05 Apr 2024 09:10:07
Elliot and Jones should be ahead of Szlob he has been playing absolutely poorly for ages. Salah has left a lot to be desired recently. Some good players are underperforming. Thank God for Macca I have to say exceptional nothing less than. I’ve got a feeling it may well all just click in to place on Sunday if Jones plays instead of Szlob. No doubt we will win. No doubt at all.
05 Apr 2024 09:27:30
That is the sign of a good side
When players have a dip in form - someone else picks up the baton.
05 Apr 2024 10:01:58
I never doubted Mac Allister, even when his performances were below par in the earlier part of the season. Simple reason was is that he showed me enough at Brighton what a player he is, when played in his position. Not to mention, his performances for Argentina when he was having his slump at Liverpool. The exact same thinking applies with Szobo. The boy is class. He has had the creativity and confidence coached out of him. I’m sure some will argue that but for me, that’s what I see. The formation and tactics do not suit him at all. At RB Leipzig he was expressive playing behind the striker to either the left or right - getting into the box at will and had no hesitation to shoot from distance. He is playing within himself as this system is making him do quite a bit, all of which don’t contain creativity.
If it’s Amorim that does come, which is thankfully is looking likely. Some would argue Amorim’s system wouldn’t suit him. I think you couldn’t be further from the truth. The two full backs provide the width and the inside forwards on the left or right are exactly where Szobo will thrive. Personally I see Edwards and Hughes selling Salah in the summer, especially with Saudi Arabia set to place a massive bid for him. They would want to heavily back the new manager, knowing Klopp is a tough ask for them to follow. And the new manager would want to stamp his own mark on this team. This would mean a wide forward will be brought in, which to be honest could be anyone. You have your star names in Kvaratskhelia and Musiala. Or they might go down the direct to the South American source route in Luis Guilherme. Or, they could try the South American route, with somewhat European experience, still a gamble but could pay off big time in someone like Matias Soule. Time will tell if all sequence of events comes to pass….
05 Apr 2024 10:08:00
Was at the game last night and it wasn’t the greatest spectacle (stand fast Mac) .
We broke the record for most possession In a game with 83.1%. For the majority of that though there just didn't seem to be intensity and when we did speed things up our final pass was what let us down.
I have no idea how but Gomez was a player in the first half who found himself in those pockets and unfortunately it was his final ball that let us down. But if we're honest that's not his strength.
I thought Elliot was a little more direct when he came on than Salah and that was simply by putting more balls into the box.
Robbo's appearance I thought was very good as he gave us width and energy down that left hand side.
Kelleher had another good game and if it wasn't for him we would have been 1 down again inside a minute. I think the only way you can score last him is through his legs.
Gakpo looked lively when he came on and took his goal well.
Was In the Anfield road Upper yesterday and was directly behind Mac's goal. I can't remember a player hitting a ball like that since the Stevie G days. And if only his free kick had gone in.
I think the key is trying to get Mac into those key final positions over Gomez or an inverted full back and the right pass will be chosen.
05 Apr 2024 10:30:12
Obviously Endo starts with Mac. The other place is up for grabs but nobody wants it.
szob is bang out of form. Jones can't stay fit. Harvey only turns up off the bench. Grav is grav.
05 Apr 2024 10:59:42
Really weird post the morning after Szoboszlai had a pretty good game. He's still nowhere near back to his best, but that's the best he's played since his injury. Grbic had to make a very smart save to deny him scoring a screamer into the top corner, and another good save down low to deny him an assist from Van Dijks header. He worked extremely hard all game and was involved in some of our better work in the final third. So not sure why you're singled him out if I'm honest. If Jones comes in for anybody it should be Gravenberch who had a very poor game and only served to waste counter attack opportunities, slow down attacks with safe passes and hit tame shots at goal when it opened up for him.
