I nearly stopped reading when I saw the tired and lazy play on his name. Is it not possible to actually debate without it being polarised and using pretty shite and unfunny names for the players and manager.
In terms of the actual debate, it's been two months since this "slump" started in terms of results but if you look a bit further back to West Ham at home in December, it looked like this kind of form was possible.
Solutions? Well I know it's de rigeur to get on Lucas' back but since when was he the solution to our centre back problem? Lovren has never looked a consistent, stable performer since he joined. Klavan has not had many real opportunities but for the price has looked good. Matip looked great pre his injury, Gomez is just back after long term injury and we let Kolo and Sakho go.
Look at the recent consistent teams in a defensive context and there's consistency in the CB position. This also helps the keeper as they get to know each other as a unit. We've had x3 transfer windows since Jurgen arrived. We've conceded 50 league goals a season for at least the past 4 seasons. So it's pretty clear where the issues lie. We don't know the money he has or hasn't had to spend, but two CBs who look value for money but wouldn't get into any of our rivals first XI is pretty telling for me.
Plus we are missing a truly nasty, spiteful, enforcer in midfield. Henderson can run all day and in my opinion his contribution is underrated by many. But he's not an enforcer and he's not a consistent tackler or one to roll his sleeves up when it becomes a battle. I miss Mascherano.
Back to Klopp. Playing Lucas at CB invites the opposition on. Yes he's played well at CB on occasion, but he's not a CB for a side wanting to be in the Top 4/ contending for the title.
It's not his team yet, but is that because he's got a stubbornness in the market to only go for the top target or is it that he's financially hamstrung by the owners in the market. I like that he wants players who want to buy in to his philosophy and the long term plan. I like that he says we are not the club for players who just want high wages.
I'd also add that our preXmas results and form have sent expectations soaring in parts of our fan base. We have a good first XI but our 25 man squad is not as strong as other contenders around us. I want to see him address the CB issue this summer and a proper DM too.z
But the last few performance have looked tired, de-motivated and seriously lacking in confidence. You just knew we would lose to Leicester - I hope people took the 9/2 on Leicester on Monday night because that was a gift - that's the worrying thing. You could see it but we couldn't prevent it. The moment Vardy put that marker down on Mane in the first couple of mins, you just knew. That's when I placed my bet on Leicester.
We need to salvage what we can from the rest of the season. Klopp needs to use his motivational skills to get them firing again. If this continues, then I won't see the season as progression.
