Liverpool Banter Archive April 08 2016

08 Apr 2016 20:27:09
Ed001

Hendo sadly out now so in your opinion would you go with Lucas - Stewart - or chivrella?

Maybe the right time now to try out the young bloods in a game like this and maybe Ojo to get a run as well maybe?

Love to hear your opinion

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - Stewart, he needs to play.}

09 Apr 2016 00:08:53
I would play both stewart and chiverella myself but i have a feeling milner and allen will get the nod, i do hope i am wrong in this as they are not good enough to play centre midfield, stewart has a lot more strength than allen and chiverella has more creativity than milner.

{Ed001's Note - so Milner, Allen and Can then you think?}

09 Apr 2016 01:45:41
for Thursday yes ed001, for sunday klopp might go for stewart, milner and Allen, I just don't rate milner in centre midfield ( see earlier this season under Rodgers) and like yourself I think Allen is best used in small chunks, ie when a game is won, he won't be grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, he is to lightweight to play against stoke for a start. I hope I am wrong in this, I do know we are going to miss Jordan Henderson very badly his work rate and passing not to mention his pressing will be sorely missed.

{Ed001's Note - a central midfield of Milner and Allen would worry me.}

09 Apr 2016 01:58:16
If like to see can and Stewart with Allen just in front. Good tacklers and Allen keeps the ball well, which we struggled a little before he came on. Firmino right and coutinho left behind origi.
That being said, can't see Milner being dropped for some reason!

09 Apr 2016 02:56:39
I think it will be Milner and Allen who start on Sunday with Emre Can suspended. Stewart and Brannagan should be on the bench.

09 Apr 2016 03:29:30
What about Lucas?

09 Apr 2016 05:18:01
Lucas and Stewart at base of midfield against Stoke for me (or failing Lucas being fit, I'd go three man midfield and Stewart at DM with Milner + Allen just ahead of him)

Against Dortmund I'd go Lucas and Can for their experience in big matches and put on a strong attacking mids line up. Failing Lucas being fit, I'd go Stewart and Can, provided Stewart can prove himself back to his best against Stoke.

Can't wait to have Matip and Grujic, both capable of playing DM and will add a lot of versatility and physicality to midfield in situations where that's required (particularly on set pieces against the smash and grab teams in the PL)

09 Apr 2016 14:44:06
Against Dortmund i would go for Milner and Can. Milner might not be the greatest player or the most gifted but his experience and energy will be needed i think.

09 Apr 2016 19:10:33
Matip won't play DM for lfc.

09 Apr 2016 20:14:18
Zimbo both Matip and Grujic can play CDM but both shouldnt. Matip is predominantly a CB so should remain a CB. Grujic is a box to box midfielder, very much like Can and should focus on CM. We had enough player tinkering with Bodgers. CDM is a specialist role, you need someone who is defensively minded and happy to let others grab the glory. A la Mascherano, just happy to plug defensive holes or cover full backs. It's one of the big misses in our current squad in my opinion, almost as big a problem as GK and LB.

10 Apr 2016 02:43:14
I agree Matip will play CB for us and see Grujic as very similar to Can/ Hendo IMO (ie deeper midfielders in 4-2-3-1 but neither specialist CDM) however having the flexibility of Grujic and Matip who can play there if required will be a bonus.

At the moment we feel a bit lost in that position with Lucas not as mobile as once was, Stewart young and untested, and Hendo not a natural there. feels Can is our best option at the moment and I for one think he'll develop into a first class CDM/ deep playmaker but we lack backup.

I can definitely see games next season where we are one or two up away from home against physical sides where being able to put in a physical CDM will be very helpful in preventing those soft late set pieces we've been so vulnerable to. I think Grujic and Matip may be useful in those situations or when Can injured and we need a CDM option.

10 Apr 2016 06:31:47
Zimbo I completely agree agree about the need for a quality CDM. Stewart may well grow into the solution. Not sure I agree about Can, I think Lucas is the best option we have although very inconsistent. Can is very slow in his defensive decision making and has the exact same issues Stevie had as he likes to push on too far forward. It takes natural ability to observe that CB's have gone up for a corner and realise that your needed to stay in the halfway line, the same with the fullbacks, when they bomb forward a good CDM will naturally plug the gap. We have nobody that does that, which is why Moreno and Clyne get caught out. Somebody like Carvalho do this naturally. All we can do as fans is speculate, all we can do is wait to see what Klopp does. Not all issues will be sorted in one window anyway.

10 Apr 2016 07:51:26
There is another issue Poolie. If you buy one quality CDM ( I personally love to happen ), You then have to drop one of Hendo - Can in order to play 3 attacker a behind a striker.

08 Apr 2016 21:10:04
Sad to hear about Henderson, I think he and sturridge are 2 of the most rounded players we have when fit.

Allen, as people have mentioned, is a definite replacement for me, he is starting to look ready to establish himself. How often has that been the case?

08 Apr 2016 21:49:43
If lucas is ready I'd like to see him back in. If not him then stewart. For me, allen, milner, hendo and can are just too similar. We need one of te midfield combo to have some positional sense! I mean can and hendo look great chasing players down but we must be one of the easiest midfields for teams to find space behind.