Jones was good when he came on but it was clear last night that our attacks were breaking down because of Gomez and Gravenberch, nobody else. We had no genuine threat down our left side until Jones and Robertson took up the positions on the left side to offer Diaz some genuine support. They forced Sheff Utd to open up a bit as we had a genuine threat down both sides of their defence, which ultimately created the gaps that led to the 2nd and 3rd goals. Salah, Szsoboszlai and Bradley caused them problems all night down the right but it just wasn't coming off for them. Elliott didn't really fair any better when he was on the right either. Sheff Utd defended the right side really well with a lot of bodies and we just didn't take advantage of the space they were subsequently leaving down the left side for 70 minutes of the game.
05 Apr 2024 11:09:43
Sobs been off it but elliot should be more offended at gravenberch getting the nod ahead of him. Forget the lack of quality, the pulling out of tackles is embarrassing by gravenberch.
05 Apr 2024 12:21:52
Some of the criticism of the players is nuts. We have more goals and creativity from all our midfielders. We're top of the league and creating lots of chances to win. We need all of the players. 5 subs mega important. Let's not worry about who Klopp picks and just trust him.
05 Apr 2024 12:52:06
I love Szobo. Trust me, he will show everyone exactly why he is the star man for his country and why he was the star man for his previous clubs. The boy is class, he just needs a system that suits him to show it.
On a completely separate note. News broke last night that we have tabled a British record transfer fee for Federico Valverde. More news outlets are reporting the same thing this morning. But until reputable journalists like David Ornstein, Paul Joyce or Fabrizio Ramano confirm it, I will take it with a punch of salt. It would make sense considering we have been interested in him for years.
05 Apr 2024 13:03:27
Anyone else think that Szobo could play in Salah's position when he eventually leaves? Or is it just me?
05 Apr 2024 13:31:16
Johnnyr - No. Szoboszlai is a midfielder, not a forward, and Salah’s position is a fit for the player rather than the other way around.
Szoboszlai’s performances have been a bit frustrating in the sense that he’s helping the team but his quality isn’t showing the way it might. I don’t think he’s playing badly, he’s just not showcasing his masterful technical quality like we want him to. It’s annoying, but nothing to be concerned about.
That said, I would go with Jones, Mac10 and Endo for Sunday.
05 Apr 2024 13:45:17
@Lowe - Szobo is not a traditional centre mid. He is not suited to being a midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation. Is it coincidence he shines for country where he plays just behind the striker and scores and creates goals for fun? Also is it coincidence he shone at RB and Salzburg where he played behind the striker and was the main man scoring and creating goals. It is what it is. This formation has us on the brink of a treble, so I ain’t complaining when it comes to team achievements. Just saying, he will shine in another managers systems, especially Amorim’s if he comes.
05 Apr 2024 13:47:23
That's been the hidden story of our sucess this year. The involvement of our substitutes in goals. Across the top 5 leagues in Europe, it is Liverpol that has the highest goal involvements by substitutes (I assume that means assists and/ or goals) at 45 thus far, this year. The next best team is Atletico Madrid with 29 goal involvements by substitutes. It tells you that not only is the team more homogenous at a high level, than in previous years, but that Klopp has been getting his substitutions just right and probably better than anybody else around. It also indicates that the ranting over substitions going on all the time, is unfounded; all the come from behind wins that we've been seeing this year are proof of this. We have the highest number of goals scored in the last 15 minutes per game; highest in the EPL.
Over at the live chat (i'm there for every game), we've all gotten into the habit of "we're behind? no problem, we will catch up in the second half". We know the subs will make a difference and win the game for us.
05 Apr 2024 14:25:10
Alonso be careful mate. The last person I saw take a punch of salt was Frank Dukes at the kumotai in blood sport and it didn’t look nice.
05 Apr 2024 14:31:38
@Aray - I don’t mind admitting when I’m wrong mate. When it comes to this season, like you have pointed out, you can’t argue with the sub stats. I’m not that wrong and strong person to argue when the evidence presented is right bang in your face ?
