02 Sep 2024 19:53:17
Are we all happy Reds? What a great start to the season. Massive test for Slot away at Old Trafford and we smashed them to bits.
I’m wondering what the team will be midweek after the Forest game at anfield. Away in Milan. Might we see the Gakpo Nunez Chiesa front 3 with Elliot in the Szobo role ?.
02 Sep 2024 20:51:50
Long way to go LFC8 but it's been a massively impressive start by Slot. Not just on the pitch but off it as well. Be interesting to see how he handles adversity which will be bound to happen at some stage but nothing he has displayed so far would make me think he would crumble. Very very impressed but would caveat that with so far.
Also recently I ve taken some stick for criticizing Gravenberch last season. I maintain rightfully so because maximum effort is minimum requirement on the pitch. Welll under Slot he is absolutely breaking out. He was outstanding in the first three games showing some aspects I didn't even think he has in his locker. My biggest hope was he would turn into our version of Viera. You can see some similar traits. That is a seriously lofty level to get to but his talent is really starting to shine now.
Finally, I love the extra defensive solidity we have now on the tactics.
Those are the three most pleasing aspects for me. Stupid international break now. Having to wait far too long for a game.
02 Sep 2024 21:37:38
I think almost everybody were criticizing Gravenberch at one point, Davey. So to see BP calling only you out for it was a little bit strange mate to say the least.
It's a relief to see him playing like this. I personally didn't think we'd ever see it with him but I'm so glad I was wrong. I wrote him off far too soon.
02 Sep 2024 22:05:05
people will get carried away by the results.
What's more important is that the team appear to be responsive to the new style under Slot. positive results does help that transition of course!
02 Sep 2024 22:23:37
Osimhen gone to Maureen at Galatasaray on season long loan, he would of definitely guaranteed the Premier for Arne.
Not many got one over on Jurgen, top marks for Arne in spotting that Gravenberch is a born to be number 6.
Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas, Elliot, Endo, Jones, Chiesa, Nunez, Gakpo is the team i would play in every Champions League, Carabao and FA Cup games.
Only play the starting eleven at Old Trafford when possible in every PREMIER game. Go all out for the Premier and forget every other competition. Arteta is going to totally focus on the Premier, Arne will call his bluff and follow suit.
02 Sep 2024 22:43:52
I'm very happy with it, I won't get carried away and declare we're going to win this, that and the other. But I am impressed with how things are going so far.
I was honestly expecting us to have dropped points either in this game or the first game of the season, due to the internationals and extra fatigue that usually comes with it. So Slot has exceeded my expectations so far.
That being said, I do think we should still expect to go through a tough spell, probably around Christmas (like always lol), so it will be interesting to see how Slot handles that.
Good times ahead I suspect.
02 Sep 2024 22:49:49
We beat United at Old Trafford at the weekend playing good football, we are coming up to games against Madrid and Milan and the like. It’s a shame that some can only see the destination as the journey is way more fun.
02 Sep 2024 23:02:21
I didn’t particularly call you out Davey I just mentioned you because I remember having a discussion with you about Gravenberch last season.
I remember seeing him in his first game for us and just thinking, wow this kid looks to have bags of talent so I always believed we had a top player on our hands as he is still so young. I just couldn’t believe so many of you couldn’t see it.
02 Sep 2024 23:46:45
I've seen many a talent wasted with lack of application and hard work BP.
I'm delighted with the turn around.
03 Sep 2024 00:41:46
I just didn’t see that with him. His awareness of space and his touch just stood out like a sore thumb to me. I honestly watched him and he reminded me of Zidane with the way he collected the ball and turned into space in one movement.
Before you say it I’m not saying he’s as good as Zidane or the next Zidane or anything like that, just that his control and awareness reminded me of him.
He still has a long way to go, it’s only 3 games but the signs are looking good. Now he just has to show that he can keep improving and consistently perform.