08 Apr 2016 21:55:51
Feel so sorry for Hendo, and we'll definately miss him.
I think Klopp will play Milner in central midfield instead.
He's got a good engine and work rate like Hendo, and his experience is invaluable, especially against the likes of Dortmund.

08 Apr 2016 23:15:59
He's Hardly played this season. He needs to sort these injuries out because Klopp will replace him.

09 Apr 2016 00:24:29
i hope stewart gets the nod in midfield as i can see him getting better with each game he plays, i think lucas legs have gone since his injury and joe allen needs to play further up the field, i hope the rest hedo has will get him all better for the new season so there is no issues left.

09 Apr 2016 02:59:54
Allen further up the pitch? I strongly disagree; we have plenty of players who can play the number 10 role and do a better job than Allen.

09 Apr 2016 05:23:27
The problem is AG (and I've thought this for ages) he's not strong enough defensively to play deep, so his supporters say play him further forward. I agree with you however, we have far more lethal players there like Firmino and Coutinho. and Allen doesn't have that killer touch.

Where he actually fits best IMO is somewhere in between where he is in a three man midfield and neither exposed in Defence, not expected to score in Attack. just to keep things ticking over with a possession based game.

That's not the way Klopp plays though hence why he should be sold IMO.

09 Apr 2016 07:03:58
Coutinho plays from the left and Firmino / Lallana plays on the right. There is no strict position for the third midfielder. Allen is always in and around the opposition 6 yard box, what's wrong with it. I would play him slightly ahead of two holding Mids.

08 Apr 2016 20:48:44
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08 Apr 2016 17:40:48
Shame about hendo, i guess stewart will get a chance. Also what a game last night, we were not too shabby at all, i can't believe this is the same team that got hammered with a cricket score against stoke.

Despite the league position it is clear we have made progress, we just need to add consistency against the perceived lesser teams so we can have a sustained challenge next season.

Happy with progress so far and with a sensible transfer window i. e. trim the squad and bring in the right players in areas of need and i will be a happy bunny. I love klopp more than ever.

08 Apr 2016 17:46:26
Until Stewart makes one wrong pass and the fickle fans will be after his head.

08 Apr 2016 17:50:17
As much as It's disappointing that he's going to miss the end of the season this could be a real opportunity to take some time, get on top of the heel problem aswell as this, then come back for next season fit and ready to have a crack at the title.

08 Apr 2016 18:38:14
Stewart doesn't make a wrong pass, he passes exactly where he means too.
Legend.

08 Apr 2016 19:28:24
hendo must feel everythings going against him now. i hope he stays strong and comes back even stronger.

we are behind you hendo. get well soon.

klopps luck with injuries are not great either so far.

08 Apr 2016 19:38:53
Get well soon! (The day after the England squad is announced would be perfect)

08 Apr 2016 20:02:57
I'm sorry fickle fans because Stewart will potentially be criticised? I thought you were talking about Xabi. Allen is the obvious stand in for me or Lucas.

09 Apr 2016 03:01:43
For all I rate Lucas' positional sense his lack of pace would be found out against dortmund. I'd play him in the first game of the next round though, whoever it is against, if we make it there.
#IBELIEVE.

08 Apr 2016 17:15:56
Hi eds. Anyone got any info of how ings is doing. Thanx.

{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

08 Apr 2016 17:10:30
Horrible news for hendo, out for 6-8 weeks. It will be a tough end to the season without him I just hope this time recovering will help with his existing heel problem and he can come back next season back to his best.

08 Apr 2016 15:09:46
Read on the feed a fellow red favouring clyne over flanno. Clyne is not a bad player. But no way he will ever improve. His attacking play is not up to scratch. Last night we lost momentum a few times as he didn't continue his runs on the flanks to give the midfield passing options in behind. He is a rightback not a wingback which is the system we play. flanno all day long for me.

08 Apr 2016 15:32:08
I like Flanno but we need to give him time and hope he can reach the levels he has in the past, he needs to prove himself and fitness again before we judge him again.

08 Apr 2016 16:47:17
Totally disagree Craigu

Clyne for me is well ahead of Flanagan at going forward, where as I'd have Flanagan as the better defender.

Clyne is faster and better with the ball at his feet.

08 Apr 2016 16:48:19
To be fair a lot of the time clyne will make a run up and youd expect milner or AL to be up ahead out wide offering a pass so he can then overlap but they are just stood in the centre not really doing anything. I think sometimes Clyne gets a bit of stick. A lot of our best play last night came from the left which phil offered a outlet to AM where as clyne sometimes doesn't have that option.

08 Apr 2016 16:50:41
The Flanagan of 2 years ago is miles better than Clyne, without a shadow of a doubt. The problem is that he is not near that level still and there's no guarantee he will ever reach that level again. While hoping he does, Clyne is the better player for now, for me.

08 Apr 2016 20:38:44
Clyne is not great but IMO there is a derth of quality fullbacks around these days.
For all the problems we have, Clyne is one of the least of our worries.
We need a new keeper, we need a new left back, we need a better central defensive partnership (hopefully Matip will help) . We need to improve our centre midfield as it lacks goals, creativity and defensive solidity. We need to improve our set pieces, attacking and defending.

Once we've sorted those things out, then I'd start looking at Clyne.

08 Apr 2016 20:52:06
Just when I thought Ron was starting to talk sense.

08 Apr 2016 21:17:07
Have to agree with Ron here. So many other areas we need to give more attention to but currently it seems Clyne is the go to have a whinge at guy.

