24 Aug 2017 09:05:56
Firstly we are simply breathtaking when we are at our best.
I wanted to discuss Lovren, who has always had similar lapses in concentration as Moreno but this season is head seems to have gone completely. I think, unlike Moreno, Lovren has seen his place under threat and lost his head (Moreno has clearly been working on his all round game, still needs more discipline though) . We tried protecting Karius when he made a couple of mistakes and the same needs to happen with Lovren.
I really don’t want to jump on players as we should support the team and I do think Lovren is a good defender, the lads heads just dropped and needs to get it together as against better teams it could cost us.
24 Aug 2017 09:21:21
Why do you want to protect Lovren in the first place! He needs replacing and not protecting. Karius is raw while Lovren is 30 years old international!
Lovren makes two mistakes every game. One he gets away from it and the other he takes a card or concedes a goal! This is a similar scene from 3 years!
I am sorry droping him to to bench is not suddenly going to make him a Maldini.
Moreno was always an offensive full back and if you expect him to be a good defender then you are wasting our precious time on it. All he could improve is his offensive attributes which he has improved considerably!
I am amazed how Matip gets away from criticism! I agree with Ed01, He can't head a ball! He is slow to react and he don't open his mouth!
24 Aug 2017 09:33:47
Harry, because he is a liverpool player and if we have injuries we may need him so drop him (ideally with a new CB) .
I also never said he would become a great defender by dropping him.
Again I never said Moreno can defend but you have to regconise the effort the kid is clearly putting in to improve.
As for Matip it is similar to the 'two girls theory' one lass will hang round with another who is less good looking (Lovren) to make themselves (Matip) look more attractive. Hence why currently Matip is getting far less stick then Lovren.
24 Aug 2017 09:42:01
I'll discuss Lovren. He's poo. End of discussion.
24 Aug 2017 10:18:02
Onceared
So we both agree we need 2 CB's. 😄.
24 Aug 2017 10:18:33
To be honest, I see a lot going on about Lovren, but Matip was terrible. He seemed slow, weak and totally out of position (Lovren was marking Wagner and another when they scored) . I don't know if this is something to do with being partnered with Lovren but he wasnt good at all last night. Did anybody else think this?
24 Aug 2017 11:11:44
I think they are both average players and, when pairing them up it makes for a pretty weak defensive unit. They also work poorly together so rarely look like a cohesive unit. It's just a deadly combination which will lead to goals conceded sadly. Do think Mignolet really unsettles the defence as well though - even the best defenders would be constantly caught in two minds if they were playing in front of Mignolet - the defence starts with the goalkeeper and Mignolet is sadly not up to task.
24 Aug 2017 11:40:40
Another point I would like to mention is last night when Hoffenheim players picked the ball up between our defence and midfield, it looked like (to me) that the midfield and defence didn't know who should be going for it? When the ball is further up the field we close down the opposition straight away, when it gets in between defence and midfield no one closes down? One of the 3 mids jog towards the player and the defence stand looking at the player with the ball. I have seen people on here mention that a DM is needed. maybe its to stop that? Or does it come down to having "leaders" on the pitch who can organise this?