11 Nov 2018 22:18:38
Guys,

Whats happening with Bobby?

Does he not seem himself? is he unfit or just unhappy right now. He seems to have lost his pressing and pure energy or is this just a standard dip in form every footballer gets.

I really think we are way off the final product so far this season which isn't a bad thing considering we are only 2 points off top. If we are in touching distance of city by Christmas and once we start firing on all cylinders then we certainly stand a chance.

Love James.

1.) 11 Nov 2018
11 Nov 2018 22:34:12
No, it's the change of position and the fact we are good enough to win games by implementing our game plan rather than planning to interrupt the opposition's game plan. We had so much of the ball there is no need to rush the opposition into mistakes. Playing deeper is giving him less chances, salah playing in the middle. He is always a threat, some of the link up play was sublime.

2.) 11 Nov 2018
11 Nov 2018 22:43:06
We hang on in there and let Pep and his side start to worry when they can’t shake us off after they have been playing so well.

They could be in for a rope a dope lesson.

Ali knew what to do to beat a champion. Maybe we can do the same.

And we’ve got the cavalry to come over the hill with Naby and maybe even the Ox for the final run in.

3.) 11 Nov 2018
11 Nov 2018 22:49:23
I know mate its frustrating like u I am thinking is he unhappy or wat, cos usually when players are happy within themselves it comes out in there body language on the pitch, like if u compare the body language from the front 3 too last season it's just different, but look were we are in the league that speaks volumes for the potential hopefully that will come out .

4.) 12 Nov 2018
11 Nov 2018 23:21:09
He covered most miles for a LFC player in the match so tirednes isn't the issue.

I would revert to him central though, Salah doesn't link as well as him ( actually Salah hardly links at all this season) so Bobby in the middle offers more options to the left and the right.

5.) 12 Nov 2018
11 Nov 2018 23:25:22
It is certainly worrying. The change in shape may have something to do with it but i’m just not sure i’m comfortable with it, it has shades of Rodgers about it. Why are we messing around with a front 3 that performed so well last season? If salah scored 40+ goals why would we move him around? Am i being short sighted or can nobody else think of an explanation for this?

6.) 12 Nov 2018
11 Nov 2018 23:26:43
Bobby will be fine, I think there's no doubt he's still happy and fit, he's probably just frustrated at his own performances recently, every player goes through it at one point in their career. He will be fine and will bounce back but I would give him a couple of games rest.

Thing is it's not just Bobby, the majority of the team haven't really showed what they're capable of this season, especially when you compare the them to how they performed last season. This means bugger all though imo because we're getting the desired results. We haven't started to click properly yet, imagine when we do? we're feared now, when we click again teams will dread playing us.

Stay positive and believe. Good times are present and even better times are coming.

7.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 00:43:40
"Poor" body language doesn't have to equal "unhappy".

Also I noticed in our build-up play, Firmino was quite often closer to halfway. not sure what that is about but for me it fits in with the overall picture this year that Klopp is trying to modify our style and that is having an impact on individual performances. pretty good that we have maintained good results through all of that!

8.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 02:07:09
body language experts back again lol.

9.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 04:58:56
I made a post on match day about his position. Bobby is just a different player, he is a beast without the ball. he draws in opposition defenders and also hassles them when they are in possession ( pressing from front) which also brings in extra space for mo and Mane to run and exploit. This was last season.
This season he is in the Hole and he can't get out of the hole. he is behind the game which he might take time getting used to. But he won't be effective this way, his passing range and vision aren't exactly his best talents.
Also we miss a target guy upfront for times when trent and robbo could just fire them in and bobby could head them. He was pretty good at that last season.
I think its the position that's crippling him. he needs to be upfront and salah and mane need to be behind him. So they can one touch pass around and open spaces. The opposite way isn't as fluid as last season, but we still are winning so cannot say it isn't working.
May be klopp is looking to preserve salah and mane. They have less ground to cover if they play up top and bobby plays behind them. then he does all that running and hassling in the middle of the park which probably doesn't suit mo and mane. This could be the reason we are doing better in defense as our midfield isn't light.
Bobby though is an out and out team player and i don't think there is any problem in his cause to the team.

{Ed001's Note - he has played the role about 3 times now in the entire season, and we have won all the games he has played in that position. Obviously you know better though.

If you actually bothered to watch yesterday, you would have seen how Firmino moves all over the place and dragged their central midfield completely out of position opening up space for Liverpool's midfield. He was in large part responsible for Liverpool being able to completely dominate that game by using intelligent movement to create space for himself or others.

