Liverpool Banter Archive January 28 2017

28 Jan 2017 22:03:06
I actually think we will beat Chelsea.

Bear with me.

The player aren't motivated enough for the "smaller" games which they perceive is easy or less important. We have no trouble getting up for the big games against the bigger teams.

The players and Klopp need to take a good look at this as the blame lies with both.

It's a motivational issue. Ed001 has alluded to it before. E. g. Lallana talking about winning leagues but not interested in a scrap against the lower sides.

This Liverpool side like many recently lacks bottle and determination to dig deep against smaller opposition and unless we score early we struggle.

A win against Chelsea I think is a good possibility though in all honesty. Call me naive but I think we'll win on Tuesday and hopefully some of this gloom will lift.

Things will improve

28 Jan 2017 22:41:57
So its not about a lack of true quality then? We have a few good players that can be great for short periods but that's it. Just take Mane away and them good players become dull duds. I do think Klopp needs to shoulder some of the blame for today as well. Where was Ejariah? The game cried out for pace and width. If your not going to trust Ejariah and Mane unavailable then playing central is the only option but do we have to do it at walking pace. We desperately need a bit of creative flair, someone who can out think the opposition. Most of our players need space. Without Mane's directness to create space our attackers are just like floundering fish.

28 Jan 2017 22:55:50
It's not that, it's the fact that teams have sussed us out.

Teams are prepared to let us have a massive majority possession, and sit back and smother the middle of the park, only to catch our slow defence and deep midfielders on the break.

Boring but very effective.

It's down to Klopp to tweak the system, that is all, and when he does, we'll be fine.

28 Jan 2017 23:35:55
I really hope you are right but to be honest I can't see anything but a loss for us and a big loss maybe by 3-4 goals.
Chelsea will be wanting to win big time. I have a feeling over the next 4 games or so we will be slipping out of top 4.

29 Jan 2017 00:08:36
Natural, not sure what game you were watching but Ejaria actually played 70 mins in the game. Also, if our players are not motivated vs the lesser teams then for sure we will NEVER win the PL cos there are more lesser teams in the PL than top 6 teams so not buying that nonsense of lack of motivation. They should be motivated for any game. As for the Chelsea game, I don`t see a win right now.

If I were Klopp, I would play a tactic like we did vs Utd recently as in, keep it tight, press in critical areas and then break with pace when we have the ball. Why? We are simply not good enough to go toe to toe with literally ANY team right now due to our confidence being in the dumpster.

Hence, we tread cautiously, don`t get beat, hopefully nick a win BUT definitely NOT lose, and move on to Hull as Mane will be back then cos regardless of what happens, if we don`t lose, we`ll still be in the top 4 after that game

29 Jan 2017 12:44:57
Yeah Noah I missed Ojo out of the sentence. It was supposed to be Ojo and Ejaria. I was too busy watching my predictive text, it kept wanting to stick an H on the end of Ejaria

28 Jan 2017 21:54:14
Mane missed the penalty. Senegal out of competition. May be he will play against Chelsea on Tuesday. Hope we will start winning again.

28 Jan 2017 22:30:27
Unless I'm mistaken wasn't previous advice from the Eds was that he can't play until 5 days after leaving the tournament?

{Ed002's Note - Not from me.}

28 Jan 2017 23:06:48
Happy to be wrong Ed, how we need him back. I must have dreamt it!

28 Jan 2017 23:18:53
Don't that's correct mate mahrez played for the foxes on Friday nyt 4 days after his last game

29 Jan 2017 00:11:07
Player cannot play for his club after exiting an ongoing tournament, FIFA rule says, I think.

{Ed002's Note - No, sorry.}

29 Jan 2017 04:46:04
Entitled to five days rest. I doubt it's mandatory, though. Probably up to the player himself.

{Ed001's Note - nothing mandatory.}

29 Jan 2017 11:45:36
The 5 days thing is for players banned for refusing to turn up for a tournament - they are banned for the length of the tournament plus five days (that could be the length of their teams involvement plus five days, I don't really remember but it's definitely the five days part.

