1.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 12:13:39
Thanks Ed, these actually do help as football therapy and some good tactical insights too 😃.

{Ed001's Note - cheers TJ.}


2.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 12:54:30
Looking at the positives, this season will hopefully finalise in Klopp’s mind what needs changing for next season. Shaqiri doesn’t have the mentality or work rate we need to start games and that’s in the rare times he’s not injured, so he’s a sub or sell.

Gini’s time has come to an end, Origi needs to move on. Personally I would now be playing Ox from the start more often to see if he can get back to his pre Roma form and give him his chance or he moves on and we have Jones.

Thiago isn’t a premier league number 6 and needs Henderson or Fabinho or both in midfield or we are overrun as he can’t tackle or stay the right side of the play. Matip is not a reliable back up as injured too much.

Jota was bought to cover the front 3 but looks better down the centre so we already have cover for Firmino so really in the summer, we probably only need cover for the front wide players and a midfielder if we sell Keita, Ox and Gini leaves.

The squad still looks pretty good to me now he’s brought in 2 new defenders. If they don’t work out then maybe add another CB to the summer list.


3.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 12:46:32
Good piece, Ed001 mate. I, too, feel the middle of the park was where we really lost the game. I'm not surprised Henderson was caught by certain TV coverage having a go at Shaq because he struggled to aid the attack against BHA. Gini, too, was very laboured and I think we all saw Henderson throw up his arms in disgust at one point because there were no options for him to pass to upfront. It also seems that our replacements/ subs are not on the same page as the existing team tactics BUT I hope it is a blip rather than a full-blown melt-down of our general tactics. I'll wait and see what happens in the next few games with fingers crossed that some returns to the side will help get our team mojo back on track.

Thanks for taking the time to write the article mate.

{Ed001's Note - thanks mate, I am sure it is a blip. The team is just in need of a few players having a break but injuries has meant Milner, for example, has been playing every game. It is only to be expected he will slow down at 35.}


4.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 12:48:26
Accurate. Discouraging to read. The diamond in midfield would have worked well. Gini seems to longer be bothered to even turn up. Maybe I'm being too harsh and it is just fatigue.

{Ed001's Note - I am telling myself it is fatigue, but it does seem like he only bothers when he feels like it. There have been times late in the game when he has burst forward like it is the first minute and he is fresh as a daisy. So I am worried he has just mentally moved on from Liverpool.}


5.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 12:48:55
Do you think gini just doesn’t want to get injured and scupper a move in a few months or he heads just not into playing for Liverpool anymore because the drop off is unreal.
Would you just go with the new boys at the back now and move hendo or fab back into midfield in place of gini eds1?

{Ed001's Note - I am hoping he is tired but he is playing like he has mentally lost focus on us.}


6.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 13:42:31
Great read, Ed. The midfield did not work and Klopp is responsible for this. Milner was shattered hence, he offerred nothing. Also, the game was calling for a Curtis Jones in midfield cos if Klopp wanted Bobbie to occupy Bisouma then, it only means that if Bisouma follows Bobbie into midfield then Jones could just occupy that space and attack the CB's with his raw pace and dribbling skills. Klopp has done this before and it has worked so not sure why Klopp did not do that.

Like you, I think the mental strain of the season and all that has happened to our team outside of their control, has finally taken it's toll on the players. It seems like they are running in quicksand cos the more they tried vs Brighton, the worse it got. We just have to hope when the CB's are ready and Hendo can come into midfield along with Jota and Mane coming back, could give us a spark. Here's to hoping.

{Ed001's Note - Jones doesn't have raw pace.}


7.) 04 Feb 2021
04 Feb 2021 15:04:38
Thanks ED001, I have run out of plaudits for all of the amazing match reports you do. So I will just say 'Thank you' today. ;-)