08 Apr 2016 13:57:52
Ed 002 has previously mentioned that Jurgen needs to be able to adapt his tactics otherwise just using the high press will be found out by the better sides.

Last night suggested that Jurgen is more adaptable in his tactics and it all looks good to me for the future.

Given a bit of time and a proper pre-season and two or three signings and we could be moving up two or three gears. I am sure that the potential is there and that is not something I would have thought before Jurgen arrived at Anfield.

08 Apr 2016 13:00:13
Great result last night! I shall be at anfield next thursday and cannot wait! YNWA.

09 Apr 2016 02:07:03
I am well jealous mate.

08 Apr 2016 11:21:15
I'd like to say we played great last night klopp knew how they would play and countered that the comantators didn't give us the credit we deserved . sakho was immense aswell as lovren and origi left everything on the pitch and I thought we deserved to go to anfield ahead we shut there attack down and kept it rather quiet and countered really well Aslong as we play like we did at dortmund and cut out the silly mistakes I have no fear we will beat dortmund at home. right us off at your peril we thrive as the under dog!

08 Apr 2016 12:51:09
Fairly similar thoughts James.
I thought Henderson never looked comfortable because of his injury and Can was restricted by an early yellow card, and that gave Mkitharyan (Sorry about the spelling) and Reus a lot of additional time on the ball, which is why they seemed to do well in that area.
Aubayemeng had a quiet game, mostly down to Lovren and Sakho being superb all night, and Mignolet too for that matter.
The questions I had over Origi starting were all answered very well. I knew he would close down well and limit their time on the ball at the back but wondered whether he had the potency to help us take a goal back to Anfield.
I thought Coutinho had a poor game by his standard, and Firmino should have been introduced sooner, and had little time to warm to the game when he did come on, similar to Sturridge.
Lallana and Milner were both brilliant, work rate was immense and did all we needed them to do. I would say the same Allen when he came on.

All in all, I didn't know what we would be able to achieve, but knew if there was any manager in Europe who knew how to combat Dortmund then he was the man at the helm for us, and he set the team up brilliantly. I am eager for the week to pass by swiftly so that I can see the return leg.

08 Apr 2016 13:11:53
Klopp out-coached Toechel, immensely. Klopp was able to adapt his tactics and formations during the game and Toechel was unable to react to these adaptations. The team knew when to press and when to drop off, stay in position and BVB just ran out of ideas. At times when Hummels would bring the ball out into midfield, we didn`t press him. But as soon as he released a pass, we pressed the recipient, got the ball and countered. That was one of the many things we did right and made BVB very average on the night. Aubameyang was rendered useless and we defo should have won as we created the better chances. All in all, it wasn`t perfect but if we play the same way at Anfield, I think we can go thru.

08 Apr 2016 16:44:22
With you on this Redohio. All season long I have been reading how much of a genius Thomas Tuchel is for the revival and rejuvenation of Dortmund after Klopp's last year (implying Klopp was to blame for last year's results) . But last night we saw a masterclass in tactics from Mr. Klopp. Yes, Klopp knows the Dortmund players and their strengths/ weaknesses, but so what? At the end of the day, play and results on the field are the final judge of any team's ability. I've been reading everywhere that Dortmund had an "off" night, but what I saw was Klopp's tactics and the team's execution that didn't allow Dortmund to play to their strengths and ability. We saw the runs by Aubemayang and Reus, the midfield domination and creativity by Mikhitaryan and the defensive abilities of Hummels and Co. - all according to plan. But they never got anywhere and posed any real threats because LFC countered effectively each time. We were simply one "Messi-esque" mini-lob (by Origi) from victory for the second goal.

08 Apr 2016 18:30:22
Ra1969, only the haters and disingenuous pundits who had promised us a hiding like Spurs thought they had an off night. They were shocked with the way we altered pressing, counter attacking, dropping off and brilliant play to the point of them looking confused. Origi ran Hummels and Bender ragged and he was a constant threat through out his time on the pitch and I`m sure they were glad to see the back of him. Don`t listen to the haters and the media. they were found out to be clueless and we gave them something to cry about.

08 Apr 2016 10:15:06
Sometimes it's really interesting coming on here and seeing how everyone comes to such different conclusions based off the same information. As I was walking home last night my internal monologue was very much 'phew, we got away with that! '. I check here and see the consensus is we played great and coulda-shoulda got more.

And I get that, Klopp came up with a game plan which worked almost perfectly. The formation, the decision to play Origi and the approach all payed off and we created better scoring opportunities than they did. The bottom line is that we're currently winning (as it stands we're going through) and I think we would have all bitten their hand off if we were offered a score draw ahead of the match.

But for me it was really uncomfortable viewing. How deep we defended, the decision to pass it around at the back, our inability to retain possession in midfield when we had the ball and our surrendering of it when we didn't, with the possible exception of Can I think our midfield was very poor. I know the selection of Origi worked but I really thought it made a statement before the game that we were going to play negatively.

Given the context of the game the result is far more important and if we'd played our normal game we may well have got slaughtered but if Allardyce or Van Gaal did to us what we did to Dortmund I think we'd be very unhappy. I really thought we had the players and the game to go toe to toe with them last night and I'm disappointed we didn't try. I really want to win the EL so I'll suck up us gaming results but I really hope we show how good we can be either next Thursday or later in the competition.

