Vs Leeds (H) 19:45 Sat

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Yeah. I was reading an article just a few days ago about Graham Potter having to manage his team while having just lost both his parents during the lockdown. What an enormous burden for anyone to carry. And to be able to come out of it without losing his mind only shows the mental fortitude of that man.

 

[Holle]

Gomez is a conundrum of a player. Anybody who watched the City game would objectively come away with the idea that he's a world class defender, because he was. If he was playing for an opposing team and played like that against us we'd probably try and sign him.

Then he followed it up with a horror show against West Ham and his brittle confidence disintegrated. He was dreadful again today, against an attack that really struggles for goals. I've been one of the people who backed him to recover his best form and remind everyone how good he can be. At 25 he should be hitting his prime right now.

Maybe the injuries have taken too much out of him, maybe he's struggling in a team that looks way off the pace,maybe he was never as good as Virgil made him look. I genuinely don't know, but he's become totally unreliable and in a central defender that's really not forgivable. He needs a spell out of the game because his decision making has gone to shit.

He's a coward, just look at his body language. I mean, he was bullied by Raheem fucking Sterling of all people.

Injuries don't have anything to do with being a massive shithouse.

 

[Hansern]

But if you don't score you don't necessarily lose.

For me it's very much down to our atrocious defence. Gomez is just pure shite and shouldn't be near any Premier League team. If it wasn't for Klopp's blind faith he would be lucky to play in the Championship. And since Trent thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread (see his comments regarding Walker for example) he's gone to utter shite as well. And Virgil is in his decline.

So there lies the biggest problem for me. Our defence is a laughing stock and our rebuild has to start from there.

I dont think its a laughing stock, but its not set up with the right players at the moment. Sadly the injury to Konate forced a reshuffle.
But the Gomez, Konate, Virgil, Robbo back four looked quite strong. We lose some attacking ability but gain defensive solidity.
I'd go back to that set up against Spurs.

Hopefully Ramsey can step up like Patterson has done for Everton and maybe be a first team option this season.

 

[jexykrodic]

I don't know what you can do with Joe Gomez, he's too often a liability. Erratic performances and long injury absences make continuity difficult.

 

[Hansern]

He's one I feel we can still get some decent money for next summer. Sell.

 

[KopRed]

We were out ran and out fought. That's unforgiveable.

 

[KopRed]

To think Gerrard wanted him for 30-40m and we said no.

 

[jexykrodic]

We were out ran and out fought. That's unforgiveable.

I don't think it's coaching or motivation but physicality that's the problem. Rest during World Cup may be beneficial to current squad but I think younger legs in the midfield is a must and I'd say this will be important in January as we are still in the CL. Wait until the summer when we may not be in the CL and the whole process of attracting players becomes much more problematic.

 

[mark1975]

Gomez was comical. He's been given a run and has been error prone. He's very much like Glen Johnson for me, he has class and at his best can look World Class, but he's too lax, his confidence is too brittle and he's just not intelligent enough as a player.

Someone argued the toss the other week that there other issues in the team, yes there are, but the right handside is really bad. I'd say a huge percentage of goals against stem from that side, and the fact Klopp is watching it each week and letting it go is fucking criminal, he's got a massive blindspot and for the first time he's starting irritate the fuck out of me by sticking with it. As soon as I saw the defensive lineup yesterday I knew we were in for more of the same, and the fact Klopp doesn't recognise that is a joke.

If he doesn't sort it out in the next Premiership game, the season is done for me and the stubborness he's showing will be the start of the tide turning against him. For the first time he's letting blind stupidity undo his tenure. Trent and Gomez are a fucking disgrace to the shirt, I couldn't give a fuck if neither of them play for us again, they're absolute dross.

 

[StevieM]

Fucking Trent got nowhere near their player for the second - it’s like he wasn’t even on the pitch!!!