He has got the subs right more times than not. Having said that, in previous seasons the subs have hindered us in quite a few games but I don’t want that to be the focus anymore. The only complaint I can have is starting games slowly and seemingly coasting until we decide to wake up. I think you summed it up well on the live chat when you said it’s like we often play to the level of the opponent. But no manager is perfect and what Klopp has done has been nothing short of spectacular. I have said it too many times to count that Klopp has brought me the best moments supporting this club. 2017-2020 seasons and the “almost quadruple” season saw us go toe to toe with literally any team on the planet, and that’s no an exaggeration. For the first time in a while, us Liverpool fans were able to hold our heads high. I’ll never forget the day we won the league. I cried like a baby and yes that was down to the team, but it was mainly down to Klopp.
Let’s just win our remaining fixtures and give him the send off he deserves. I’m excited for the future under Michael Edwards, Hughes and hopefully Amorim. But when the final whistle goes on the last game of the season and it truly hits me that we won’t see him again, there will be more tears.
05 Apr 2024 15:07:05
Alonso, I don't think we disagree at all. Despite what I wrote, I get pis*ed of as hell every time Klopp takes Salah off, because I'm a simple fan (relying on memories) and he's the (successfull) football manager of the club and he knows what he is doing far better than I could ever dream of. He lives and breathes that football club on site, sees everything from the moment the players walk into the club until they walk out, while I'm a fan (thousands of miles away) relying on my opinion, the opinion of, others and hearsay.
I, like many others, also question his starting choices at times, but once again, I will always defer to his better judgement. He simply knows better, it's his job. I don't like the slow starts and the slow build up play either, but if the creator of "rock and roll football" wants to play more of "possession" football then there most be a reason for it. He knows what works in this League far better than I do.
The subs stats were in my reply just to add credence to my points. I wasn't addressing anyone in particular, but supporting Paisley79's post about players "picking up the baton" when things are not going well.
05 Apr 2024 15:23:05
@Aray - I know mate. We are usually in tandem in our assessments. I think it was just me saying my bad in general in regards to the subs this season. Especially as the stats prove me wrong. Yeah, spot on mate with the rock and roll part. It’s frustrating that we coast through a lot of games but like you said. If Klopp thinks a more measured approach is better, and he is sitting at the top of the table, 2 points clear with a handful of games to go. Who am I to complain.
@JK23 - f. fs mate, you never fail to crack me up ???.
05 Apr 2024 15:28:03
NicolBecker Glory in November 2023:
'I would like to point out that Macca was not central to the argies winning a World Cup. I'm a scout and have been for 20 years and it’s quite obvious Macca in nowhere near the level of Elliot and Jones. '
You clearly have no footballing knowledge and no shame. Please stop embarrassing yourself.
05 Apr 2024 18:09:19
Give sob a chance he been out injured for a while, same with Salah not to mention he is fasting as part of Ramadan.
05 Apr 2024 23:06:37
Quality stuff Thunderbird.
Still waiting for a sensible post from the "former scout".
I see his sock puppet account got put to bed early too.
05 Apr 2024 23:45:38
I think Salah will go in the summer if a decent fee is offered. He will leave as an Anfield legend ?
I think a new manager will inevitably bring in a new playing style which means we may not need a like-for-like replacement for Mo.
Dom is not quick enough to be regarded as a like-for-like replacement for Mo.
06 Apr 2024 08:27:40
Mac Allister did not play in Argentina's first game of World Cup 2022. They shocked everyone and lost to Saudi Arabia. Mac Allister did not play. With most observers citing that Messi was not getting good enough service from the midfield. Mac Allister started the remaining games. They won every single one. With observers saying he was key to their midfield and Messi's improved play.
06 Apr 2024 08:35:36
Ron I may be wrong but I’m pretty sure Dom has been recorded as our fastest player this season.
06 Apr 2024 09:52:02
Did Nicolbecker actually say that Thunderbird?
If so I wouldn’t want him scouting for my team.
06 Apr 2024 09:18:51
Thunderbird, I think he meant he’s a Boy Scout. He got his helping the elderly crossing the street badge and knot tying badge this week.
06 Apr 2024 20:38:38
Merciless and ruthless. All of you. ???.