23 Aug 2023 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Bournemouth - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

1.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 08:45:37
Thanks Ed001 - One main takeaway that you highlighted. It was night and day, watching Trent stay right more. The whole team responded and we attacked and defended much better. Surely Klopp sees this now?

{Ed001's Note - I hope so.}

2.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 09:01:22
Do you think we will see jota dropped? He just seems so effective off the bench and we look so much better with Gakpo up to or even dare I say it Nunez - give him a run of games.

{Ed001's Note - I don't see Jota being dropped, there was no reason even to start him over Nunez in preseason but that was the decision made. I think they just prefer Jota, though I completely disagree and would have him as an impact sub, which he is very good at.}

3.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 09:50:15
Jota scores goals. You could look at from any angles and that's the bottom line. He keeps on scoring and could become our second highest scorer this season. Goals over "Link-up play" or whatver. I don't see how Nunez is better than Jota, in what aspect actually?
Once we sort the DM issue you might see Gakpo playing ahead of Jota only for the "False 9" whatever.

4.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 09:57:33
Surely Gakpo will now move up top with Endo, Mac and Sobo in midfield.

5.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:07:41
Jota gives the ball away too much. For that reason alone, he should not be starting games.

He's into his 4th season at LFC and his link up play hasn't really improved for me. Granted he's been shunted around positions and has had some terrible injuries, but he cannot play in the no9 if he cannot hold onto it and link with his team mates.

Gakpo is a natural at it. Darwin is also better at it, even if it might look a bit clumsy at times.

6.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:10:14
Agree 100% Ed! Surely Klopp starts with Endo from now on, in which case Gakpo starts up front in place of Jota?

7.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:17:36
Bit of an embarrassment of riches that FSG have blessed us with that Klopp is spoilt for choice up front ?.

8.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:23:29
I think we will know by Christmas whether Darwin will ever be fancied at Liverpool. I really hope so, I was backing him to kick on this season but from the early team selections I'm not sure he will be given the chance. Seems to be firmly fifth choice forward at the moment.

He either capitalises on the Europa League games and forces his way back into the team, or we end up cutting our losses and selling next summer.

I really don't think he's had a fair crack at the whip. When he first came he was getting loads of chances but missing a lot, then by the time his finishing improved he was shunted out to the left and stopped getting the chances, then he's out of the team entirely - confidence is gone and we're back to square one. I really hope it works out for him because I think he gives us so much extra going forward.

9.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:33:47
@Habibi/ Harry, the point we are trying to make is that if Jota doesn't score in a match, it is basically like we are playing with 10 men. You can see for yourself the number of times a move or attack breaks down because of him, either by him mis-controlling a pass or mis-hitting one. We need to consider if we are able to carry a passenger in the team for most of the match just because there is a possibility of that one player producing one singular moment of magic to score a solitary goal. Even in the Bournemouth match, where he assisted for Diaz, it was a poor pass that Diaz managed to make the most of.

Gakpo is a much better option up top as he links up play very well and is able to score too. He makes us, as a team, play better and hence why he is mostly everyone's preferred choice to play up top for us.

10.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:42:22
Jota scores goals, links up better and is better defensively. Minus odd games and a decent preseason he’s done nothing to warrant a start over him currently.

11.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 10:46:39
Hi eds1
So if we play Endo from the start who gets dropped?

{Ed001's Note - Jota.}

12.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 11:08:42
Gakpo will start ahead of Jota and Nunez, when Endo is settled in.

Jota was absolutely woeful for the first 15 - 20 minutes against Bournemouth. Every time the ball went anywhere near him we lost possession. He’s a great natural goal scorer - he has an instinct for it, but tactically he’s unaware.

About Nunez, he’s starting to be a bit of an ‘elephant in the room’ in my opinion. When does he actually make a contribution based on attack and defensive capabilities?

13.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 11:12:31
Jota out, Gakpo through the middle. Mac and Dom with one other in midfield.

14.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 12:17:33
Newcastle like playing on the front foot at home, so I'd play Nunez to really stretch them. Endo will surely start and let's all hope Klopp is seeing the light with this hyrid stuff. Newcastle have a good team but I think we have better players in most positions.

15.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 12:18:49
If we don't rate Darwin (which clearly we don't), perhaps we should even have sold him this summer. Promising strikers are in short supply so we'd get back most of the money we paid for him regardless, and I'm not sure we even need 5 top level attackers when we have Doak and Szobo can do a job there.

Maybe more sensible to re-invest that money in a world class midfielder or CB.

As I've said, I'd be gutted to see him go but if the club don't fancy him it seems logical.

16.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 12:48:30
Harry, you were waxing lyrical about Nunez like he was the second coming when at Benfica. Now you think Jota is better? Absolute flake.

17.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 13:03:53
Changingofthegvardiol, Harry doesn't even watch Liverpool play so not sure he even remembers what he said about Darwin while at Benfica. Also, he's been hanging his lot with the City fans on their page so that could affect him, as well.

As for anyone who thinks that Jota is better defensively and his link up play is very good, has been watching Jota with his eyes wide shut. The guy is absolutely dreadful in thoe areas and sometimes, we play with 10 men at times cos he is that invisible in the press and defensively.

Sure, he scores goals but so do all our forwards. If he is not scoring, what does he offer? I'll wait.

18.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 13:37:32
The words Jota, link up play and pressing should never be used in the same sentence. By all means use Jota, finisher, clutch goals and heading, together.

19.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 13:40:43
Thomas, I doubt you'll ever see Klopp move Darwin on. He's just that way with his players. But you may be right in that if he continues to be a bench warmer, his discontent may start building up and, at some point in the future, he may put in a request himself.

20.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 15:27:19
I’m guessing the one person who thinks Jota deserves to start ahead of Nunez so far this season is Klopp.

21.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 17:53:54
Spot on, ArAy1969. Still waiting for anyone to tell me what Jota offers when he is not scoring goals in a game. Crickets, so far.

22.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 19:45:10
One thing you can't replace is goals every team struggles to buy a number 9 one thing Jota gives to us is goals, never underestimate that.

23.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 21:52:02
@JK23, I agree - Klopp has been picking Jota but I think it’s out of necessity to cover for the lack of a DM. Now that we have one I think (more hope really) that Endo goes into the starting 11 and Gakpo move into Jota’s role and Jota goes to the bench. We are a better attacking unit with A front three of Diaz, Gakpo and Salah.