What he needs is to continue to do what is best for the team, what has given us win after win, not what you think is better in your fantasy world.}

10.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 05:44:56
In all honesty ed i would argue that. Watched the game. Firmino did do what he does best dragging players out of position and making the sapce available but he struggled in link up play most of the game. Yes we won and may we continue to do so. But that isn't his best position. It works for the team as a whole though as results show. His being there has definitely shored up the defense because he does most of the pressing up top the midfield, But since everything is going through him it is a bit slow. there were too many passes he made in his own half dropping too deep. it is clear he is still adjusting to his new position and isn't as effective as we have come to expect of him.

{Ed001's Note - you would argue it? You just agreed with me, but you are still moaning. For heaven's sake, just be happy we are winning and winning comfortably while he plays there. He contributes positively to the team performance and there will be games he will perform the link role, but yesterday that was not what we needed from him. We needed him to drag Anguissa around, or he is a very effective physical presence in the centre.}

11.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 06:25:50
Ed1, you banging your head against the wall yet mate? ;) .

{Ed001's Note - I am, but that could just be because of the effect you have mate! ;-)

12.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 06:45:11
Every week there is a diff player people moan about or slag off cause we had bad result we lose a game most of u lot come on here and rant and rave same if we draw and even win lol we are liverpool support our team no matter what, we won and controlled the game and its still not good enough for some of you rant over 😆.

13.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 07:21:19
Oops. I pressed reply before ending the post. I just wanted to say that this is probably the new normal and it's best if people got used to it. The grass is always greener on the other side. When we are winning and in a threatening winning position, people look at style and criticize. When we are flashy but collecting draws and defeats, people moan about the lack of points adding up. You can't have it both ways.

14.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 07:22:39
Hahaha! have a good one ed mate.

15.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 08:40:00
Agree ArAy, when we dropped points last season everyone was blasting the side for not being more conservative, now we're winning games we would have lost/ drawn last season, people are moaning about how we're not leaving ourselves wide open all the time.

16.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 08:20:11
Morning Ed001, do you see us playing this formation more as the season progresses and against some of the better teams, think so far we have only played it against teams near the bottom of the league and Red Star at home in Champions League.

{Ed001's Note - it is designed specifically to break down weaker teams who sit in, and that is when it will be used. Or if we are behind and chasing the game, I can see us turning to it then.}

17.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 10:18:55
I actually like Firmino playing the new role a bit deeper. Think once he get's used to it it'd work great.

I think what would make a big difference yesterday would of been if Wij or Fabinho went into the space Firmino created with his movement. Hoping Keita will step up and do that in the future.

18.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 11:03:49
Jordz I agree, Keita will step up soon and when he does we'll be laughing mate.

Wijnaldum is too incapable, it's harsh I know but it's the truth in my opinion at least. I like him a lot but for Liverpool when we're going for trophies? I'm afraid he's far from good enough. To play well about 20% of a season isn't Liverpool quality.

19.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 14:43:54
ARAY good post to the ever positive Walter and I totally agree last year we were the poster boys of football and everyone was quick to praise but I'd much rather be in this position with a stronger defence and still have our potent attackers who will come good I'm sure so let's see if Walter changes his mind before the season ends
I believe in klopp.

20.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 15:00:41
It’s not just ‘the way it is now’. I had a season ticket during the seventies and even when we were winning everything there were a certain section of our supporters who just moaned the whole time about this player or that player.

Maybe it’s our psyche who knows but that attitude not to just enjoy the success, but to blow up every perceived error into a crisis has been there for a long time.
I’m not even convinced some of the moaners even watched the games, so banal and weird are the comments.

Be great to just enjoy our start to the season and let’s see where the ride takes us this time. I cannot think of any manager I would rather have and we have a great team. Think positive maybe?

21.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 15:04:34
Difficult call on gigi that salah but completely agree mate such a nice guy and will play anywhere with no complaints but he just doesn't have the consistency.

22.) 12 Nov 2018
12 Nov 2018 19:13:51
Bobbie is doing what the manager is asking him to do for the good of the team, even if that stifles his ability to get on the end of things and score more goals. He has said that he does not care about his personal achievements provided the team wins. Case in point: We lost the ball and with Fulham countering, Bobbie sprinted near 60 yards to help get the ball back. Now, that contribution is as good as creating a scoring chance.

I was worried for Bobbie as well BUT Ed has explained what is going on and his new role, which has helped us win every game we have played with him in that role. For us to win the PL, we need selfless people who will sacrifice themselves for the good of the team and I am happy we have a player like Bobbie, Hendo, Milner, etc. who will bleed for the cause. Bobbie will be fine cos we know when he does not play well, he is still doing his part and cause problems for the oppo., even if it is not as visible as scoring a goal.

{Ed025's Note - i cant argue with that brover..