08 Apr 2016 10:28:50
The few times we all pushed forward how we would normally they caught us out, especially with Weigl and his perfect passes! We gifted them opportunities playing how we were, if we played more attacking football they would have loads more chances. Without Lovren and Sakho getting in the way it could have easily been 3-1 to Dortmund. That being said I think Klopp got it spot on and i feel the players done a great job it could have been a few more for us if it was not for Weidenfeller.

08 Apr 2016 10:31:30
As Klopp said a while back, sometimes you have to bring better teams down to your level to beat them, and that's what Klopp did last night, he knows those players and knew he had to spoil their game for us to have any chance of success against them and it worked.
Reus and Aubamayang are different class and we completely destroyed the pair of them, how many teams have managed that.
Lets not forget that it was Dortmund's keeper who kept them in it.
We have to expect that kind of performance from this team against better sides until Klopp is able to bring in better quality than he has at his disposal.
I have absolutely no problem with taking a more negative approach against better teams if it means we get results. What's the point in going all guns blazing with inferior players and taking spanking!

08 Apr 2016 11:36:22
I thought it was excellent tactically. Klopp knew they'd have possession for good periods of the game and we'd have to counter Mkhtiryan, Reus and Aubemeyang and the Defence did that superbly in an almost 4-5-1 at times, but then he left enough out there to ensure we also had enough play in their half of the pitch too and really threaten at times too and we could easily have nicked a few goals.

Our best chances were from proper buildup play, not smash and grab like we were an inferior team, there's nothing to be ashamed of in setting up like that against a dangerous Dortmund team away from home.

08 Apr 2016 12:35:03
It was the first leg of a 2 legged tie against the favourites and one of the most in form teams in Europe! Why on earth would we go toe to toe with them no matter how good we are? The Liverpool of old would go to these places, play boring get a result and then spank them at Anfield. Last night was a great away performance in Europe. Kill the oppositions attacking threat, quieten the crowd and get an away goal. Perfect for me!

08 Apr 2016 12:59:07
I don't really disagree with any of you, Klopp's decisions were completely vindicated and you can't argue with the result but I can't think of last night as a positive experience. To me that wasn't a controlled display, it was a back's to the wall one where we bloodied their nose with a wild swing. As I said originally, I find it interesting how we come to different conclusions with the same information.

08 Apr 2016 13:04:19
Agree pipscreamer . Great away performance and we could of scored another 2 or 3 goals, tactically we were sound. Roll on the 14th.

08 Apr 2016 13:26:57
Muscat, you do know we were playing away from home against a team that has lost one game at home all season, a trident of attackers that have scored 75 goals among them, ripped Spurs a new one and a much better team than ours, right? So what should we have done, in your op? Just go toe to toe with them and get smashed like Spurs did? We weren`t negative in any way. We didn`t tpark the bus and we didn`t wilt under pressure. We contained them and made them look ordinary. We pressed when we needed to and dropped off when we needed to which made them run out of ideas. And with the way Origi made Hummels and Bender look like amateurs, I would say we had a solid away perfs and created the better chances.

08 Apr 2016 15:33:26
It was really good to see the players playing for Klopp last night, as mentioned previously, they out-gunned us individually in the skills department, but we attacked and defended as a unit and counted everything they threw at us, the 10-minute period after they scored saw us throw everything and the kitchen sink at them and if it wasn’t for Weidenfeller we could have been going into next week’s game 2-1 up.

Downside = Hendo.

08 Apr 2016 16:38:47
Agree, the fact we came back stronger after they equalised at home and still created the better chances to win says bucket loads. a year ago we would have crumbled.

08 Apr 2016 20:24:22
A year ago, we wouldn`t have even come out of the group.

08 Apr 2016 10:26:38
We never had a decent midfield which you are referring here. Dortumand were poor which surprised me, At home they never pressed us anc played a very cautious football. Mikthariyan found acres of space behind Can and Hnederson. I have been saying this from nearly an year, We need two top class CM, Disciplined and has a fine passing range, Lallana did not had a sniff off the ball whoile first half and largely duw our distribution from the center of the park were poor.

Can - Hendo - Milner are workhorse, Just like Besic - Mcarthy - Cleverly. No creativity All 6 are positionally poor and indisciplined.

08 Apr 2016 08:34:49
The four top priorities for next season for me:

1. Keep Coutinho

2. Make the midfield stronger in keeping possesion and being less penetratable. Teams get too easily to our box and there we have to ride our luck or count on suicide blocks. This can work sometimes like yesterday, but in many cases like against Southampton we will concede. Yes we can have better keeper, defend free kicks and corners better etc, but if the opposition players spend a lot of time near your box they will get many free kicks and corners and they will eventually score some of them or from open play (unless it is us) .

3. Find ways to take more of our chances plus have better conversion rates from free kicks and espeically corners.

4. Bring top keeper if possible (it will not be easy) .

Points 2 and 3 will be crucial for the home game against Dortmund. If we will not improve them, we will need a lot of luck.

