Sending Sakho to Palace rather than using him in the short term at least looks like a stupid decision on Klopps part. Why weaken the squad at a time when it needed strengthening.
Leicester City v Liverpool Match Thread
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Klopp isn't gonna change the way he works I don't think. It's all about his system and getting the right players in who completely buy into it and his philosophy. Which is fine, but it's gonna be a longish journey before we get to the right level to compete.
It's debatable whether his system even is the right one for this league when the clear majority of teams will pull the same shit they have been pulling for months. Park the bus and let us struggle away aimlessly for 90mins. He doesn't have the luxury of time on solving this issue as it's gonna wreck our season and next quick smart.
It's debatable whether his system even is the right one for this league when the clear majority of teams will pull the same shit they have been pulling for months. Park the bus and let us struggle away aimlessly for 90mins. He doesn't have the luxury of time on solving this issue as it's gonna wreck our season and next quick smart.
Player recruitment has to improve. Does Conte rely on mediocre reserves? Does Mourinho? Does Guardiola? No. They ask for and get the very best players around. That's football these days. The best Liverpool have done in recent years is splash the cash on one really good player, on whom so much depends that they can't wait to go off to a club where they'll get some top quality support and less personal pressure. There's no time or patience for evolutionary plans these days. These owners will be able to point to the new stand, and eventually the new training complex, and a host of commercial deals, and invite praise for their prudence, and they'll deserve it as owners of a business, but as owners of a football club they'll not deserve much praise at all. If you want to compete with Chelski and the mancs, then invest in the very best quality players around or shut up and settle for seventh every season, or worse. Even Everton, for god's sake, showed more clarity of purpose in recent transfer windows. We can try every excuse going, every alternative theory, but the truth still comes around to stare you in the face: you never see the top managers go to clubs where they have to settle for the likes of Mignolet, Lucas, Clyne, Moreno, Hendo, Origi, Firmino and Co. It's not because they don't happen to like those geographic regions or the colour of the strip. They don't go there because they know they won't compete and they won't win. They only go where there's the financial clout to bring in the best. Look at Mourinho: he's won a cup not through any great managerial brilliance, he's won a cup because he's papered over cracks of his own making by relying on freakish match winners like Zlatan. As usual.
I'd say most people would regard Klopp as up there or close to being in the top bracket of managers, which makes his decision to join us pretty bizarre but heartening. He's not lost whatever ability he had. But whatever drew him here, it can't work out if we continue as we're doing in terms of our attitude to recruitment.
Guardiola and Wenger, I'd say, are currently in a worse state than Klopp, because Wenger could easily improve the quality of his team if he wanted, but perversely chooses not to, while Guardiola has already improved the quality of his squad but finds he's as bemused as Klopp is by the inconsistency of his players. What Klopp must do is bring in much, much, better players, with much better attitudes. And FSG needs to back him - without hesitation. They didn't back Rodgers. I doubt they'll back Klopp. But you won't progress with this squad or this first XI, no matter what you do with or say to them.
I'd say most people would regard Klopp as up there or close to being in the top bracket of managers, which makes his decision to join us pretty bizarre but heartening. He's not lost whatever ability he had. But whatever drew him here, it can't work out if we continue as we're doing in terms of our attitude to recruitment.
Guardiola and Wenger, I'd say, are currently in a worse state than Klopp, because Wenger could easily improve the quality of his team if he wanted, but perversely chooses not to, while Guardiola has already improved the quality of his squad but finds he's as bemused as Klopp is by the inconsistency of his players. What Klopp must do is bring in much, much, better players, with much better attitudes. And FSG needs to back him - without hesitation. They didn't back Rodgers. I doubt they'll back Klopp. But you won't progress with this squad or this first XI, no matter what you do with or say to them.
Interesting conundrum in a way, as the good chaps over at TAW seem to suggest that although FSG aren't gonna spend mega bucks, Klopp, at the same time, won't splurge on a player unless he ticks all his boxes. So, who's to say that FSG weren't willing to back him in January but Klopp refused to dip into the market for a decent player with decent skills who wasn't simply EXACTLY what he needs? Maybe he wants high levels of talent in addition to the right ethic and work rate and commitment etc?
I can see the sense in doing that, but only when we have a half decent squad to begin with. Otherwise, we may as well accept 6th or 7th for the next season or two.
either way, yep, transfers need to be sorted and fast in the summer and Klopp also needs to maybe accept that he may have to adjust his approach to playing the so called weaker teams in the league.
I can see the sense in doing that, but only when we have a half decent squad to begin with. Otherwise, we may as well accept 6th or 7th for the next season or two.
either way, yep, transfers need to be sorted and fast in the summer and Klopp also needs to maybe accept that he may have to adjust his approach to playing the so called weaker teams in the league.
I think Klopp's supposed pickiness is being used as a convenient (and pretty illogical) excuse. Is Guardiola, say, less likely to demand players who tick all the right boxes, rather than just whoever else is available? Personally I want a manager who IS very picky about his targets. I also want owners who'll work much harder to get them. Players who tick all the right boxes tend to be integral members of other teams, tied up with lucrative contracts (like Suarez or Torres when they were with us...). To get them you need a lot of money and a lot of persuasion. Do we need to try that, or just sign a few more Markovic types?
