30 Nov 2015 10:06:15
I'm going to be bold and call it- Liverpool are in a title race.
Why?
We have already faced Chelsea, United, City, Arsenal, Spurs, Stoke and Everton. All away from home. What makes that so important? The fact we are 6 points off 1st.
If Liverpool can fall into a consistent away form groove, improve home performances, and keep the injury toll relatively low, then there's no reason to believe why we can't be in a title race. Despite being unbalanced, the squad is really not as bad as some others have said. It is a squad not only talented, but also managed by an extremely talented manager. In 2013/14 we had Suarez, this season we have Klopp.
January business may determine whether we're just contenders, or deadly serious contenders.
30 Nov 2015 11:01:36
I am going to be bold and say it, Liverpool fans are dilusional at times. We have a great manager, no argument about that but a very average squad, especially when our best starting 11 aren't fit. We had a very poor game yesterday and were very lucky to win from a very soft penalty (second time this week) . I don't think we created one decent chance all game. OK you need to win also games when you don't play great but it happened many times this year including under Klopp. City and Arsenal at least and probably United as well have much stronger teams however you look at it. Aguero, Silva and Sanchez are all great players but they don't miss them as much as we miss Couts when he is not on the pitch.
Some of the statments I have read here from fans only this week: Firmino is the new Suarez, Milner is the new Kuyt, Iiory will solve all our defensive problems, Ibe's only problem is that he is too nice and not selfish enough (or the weather is reponsible for him not having one good pass yesterday) . A lot of illusions.
We have a decent squad when Couts is on the pitch, when Firmino has a good day (not often enough unfortunately) and when teams are not ready for our pressing game and play open game. Hopefully with Henderson and Sturridge playing (and Ibe and Milner on the bench) we will be even better but we are still far from top 4 and talking about the title at this stage is a joke. Yes if we bring 4-5 top players on Jan things can change but I doubt if we go for more than one maybe. So title, not this year.
30 Nov 2015 10:40:44
Why do you think all the above teams would come to Anfield and bow their heads infront of us.
By the time City face Liverpool at Anfield, They would be in a must win position and I expect them to have a reinforced squad with Aguero.
Pretty much the case with Chelsea and Arsenal. Spurs would be in contention for the CL place as well.
Man United is the only team we would beat hands down.
30 Nov 2015 11:00:43
"If Liverpool can fall into a consistent away form groove, improve home performances, and keep the injury toll relatively low, then there's no reason to believe why we can't be in a title race"
So what your saying is if we effectively go on an incredible run between now and May and somehow become lucky with injuries we'll win the league? Why didn't I think of this?
30 Nov 2015 11:24:19
Aguero played when we played them EG.
30 Nov 2015 12:24:05
We're not in a race yet but we could be. I can only see this team improving the longer the season goes on. If we can stay within 6 points by Jan then we could challenge ( as outsiders) The main issue is city and arsenal are both capable of going on runs and have arguably better squads. First goal get in the top 4, second goal stay there, next goal push for the top if we come out of xmas in touching distance. Helpfully we've seen the worst of our injuries which can only help as we head into xmas.
30 Nov 2015 12:44:34
No Clarke, you are just interested in making things up about what I said so you can be a petty drama queen.
Every title winning team has good luck with injuries, so there's no need to be dismayed when I suggest that we need a consistently healthy squad.
You didn't think of that because obviously you have less belief in our players' capabilities than I do. If I don't see any strong evidence of its possibilities, then I wouldn't say it, would I? But never did I mention anything of an incredible run, nor did I mention that we'd actually win the league.
Fanobip, you sound like a miserable sod for the sake of being one. Can't think of one clear cut chance? Lallana to Ibe in the first half. There's one.
'Oh, but look how poor we were yesterday! '
So what? Are you going to just cherry pick all the ugly wins as evidence why the players are not good enough, while completely ignoring the impressive wins? Note I did mention that my theory partly hinges on us improving home performances, but I wouldn't say that if I didn't think we were capable.
And Jesus Christ, how the hell was it a 'soft' penalty? What, does a player have to go out of his way to punch a ball in order for it to be a proper handball? He jumped up, turned his back, and let his arms flail around. It's a penalty.
I'm just sick of this culture of being shot down if you make any kind of prediction or statement that's even slightly unexpected, or out of the norm. People need to chill out, and realise that there's life outside the box.