 

[bluebell]

Fucking Trent got nowhere near their player for the second - it’s like he wasn’t even on the pitch!!!

Its like he is carrying another 6lbs in weight, the way he runs. We're fucked, and I don't see anything changing in Jan. Klopp wants to continue with Ox, Naby and Melo. Fucking Melo, a player who was brought in to relieve us of injury crisis but will end up costing us €7m and will if we're lucky be available for 5 games

 

[Fabio]

If ibou and matip aren't fit, give Phillips a go. We know his limitations but he's less prone to being a complete fucking mong

 

[moron]

Its like he is carrying another 6lbs in weight, the way he runs. We're fucked, and I don't see anything changing in Jan. Klopp wants to continue with Ox, Naby and Melo. Fucking Melo, a player who was brought in to relieve us of injury crisis but will end up costing us €7m and will if we're lucky be available for 5 games

Let's be honest, he ain't gonna use Ox or Nabby when they become available, if possible he needs to sell then and he cannot do that if he plays them, coz they will gey another long term injury.

 

[RedStar]

We were out ran and out fought. That's unforgiveable.

I'd love to see the stats if somebody is able to pull them, but I reckon our meters run stats will show we've been outworked by most teams we've played this season. It doesn't matter how much skill or technical ability a team has, if they are not prepared to work hard any team can bridge that skill gap and beat them.

We've seen this with Man Utd for the last 5 years, highly paid highly sought after players who get out run, out worked and out fought by the opposition. Somebody needs to explain to our players that when you're 1v1 against your opponent he doesn't care how many medals you have or how much you earn he's going to try his best to beat you, if you aren't prepared to match his effort you will lose.

 

[Frogfish]

Gomez is a conundrum of a player. Anybody who watched the City game would objectively come away with the idea that he's a world class defender, because he was. If he was playing for an opposing team and played like that against us we'd probably try and sign him.

Then he followed it up with a horror show against West Ham and his brittle confidence disintegrated. He was dreadful again today, against an attack that really struggles for goals. I've been one of the people who backed him to recover his best form and remind everyone how good he can be. At 25 he should be hitting his prime right now.

Maybe the injuries have taken too much out of him, maybe he's struggling in a team that looks way off the pace,maybe he was never as good as Virgil made him look. I genuinely don't know, but he's become totally unreliable and in a central defender that's really not forgivable. He needs a spell out of the game because his decision making has gone to shit.

I always thought Gomez would make it but he can be world class one minute and park football level the next ... we can't get Konate back quick enough.

 

[King Binny]

What happened to Fabinho? 🙁

 

[Red Bird]

Fucking Trent got nowhere near their player for the second - it’s like he wasn’t even on the pitch!!!

Woosh!

By the way, yesterday seems to confirm that Klopp hasn’t still grasped what problems are afflicting his team. 20 minutes to go and chasing a goal, he brings on Milner.

And he’s still amazed that Fabinho is unable to do what he was able to do last year 🙄

 

[King Binny]

Gomez was comical. He's been given a run and has been error prone. He's very much like Glen Johnson for me, he has class and at his best can look World Class, but he's too lax, his confidence is too brittle and he's just not intelligent enough as a player.

It was the same old problem for Liverpool, who's defence just doesn't look anywhere near the levels of previous seasons.

They have now conceded 1.7+ xGA in five of their last six league games, allowing an average of 2.10 xGA per game over that stretch - that's a relegation worthy process.

For context, last season's bottom side Norwich allowed 2.14 xGA per game on their way back to the Championship.

The result leaves Jurgen Klopp's side ninth in the table and eight points off the top four, while for Leeds, the win ends a run of eight without victory and eases the pressure on manager Marsch, his side up to 15th.

 

[KopRed]

It was the same old problem for Liverpool, who's defence just doesn't look anywhere near the levels of previous seasons.

They have now conceded 1.7+ xGA in five of their last six league games, allowing an average of 2.10 xGA per game over that stretch - that's a relegation worthy process.