08 Apr 2016 09:07:46
1. Agree but add Firmino to that.2+2=5 in their case, and as a pair they could be the difference between good and great in the next few years IMO

2. Can and Hendo are getting there, hopefully Grujic will take us one step further still, and Stewart may just make the difference in years to come too

3. Enter Matip from set pieces. hopefully Origi and Ings also develop a scoring streak to add to their work ethic and challenge Sturridge

4. I think there are a few GKs that would be an improvement and want to work with Klopp. I just hope we go for the best available, not a backup.

08 Apr 2016 12:16:11
We would need a superior midfielder which I hope we get in the summer to partner either can or Henderson.

08 Apr 2016 12:59:05
Given the way Can is stepping up and forming a good pairing with Hendo and Lucas still in reserve, I think I'd rather see Grujic, Brannagan, Rossiter, Stewart given a chance.

08 Apr 2016 13:30:25
Grujic?

08 Apr 2016 07:59:18
Just thinking ahead if Hendo is out, even when is Lucas back?

08 Apr 2016 09:29:18
See above mate. Lucas is back in training and Stewart is ready to come into the team.

08 Apr 2016 06:52:08
Morning eds.
In Henderson's most recent interview he said he was playing with an injury and it will only clear up with rest. Which he hopes he will get the chance after the euros and before next season starts.
Considering he left the stadium on crutches last night he should get the time to rest and hopefully his ankle should heal as well as his knee.

Although I thought his injury was a permanent one but with a bit of luck we will get the hendo we love back soon.

{Ed001's Note - fingers crosssed mate. Though we are going to miss him over the next few weeks.}

08 Apr 2016 07:03:12
Bit of a conundrum this one. Sad to see him out potentially for the season and could miss the Euros but selfishly it would be great for him to have the exendecbreak and come back 100% for next season.

08 Apr 2016 07:52:34
you could see the gap after he was replaced. Sad as it maybe we really going to miss him. Mabe its time for Stewy to get a run as Joe doesn't seem to hAave that in him.

08 Apr 2016 07:55:34
Agree give stewart his chance.

08 Apr 2016 08:07:20
Ed, what would you do next few games given 1) Hendos injury 2) Can's ban against Stoke?

{Ed001's Note - Stewart and Branagan unless Lucas is fit to play. In which case I would play Lucas and Stewart.}

08 Apr 2016 09:11:37
Cheers Ed

Hope you're right and the best of those goes on to partner Can in second leg (if Hendo is still injured as we anticipate)

Think we're going to miss Hendo badly but might just be the run Stewart really needs to establish himself as genuine 1st team contender, hope he can prove himself.

{Ed001's Note - I don't expect to see Hendo back this season the way he was hobbling last night.}

08 Apr 2016 09:54:56
Such a shame, hopefully if he's out for that long he'll be out all he way through to next season and as a silver lining get the genuine long term rest he's been needing for some time now. We need him fully fit next season, not the playing through pain we've seen for most of this.

08 Apr 2016 11:33:16
Its always a shame when a player of ours gets injured but missed? I can't believe what I'm reading above. He was not missed in the second half last night at all in my opinion. What are people seeing in him that I'm not? To me he's not improving, he's going in the opposite direction. People may be up his arse because he's the captain but we have to look further than him. Allen is a player I never rated but he does seem to be improving under klopp. Hendo isn't, for me he won't be missed. Having said this, I hope he makes a quick and full recovery asap.

{Ed001's Note - I think it is more of a case of what you are missing. He provides a lot more cover in front of the back four.}

08 Apr 2016 13:33:45
Spot on Ed. You don`t see Can and Allen covering the midfield the way Hendo does. If you doubt me? Go watch the second half capitulation vs Saints with Allen and can in midfield and you`ll know what I`m talking about.

{Ed001's Note - Allen gets forward far too much for my liking. Not an issue if the full backs hold, but they don't.}

08 Apr 2016 02:02:39
ed 001 could you give us a review of the match for those of us that missed it, always like to hear your views on things, as well as the other posters of course, thanks mate.

{Ed001's Note - an excellent team performance. We started well and took the game to them, which seemed to surprise them. We stayed on the front foot all game and kept attacking them, when we could. We maintained the initiative and did not allow them to settle nor the crowd to get behind them, which is something they feared before the game. They were worried a good performance by us would get the crowd behind Klopp, and there were signs of that at times. There were a few heart flutters for me caused by them passing it around at the back, but it was clearly a deliberate ploy. Still, it does no good for my heart!

Origi's pace terrified them and he had a good game. Personally I like him, he has a lovely touch on the ball, good close control and quick feet. I am glad he got his goal, as I think he has a lot of potential but needs to really get amongst the goals on a more regular basis to boost his confidence.

Lallana struggled to get into the game, the ball was mostly being given to Couts, rather than him, but when he did get it he was tidy, as usual, and drew out their sting by keeping the ball.

Coutinho had an off night, his passing was wayward and he was crowded out of possession a few times, but he was drawing over hordes of their players giving the rest of the team more space.

Milner was ok, worked hard and was everywhere, but lacks quality to his play.

Henderson was clearly struggling badly as the first half went on and it was obvious he would need to go off at half time. He was not having the best game anyway, but he was fading as the half went on and could barely move by the time the whistle went. Not his best night before then, but he was covering the backline well, which was needed badly. Tried too hard to be sensible in possession, looking to go back rather than take a chance, which was clearly something in the game plan as the others were all doing it too.

