1.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 15:26:11
Thanks for the review Ed. Just one point, I think Origi did get one gilt edged chance (last play of game) he was offside not flagged, again proving your point on the ineptitude of the officals on the night.

{Ed001's Note - I assumed he was flagged off, which is why I never mentioned it. I never noticed they did not give offside!}


2.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 15:41:13
Think Ed this maybe our slight dip which considering we didn’t lose those games is a plus. Hopefully one win we see us flying again I’m sure of it.
Another good review mate.
Up the pool.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate. It certainly feels like our dip, just need to get back to form quickly.}


3.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 16:00:17
Enjoyed the review Eds1 I actually felt a bit sorry for Naby as like you said no one was making any runs for him and also Matip now thinks he’s Beckenbauer!

{Ed001's Note - I felt even more sorry reading the reactions to Keita's performance. He seems to be the latest one to be targeted no matter what he does. As for Matip, van Dijk needs to have a word with him. It is van Dijk that gets exposed when Matip wanders off. Mind he is probably better off on his own most of the time!}


4.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 16:11:10
Great review as per.

I agree vvd needs to be telling Matip stay put pass to the midfielders. But for the life of me I don’t get why Klopp doesn’t from the side lines.

The amount of times he did it against West Ham was horrible, even when he didn’t lose the ball he’d just turn around after dribbling into midfield and turn around and pass back. Utterly pointless don’t see why Klopp allowed that to happen for so long on the game.

Only seemed to stop once keita was moved even deeper maybe because he was willing to take the ball more idk.

{Ed001's Note - I don't get it either. When a defender strides out from the back it can make a huge difference. When Matip does it we just seem to end up in a mess.}


5.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 16:55:22
Good review mate. I'm very disappointed with our shape lately, the front always seems narrow that it leads us with nowhere to go with our attacks against teams that sit deep and set up to defend. I get the temptation to have Mane, Salah and Bobby playing one twos and creating from there but I can't help thinking we are limiting our play when Mane and Salah are excellent when they are 1v1 vs defenders. Instead they are seeming to get marked out the game in central areas. Maybe I'm overreacting due to a couple of poor performances but I was wondering what you thought of our attacking shape?

{Ed001's Note - it is meant to free up the full backs to get forward, which it does. Sadly Robbo was woeful and wasted plenty of chances to put a good ball in.}


6.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 17:30:28
Ed001, I have another one in mind. Why our forward just hanging around penalty spot or edge of the box instead of moving towards the post to meet the cross.

{Ed001's Note - that one I don't understand either!}


7.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 17:33:21
Yet another spot on review eds.
I agree on matip stay put there are other options out there. Keita looks better every game he plays just a couple of sloppy balls people see and jump on he’s back for it but if another players done it it wouldn’t get mentioned.
The one thing that drives me mad with our defending from the hole team and you have talked about this Meany times before is player not thinking or not aloud to think for them selfs if they have see something or just man mark a player ie one free kick hendo can see Maguire standing on he’s own but won’t go near him. Maguire ends up totally unmarked and gets a run.

{Ed001's Note - it is an extremely annoying feature of the modern game - players are robots.}


8.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 17:57:45
Matip stepping out from the back if he did it effectively (which he rarely does, but sometimes he does) can make the difference in the games where teams park the bus as in theory it should commit at least one opposition player to go to him freeing up one of our attackers. Sadly when matip does it a lot of the time he loses the ball which puts us on the threat of a counter or he plays the wrong pass which doesn't enhance our play but he still has to get back to position. I would say klopp encourages this in van dijks partner as Gomez also does it, a lot of the time a player presses him and he simply runs past them and plays a pass which opens up space for the rest of the team.

Overall though I don't believe matip has the quality to be that type of defender for us.


9.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 18:20:59
Nice one Ed cheers. I think you’re a bit generous to Bobby there giving him 5.5 though. I’d have put him on a par with Matip with a 2. He was worryingly bad which makes everything else a bit disjointed. When he’s on form he destroys teams like he did against Arsenal but in this game he looked like he’d never played the game before.
Also I gave an opinion about the fact that shifting the ball at set pieces just leaves us open. It’s like having a midfield player with the ball under no pressure and trying to play offside. You just don’t do it.
What’s your thoughts on how to combat that Ed?

{Ed001's Note - for Bobby, if you check the stats he had a very good game. Though that does not tell the full story, it does suggest he was nowhere near as bad as you are suggesting.

