19 Aug 2023 08:02:22
As we all know it is a hard argument against the view that Man City have had the best "squad" for many years now, even the years they have not won the title (yep including ours) .
That year we have by far the best "team" and a hugely competitive squad simply because of the togetherness that the players had (as opposed to a depth of world class talent) and we continue to have the very best in man-management capability through Klopp.
Part of his unique ability to gel a group of players and bring their full hearted game to LFC is in choosing the right players that are solid (if not always best in individual class) technically and tactically, but with the right going in mindset. The best mindset of all is one that, as soon as the club shows interest in you, you have a silo'd view to getting there being there and giving your all. That mindset gives Klopp's special talent a head start.
Personally I think that, whilst clearly he thought he could set those powers free and to work on a couple of high potential players that he missed out on, that going in head start would not have been there and in one case (only through reading about the characteristics of the player I grant) it could have been particularly hard to get, and maintain the die hard team spirit he needs.
Clearly, through reading the solid reviews from reputable sources, Endo possesses a level of talent that can be sourced and used in a fashion that suits the tactics of the manager but, above all, I get the feeling that his head start (and I mean his "head") is one of fine positivity! Could well be a very good addition!
Klopp clearly doesn't want to stop at Endo, we all think that is right, and will look (is) further but again I hope the head will be truly there for any other prospective.
Welcome Mr Endo!
YNWA.
19 Aug 2023 08:43:12
City have won the title 5 times out of the last 6 and sadly that run doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.
The battle for the other top 4 Champions League positions has become the new realistic target now for us and so many others.
19 Aug 2023 09:08:05
MR, brilliant read and I get where you are coming from. For me, I never compare us to City. I simply don't cos I value my sanity and don't want to be miserable in my football supporting life. We won everything with Klopp well before Pep did with City and we all know how they got here. Other clubs instead of wishing upon a star for us to sack Klopp, they should prolly focus on trying to challenge and actually BEAT City you know, like we did. But I know they won't cos they want us to join them in their misery-filled supporting lives. Miser loves company, apparently.
Klopp for all his flaws (and we know what many of them are), is a brilliant mind with the charisma that gives him the ability to get the best of of people in general, let alone players who are supposed to be "inferior". The success we have had under the FSG model could almost only have happened with him in charge and with the money we are able to provide him for transfers which are nowhere near our rivals. You have Chelsea approching 1 billion in money spen in 12 months for starters.
Now regarding Endo, I don't know what he will be for sure but I trust the experts that he will be good for us. On the video where he met Endo for the first time in the changing room, I have rarely if ever, seen Klopp so giddy and excited about meeting a new signing. You could see him salivating at the prospect of working with him. That gives me confidence.
19 Aug 2023 09:52:27
Good read, Metro.
Klopp isn't perfect but he's the best manager we've had for decades.
The way I look at it is, City would have won if it were not for Klopp and we'd have won more were it not for Gladioli. I don't think we win the League and CL without Klopp.
JK makes a good point in that we might not be able to regularly challenge City but Klopp did it for a few seasons when no one else could. I don't know if we win more if we'd have more financial clout but that could have helped us as Metro alludes to. City and Madrid have been winning the League and CL when we were not and we know they had top class players but they also had a degree of stability.
19 Aug 2023 11:07:37
Man City and it’s records are pretty much tainted with possible/ likely financial doping issues.
I really find it difficult to acknowledge their success against the likelihood that they cheated.
19 Aug 2023 11:35:17
and we'd have won more were it not for Gladioli.
Total crap there @Rigsby. At least on two occasions we surrendered the league thanks to our pathetic squad depth. Top of the league by Christmas with all center backs out and we got Osan Kabak to challenge city.
Liverpool dropped points coz Liverpool simply didn’t had the squad. You aren’t going to win many trophies with Shaqiri, Minamino and Origi.
19 Aug 2023 12:14:00
Habibi - We won the league with them and the Champions league with them minus Minamino.
19 Aug 2023 12:34:32
Except we literally won every trophy with those players you mentioned and they all played their part.
How can it have been pathetic squad depth when all 4 CBs get injured at the same time for a prolonged period of time?
City were nowhere near as dominant before guardiola came and that is a fact Harry.
Let me take this opportunity to ask you why you disappeared to the city page for so long and miraculously came back to ours once the title was won? You never have explained that one ?.
19 Aug 2023 13:05:09
Thanks guys for your reading and responses to the original post.
Just for clarity the post was more to talk about the type of manager we have (and he is the best in one particular area - for me at least who’s job is also about man-management and gelling a team albeit not football) and not to compare to other teams other than to demonstrate that you don’t always have to have the best individual “players” - it is more about the solidity, desire, individual and collective spirit to make the team that counts. Of course both is a dividend. My point is if you have highly capable players with desire and a manager that can use that desire and heart to build the “team” then a collection of best “players” will be challenged!
19 Aug 2023 14:31:53
Great thread. Love the super positivity and realistic analysis of Klopp from @Metro, @Oli and @Rigby.
@Habibi, you had a good counterargument I was prepared to support if not for your tactless delivery.
These are interesting discussions touching on a complicated and delicate subject matter (Klopps great and won us more than anyone in ages - one side - and Klopps great but could have won us a lot more - other side (I'mon the other side) ) .
I love these types of debates. Don't p. on them with lazy, dismissive language. Play the ball not the man.
19 Aug 2023 19:43:01
Delvecs shame none of the realistics actually get to Anfield.
19 Aug 2023 21:12:27
Habibi, when all our centre backs were injured we finished third. The years we finished who won the League and who was their manager?
JK23, how do you know that?