03 Sep 2024 01:14:36
I'm happy with the start and that the manager seems to know how he wants to play and the players do too. It's also good to see that Slot seems to know his best eleven already.
I'm happy enough not to care about players that don't play for us and not to worry about next season.
Sometimes you need to stop and smell the roses, Redmen.
03 Sep 2024 01:52:15
I guess we could look at the same thing and still see it differently, Beckers. I had the same view as Davey regarding Grav as well. He started out well last season for us and then, to me, he started shirking challenges and letting players just run past him. It was frustrating as he did have the quality to do much more. But I am glad that he is starting to take games by the scruff of the neck and really applying himself.
03 Sep 2024 07:01:15
I think it’s fair enough to say that WE all haven’t a clue into the makings of a PL footballer. Some would have you believe they do mind ?. Easy to sit behind a keyboard and give analysis on a players misgivings or how they should start every week. We don’t know these people and I’m certain nobody has played PL football. Easy to say a player isn’t trying but how do we know really. Let’s all sit from a position of ignorance then we all won’t get too upset ?.
03 Sep 2024 07:37:49
I remember on the chat last season me and jk were pretty much the only 2 defending Grav. I thought his standout quality was in carrying the ball forward and breaking the lines. Which it is, but this season we have also seen an ability to receive the ball in tight spaces and turn into space to start attacks. He has also been decent intercepting and tracking runners which has improved massively from last season. I think a lot of them seem to be working harder out of possession than last season. It helps that were not so gung-ho anymore so players are closer to their position when we lose the ball. I've seen Trent run back like a sprinter several times already this season which I didn't see much of under Klopp. Did Klopp no want them charging back? Is this new manager tactics? or new manager bounce? Players fighting for their places or new contracts? I hope it continues and they don't get complacent. The test for me will be if we get a few injuries and if we lose a game or two. We were always good when things were working. What I saw under Klopp a few times were some real drops in form and heads following defeats and we'd go through a real stinker of a patch. I'm hoping Slot helps us bounce back from defeats.
Oh I also said Salah has lost a yard of pace (he has) but his around game is improving. I said Diaz end product is ridiculously frustrating and cost us (it was and it did) glad to see Salah looks absolutely fresh and raring to go and Diaz looks to have found some seriously good shooting boots. Long may it continue. Having Diaz and Nunez miss chance after chance last season made me pull my hair out ill be glad to keep some as it's getting precious now I'm 40. Jury's still out on Nunez for me I'm afraid (what a negative and bad fan) loved him when he came and think there's attributes in there to be a beast but if you can't keep yourself onside and finish one on one's top strikers should be gobbling then he was an expensive mistake I'm afraid big season for him. Hope he gets some boots off Lucho and Becker and all the other never say a bad word posters can tell me to shove my words wherever they want.
03 Sep 2024 08:15:39
Also comparing Gravenberch with Zidane is wild man. While some may be critical and negative some are obviously wildly optimistic bordering on delusional.
03 Sep 2024 08:35:02
He didn’t compare them, he even made that clear in his post. I always thought Grav was our best midfielder carrying the ball but now also his positional play and defending are very impressive. The test will come when we have to really dig in and stay in a game Grav will have to sit and hold his position. Excellent start but he can’t play every game so hope he doesn’t get over played.
03 Sep 2024 08:31:08
Red Will i'll be honest mate i thought Grav was getting a bit of a short straw because whilst i agree his performances weren't always up to scratch he wasn't given the same leniency as other players get (new, league, time to settle, is young, language etc) .
I thought there has to be a player in there (more from hearsay than seeing if I'm honest) and he did show glimpses.
If someone had said to in Jun-Aug that Grav would be our starting 6 and offered me a free big money bet on it being a success or not I'd have bet no.
So whilst i have backed him he's also shocked me with how good he has been.
