Pre Match - Ajax (H) - Tuesday 20:00

[refugee]

Was Kostas really bad last game?
I thought he did alright considering it was his first proper game against a decent opponent

In attack he made the wrong runs at the wrong time, chose the wrong passes, was constantly out of position. Some of that is presumably down to him not having learned the system yet, but he was poor and needs to get a lot better if he wants to challenge Robertson.

 

[Fabio]

In attack he made the wrong runs at the wrong time, chose the wrong passes, was constantly out of position. Some of that is presumably down to him not having learned the system yet, but he was poor and needs to get a lot better if he wants to challenge Robertson.

Yeah but they're a growing pains kind of thing. You could see what he was trying to do at times. Even Robbo started poorly.

Full back always used to be the easy position to bed players in, as they get their hand held by the CB, wide mid and centre mid. With us it's a fucking nightmare to learn. Kind of why I'm sympathetic to neco, and willing to cut him some slack. Not much like, as he's actively being a poor RB, let alone poor in our system.

 

[Modo]

Lot of twitter talk that Alisson is out for tomorrow. Please God let it not be true.

It's because he wasn't in the training video.
Hopefully it means nothing.

 

[Brizzle]

Whilst they both were less than solid in their last game - the answer can't be to ignore both as squad options. For Kostas i think it is more of a system thing - looks like he's trying to learn the ropes and potentially not yet confident about when to position himself up the pitch and when to hang back.

We need to use them otherwise we will only see more injuries to Trent & Robbo.

 

[Fabio]

Whilst they both were less than solid in their last game - the answer can't be to ignore both as squad options. For Kostas i think it is more of a system thing - looks like he's trying to learn the ropes and potentially not yet confident about when to position himself up the pitch and when to hang back.

We need to use them otherwise we will only see more injuries to Trent & Robbo.

We definitely need to rotate more, but continually picking a kid short of confidence when we're in an injury crisis may (worryingly) effect him long term. I'd rather throw Fab there, with Rhys and matip central, with Kostas other side for today. Fab at RB will do until milner or Trent is back, or our CBs die again.

Neco looks mentally exhausted. He needs to be pulled from the spotlight. Let the fans be pissed off with a new target.

 

[keniget]

It has to be Henderson at RB if he's fit.

He used to play as a right sided midfielder once upon a time so it's not going to be completely alien and I doubt he'll get caught out as much as the others. Plus we'll get a bit of TAA at RB with him there.

It'd be easier to give Neco a bit of confidence back as a wing back or as a traditional winger. I think he's a lot more in his element going forward.

 

[refugee]

Yeah but they're a growing pains kind of thing. You could see what he was trying to do at times. Even Robbo started poorly.

You would hope so. But that's not what you asked. You asked if he was really bad last match. He was.

And Onions was asking if he could play on the right, which definitely isn't going to solve his positioning problems.

Full back always used to be the easy position to bed players in, as they get their hand held by the CB, wide mid and centre mid. With us it's a fucking nightmare to learn. Kind of why I'm sympathetic to neco, and willing to cut him some slack. Not much like, as he's actively being a poor RB, let alone poor in our system.

Yeah, but it needs to be done at some point. We need to give the backup players games, and get them up to the standard of the first team. Ideally you'd do that gradually, but circumstances have dictated our actions. We can make do with players playing out of position but it just delays this process, or sends out a sign that we don't have faith in Neco/Kostas.

We went through this process quite recently, both with Trent and Gomez (who we played at fullback initially), but the team wasn't challenging for the title so their mistakes weren't as scrutinised (although both were hammered by the fans).

 

[gkmacca]

Even Robbo started poorly.

.

Did he though? I remember him doing pretty well, which prompted lots of bafflement when Klopp kept keeping him on the bench. It took time for him to get used to how Klopp wanted him to play, that's certainly true.

As for Kostas, I guess I'm struggling to resist a horribly subjective reaction to him, in that he looks a bit thick and gormless, but I haven't liked him so far. He came on in one game and looked to me like he was doing his best not to receive the ball. When he came on in the last game I thought he was all over the place. It's pretty obvious he hasn't really learnt how to fit into the team yet, so he needs some time and trust, but he gives me the jitters when he plays.

 

[FoxForceFive]

If Neco was the only change in the side he wouldn't look nearly as bad cos the others could help bed him in.

As it is he's playing with different defenders every week. It's a fucking horrible situation for the lad.

