Pre-Season Game 7: AS Roma

[Red Bird]

With respect to Balotelli, I think that picture was taken two weeks before the beginning of pre-season (if that's the one which appeared in the DM) but there is something about professional sportsmen and cigarettes that seems to be an ill-fit.

Back to the game, I saw same old failings for both Roma goals, and a poor conversion of some reasonably good chances, and I don't think these will magically disappear. All it seemed to take was for a bit of "roughing up" and our defenders quickly reverted to type. I guess this has to be the hardest part of being a manager-- to "unlearn" poor habits from players and I can see why Klopp seems to prefer the younger players.

 

[KopRed]

We missed a player like Lucas at the first goal, a DM that protects the back four. Shit defensive job by Coutinho at their second. He didn't even try to block the cross.

Ojo will be a better player than Sterling.

Do we really need a DM like him though? He contributes nothing to the attack, that much we know.

We have mobile players all over the pitch now and we are gegenpressing all the time trying to win the ball.

Lucas is one of a kind I agree, we don't have anyone else like him that "protects" the back 4 (let's just skip the fact that he's not good enough now and all). But I would argue that perhaps Klopp don't actually need a DM.

Klopps preference of midfielders - He has bought Mane and Wij, both fit, fast and very mobile. Same goes for Milner, Lallana and Henderson, they run all day. Can is a tank.

Lucas is the only odd one out.

 

[Shadey]

Balotelli , pictured yesterday on a yacht, showing just how desperate he is to turn his career around:

Apparently it was his day off and he was on the Mersey.

 

[HC]

Probably quiffing but I switched off twenty mins in early this morning so missed it, Lucas was sent off for throwing a water bottle at/towards the referee??

 

[tombrown]

No he was sent off for being injured and for crimes of net hate towards anyone who argues with arn

 

[Ryan]

My concern with Mane isn't that he's not talented, and a good player, but that he looks like another cunt that won't score goals. That's about half a dozen pre-season games - some of them against fucking dire opposition - where he hasn't scored. I've seen him in a couple of one-on-one's where he just blasted it straight at the keeper. That shit worries me. There didn't seem to be any natural finishing ability to pick a spot and calmly beat the keeper.

We've got more than enough number 7 and 11's who can provide a bit of trickery on the wing. I was kinda hoping for someone who could come in and score 15-20. Which is absolutely what we need based on last years' travails.

This guy's ability to do that worries me.

 

[Frogfish]

My concern with Mane isn't that he's not talented, and a good player, but that he looks like another cunt that won't score goals........................ I was kinda hoping for someone who could come in and score 15-20. Which is absolutely what we need based on last years' travails.

This guy's ability to do that worries me.

How many wingers score 15-20 goals in the PL ? Hazard perhaps ? Anyone else ? I'll be looking for 10-12 each in the PL from Mane & Wijnaldum, which would be a huge increase on the return from whoever was considered our wingers last season (Ibe, Milner ? Lallana ?) and with Coutinho contributing 13-15 this season.

 

[localny]

My concern with Mane isn't that he's not talented, and a good player, but that he looks like another cunt that won't score goals. That's about half a dozen pre-season games - some of them against fucking dire opposition - where he hasn't scored. I've seen him in a couple of one-on-one's where he just blasted it straight at the keeper. That shit worries me. There didn't seem to be any natural finishing ability to pick a spot and calmly beat the keeper.

We've got more than enough number 7 and 11's who can provide a bit of trickery on the wing. I was kinda hoping for someone who could come in and score 15-20. Which is absolutely what we need based on last years' travails.

This guy's ability to do that worries me.

Feels a bit like Djibril?

 

[Frogfish]

Feels a bit like Djibril?

Except one is a winger and the other a CF.

 

[rurikbird]

My concern with Mane isn't that he's not talented, and a good player, but that he looks like another cunt that won't score goals. That's about half a dozen pre-season games - some of them against fucking dire opposition - where he hasn't scored. I've seen him in a couple of one-on-one's where he just blasted it straight at the keeper. That shit worries me. There didn't seem to be any natural finishing ability to pick a spot and calmly beat the keeper.

We've got more than enough number 7 and 11's who can provide a bit of trickery on the wing. I was kinda hoping for someone who could come in and score 15-20. Which is absolutely what we need based on last years' travails.

This guy's ability to do that worries me.

Yeah, he tends to go for power over placement, but it can be effective too. His goal-scoring record is quite good. I think in those early pre-season games he just lacked some sharpness (the way Sturridge does now - missing a lot of chances, but you know it's not because Sturridge is a bad finisher), but in the last couple he looked really good and was just unlucky to score.

Expecting 15-20 goals from a non-striker is kind of unrealistic though. Anywhere between 10 and 15 would be a good return for Mane, considering everything else he brings to the team.

 

[Hansern]

185 games and 72 goals so far in his career.
I'm struggeling to see why he wouldnt bring goals to this team.

 

[Frogfish]

Anywhere between 10 and 15 would be a good return for Mane, considering everything else he brings to the team.

Quiffer !

 

[keniget]

185 games and 72 goals so far in his career.
I'm struggeling to see why he wouldnt bring goals to this team.

Because he's at Liverpool now.

 

[manwithnoname]

Because he's at Liverpool now.

There is that