) 29 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 21:23:19
Who replaces Chamberlain in midfield?

21.) 30 Jan 2018
29 Jan 2018 23:40:00
Someone chum, someone. 😏.

22.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 00:07:34
Great post mk.

23.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 07:22:40
As for Solanke, I don’t think he’s ready to play for us, nor do I think he ever will be. He’s a champion player at best 🤝.