He didn't bring in Klavan because he met all of his high standards. He brought him in because no serious targets had been signed and he urgently needed at least someone he felt would be vaguely competent in the short term. I doubt he looked at this squad and thought, 'I reckon it'll accommodate a few more fifth choices...' And I doubt he looked at it and genuinely though, after Dortmund, it was good enough beyond the short term. So I'm sure he'd bring in top players if the club backed him. Which so far it hasn't.
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No other teams allowed him that space (bar City who were also suicidal)
They weren't deep at all in the 1st half, in fact they dominated from the start by pressing us all over.
Really good post.
Wow. Post of the year already in Februar!!
I am deeply puzzled by the hypnotic effect that Lucas has had on managers over the years. He's incredibly slow and he can't tackle. Why put this walking disaster in the middle of your defence when you have Klavan sitting on the bench? Klopp got away with it against Spurs but it was never going to work a second time.
I'm also fascinated by his 'Whooo, that was CLOSE!' expression whenever he volleys the ball high over the bar/shins it towards the corner flag/or heads it straight up and over.
Or when he pisses himself laughing when he gives away a free kick on the edge of the box.
Yeh I can see the sense in him signing Klavan as back up, and so rightly not blowing a huge amount on him.
And I can see why it would appear the club aren't backing him, but I think many close to the club would support The idea that we were in for Draxler and would have taken Texeira too. so there is money there, especially after the positive net spend last year. But, I think a purchase like one of the two above would probably blow most of Klopp's budget for a window which is a gamble that could well pay off, but is probably a gamble too far. I can see Klopp seeing much more value and sense in waiting for the right players who cost less and have potential and raw skill that he can build with. Three potential stars instead of one already shining example.
Not easy. Personally, I would have gone all out for a star this Jan and paid whatever premium the selling club wanted. If klopp pushed for that I think he would have gotten it. And I think it's costing us.
Klopp should be looking at lesser of two evil solutions - Moreno at left back and moving Milner into midfield instead of Can would be one. Yes Moreno is a brainless fucker but it would be a better option.
There are an infinite number of better options to Lucas in any position, let alone Centre Back. In fact ironically Can would be one at CB
In fact I'd bring TAA with Moreno as wing backs and play three at the back Clyne, Klavan Matip. Klopp seems worryingly short on ideas and options
There are an infinite number of better options to Lucas in any position, let alone Centre Back. In fact ironically Can would be one at CB
In fact I'd bring TAA with Moreno as wing backs and play three at the back Clyne, Klavan Matip. Klopp seems worryingly short on ideas and options
If Klopps not in tune with what we can see surely he's unable to command our support?
Apologies to everyone, but I somehow didn't get round to delivering my much-loved, cherished ratings.
I'm not actually sure there's too much more to be added about the match itself - the only contentious team selection was Lucas in defence, and that worked out as badly as we all knew it would. Nobody played well enough, and hopefully four or five of the players who were on the pitch will not be at Liverpool next season. We all know we ahve too many average, and shite players, and the laughable overrating of many of them by Klopp - and quite a few fans - has been our downfall, even if most people saw it coming.
Mignolet (6) Made two fine, early saves, but didn't move much for the (admittedly excellent Drinkwater goal) and let in the usual goal from a high ball into the box. But no goalkeeper can perform miracles, and he wasn't to blame for Klopp selecting that defence.
Clyne (5) Part of a hopeless defensive display, so has to accept some culpability, but he was the best player out of the four outfield defenders. Faint praise. Often seemed like he was trying to do three jobs; RB, RW and also covering the hapless Matip and Lucas centrally.
Matip (4) I was more reserved than most about Matip - who some bellends wanted to crown as the greatest LFC defender since Hansen at one point - and that was a wise decision, because I've been digging the dopey cunt out for the last two months. He's been shite. He can be impressive going forward, and I like his forays into midfield, but some of his passing was horrendous, and he simply went missing when Vardy and Mahrez were causing chaos, dithering about where to stand or run, and not taking responsibility for anything.
Lucas (2) Ahahahahahahahaha! There are a few weird, wrong, odd and inexplicable things that one can say about Klopp, but Lucas is one of the most bewildering. His ongoing use of him in any capacity. The selection of him at CB, against one of the quickest strikers in the league. This was just plain retarded by Klopp. We knew what would happen, and sure enough the club-footed fucking spastic delivered in spades, with arguably one of the the most embarrassing CB displays ever seen. If this cunt is at the club after summer, I want Klopp sacked.
Milner (4) I don't know who he's aiming at with some of his attempts at crossing, and this was another disappointing, heavy-limbed display from Milner. He should be rested for his own good and that of the team.
Can (6) One of the few outfield players to do anything of note, even though - as is the usual with Can - there was plenty wrong in amongst the positives. He's an infuriating player, who can drive into the opposition half and make things happen with a great shot and then 1 minutes later pass to the opposition and then miss the challenge. We can't challenge for the league if we have to rely on the unreliable.