 

[Fabio]

You would hope so. But that's not what you asked. You asked if he was really bad last match. He was.

And Onions was asking if he could play on the right, which definitely isn't going to solve his positioning problems.



Yeah, but it needs to be done at some point. We need to give the backup players games, and get them up to the standard of the first team. Ideally you'd do that gradually, but circumstances have dictated our actions. We can make do with players playing out of position but it just delays this process, or sends out a sign that we don't have faith in Neco/Kostas.

We went through this process quite recently, both with Trent and Gomez (who we played at fullback initially), but the team wasn't challenging for the title so their mistakes weren't as scrutinised (although both were hammered by the fans).

First point is fair enough. I'm conflating 2 arguments in my own mind.

Re: the second part, I think it's the added pressure, combined with the obvious downgrade that an entire generation of Liverpool fans aren't used to.

We always had poor players as understudy, but the first xi wasnt as excellent as it is now. The sad fact is, our first xi has normalised brilliance, so there's very little leeway from some for anyone who's not at that level.

Last season with the comfortable nature of winning the league has probably harmed the development of some of our younger players, as some of the fans are expecting the next Trent.

 

[Grjt2]

Lot of twitter talk that Alisson is out for tomorrow. Please God let it not be true.

Lots of growing noise about Allison. Anyone hearing the same?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Lots of growing noise about Allison. Anyone hearing the same?

The rumor going around is + for Corona (I put it in the Rona thread)

 

[Fabio]

If Neco was the only change in the side he wouldn't look nearly as bad cos the others could help bed him in.

As it is he's playing with different defenders every week. It's a fucking horrible situation for the lad.

I dunno. At the minute his positioning and decision making seems off, even if he was playing as a standard right back, let alone our cavalier mad bastards

 

[gkmacca]

He's been subbed at half time, what, three times since late last season? That has an effect. Then on top of that there's the mad twitter abuse, and then the discussion of the mad twitter abuse. You'd have to be pretty self-assured to block all of that out. He badly needs a break.

 

[Hansern]

The rumor going around is + for Corona (I put it in the Rona thread)

The rona stuff was started by a fake Paul Joyce account, but a few decent Liverpool accounts have said Adrian is starting tonight. Hmm.
If its Covid, he'll miss at least two games.

 

[rurikbird]

FFS, why couldn't he have COVID while he was injured?

 

[Halmeister]

Just been told that there's no Alisson tonight.

 

[Hansern]

Knock or Rona?

 

[rubans]

This season, bag it. It’s done, can just imagine the sight of Adrian shouting come on after he’s flapped one in.

 

[Halmeister]

Knock or Rona?

Dunno yet. Just that he's not playing. I don't know what I would rather, to be honest. Either way, it's proper shit and another huge kick in the bollocks. Can't see that he's being rested.

 

[Halmeister]

This season, bag it. It’s done, can just imagine the sight of Adrian shouting come on after he’s flapped one in.

Yeah, I'm writing off this season. Anything beyond top 4 is a bonus.

 

[dmishra]

Fuck this

 

[dmishra]

Thought about staying up for this one. No point if that buffoon is in goal.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Think we'll have to do a Newcastle

 

[Hansern]

Adrian started the game in Amsterdam aswell didnt he?
As if the nerves arent fucked enough with a make shift defense, and then you add that clown to it.
Kinell.

Only positive is the rumoured team with Matip - Fabinho at CB and Salah - Jota - Mane upfront

 

[dmishra]

Adrian started the game in Amsterdam aswell didnt he?
As if the nerves arent fucked enough with a make shift defense, and then you add that clown to it.
Kinell.

Only positive is the rumoured team with Matip - Fabinho at CB and Salah - Jota - Mane upfront

What is the rumoured team ?

 

[Halmeister]

Can't see that he's being rested for this game. So, that means he's either got the rona - which means he'll miss, what, 3 or 4 games? Or he's injured, and fuck knows when he'll be back.

Just forfeit the season already.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I dunno. At the minute his positioning and decision making seems off, even if he was playing as a standard right back, let alone our cavalier mad bastards

Yeah, but with a settled back line & midfield they're telling him where that line is, they're telling him when he's made the wrong decision & clapping every good one.

It'd make a world of difference.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Thought about staying up for this one. No point if that buffoon is in goal.

I thought you were in the us?

 

[Hansern]

What is the rumoured team ?

Alisson
Neco Fabinho Matip Robbo
Gini Hendo Jones
Salah Jota Mane