05 Oct 2020 15:19:36
Obviously last night was an abysmal performance. We were shocking defensively, the midfield wasn’t aggressive enough and the forwards should be taking chances. (Salah though did have a good game) . I hope this is just a one off performance and I think that it will be. But we need to make sure we go into games with the right mentality and treat every game like a cup final.
For me last night did highlight a few things, matip when fit needs to start, he’s simply better than Gomez at this moment in time (obviously he’s young and learning and he will get better and be a world class cb in the future) . Keita for me isn’t near the standard we need, he plays well for a game of two and then goes missing, he also doesn’t seem to fit our style in terms of the defensive work. And finally, Adrian while he has had some stellar performances for us (and I thank him and respect him for that) he simply isn’t good enough, he’s a likeable guy and a good guy to have at the club but his ability is a level too low for me.

I could point out Firmino because he could have scored a couple, but for me his confidence in front of goal is shot and once he grabs 1 I think we’ll see him bag more. Obviously his role isn’t to be an out and out striker but he does need to score a few more for me.

Anyway onto the Merseyside Derby, let’s put this game behind us and put a good quality performance in and get the three points.

YNWA.

05 Oct 2020 15:59:06
OP, as valid as your points are on individual player performances, the issue is much deeper than these, IMO. Regardless of whoever was playing yesterday, we simply did not do the very basic thing of actually competing with Villa and winning more of our individual one on one battles. I did not say that. Klopp did. He said so after the game and I quote, "It is very rare that I say this but in some of the challenges, it seemed like the Villa players wanted it more. That is something that does not happen that much but I do not like to see that".

You have to earn the right to play and compete regardless of who you are playing and we did not get to where we have gotten to by having attitude and work ethic issues. We were weak mentally and lacked focus, desire, determination and presence in one on one situations all over the field. Not saying we disrespected Villa BUT you get the point.

That is what we have to get back to. Hard work, graft, determination, mental focus and the mean streak that makes us a nightmare to play against for any team on the planet cos trust me, that Everton game is going to test the players' mental make-up and if we are not ready to match whatever Everton will be serving, we will lose again. We are great at footie, end of. We are still favs. to win the title regardless of this one result BUT we are going to have to regroup, refocus and get back to the values that got us here.

05 Oct 2020 16:36:36
For me, Salah was good and got his goals. Firmino, Jota and Robertson were average. The other 6 outfield players were lazy and weak. Mane, Thiago, Henderson, Ox, Matip and Alisson can't come back soon enough so we can drop a few of them and give them a kick up the rear end.

Adrian should never play for us again though. Gunn got dropped by Saints when they conceded 9 so it's not unheard of. Kelleher should play every game until Alisson is fit again because Adrian is simply not good enough. Every time he plays he makes a mistake. It's not always punished, but it's always there. It cost us the FA cup and Champions League last season. Nearly cost us the super cup when he gave away a penalty with a needless challenge on Abraham. He let in a pathetic goal against Dunk of Brighton messing around with his wall at a free kick. He let in a weak goal against Lincoln City flapping at a corner. Now he's let in 7 against Villa of which at least 2 were his fault and at least 4 he could have done better with.

Yesterday was simply not good enough overall and nobody needs to tell the players or Klopp that because by god, will they know how much they've let themselves down. Hopefully we see a different attitude against Everton in 2 weeks time.

05 Oct 2020 17:43:45
MKS, I see what you are saying and clearly, Adrian needs to take some part of the blame. As I have said before, the guy is simply not learning from his mistakes cos he is making the same mistake on multiple occasions and that can no longer be tolerated. I have no prob with players making mistakes BUT if you are making the same mistake multiple times as in, making no look passes to the opposition w/ o even checking where your team mates are, is bordering on insanity.

I also feel like Klopp needs to now build a system that better protects the back 4 hence, protects Adrian cos he is not built to play in the defensive system he plays. His head goes way too often when whenever he has to come off his line to sweep while at the same time, being terrible with his feet. Get him to boot the ball up field whenever he gets the ball if he cannot pass the ball 5 yards to the open LFC player. Adrian is who we have right now so we have to adapt.

05 Oct 2020 19:46:21
Go and get Jack Butland today.