For context, last season's bottom side Norwich allowed 2.14 xGA per game on their way back to the Championship.

The result leaves Jurgen Klopp's side ninth in the table and eight points off the top four, while for Leeds, the win ends a run of eight without victory and eases the pressure on manager Marsch, his side up to 15th.

Let's not forget the CL screw-ups. Phillips must be fuming.

If Klopp is not going to be rewarding players playing minutes on merit, what does he keep going on about having a squad?

Lovren has been sent packing for much less.

 

[Red Bird]

His legs have gone. Even he knows that which is why he is now just shrugging his shoulders at a rollocking.

 

[Red Bird]

Let's not forget the CL screw-ups. Phillips must be fuming.

If Klopp is not going to be rewarding players playing minutes on merit, what does he keep going on about having a squad?

Lovren has been sent packing for much less.

Lovers was worse.

 

[dogboy]

Its like he is carrying another 6lbs in weight, the way he runs. We're fucked, and I don't see anything changing in Jan. Klopp wants to continue with Ox, Naby and Melo. Fucking Melo, a player who was brought in to relieve us of injury crisis but will end up costing us €7m and will if we're lucky be available for 5 games

Em, you're being whooshed about Trent.

Fucking Trent got nowhere near their player for the second - it’s like he wasn’t even on the pitch!!!

 

[dogboy]

Gomez was comical. He's been given a run and has been error prone. He's very much like Glen Johnson for me, he has class and at his best can look World Class, but he's too lax, his confidence is too brittle and he's just not intelligent enough as a player.

Someone argued the toss the other week that there other issues in the team, yes there are, but the right handside is really bad. I'd say a huge percentage of goals against stem from that side, and the fact Klopp is watching it each week and letting it go is fucking criminal, he's got a massive blindspot and for the first time he's starting irritate the fuck out of me by sticking with it. As soon as I saw the defensive lineup yesterday I knew we were in for more of the same, and the fact Klopp doesn't recognise that is a joke.

If he doesn't sort it out in the next Premiership game, the season is done for me and the stubborness he's showing will be the start of the tide turning against him. For the first time he's letting blind stupidity undo his tenure. Trent and Gomez are a fucking disgrace to the shirt, I couldn't give a fuck if neither of them play for us again, they're absolute dross.

Jesus man, that's all a bit hysterical.

 

[Farkmaster]

Yeah. What is he meant to do to fix our right side in the next game? We don't really have any good alternatives and you're identifying individual weaknesses as the root cause.

Those weaknesses are exposed due to our whole system of play breaking, so we either have to try a new system of play, which we can develop using the non existent training sessions between each match, or we can wait till players come back and we make a transfer or two. I don't think either is happening before the next game.

I don't think klopp is blind to any of it, but I think he's stuck for a little bit. So are we and so is the team. Let's try to not turn to cannibalism.

 

[Fabio]

For the next game I think klopp needs to bin the diamond, as we dont have the players for it (whether that's fitness of ability wise). We do have the players for the 433, albeit not the way klopp likes to play it.

Right now thiago and Henderson/fabinho needs to be the base of the midfield. I'd err more on the side of hendo rather than fabs however. Ahead of them we either play Harvey or firmino. Based on old heads I'd probably say bobby, with Elliott coming on later. Both of them are capable in CAM role, so hopefully they could do a job while we work out what's going on.

Front 3.... Christ. Salah right, Fabio left. Give them license to cut inside whenever they like, tell Trent and Robbo to stay wide. It's deep end stuff for Fabio, but tbh the seasons fucked so we may as well try and develop. As for the centre we have to persist with Darwin.

As for the back line. It picks itself, and that is a damning indictment of where we're at. Kostas has to start for me however. I'd like Gomez to be sacrificed however. Preferably to Baphomet.

 

[Holle]

He'll bin fuck all.