Can had a quiet night, a few decent runs, but overall he just concentrated on holding in front of the defence and trying to hold up and break up their attacks. Did ok, played a few silly passes to the defence which should have gone forward.

Moreno was awful defensively, but was covered well, by Milner and Sakho in the first half. He is constructive, at times, in the attack, but it does not make up for the huge gaps he leaves down his side.

Sakho had one of his better nights, he positioned himself well, so that it began to feel like the ball was magnetised to him and it was constantly rebounding off him. When he plays like that, you can see why he is a France regular.

Lovren was also mostly good. They are building a partnership between themselves now.

Clyne was all over the shop. His positioning is abominable. There were times when he was simply holding narrow, while they had the ball out wide in his area, and he was not making any attempt to move over to close down like he should have. Luckily they never really made the most of it. His passing is atrocious at times. He does have good pace and played his part in a couple of the attacks. But defensively he is not doing well. If he wants to sit narrow, then he needs to make sure someone from the midfield is going to fill in out wide. Not just stand there giving an opponent ten yards of open space to run into. We got away with it, but on another night we could have been in real trouble down his flank.

Mignolet never really had much to deal with, in terms of quality crosses etc, his main issue was dealing with backpasses. Two terrible Cruyff turns got him clear, just, but I really do not want to see him doing them. His touch is not good enough and he nearly tripped over his own feet trying them. Other than that, he managed a good catch, and was not really all that involved, so had a decent night all in all. Still, he is not a footballer, so he needs to learn to just get it clear and not take chances, on another night he won't get away with them.

Allen came on at half time for Hendo and it disrupted us enough for them to score a header from a man Hendo would probably have marked. I really do not get the recent love for Allen. He is clearly not good enough to play anything other than a few minutes at the end of games against tired opposition. Another one who switches off defensively and just runs around a lot, rather than gets back into position. That might be ok if we didn't already have Milner and Can, who do a bit of that as well, but it becomes very open when we add him. He does not offer enough in the attacking third either. It is worrying that the Welsh national team were told he is not capable of playing two 90min games in a week as well. Suggests his fitness is not ideal. Still, he did nothing majorly wrong, he was involved well going forward, but then is missing when we have to defend.

Firmino came on for Lallana but never really got into the game at all.

Sturridge the same when he came on for Divvy towards the end. Though he did show a few flashes of good movement.

Overall, we tactically bettered them and fully deserved at least a draw. The worry is that we look so much worse without Henderson that we could struggle if he is not fit for the return. Now to the second leg and hopefully we do enough to get through.}

08 Apr 2016 06:43:56
Wow Ed01. Great review.

I didn't know Firmino was playing, until I read in BBC that he actually came in before Sturridge. Maybe it was that bad, or maybe I was just too sleepy watching the game (it was 4.30+ in the morning here)

{Ed001's Note - he just never really managed to get hold of the ball and play.}

08 Apr 2016 06:47:13
I think stewart can come in for hendo since lucas is injured we don't have any other defensive option. however personally i wish brannagan to get a chance now that hendo is out. don't want all but gone allen to take away the chance from him.
grujic addition means that allen and maybe one more midfielder is definitely leaving the club in summer and so it won't make sense in starting them over youth.
ya ya its a big game its dortmund and what not. i don't know why that should matter
pretty sure it would be Milner who would start there with Can in the return leg.

08 Apr 2016 06:49:39
I thought Lovren was excellent, calm and composed and made some good headers and even pressed high up the pitch to cause a turnover.
Can't fully agree with the Clyne assessment. He clearly had a brief to keep Reus quiet and I thought he did that on the whole. Was positionally caught out a few times though as Ed001 said, but generally a decent performance IMO.
I also thought Allen added something in the final third on occasion, linked up well with Origi and was involved when we almost took the lead back with their keeper making a few good blocks in a row.

08 Apr 2016 07:49:25
Ideally we'd have Lucas in for Hendo, but as that won't be an optiom then I agree with akshit - it's vital that Stewart gets some gametime to sharpen up vs Stoke and then plays vs Dortmund, he's the only replacement I'd trust in that area. Otherwise I can't see any other options then moving Milner into the center and play RF in his place.

08 Apr 2016 07:55:49
Clynn frustrated the hell out of me last night. Dortmund were allowing him acres when he had the ball but each time he dithered in possession allowing Dortmund to get back in position.
I think ibe on for lallana would of exploited this space on the right.

08 Apr 2016 08:26:57
Also, just on Allen still, Klopp basically said that it was his call to have Lallana in that position for the cross they scored from instead of Origi, nothing to do with Hendo/ Allen.

{Ed001's Note - except that we had to re-adjust after the injury, and we were left with one less decent header of the ball to slot in to the defensive line. So it does make a difference as we were spread thinner.}

08 Apr 2016 09:39:02
Allen will always be Allen. Adds nothing to the game.

08 Apr 2016 09:56:58
Ed01 - agree with most of your ratings. A little harsh on Clyne although he does seem to switch off and we nearly got punished for it a few times. So yeah, maybe you're right thinking about it, could have led to a goal or two.