Wijnaldum (3) It was well-documented that he often went missing when things got a bit on top at Newcastle; ghosting through games to the point he was left out by Benitez on occasion, despite the lack of alternatives and impending relegation. Lost the ball without much of a fight and had no positive impact on the game at all. Spineless.
Lallana (4) Did fuck all really. Ineffectual and created almost nothing. If Klopp wants to build a team around Lallana, I hope he does it with another side, because all you could really be confident about building around Lallana would be a fucking sandcastle.
Mane (5) Our best player and most potent attacking threat was a little blunted, possibly in reaction to some early rough treatment. Although he didn't give up, and always kept running. But he lacked quality around him, despite not creating much threatening situations.
Coutinho (6) Decent goal, but he ran straight into trouble far too often. In his defence, there wasn't much obvious support at times, and the movement around him was awful, but he was still wasteful.
Firmino (2) Fucking useless melt. This was just...horrible. Terrible touch and control. Looked so painfully one-paced. Not one shot at goal all night. This was the 19th game in the Premiership in which Firmino hasn't scored. He has failed to score a goal in over 75% of games he has played. He's not good enough, and we all know that, but even an average player like Firmino should be doing better than that.
subs:
Moreno (6) Did well enough
Origi (4) He's not very good.
Klopp (3) Woeful
I'm not actually sure there's too much more to be added about the match itself - the only contentious team selection was Lucas in defence, and that worked out as badly as we all knew it would. Nobody played well enough, and hopefully four or five of the players who were on the pitch will not be at Liverpool next season. We all know we ahve too many average, and shite players, and the laughable overrating of many of them by Klopp - and quite a few fans - has been our downfall, even if most people saw it coming.
Mignolet (6) Made two fine, early saves, but didn't move much for the (admittedly excellent Drinkwater goal) and let in the usual goal from a high ball into the box. But no goalkeeper can perform miracles, and he wasn't to blame for Klopp selecting that defence.
Clyne (5) Part of a hopeless defensive display, so has to accept some culpability, but he was the best player out of the four outfield defenders. Faint praise. Often seemed like he was trying to do three jobs; RB, RW and also covering the hapless Matip and Lucas centrally.
Matip (4) I was more reserved than most about Matip - who some bellends wanted to crown as the greatest LFC defender since Hansen at one point - and that was a wise decision, because I've been digging the dopey cunt out for the last two months. He's been shite. He can be impressive going forward, and I like his forays into midfield, but some of his passing was horrendous, and he simply went missing when Vardy and Mahrez were causing chaos, dithering about where to stand or run, and not taking responsibility for anything.
Lucas (2) Ahahahahahahahaha! There are a few weird, wrong, odd and inexplicable things that one can say about Klopp, but Lucas is one of the most bewildering. His ongoing use of him in any capacity. The selection of him at CB, against one of the quickest strikers in the league. This was just plain retarded by Klopp. We knew what would happen, and sure enough the club-footed fucking spastic delivered in spades, with arguably one of the the most embarrassing CB displays ever seen. If this cunt is at the club after summer, I want Klopp sacked.
Milner (4) I don't know who he's aiming at with some of his attempts at crossing, and this was another disappointing, heavy-limbed display from Milner. He should be rested for his own good and that of the team.
Can (6) One of the few outfield players to do anything of note, even though - as is the usual with Can - there was plenty wrong in amongst the positives. He's an infuriating player, who can drive into the opposition half and make things happen with a great shot and then 1 minutes later pass to the opposition and then miss the challenge. We can't challenge for the league if we have to rely on the unreliable.
Wijnaldum (3) It was well-documented that he often went missing when things got a bit on top at Newcastle; ghosting through games to the point he was left out by Benitez on occasion, despite the lack of alternatives and impending relegation. Lost the ball without much of a fight and had no positive impact on the game at all. Spineless.
Lallana (4) Did fuck all really. Ineffectual and created almost nothing. If Klopp wants to build a team around Lallana, I hope he does it with another side, because all you could really be confident about building around Lallana would be a fucking sandcastle.
Mane (5) Our best player and most potent attacking threat was a little blunted, possibly in reaction to some early rough treatment. Although he didn't give up, and always kept running. But he lacked quality around him, despite not creating much threatening situations.
Coutinho (6) Decent goal, but he ran straight into trouble far too often. In his defence, there wasn't much obvious support at times, and the movement around him was awful, but he was still wasteful.
Firmino (2) Fucking useless melt. This was just...horrible. Terrible touch and control. Looked so painfully one-paced. Not one shot at goal all night. This was the 19th game in the Premiership in which Firmino hasn't scored. He has failed to score a goal in over 75% of games he has played. He's not good enough, and we all know that, but even an average player like Firmino should be doing better than that.
subs:
Moreno (6) Did well enough
Origi (4) He's not very good.
Klopp (3) Woeful
That's difficult to disagree with old chap
Probably overly generous if anything.
Re: resting players.
What?
They've had a two week break between Spurs and Leicester.
What?
They've had a two week break between Spurs and Leicester.
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