07 Dec 2023 09:58:49
Greetings Ed001, trust you are well. Wanted to ask your thoughts on something I've been mulling about since last night's game. The best way to do it is with a statement.

"Liverpool, as a team, seem to always play at the level of the opponent". In other words we play (poorly) at the level of the bottom 6 when faced with them and then we excel when faced with teams from the top 6, and so on.

Do you agree or disagree? Is it even an issue; do all teams function like this? And if it is an issue, what's responsible for it? Players? Coaching? Both? ?.

{Ed001's Note - that is something I had never really thought about before, but it does seem mostly true. There are exceptions. It does seem to be an attitude thing because the intensity is lower against the lesser teams, like it was last night. I would not see Klopp changing anything much for the lesser teams, in terms of preparation. He is not the type to take things easy. So it is most likely a mix of players being less wound up and hyped for it and the atmosphere around the ground from the fans tends to be a bit quieter too, so that does not tend to hype the players up as much either. But you could see how Nunez came on and the game changed because he comes on at 100 miles an hour, charging about like it is a World Cup final and his entire career is on the line. That was missing from most of the rest of the players, I would say. That is why Endo and Szoboszlai stood out so much last night, they were both up for it still.}

1.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 11:10:11
I watched the game last night and the atmosphere seemed really flat and I ended up thinking we'd had a poor game. But the stats on possession, corners, shots make it look like we were on fire. I know stats can be a nonsense, think what really happened was that we just went out and did a thoroughly professional job, albeit one with little flair/ excitement.

2.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 11:31:40
You can really see why Endo is Japans captain. Really has that fire in his belly no matter what the game is. Great to have players like that in the squad.

3.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 11:52:04
Liverpool did what they had to do but Sheff United still caused a moment or two of panic in the defence. Thought Konate was a bit rash at times.
Dom was excellent last night, again and was good to see Endo play as well.

4.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 11:52:50
You’ll find that with most Japanese players, Taurus. Do your best, and do the job properly is how a lot of people go about their day in Japan.

5.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 12:08:36
I think it might look like that OP but I think it’s down to the tactics from both teams.

The opposition will come out with a tactic to keep it tight and stay in the game. They close spaces and stay deep so we can’t get through or in behind them easily.

Our tactic will be to keep possession, move the ball and stay patient until gaps open up.

It’s why you tend to see late goals in these games as the opposition have a bit more of a go late on and if we need a goal we take the handbrake off.

Against the better sides both teams want to score from the off so there is just more space on the pitch and therefore the game is much quicker.

6.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 12:29:14
Think this is a bit of recency bias conflated with the idea that we should easily handle teams at the bottom of the table.
Whilst ideally and on paper it should be true, we’ve also seen Arsenal snatch a late winner away to Luton.

I don’t see a pattern develop other than time and time again in the history of sports, we see the very next performance after an emotional victory is often a bit of a let down.

7.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 12:53:56
Nunez would play with same intensity against non league teams too. I just wish him to start finishing the easy chances soon too.

8.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 13:17:49
We play crap most of the time let's be honest. It's boring and bland. Aston villa looked great last night and we could easily play like that again. There's 1 or 2 players that naturally play on the edge such as nunez but this team is set up to be boring possession based football. Individuals then shine in moments.

9.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 14:38:32
I really can't tell if your trolling Mizer or its actually your opinion you seem to hate or dislike the team/ players in most of your posts last week or so. I don't see how we are boring or bland? we are the 2nd highest scoring team in the league so it can't be goals your missing out on what is it?

10.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 14:42:13
I am I wrong to want to be the starting six, am massively impressed by him.

11.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 15:54:22
MIZER has become my new go to in addition to Harry (Habibi) for comical nonsense.

We're playing crap, other teams are playing well and we only happen to have lucked our way to 2nd.

If we win the league, I'd be happy to luck our way through. I mean that's how competitions are usually settled, right?

12.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 16:01:01
Id like to see you given a few games as the starting six Groot?.

13.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 16:20:39
Villa were brilliant last night. But away from home they are abject.

14.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 16:53:48
We get the results. It's a boring bland system. There's stars within our team and worldclass players. Why wouldn't we be high in the table? It's more comical that nearly every post agrees with that sentiment after most games. "we didn't play well" or "we were average" and fortunately get the result.

15.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 16:53:50
Thanks for the reply Ed001. And you're very right about Nunez, Endo and Szoboszlai. Nunez always running about like a maniac doing his pressing and chasing thing, Endo routinely going head on against players far taller and wider than him; and Szoboszlai being the only man to run upfield with Nunez and score the second goal. A deep hunger to win and win something big? (I don't want to condemn the rest of the players not wanting it also, but it's clear to me that sometimes some want it more than others) .

16.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 17:28:19
At this point in the season, it's all about the result. The whole" we play crap" and we play "bland footie" is just OTT nonsense I don't have the will to address.

17.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 20:49:36
call me crazy, but is it too early to fall in love with Endo?

18.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 20:58:26
A team that can play within itself and still churn out results is a team that's capable of winning the Premiership.
This squad is still evolving and improving.
The signs are very positive.

19.) 07 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 21:05:28
MIZER

Who cares if it's boring, we're winning and that, is all that matters.

I'll reiterate - watch the worst we've ever played, 20% possession, 1 shot, short and inaccurate passes all over the place, 5 yellow cards.
The opposition tear us apart, flowing moves, lightning-quick attacks, beautiful arcing shots, volleys.

We score.
They don't
I'm happy.

All people and history will remember in the future is who won, not how well they played.


We're 2nd in the league; qualified from our group in Europe; in the quarter finals of one cup.

20.) 08 Dec 2023
07 Dec 2023 23:45:52
MIZER if you want exciting games with no results to show for it, just watch Spurs and keep it moving.