Brad Smith

[RedStar]

I used to follow the reserves and youth teams closely before and saw Smith's development. Must admit that I wasn't too impressed.
He was quick, good in attack and sloppy in defence. A bit like Moreno.
If Klopp can teach him the basics there might just be a good player there.
One thing I've learned is that you can't be too quick to judge players during their time in the youth teams. It was pretty obvious that Sterling was going to make it, but at the same time I thought Suso was a sure bet as well.
I rated Jack Robinson a lot higher than Smith. I thought McLaughlin would have been a regular in the first team by now. So it's nearly impossible to tell.
You need a whole lot of luck too.
Our young fullbacks are lucky that we don't have any real cover atm.
I feel a bit sorry for Illori and Gomez who would have been ahead of Smith and Randall.

I was sure McLaughlin would have made it into the first team by now. But with a queue of young full backs in front of him it appears his chance may have passed. Hows his loan to Aberdeen going?

 

[Modo]

I was sure McLaughlin would have made it into the first team by now. But with a queue of young full backs in front of him it appears his chance may have passed. Hows his loan to Aberdeen going?

Competition isn't what halted his progress, he's been injured a lot.
He was just recalled after barely playing.

 

[King Binny]

The Socceroos left-back made his first Premier League appearance this season when he came on for Alberto Moreno in the 61st minute when the Reds were already 2-0 down.

When asked post-match about Smith, Klopp gave a mixed response.

“Brad is a good player, talented young lad, but he should have shot in the situation when he had the ball and not crossed,” said Klopp.

“We’re all human beings I know, we can always find excuses; too old, too young, too tall, too small. We have to make the right decision in the right moment.”

 

[jexykrodic]

He should have shot. Favourite foot, 15 yards out, only the goalkeeper to beat.

That said, the entire team has been making the wrong decisions due to lack of self belief in my opinion, although I'm lost as to why.

 

[mark1975]

He should have done, but the lad has made a handful of appearances after coming through the academy. Benteke cost £30m and fucked up two gilt edged one on ones in the previous two games, but drew little criticism for it from Klopp. I'm amazed that stuff like that goes by-the-by from JK, under Rodgers and other managers it'd have had the bones picked out of it.

 

[Buddha]

I'm a big fan.

Isn't it time we tried with a left side of Moreno and Smith in the same side?

 

[Hansern]

He should have done, but the lad has made a handful of appearances after coming through the academy. Benteke cost £30m and fucked up two gilt edged one on ones in the previous two games, but drew little criticism for it from Klopp. I'm amazed that stuff like that goes by-the-by from JK, under Rodgers and other managers it'd have had the bones picked out of it.

Didnt Klopp say after both games that Benteke could do much better? And laughed at the Leicester chance with disbelief.
He also said its hard to criticize the player that has just won you the game.
What he says to the press and what he says in private are also worth considering.

 

[gkmacca]

It's encouraging to see Klopp talk about him in that way. Critical but not too hard on him - treating him like a senior pro rather than a youngster who's being judged differently from the others. That's what they need at this stage - give them a chance, but make them aware it's now serious stuff.

 

[mark1975]

I think he just wants us to keep things simple, and he seems to be getting incredibly frustrated week-by-week because of our chronic tendency to overdo & overthink things.

 

[Frogfish]

Not sure about Smith. Modo called him fast .. however he looked anything but at times vs. West Ham. He also seems to be rather one footed. Jury's still out for me, I could be swayed either way.

 

[Gary25]

He's no worse than Moreno. Shite him.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I'd start him ahead of Moreno instantly.

Really impressed with his cameo

 

[rampage]

He can cross better than Moreno.

I think we should try play him in LM and Moreno at LB, just like we used to play Vignal and Riise in the past.