30 Nov 2015 12:49:26
No Harry, but *in time* I believe it will be an easier proposition than going to their own backyard.
City have a horrible record at Anfield, and it will be as must-win for us just as much as them.
We are more than capable of beating Spurs and Arsenal at home. Chelsea would park the bus so I only expect a point out of that.
Aguero scored their goal you clown.
30 Nov 2015 12:53:58
It must be understood that the competition this year is, quite frankly, rubbish. Chelsea probably won't even make the top 4, Arsenal are inherently injured plagued and have a blindly arrogant manager, City are too unpredictable and United are just not that good. Spurs? They're a good team, but I think we're better.
30 Nov 2015 12:53:58
Can't we just enjoy the results and see where it takes us?
This stupid pressure and overreacting NEVER helps us.
Similarly, neither will slagging as many players as possible and being super pessimistic.
This season was always going to be stop/start in terms of Klopp getting his ideas across to his players, and them making mistakes as they become accustomed to what is asked of them.
Next season will be when he (Klopp) is really judged (some of his own purchases added, as well as a season to fully settle into the league and its environment - media intrusion, LFC fans' expectations, no winter break etc. ) ; let's support ALL at the club until then and stop the sighing, moaning, general anxiety at games.
If we want to be winners, we need to think like winners. 3 points are all that matters; the more of these we accrue the easier the next 3 will be to gain.
30 Nov 2015 13:12:36
Staples that is a great post mate well said. Thank god!
30 Nov 2015 13:17:14
It was a soft penalty in the sense that many referess don't give penalties for hand balls.
With anoter referee no penalty, a draw and we are still 9th in the table. We had this argument here early season when we got some points against Bournamoth and Arseanl and some people said that's great start and some of us said yes the result is great (and we are all happy with yesterday result) but luck comes and go and if performance don't improve the points will not come. And we know how it ended.
Fortunately we are in a better place now thanks to BR gone and Klopp takes over. If we keep improving we can challange for the top 4. We are not there yet (we are six) an we are not there with consistency and with the quality of some of our players. The fact that we played a lot of the big teams is great but there are only 5 games to the end of the first round so other of the big teams also played the big teams. Arsenal for example have to host City but other than that have a very nice streak of games till the end of the round. Despite our very impressive win against City I still think over the mnay games left yet they are a better team than us.
No one shot you down for making an out of the box prediction, people just tell you that you are wrong and explain why. This is how this site works.
30 Nov 2015 11:47:32
We have struggled when teams park, no matter who the manage has been till now.
30 Nov 2015 14:01:00
Of course we're in the race, but then Leicester are leading the race.
30 Nov 2015 19:42:39
Ta Billy!
I just think we need to try our best to be positive and stop worrying about any ifs, buts and maybes for now.
I understand it's all part of being a fan, of course, but a lot of people are still inclined to think negative no matter what.
The performance wasn't good enough, correct, but the result was. Therefore, the performance was!
3 points is all that matters; ask Chelsea, Sunderland, Leicester, Newcastle, anyone, they'd all agree!
30 Nov 2015 21:43:15
Fanobip a guess you never heard what dermot said on sky sports then? He had his arms out so it's a pen. Why are you been so critical of our team, we beat Chelsea and city away so i doubt we are as bad as you say and to say we need 5 players is a complete joke! Yeah we need a keeper and a decent centre half but that's it fella. Let's get real here the league is wide open this year and it's there for the taking for 5 or 6 teams.
01 Dec 2015 07:19:16
That is such a stupid thing to say fanobip. By that logic, penalties for foul tackles are also soft, because I've seen referees wave them away too.
Staples, I agree with you that champion teams take it game by game. Except, we're not the players. We're the fans. Fans discussing maybe possible title prospects on the internet, largely based on our fixture outlook and the form of our competitors, makes no difference on the actual team. That being said, while it is better to take short term goals, i. e. 'game by game', that needs to be within the scope of a long term goal you are ultimately working towards.
01 Dec 2015 17:12:53
Nick, my whole point is that the fans need to believe as much as the players do.
Klopp wasn't just asking the players; we need to do our part as well.
We both need to inspire one another and create as much of a positive atmosphere as possible around the club.
I'm not here to have a pop or question what people talk about; just feel our typical mindset hasn't really worked so why not try a change?
Think positive and maybe we'll see the difference?
If not, we won't be any worse off anyway.
What's to lose?