The only thing I don't agree with is Henderson being sensible in possession because it's the game plan. I've said it a number of times on here, he is a 'play the way you're facing' player. Before the ball is played to him, he has already made his mind up where the pass is going - now that's great most of the time but you also have to be instinctive and adaptable, especially when it's tight and you're getting pressed. There was an opportunity in the 1st half where if he had opened his body out, he would have sliced through the Dortmund midfield, taking out 2 or 3 players in the process. I did note though that about 5 mins later he let the ball bounce over his head and did exactly that, took out the quick press from Dortmund and removed 2 players from the game. He just needs to do that more and let off the shackles a bit - seems too scared to make a mistake so opts for the easy pass 9/ 10.

He needs to work on turning with the ball, his body positioning is always flat. He doesn't play on angles so his balance is always centralised and he cannot pivot or push off on one foot.

Maybe I'm looking for the perfect midfielder, I don't know. But with a few tweaks and a bit more courage in possession, he could really be an outstanding player.

{Ed001's Note - I know what you have said about Hendo, but I disagree. All midfielders usually play the way they are facing. It is very rare to see one doing anything else, when they do, like Can did a fair bit early on, they tend to get caught in possession repeatedly.}

08 Apr 2016 10:01:26
Thanks ed 001 for such a great review, I have to say I was beaming when I heard the result and even happier when I found out origi had scored, as the press were making such a big deal out of the fact klopp picked him instead of sturridge, we have given ourselves every chance of going through and you cannot ask for much more than that, still going to be difficult but we are still in the tie, cannot wait for the 2nd leg, on the subject of Henderson, I would not hesitate to give stewart, branagan or even chirivella a chance to play in the midfield, all 3 have impressed me and none of them have let us down, when they have been called upon.

{Ed001's Note - I would go with one of those as well. Allen is just not good enough for 90min. Fine to come on late on when everyone is tiring, but he leaves too many spaces in behind and does not offer enough going forward to make up for it.}

08 Apr 2016 10:43:07
Few things, spot on there ed for starters but my tuppence on a few things added to that sre.

Hendo needs to be treated like sturridge now and if he won't luck afterbhimself then we have to. He's got 6/ 8 years at the top left but he has to look after himself because his age will catch up to him and all these years of playing with injuries could rob him of his prime years, like Owen and fowlers etc.

Allen, why do managers oersist on playing him infront of dms, he doesn't have the ohysicallity nor the pace but I tell you want his passing looked a class above hendo and Allen last night, crisp and precise. Watch weigl I just dint see why Allen couldn't be picked it up and spraying forward, play to someone's strengbts his is his passing, that's pretty much it. Maybe he doesn't have the defensive abaility wr all crave, but nor did Lucas he learned it. I dint see why Allen couldn't learn off him or in the position.

Firmino might not of done much attacking but he got in all of recoveries, I haven't half missed that, didn't realise how much he doesnoff the ball until last night. He has that number 10 position as his now. Problem is I don't think him and studge can do it together. Firmino for me was bought to relace studge. They di not work as a tandem.

08 Apr 2016 11:45:57
Hendo more than likely played his final game this season and deserves a break with all he has been through but let's think about this a minute between smith branagan and chivrella who would do the best job?
Smith - consistent but lacks aggression
Branagan - intelligent but again lacking aggression
Chivrella - a star in the making at such a young ages but has a real hunger to defend when needed ( never pulls out of tackles intelligent footballer and in my opinion can read the game better than the other 2 mentioned but. Lacking physical strength, saying that I personally would play Chrivella as he ticks more boxes than the rest and will give 120% for 70-80 as the kid has real desire to break into the squad and in such a huge game at Anfield in the return leg I think he has the mentality to keep his head and do a great job in defending and attack and also he is a sublime passer of the ball, it's one of those games where a real up and coming star could be born so why not give him his chance against Stoke in the premier league as we nothing to loose really in comparison to the upcoming return leg with Dortmund and judge him from the Stoke game.

I'm a huge fan of this kid obviously but he really ticks all the boxes for me, Clyne was terrible as was Moreno in my opinion defensively Clyne was being chewed up all game and Moreno always caught when the ball was lost and tracking back was taking him ages to get back, thankfully Sakho was up to the challenge and helped a lot, Origi is the player that we all hoped he would be and can only get better next season. Would live to see a regular setup with him and Firmino as I think they would bounce off each other in the same way Sturridge and Suarez did in the past
( I know 2 completely different players to mentioned above)
Milner was Milner a great workhorse and did himself proud
Couthino was earmarked before the game as the danger man so did we not expect them to play close attention to him? I think not
Migs nothing much to do thanks to Hendo Lovren can and Sakho who all had great performances, pity really about Hendo as his injuries just caught up with him but showed great leadership in the 1st half

Can had a decent game but still looses his composure now and again but as time passes that will change

All in all the team performance was good last night, yes we were lucky in the second half once or twice but only for Dortmunds keeper the 2 legs would have been settled last night as their defence hates balls that split the centre back and the full back and Origi took full advantage of that.

Looking forward to seeing how we lineup and perform over the weekend and as for the return leg I think it will be a real nail biter and another one of those great European nights at Anfield

Just wish I could get a ticket for that game.

08 Apr 2016 17:04:39
Think you're forgettig Stewart who's better defensively than Brannagan and more experienced than Chirivella. I'd give him or Lucas the nod alongside Can against Dortmund on return leg. We need that experienced head.

Be happy with a any of these against Stoke, except for we should play whoever needs the game time before Dortmund.

Smiths FB, can't see him midfield.

