SixCrazyMinutes - Liverpool FC Fans Forum

Earlier on in the season he looked like a man mountain. It feels like that is now declining. Over the past few weeks more and more errors are creeping in. A few times he’s coming for headers he doesn’t need, most notably the one against Man U for their goal.

His pace is going which is expected at 31. Last night he looked sluggish and generally tired. He’s isn’t helping himself still playing international football. I don’t get why players who want to prolong their careers still compete at that level in their 30s. Take those breaks to reenergise yourself.

He’s not been helped by having a brain dead partner or constant chopping and changing at full back. But this could appear to be the beginning of the end of our number four. I think this could well be the last season he’s our first choice CB. If it is, do we keep him round for another season and let him go on a free in 2027? Or would it be for a sale in the summer so he gets one last big deal?

This has possibly been discussed in lots of pockets. But worthy of discussion (and a key part of the argument many were and are making about 200m on two strikers vs investing in the defence)

Look at our back 5/6 from 2019/20 and the classic Klopp era, then look into next season, and we haven’t successfully transitioned a single one of these.


Goalkeeper
19/20 - Alisson with Kelleher as back up
25/26 - Ali with Marmadashvili

Kelleher IMO has two traits better than Ali. Ball with his feet and penalties. Marmadash is absolutely awful with the ball. Possibly a better shot stopper. I don’t think a single team in the league uses their GK in build up as much as we do. I’m unconvinced in this keeper “upgrade”

Left back
19/20 - Robbo with Gomez/ Milner back up
25/26 - Kerkez with Robbo back up

This signing yet to look correct. Kerkez is young and showed himself very capable at Bournemouth but not working here yet. Robbo can’t play twice in a week.

Left CB
19/20 - Virgil with Gomez/Lovren back up
25/26 - Virgil with Gomez back up

We’re currently seeing the worst version of VVD to have worn the Liverpool shirt. No signs of succession planning. We’re playing him every game and running him into the ground.

Right CB
19/20 - Matip with Lovren / Gomez back up
25/26 - Konate with Leoni / Gomez back up

Konate did good for spells here, but he’s injury prone and now has decided he’s off so looking to next season we have no options (and we have a young CB who may never fully recover from an ACL)

Right back

19/20 - Trent with Gomez back up
25/26 - Bradley or Frimpong

Two players having their first stab at playing regularly in the PL and both have already had injuries suggesting their bodies can’t handle it. Too soon to call it a failure, but the lack of support from RW means anyone in this position is going to be exposed. The 19/20 Trent had Fabinho & Hendo.


This statement isn’t meant to be offensive, just fact, given the highs. But the current versions of Alisson, Robbo, Virgil and Gomez are the wirst versions of each we have had in the squad.

This is obvious, and it’s understandable. 6 seasons of relying on the same players, and they now play in a system where they have less protection in front of them. I’m not even sure that peak back 5 would stand up to the waves of attacks we currently give away.

This can’t be solved until the summer. This is why i think many people feel we missed an opportunity. We may never have 400m to spend again. We needed critically to upgrade our defence & keep iterating.

This also means we can’t even write just this season off as a transition, because next season will have to be one too as we need two new starting quality CBs minimum next season.

That was tougher than my nan’s roast beef from back in the 80s.


Marmadashvili
Bradley (Chiesa)
Konate
Van Dijk
Kerkez (Robertson)
Jones (Ngumoha)
Szoboszlai
Wirtz
Salah
Ekitike
Gakpo (Mac Allister)

Shit show

I’m seeing no improvement. This is now seriously concerning

Are we there, or there's still time before his job security gets discussed?

We look bereft of direction as a team, or with a leader on and off the pitch.

We see to be heading to a "get us 4th place please" Season.

Hope to eat humble pie at season's end ...

Never mind the jinxy threads. This one is the death match. Winner gets a hologram of a Casio watch blended with an iPod shuffle.

Im going for at home v Wolves on 27 december

Mohamed Salah is named in the champions’ attack for the Premier League fixture at Gtech Community Stadium.

Elsewhere, Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez return to the Reds line-up, with Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak making way due to injury and Andy Robertson among the substitutes.

Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Salah, Bradley, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Woodman, Gomez, Endo, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Robertson, Nyoni, Morrison, Ngumoha

Got a sick feeling in my stomach that we'll lose the title by a few points to the Gunners.

Who are Liverpool players who were good for us but then became great and even better after they left us?
I’d say Neco Williams is pretty good now, but maybe not great? Emre Can’s post Liverpool career has been pretty good too

Past or present

Gerrard and Virgil.

3rd maybe Alisson. Feels good to have a world class keeper.