29 Jan 2017 11:45:36
The 5 days thing is for players banned for refusing to turn up for a tournament - they are banned for the length of the tournament plus five days (that could be the length of their teams involvement plus five days, I don't really remember but it's definitely the five days part.

29 Jan 2017 12:41:17
That's it Hj you solved it mate it was to do with National that I heard if the ban had been enforced all the way to the final. Cheers

29 Jan 2017 12:42:46
Oh, thanks Ed. Someone had mentioned that somewhere.

29 Jan 2017 15:27:21
Sorry spell check that was Matip not National!

28 Jan 2017 20:55:53
Hey Fellow Reds,
First time poster. I've been a daily spectator on this fantastic site but after reading the somewhat negative posts on this site and the current negative media coverage - I feel it would be remiss of me not to pass comment.

I've read we're in crisis! Terrible team. Season over. Worst Lpool team ever. We're tired. Klopp found out. The quick press doesn't work. Even read - get the plane ready on Tueaday night! 😡

Well let's deal in facts.
PL form Last 7 games - Won 4. Drawn 2. Lost 1.
Both drawn games away from home. And perhaps Utd were a little fortunate.
We're 2 points off Arsenal. I point behind Spurs (yet the same media 'experts' report they've the best manager in ten league, play the best football, not one Liverpool player would get in their side) .
We're above City and UTD In the league despite the millions they spend each year.
Oh and we've out scored all other top 4 teams.

So basically we're being judged on the Swansea Plymouth Soton And Wolves games.
Yes we played bad against Swansea. Accepted. I'll explain why below.
Plymouth game away - played the kids. Wolves game - 9 changes.
Soton game played most senior players but we had 79% possession. Missed two sitters and stone wall penalty claim dismissed.

But the Soton cup game underlined quite clearmy what the biggest problem is and why we simarily lost against Swansea. The answer - not being tactically adaptive.

Opposition teams have progressive, y learned - set up two banks against Lpool and then pick us off later when we get frustrated or knock one from a corner.

We haven't got mane to run at teams so we are effectively the same team as last year and employ the same tactics as last year - side to side. Keep ball. Side to side. Looking for a killer pass that is practically impossible to execute due to the lack of space and bodies between the ball and the goal.
Hence why we didn't have our first shot until 59 mins against Soton
It simply breaks down and then the opposition create a chance on the counter. (How we once played)

So how do you beat the blanket defence? . We all know the answer. Create width and go to the by-line and cross. Ahh - we've no height I hear you say - true, but we'll pick up the second ball with our midfielders coming in and with the opposition defence scattered we will eventually score from it. Not pretty but neither is setting your team up to just sit back and only defend.
When we eventually score they have to come out and play and that's when we play our best football.
Don't believe me? Did we not score from the second phase today from a a corner?

Watch how many times our full backs check back inside. And where does it go? Side to side. Too predictable and too easy for the opposition.

Add to all this - Mane and Couts haven't played together for 12 weeks.

Klopp is doing a great job. Yes Can and Origi bring nothing to the table - but Klopp didn't sign them.
Matip and Mane have been fantastic.
Gini will get better. Klavan done well up to the Swansea game.
Remember No trophies in January people. Don't judge your team based on cup form that we haven't prioritised.
Stay positive. In Klopp we trust.

28 Jan 2017 21:10:12
Good read that Paddy and bang on with your analysis. All this tired nonsense is just that, nonsense. Teams are sitting back and allowing us the ball so we don't get the chance to counter press and so end up running a lot less than we have in past games. We don't need to chase the ball much when we have 80% of the possession. We need to defend better but now Matip is back I'm confident that will happen. Allowing the opposition the first goal makes things more difficult as they camp in their own box even further and have something to hold on to. We've also been really unlucky with decisions going against us. Today the first goal was offside and they had 2 other chances in the game with clearly offside players that the linesman didn't flag for. United offside goal, Southampton penalty decision a dodgy one against us at Sunderland. You don't want to blame these decisions but they have all had huge impacts on the final result. I think we'll beat Chelsea on Tuesday and all will be forgotten.

28 Jan 2017 21:23:08
Wish I had your optimism lads! Saying these goals were offside and dodgy penalty calls etc is just making excuses. Truth is if we were playing well it wouldn't matter. We are in a rot at the moment and Klopp needs to stop it. I love the man and am over the moon he is managing our club. He has shown he can do it when everything is rosey, now he needs to show he can do it when confidence is clearly low.

