21 Jan 2023 20:13:50
The positive outlook is we look like we can defend again. Much more compact as Klopp promised, and Baj and Thiago have a real good partnership in there. Gakpo and Nunez both also look like great prospects, albeit erratic at times. They get in the right positions and work hard. The composure will come with age and it's easy to forgot they would probably be rotation players if Jota, Bobby and Diaz were fit so it's almost unfair it's falling on them to literally save the season. Robertson's driving runs looked to be back too and Alisson was his usual imperious self. It's a good step in the right direction.

The negative outlooks (for balance) is Salah looks knackered and this happened last season too, that he dropped off in January. I was hoping the WC break would prevent it but alas, it hasn't. I'd probably use Elliott on the right wing more often for the rest of the season. Maybe rotate him and Salah with one starting and playing 60, then the other coming on fresh for the last 30. Of course Keita has to get a mention too for his obligatory terrible game after playing well at Wolves. Be another 4 average games before he plays well again and then he'll get injured; It's almost too predictable! Lastly, Joe Gomez was absolutely bullied by Havertz and it was really frustrating to watch at times. Milner also struggled, especially when Mudryk came on but he is 37!

Overall i'm going to take it as 2 steps forward and only 1 step back. I'd be keen to try Baj and Thiago sitting with Carvalho instead of Keita in the more free role. As long as we don't break up that midfield duo. Hendo and Fabinho have been completely and utterly shown up in the last 2 games by the Baj and Thiago combination. Far more tackles and duels being won in midfield, and all of a sudden the defence isn't getting ripped apart. I still think 4th is gone but maybe we can produce another miracle in the Champions League and chalk this seasons league campaign up to a learning curve for the kids and a final swansong for the old guard ??.

1.) 21 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 21:05:22
Duck off mk! Gakpo looks completely out of his depth being played central! I’d rather the local chef at the curry house playing up top! At least he delivers every week!

2.) 21 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 21:06:39
Gakpo a great prospect? I’m not seeing it unfortunately, but it’s four games in and he’ll get better.

3.) 21 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 21:19:44
It was a poor 10th place Chelsea and in all honesty had the better chances to win it. Baj looks so much better in midfield than all of Fab, Hendo, Thiago, Keita, Jones, et al, how far our midfield has fallen that a teenager is by far the pick of the bunch.
When injuries improve we should have options up front with Nunez, Salah, Diaz, Jota, Gakpo and Bobby.
But we still go with these midfielders
Hopefully VVD comes back and decides to play like he did for the Dutch in the WC.

4.) 21 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 22:19:41
Not sure why we signed Gakpo. Could’ve just put Joel Matip upfront and got the same result.

5.) 22 Jan 2023
22 Jan 2023 00:07:54
4 games in for Gakpo and the best supporters in the world are showing their true colours again.

6.) 22 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 23:19:34
@Thomas, I think the main reason we signed Gakpo was to annoy the fans. Seems to be working a treat with some.

7.) 22 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 23:32:47
I don’t want to write off gakpo right now as he’s adjusting to a new league and a team shot of confidence. But he’s not been great so far. I do think he’ll turn it around. Having seen him in Netherlands, the guy has a great desire to constantly improve and has shown he has talent.

Not a great start at all but give him time.

Agreed with the general points. Unfortunately we’re in transition and need to rediscover ourselves and it will take time.

Personally not sure Elliott is ready to be at a team aspiring to challenge for major trophies yet. I do understand he needs experience to get to that level but just not sure whether a loan would be more beneficial.

Also hope fab and Hendo can turn it around. When I watch them it doesn’t seem like a loss of legs but more of a loss of composure and confidence, so hopefully klopp can get them back to their best.

{Ed025's Note - “in transition “ is the biggest scapegoat in football reyrey..

8.) 22 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 23:38:51
Not sure why Gakpo is taking so much heat. Blokes not even got a name tag on his locker yet. He's shown a few glimpses that he has talent, with neat turns, flicks, lay off passes, and of course getting on the end of chances. Reminds me of Firmino early days. Everyone wanted him gone after about 10 games for not scoring. Dial back the abuse for a split second and remember he's 23 years old and gone straight into the starting XI mid season because nobody else can stay fit. Feels like misdirected anger to me. Obviously he is a great prospect and a few average games in a new team, league and country don't change that. He's been performing for the Netherlands and PSV for a good couple of seasons and he's obviously been signed as competition. We wouldn't have paid €50m for a 23 year old who wasn't a great prospect at least, even if that potential does go unfulfilled.

Each to there own. Football's a subjective sport. I think he'll come good from what I've seen of him in the Europa League, World Cup and his first few outings. I guess it's open season on here after anything other than a 7-0 win.

{Ed025's Note - have you actually seen gakpo play MK? He makes Tom Davies look like pele mate..

9.) 22 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 23:19:34
@Thomas, I think the main reason we signed Gakpo was to annoy the fans. Seems to be working a treat with some.

10.) 22 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 23:32:47
I don’t want to write off gakpo right now as he’s adjusting to a new league and a team shot of confidence. But he’s not been great so far. I do think he’ll turn it around. Having seen him in Netherlands, the guy has a great desire to constantly improve and has shown he has talent.

Not a great start at all but give him time.

Agreed with the general points. Unfortunately we’re in transition and need to rediscover ourselves and it will take time.

Personally not sure Elliott is ready to be at a team aspiring to challenge for major trophies yet. I do understand he needs experience to get to that level but just not sure whether a loan would be more beneficial.

Also hope fab and Hendo can turn it around. When I watch them it doesn’t seem like a loss of legs but more of a loss of composure and confidence, so hopefully klopp can get them back to their best.

11.) 22 Jan 2023
21 Jan 2023 23:38:51
Not sure why Gakpo is taking so much heat. Blokes not even got a name tag on his locker yet. He's shown a few glimpses that he has talent, with neat turns, flicks, lay off passes, and of course getting on the end of chances. Reminds me of Firmino early days. Everyone wanted him gone after about 10 games for not scoring. Dial back the abuse for a split second and remember he's 23 years old and gone straight into the starting XI mid season because nobody else can stay fit. Feels like misdirected anger to me. Obviously he is a great prospect and a few average games in a new team, league and country don't change that. He's been performing for the Netherlands and PSV for a good couple of seasons and he's obviously been signed as competition. We wouldn't have paid €50m for a 23 year old who wasn't a great prospect at least, even if that potential does go unfulfilled.

Each to there own. Football's a subjective sport. I think he'll come good from what I've seen of him in the Europa League, World Cup and his first few outings. I guess it's open season on here after anything other than a 7-0 win.

12.) 22 Jan 2023
22 Jan 2023 00:52:35
Klopp will make him lethal your right tho it is just wrong blaming him.

13.) 22 Jan 2023
22 Jan 2023 05:06:56
After reading some of these comments, who would want to join LFC.

What are some of you expecting from Gakpo? Maybe you though you signed prime Messi.

Give the lad a chance, if we were playing like we did last season, it would have been easier for him, but we're not.

I just hope that when we start playing better and Gapko shows his qualities, you all have the decency to come back here and apologise.