As for the set pieces, simply moving to block runners, rather than just playing offside, would help. You have to have some marking as well. Depends on who you face and the runs they make, the players need to be able to figure it out on the hoof.}


10.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 19:11:30
A very fair and accurate summary Ed. Thanks

Robbo needs to re-discover that form from before Christmas. He hasn’t been playing great for a while but his last two games have been poor and at fault for the Leicester goal plus he lost Antonio for the goal Monday. He needs to get back to basics and sort his delivery out again!

As for Matip. wellnwhere to start? The guy is a donkey and surely is only a professional footballer due to his height? He can’t tackle without fouling, he’s rubbish in the air for his size and he’s week. In his head he must be Franz Beckenbauer the way he brings the ball out. Only thing is he over runs it and gives the ball away leaving huge holes behind. He needs replacing in the summer as a matter of urgency!

We miss Wijnaldum’s industry in midfield he’s so underrated and links defence with attack so well. He’s been our best midfielder this season and is vital to us.

Let’s hope this is just a blip and we can turn things back on now!

{Ed001's Note - Robbo was actually playing well until he made the mistake against Leicester. It has clearly got into his head and he is trying too hard now.}


11.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 19:59:09
I posted on this site about Robertson immediately after the game. He has been awful since the mistake against Leicester. As if he has to make up for it by being "1986 World Cup Maradona".
Also, I may be off, but it seems like no-one was really willing to take risks (apart from Robertson, who feels like he has to do it all) . It seems like the pressure is getting to them.


12.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 21:06:46
Good review Ed, including a sensible analysis of Keita, who actually played well. He is the current fall guy if Liverpool do not play well. thanks.

{Ed001's Note - thank you Gf.}


13.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 21:17:19
thanks for the review. it's refreshing to read something balanced and different than the apocalyptic reviews done by pundits who claim that City are now in pole position to win the league.

this West Ham side is nothing special, but in Pellegrini, they have very good manager who's won things and taken mid-table clubs to high places.

I'm with you on Keita actually having a decent game. I thought he played some quick and good passes and tried to drive forward. The last chance of the game, the one where Origi was actually offside, came from him as well. But he's fast becoming the new Hendo as the media and fans who mindlessly follow their opinions slate him incessantly.

On Robbo trying too hard, its getting clearer isn't it? can't remember was it this game, the last game, or maybe both, when he tried to become John Arne Riise and shot from 30 yards out? that's not his game but seems like he's trying to do something significant to atone for his mistake that he is getting even the basic stuff wrong. I actually thought he was culpable in the lead up to the goal as he handled the ball poorly in quick succession; something he's not prone to doing previously.

I also wonder for Alisson if he can take his game just that little notch higher. He can't do much for the 2 goals conceded against Leicester and West Ham. but i was secretly hoping he could pull off a DDG type of save from somewhere. Guess that's that little bit more for him if he really wants to overtake DDG at his best?

{Ed001's Note - it was this game Robbo tried to blast it from miles out when there was options for a pass.}


14.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 21:26:53
Good read Ed. I think Salah and bobby were lucky to come out with their scores. But that is only based on the standards they have set in the past. I’d be interested to see what Bobbys pass completion was. It just seemed like everything he tried went to a West Ham player. Hopefully all the players shake it off and put it in the past where it belongs before the next game.

{Ed001's Note - according to WyScout it was 82%.}


15.) 06 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 22:42:54
Great read as always, Ed01. On defending set-pieces, you are spot on. On the one that let to the goal and on the one that Rice narrowly headed over, I thought the line was REALLY high in relation to AB's starting position. I mean if I could see that then surely someone within the staff or the players should have noticed it and had them either drop deeper.

Also, WH had players make runs from deep like Rice did while the others just blocked the LFC players off hence, having a free go at the ball and beating the offside trap. Again if I can see it then surely something needs to be done, as you alluded to. Hopefully, Klopp can get this sorted and allow the player more lee-way to make adjustments. Always a pleasure reading your reviews, Ed. Cheers, man.


16.) 07 Feb 2019
06 Feb 2019 22:08:37
The Ferguson article was an eye opener for me, thanks for that I look forward to the full article.

On your scale if Matip and Robo get 2's Salah should get 1 and Firmino -1 he had an absolute shocker. I do feel all players start with a 5 and Firmino starts with an 8. There were so many times he had the ball in the final third and gave it away (easy passes were on), he did nothing positive in the game. As for tracking back he was pulling a caravan and never got near winning the ball back. He was subbed (early for Klopp) and rightly so.

{Ed001's Note - thank you mate.

You are wrong about Salah and Firmino, you clearly just remember the bad things and completely forget the good. Firmino had 82% pass completion, so all these passes you claim were given away are obviously in your imagination.}