 

[Irishanfield]

I think when you're a team playing on eggshells, and you're low on confidence, 'mentality monsters' isn't likely.
It takes a long time to build that ... and it may be rebuilt again, though I'm skeptical it will be with Klopp or within the next few years.
The owners blew a chance at having a proper dominant spell after we won the league ... should have invested big time but alas, it's the end of a great era.
I just hope I'm not in my 70s the next time we win the league.
If we are though, I doubt I'll be celebrating it here!

We have deservedly lost to the bottom and 2nd from bottom teams in successive games. Its not even losing but the manner in which we are losing. Leeds were full value winners last night. Created the better chances and they were absolutely shit so how bad were we? People putting this down to confidence is a joke, the issues run way deeper. I don't see fsg doing proper investing in the squad. They haven't before and can't see Thst changing anytime soon..

 

[Irishanfield]

@peekay - there was no Jinx, it was written, it was written because that goal keeper had a great night.

But it was one of those games where none of us should expect our team to lose, if we had lost to Brighton - it would have been understandable, but losing to Leeds was not a thought that entered my mind despite our current form, they have been losing consistently.

I think the issue we are also facing is that we are losing to teams at the wrong point of their losing streak....for example:
1) Man United - when we lost to them, they were at home had an ultimate fuck up game against Brentford from which they had to do something.
2) Forest - again a team consistently losing, manager under pressure, they had to change their approach to do something against us.
3) Leeds - again a team consistently losing but in some cases undeservedly, but losing still but they needed to turn it around and change to get anything out of their game.

Dare I say it - if we had met any of the above sides after they had won a game, then it may have been possible for us to win those games.

OMG forest were bottom and Leeds were 2nd from bottom and here you are looking for these weird excuses. We deservedly lost to both. We didn't create enough really good scoring chances and the few we had we didn't take though saying that Leeds created better chances overall than us

 

[Raz]

For the next game I think klopp needs to bin the diamond, as we dont have the players for it (whether that's fitness of ability wise). We do have the players for the 433, albeit not the way klopp likes to play it.

Right now thiago and Henderson/fabinho needs to be the base of the midfield. I'd err more on the side of hendo rather than fabs however. Ahead of them we either play Harvey or firmino. Based on old heads I'd probably say bobby, with Elliott coming on later. Both of them are capable in CAM role, so hopefully they could do a job while we work out what's going on.

Front 3.... Christ. Salah right, Fabio left. Give them license to cut inside whenever they like, tell Trent and Robbo to stay wide. It's deep end stuff for Fabio, but tbh the seasons fucked so we may as well try and develop. As for the centre we have to persist with Darwin.

As for the back line. It picks itself, and that is a damning indictment of where we're at. Kostas has to start for me however. I'd like Gomez to be sacrificed however. Preferably to Baphomet.

Is Ramsey fit to play? How about the old 442 and play Trent at RW, he is stood there most of the time anyway. He is no defender, that much is obvious but he can whip in a mean cross. And when we don’t have the ball, maybe he could help Ramsey out a bit, or is that asking too much. Try Salah LW…. Ya know he loves to cut in and shoot with his left anyway so this could really confuse the opponent, maybe! Hendo and Fabs in the middle, Darwin and Bobby up front, with Bobby dropping back when we don’t have the ball.

 

[Squiggles]

Maybe I'm alone here, but I thought Gomez was good after the mistake. I get the hostility, though. For me, the midfield, and its set up, deserves much of the criticism from last night. Thiago should have been instructed to hold along with Fabinho, who just not capable of plugging all the gaps anymore. We allowed the game to decend into a basketball match, only they had more space in which to operate in the final third. Klopp needs to get the 4-2-3-1 working, and fast. I wonder if having Salah in a free role behind Nunez might be the answer to get him closer to goal in such a set up, which has been the biggest challenge to date.

Whatever we do we need some stability in the middle, because banking on Fabinho alone is no longer viable.