28 Jan 2017 21:44:11
Thanks Pip. Agree with everything you say. We're tired doesn't stack for me. As you say we've 80% possession - so obviously tee press is effective or the other team happy to let us have possession and play side to side passes.
Clearly Lady Luck hasn't been on our side either.
I agree with Carra that Can and Hendo can't play together. Milner has been superb for us. Thought Young Woodburn was our best player in the 2nd half today and I think Matip is a real gem.
In Ireland teams developed the quick press and blanket defence tactics in GAA some 15 years ago.
We have to move the ball quicker side to side, with quicker player movement and cross the ball and open them up.
We're all up the middle. And then look clueless after 20 passes.

On a side note did our two best chances against Soton not come from a cross to Studge?
I'm no expert but it's not rocket science. form is temporary. Class is permenant.
The media only looking a story and everyone has been waiting to knock us off our perch.

I'm confident Klopp is as tactically astute as anyone else in that league.

28 Jan 2017 21:48:08
Senegal are out of the African cup of nations. Mane missed the final penalty in the shoot out. Hope he's back for next week!,

28 Jan 2017 22:14:35
It's not excuses Bledd it's very real. Goals change games and the opposition being allowed to score offside goals effects the result. Likewise is not being given stonewall penalty at 1-0 down. Not excuses just facts. Yes we need to do better but these things really do have an effect on the confidence of the opposition and on us. We do need to find a way around these deep lying teams though each game at the moment is exactly the same as the last.

28 Jan 2017 22:29:36
How can the high press be effective? An effective tactic is a winning tactic. If your not creating, not scoring but leaking heavily despite lower opposition and teams having low percentage of the ball.

28 Jan 2017 22:31:04
Good read Irish, because we started so well, everyone's expectations rose higher. beginning of the season with the no money that we spent, I would of been ecstatic with top 4.but as we were bang there so early we immediately scream title. of course the league is our priority and it must come soon but this is klopps 1st full season so let's not be getting on his back already. i agree we do seem to struggle when teams sit deep and defend and I also think we need some serious pace injection. i would like to see a lot more of ojo because our 4-3-3 formation as far as I'm concerned should be 1 central striker and 2 winger/ forwards. firmino must play central in my opinion

28 Jan 2017 22:32:50
How many great sides cried about offside goals against them come the end of the season. If you're good enough you win mate. You may get shafted now abd again but its not an excuse for winning 1 in 8.

Like I said I'd love to have that (blind) optimisim but I don't think you're seeing the bigger picture. Our fluid attack is nowhere to be seen and defence is back to square one. Granted midfield hasn't totally capitulated. My only hope is the injuries have unsettled the team but that is just hope.

28 Jan 2017 23:01:21
What do you mean great teams don't moan about decisions? In recent years you've had Mourinho and Ferguson who's post match press conferences consisted of little else after they'd lost! Mourinho was at it 2 days ago! These games are tight as we are not playing to our normally high standard but a decision going our way once in a while would be a great help. I'm not blaming decisions for our slump as a blind man can see we are not playing well but to have all of these blatant decisions go against us is just kicking us while we're down.

29 Jan 2017 00:22:13
Bledd, Pip is right. Some of the decisions lately have been awful. Had this been Mou, we would never hear the last of it which is why he always tries to intimidate them as Fergie made a career out of it.

The decisions have gone against us lately. Those are facts. They may not be the only reasons we are not good right now as there are many (lack of determination, one paced passing, no desire to make forward runs, players letting the manager down etc. ), BUT they contribute to it.

If the goal for Utd was ruled out, we win and who knows, maybe the Swansea debacle doesn`t happen. Had the penalty vs Saints been called, we score and win in extra time, no one would be bashing Klopp or the players. There were two Wolves players offside and had that been called, they don`t score.

See how that works? We need to move the ball quicker, players need to make forward runs to make the defence commit and then, spaces will be there to exploit. We are doing none of these hence, we look pedestrian and one paced which Klopp has to fix.