{Ed025's Note - i thought he was a bit of a lemon after last season as well JK, he has really surprised me how good hes been in this new Slot system, but it has only been 3 games and against pretty poor opponents so im not declaring him the new "Zidane" just yet mate..
03 Sep 2024 08:45:19
He literally qualified his statement about zidane right after making it, don’t see why there is any need to call him delusional. I too have been on here raving about gravenberch’s touch and awareness of space, he’s showing us that his carrying of the ball into that space and driving upfield is top class after leaving his marker in the dust too, and the three midfielders are winning balls in the middle of the park so well, most of our chances are coming from winning duels when the other team has the ball, long may it continue.
03 Sep 2024 09:01:59
I didn't particularly call out anyone. I said 'some are' I also said bordering on delusional not delusional. While some call out anyone with a critical opinion and tell them to shove things down their throat it seems the rules are different for people calling out posters for their over optimismistic opinions.
03 Sep 2024 09:08:20
All I can see is that both sides are right in regards to Gravenberch. The player I saw for Ajax in that UEFA Cup final against Mourinho's ManU played very very well that day and deserved his "World class potential" moniker, at the time. If Ziyech had not missed so many clear chances, he would have spared Mourinho having to win that "Mickey Mouse Cup".
I watch Ajax from time to time and Gravenberch has always impressed me in their system.
Now if it didn't work out for him at Bayern, nor for us last year, then you have to wonder if it was because of the player or the system. I'm no football genius, but I think some of it was the player, and most of it was the tactical set up by Klopp. And we have to be honest and admit that almost all of us have been, and still are, wary of criticizing Klopp. Hindsight is always 20/ 20.
I think Slot simply went up to Gravenberch and said "if you want your career back on track, you forget your dreams of playing CM/ AM, and play the double pivot role you used to play at Ajax. That's my system. Otherwise, we have offers and you will be eating Turkish kebabs this coming season".
03 Sep 2024 09:33:43
So saying somebody is bordering on delusional is temperate and calling them delusional is going overboard? Lol, I should qualify my insults saying people are bordering on stupidity more often
I don't think Gravenberch has dreams of playing CM/ AM, ArAy, pretty sure he just wants to play football and play an effective role in a top team, and that probably comes easiest to him playing his natural position. He offers us plenty in an attacking sense even in that deep 6 role too, because he carries the ball and drives towards the box so well, so there's no need to put him further up the field as an 8.
03 Sep 2024 09:49:38
I literally said I’m not saying he’s the new Zidane or that he’s as good as Zidane and I’m getting called out for comparing him to Zidane! ??♂️
People just read what they want to read it’s totally pointless engaging.
03 Sep 2024 10:30:09
I literally love how we are all on the same page with Grav that he is doing excellent but we still find a way find a way to bicker.
Grav is playing really well isn't he?
Yes he is but he was crap last season.
I knew he was going to be world class the moment I saw him running on the treadmill in his medical.
I think he is like Zidane.
Zidane? Why don't you marry him if you love him so much.
It has. I said before we should never meet up. It would be dangerous. What's the mass brawl outside the pub about? Not sure. They all said they really like Grav this season then it all kicked off?.
03 Sep 2024 13:35:42
I disagree Davey we should all definitely meet up because it’s so much easier to have a conversation and put your points across with the context of body language.
People get their backs up online because they misconstrue what’s being said and the context or tone that it’s being said in.
We all have the same goal which is to see Liverpool win everything (apart from Victor, Walter and Harry of course) so we’d all get along like a house on fire regardless of our varying views on players, the club or tactics.
I love all you guys you are part of my Liverpool family!
03 Sep 2024 18:05:14
Grav actually does something that reminds me of Patrick Viera. It is when he finds a yard of space, opens up his long legs and with a few strides, he carries the ball 10 or 15 yards quickly helping turn defence into attack.
Just like Beckers, I'm not saying he is as good as Viera or that he is the next Viera. He just reminds me of him in that respect.