07 Apr 2016 23:25:14
Hey Ed 001 good result I thought tonight, think it could of one either way though with both keepers doing well. Just wanted your thoughts on how the team are progressing at the minute? I thought Origi was fantastic today even without his goal. His pace and directness really caused BD problems. With that in mind also wanted to ask if you think Markovic would fit in with Klopps style when he's back for us? I personally think klopps more direct, pressing and countering style will suit him better than Brendan's more cautious approach, plus Klopp seems to be aware that players play better when in their natural positions!

{Ed001's Note - both keepers doing well? Migs should have saved their shot and messed up two Cruyff turns but got lucky! Having said that, I wouldn't be too harsh over him for failing to save it, as the chances are the most he would have done is parry it out to a player following in and he did make his first ever catch in a Liverpool shirt.... He did look better than usual, so improvement showing but still that is not 'doing well' for me, that is just showing the level of a back up keeper still.

We looked far better last night, but they did cut through us time and time again. They exploited Clyne and threw almost all of their attacks down our right and had a lot of joy. Most of our players didn't actually play all that well, to be honest, but we got a brilliant result, which shows how well Klopp's tactics worked. Origi terrified Hummels.

Shame Henderson picked up the knock early in the first half, he was struggling even before he got treatment. Worse for us is bringing in Allen disrupted the marking and we ended up conceding as Hendo is one of our better headers of the ball and would probably have been the one there marking. Never know whether he would have done better than Lallana but, well you would expect he would.

Overall though, despite individuals not playing particularly well, the team performance (which is more important anyway) was excellent. Though fannying about with the ball at the back was giving me kittens at time! You could see the players actually knew what they were doing and not having to look to the bench every few minutes for instructions. There are major signs of improvement in our play.}

08 Apr 2016 06:01:08
I guess the game was good, reading a lot of positivity among fellow posters here. Just managed to watch the final 10mins though.

Just hope that my fellow liv fans here can slow down a bit slagging Sturridge off. I watched he made this one movement (dont know how to describe it though) in the Dortmund's penalty box, although it didn't turn out to be anything, I was like "wow".

He'll be back.

{Ed001's Note - I really don't get why people are jumping on his back, give him a year to get back playing properly, then we can start worrying about his performances.}

08 Apr 2016 06:21:42
Agree with most that bar the keeper bit Westwood. An average game for a keeper comes across as a good game for migs. We need someone who when they have a good game it's better than what most keepers in the league are capable of.

08 Apr 2016 07:47:43
Fair enough ed and swish. I suppose I'm used to seeing Migs flap about and seeing him catch a ball for a change is a shocker. Admittedly I forgot about those turns he did/ tried. What about markovic fitting in when he's back? Maybe an alternative option to Milner/ lallana?

08 Apr 2016 07:47:43
Fair enough ed and swish. I suppose I'm used to seeing Migs flap about and seeing him catch a ball for a change is a shocker. Admittedly I forgot about those turns he did/ tried. What about markovic fitting in when he's back? Maybe an alternative option to Milner/ lallana?

{Ed001's Note - depends on the system being used, but I would use him to replace Milner straight away.}

08 Apr 2016 07:51:50
What the Dortmund keeper (no idea what his name is) stopped a barrage of about 6 decent shots one after the other, that's a keeper doing well.

08 Apr 2016 01:28:14
I thought that was a great European away performance. We weathered the storm early in the game, grew into the match and then scored a vital away goal that would have been harder to obtain if we conceded early. My standouts were Sakho, Lovren, Can and Origi.

Origi's start was very shrewd by Klopp. It's easy to fall into a thinking of just automatically starting your most prolific striker, but Sturridge is not at 100% speed, and Klopp knew that fast and mobile strikers are a weakness for BvB, which was proven right. A certain idiot who runs a certain Liverpool website said was Klopp an idiot to bench our best striker for a 'huff and puff' footballer and it 'prioritises aimless running and sweat over skill and creativity'. Nonsense. Origi is not Antonio Valencia who just knocks the ball down the sideline and runs after it. He's a great, tricky dribbler who can beat defenders, and holds up the ball very well. I hope he doesn't get criticised too much for the missed chance on half time. Weidenfeller made himself very big, and BvB defenders nearby cut off the opportunity to go around the keeper.

Lovren and Sakho were immense. So happy to see Lovren grow in the red shirt. I was one of his doubters after his bad form, and thought maybe his stint as Southampton was just a flash in the pan, but he's proving me wrong. I think Can controlled the midfield well.

Moreno, however, is an imbecile. What the hell was with that challenge? He was lucky not to get a red! It was the most unnecessary flying studs up challenge I have ever seen. Just absolute stupidity that we've seen way, way too much from Moreno.

08 Apr 2016 04:48:33
A fully fit and in form Sturridge should start nuts he's nowhere near his own top standards right now. Origi was absolutely the right decision, thought he did very well. Bring Studge on late in the game when he can go hard for 20mins against tired defenders. Tactics were spot on.

08 Apr 2016 00:02:58
What a performance from our back four. Moreno went missing now and again but we all now he needs to go. Clyne had probs is best game in red shirt kept reus ( who I think is class) really quiet. hendo mills and can solid enough. lallana took forever to get into it and the magician looked off it aswell. origi looked real class and frightened the life out of their defence.