29 Jan 2017 00:24:01
I agree on your assessment of our play original poster

29 Jan 2017 00:27:03
Easy pip we're on the same side kid. I mean of course they moan at the end of a game now and then. But come trophy time does either of them turn around and say the reason we haven't won is referees. Like I said one or two games you can stake a claim. But its far too many to just be referees costing us.

Last game I went to see was stoke. Even after going a goal down we looked dangerous and I never doubted we'd win. Honestly lately I just can't see the positives. What are the positives for you pip where are we excelling over 90 mins?

29 Jan 2017 12:46:22
I agree with your Stoke analogy Bledd n that is not the case right now. There may be no positives that are clear to see right now. However, isn`t that what faith is? Believing in hope for things you do not see?

29 Jan 2017 17:35:16
Correct mate I'm all for having faith and doff my cap to you lads for having it in bucket loads! However that only gets me so far I tend to judge on what I actually see. And lately what I've seen is not good! Like I asked previously what are we actually doing well over 90 mins? I think/ hope/ pray Klopp will sort it out but performances are getting worse not better.

30 Jan 2017 16:48:40
You are not wrong there, Bledd. But I ask that you have faith and hope cos we have indeed seen how good this team and manager can be in the first half of the season. That is what many of us hold on to as hope so I ask that you do the same, please.

28 Jan 2017 18:20:22
Edo2 do u think this may push to pay over the odds for are targets now or will it be left till the summer now? Also like your coment earlyer don't think anyone picked up on u saying can't get any worse the four defeats at home take it u think chelsea will win tues ha ha

{Ed002's Note - What targets Mike?}

28 Jan 2017 18:34:08
Ha do we have no targets?

28 Jan 2017 19:24:29
Edo2 just listened to the sharkopod the players u mention seem to be youngsters for the future has anything changed recently ie players to buy now for the first team this jan or is to late now summer more likley cheers

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool will only buy the right player at the right price and not make any knee jerk reaction signings Mike.}

28 Jan 2017 19:39:31
I don't want them to edd. but is there a right player at the right price that liverpool are interested in jan? Also how's sparkys tale

{Ed002's Note - Sparky is doing well and is quietlyplaying on Twitter #WonderDogSparky.

28 Jan 2017 20:36:23
Ed002.on a scale of 1 to 10 how much do you enjoy winding up the Liverpool fans :D.

At least a 7.5 surely?

28 Jan 2017 20:48:16
I'm not berating you by the way. I really appreciate your opinion.

Where do you see us finishing this season?

{Ed002's Note - Somewhere in the 3 to 7 range.}

28 Jan 2017 22:57:24
hopefully more in the 3-4 range ;) .

I know you're quite critical of Klopp. I realise he has his shortcomings etc.
Do you think he was the right choice for LFC at the point in time he joined?

Personally I'm really thankful he's our manager. i back the positivity thing. I've been lucky to do well out of life and I believe self-belief and positivity in yourself is often the key and core trait to success. Sometimes even more so than intelligence and skills. I think this is why the squad we have has almost over performed so far this season. He did have this positivity in abundance and i totally believe this went along way in our early season success. The fans totally bought into it, as did the critics. The dip in my eyes is mainly down to the opposite, lack of confidence and self-belief. A lot of people talk about physical ability and fitness levels but i think having mental strength gets you through these periods.

don't mean to sound like a hippy btw.

29 Jan 2017 09:44:32
Who do you think is going to finish is the 1st and second places ed2?

{Ed002's Note - I will stick with what I said at the start of the season with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City the likely front runners.}

28 Jan 2017 17:22:24
Got sly sports free of virgin at the beginning og Jan and only won one match since can't wait for it to go off.
On a footy point do you not think that these players should be playing two big games a week and performing well after all if we get into CL next season got to do it week in week out and you can't do it with kids would have been a great opportunity during Jan to see what they are made of

28 Jan 2017 03:21:54
Hey guys, might be a dumb question but i was wondering about how players travel between games. Are the cities close enough that the team always takes a bus or do they fly? And are there hotels that have deals with clubs/ the league to accommodate the travelling squads?

{Ed002's Note - Bus or fly and yes they stay in hotels if they need to.}