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Official Liverpool FC Thread @ The Phins

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Paul 13, Apr 19, 2015.

  1. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Ahhhhh thank god for LFC!!!



    its been a brutal 24 hours as a Dolfan. But today has been great for LFC. I just saw that we signed Gakpo.

    beating Villa was nice as well. Thought the pace of Ox in the first half was a nice addition to the attack. It freed up Nunez who had a great game despite not scoring himself. Salah looks refreshed. And ready for the second half of the season. With Diaz now out again for some time, adding another forward was key. Now u have to add another midfielder or two. I would add another player with speed as im not sure Gakpo has pure pace.

    but what i saw from Gakpo in the WC for Holland was impressive. He can play on the wing. He can play as a nine. He can do alot. And the money is not bad at all. He has a good relationship with Van Dijk. He is very good in the air. Youve got two of the best fullbacks in the game who can send crosses in. But Gakpo is not just a jump ball guy.

    very exciting. We also have Doak who is going to get more chances perhaps on the wing. In what little i have seen of him, hes gonna be special. An academy talent. Thought Klopp was giving him a bit too much love on the sideline before he subbed in today LOL!!

    addin that we have taken Gakpo away from a top four rival in United. So special.
     
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  2. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Yes. Very happy with Gakpo. Needed.

    Still wish we'd land a top midfielder. Though our midfield and really all the players played with far more energy Monday than I'd seen all year. Really aggressive.

    Looks like Chelsea are getting Fernandez - he's the one I wanted, even over Bellingham. So unfortunate. I would still like a midfielder before the summer as I think if we put our marbles in the Bellingham basket as there are a lot of reports he would choose Real Madrid. Not even sure he's worth 130 million or whatever it will take. But don't want to compete with them.

    Some talk of Caicedo and Amrabat (I'd love both. Amrabat is a younger solid defender who could eventually overtake Fabinho; and Caicedo could play more attacking).
     
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  3. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Unfortunately, it's a bit more complicated with Ox and Keita coming back now. You kind of want to give them one last try, but that's a risk. If you knew you had Bellingham locked up (and I'm not suggesting Klopp and the HQ knows), you'd be more willing to take the risk then spend big money on Fernandez certainly. I wouldn't mind either Caicedo or Amrabat... I'd reckon Caicedo goes to Chelsea to be with his former manager. Amrabat would be solid, though I haven't seen him be very assertive in the final third (as Morocco didn't have that many chances lol!). He did seem to have a super engine that just kept going and going. We need that, and he's only 26 I believe. I was never sold on Fernandez coming to LFC as he's Argentinian and we don't have any Argentina players on the team. Not to say he isn't a good player, he proved that at the WC. I certainly don't like competing with Real Madrid for anyone. But steeling Gakpo is really gonna work out well for us, great value on the transfer cost too.
     
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  4. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    The comments are funny. Seems like FSG really need to sell. Or find some cheap magic like they did with Salah … in the midfield. Which is not likely. I don’t think anyone will invest hundreds of millions in a minority position as LFC are hoping for. I also suspect they don’t want to sell to Middle Eastern money.
     
  5. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Yall have a problem to solve with Darwin Nunez.. hes become the Ben Simmons of futbol. Does not take a shot unless its an open shot and when he does take it, he is always 1-2 seconds too long. Something is off mentally with him. He needs to be more aggressive because the opportunity is there..
     
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  6. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I'm just going to wait out this transfer window and see what happens... there's no point getting upset over a perceived lack of action when the window just opened up. Losing to Brentford was bad. But that third goal was clearly on the ref... and seeing that Brentford were called for five fouls is astounding... as I don't remember any of those calls... it was as if Atwell was letting everything go that they were doing. But I digress... LFC kept the Gakpo signing close to the vest... I think the Luis Diaz signing last winter window was a low key / no rumor signing. This is how they operate. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see any other incomings. I also wouldn't be surprised if we add two new midfielders (we need to). But then you've got too many players hanging around collecting a paycheck in Naby and Ox especially. The problem I have is that if we wait until the summer and go all in on Bellingham but FAIL (again), now what? Do you have a backup plan? Because by then, I doubt we'd finished in the top 4 (at this rate) and adding players is going to be a challenge regardless. But before I lose my **** this window, I'm going to wait and see what else happens.

    I really don't think so. I'm not sure if you saw his goal yesterday that was disallowed (offside)... it was a brilliant take and finish. Yes, it didn't count, but the skill level is there. You are correct about the mental thing... but it's just a matter of time. the opposing fans singing **** Andy Carroll does make me giggle. I'm much more concerned about Salah. I expected him to get off to a great start after this break... he's been quiet and still not up to his usual standards. Is his slump a result of the poor midfield counter/pressing/ quick turnovers we normally see, where we can counter with Mo and he does his thing on a break? BC having a majority of possession with him on the right side hasn't worked out lately. Adding Gakpo to Nunez and Mo could prove a solution perhaps. We shall see.
     
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  7. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Yes, for sure. Still can wait and see.

    Agree on all the rest on midfield. Need a new defensive mid and an offensive attacker. I'd love to see two paired with Thiago.

    I am anxious to see Gakpo. Nunez has some ability but I'm not so enthused on his finishing. He's not convinced me he can play at this level. He misses a lot more than one wants to see.

    Defensively we also are playing poorly. We've had 20 clean sheets last year. 10 in the first 16 PL matches. This year we've had 4 clean sheets in 19 matches. And now with Van Dijk out for a few weeks we're in some trouble at defensive center back.

    Top 4 looks next to impossible this year without the goal scoring prowess of the past.

    I think this data below is pretty telling about the team - signs of aging. Shows me that we are just not flashing the speed and endurance and run rate we used to have. Distance run in games went from 2nd to 16th. Sprints 1st to 14th. There is something going on with the players. Age or lethargy. Just a real lack of energy and a lot more standing around wondering what to do.

     
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  8. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    well if that's any indication, this is going to be a really terrible weekend. Wasn't expecting much from LFC today given how things have gone. Wasn't expecting a complete lay down in the second half. Really troubling. I feel a little bad for Gakpo.. he's walked into a hornet's nest.
     
  9. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    That was so much better... 1-0 at Wolves in the FA Cup replay. Great effort by everyone involved... big hat tip to Bajcetic, Elliott and Keita. All three were superb really.
     
  10. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    There was a funny prank during last night's BBC coverage of the game. Lineker posted afterwards about a phone that someone had sneaked in and taped inside the studio. The BBC apologised, but Lineker said there was no need as he thought it was funny too.
     
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  11. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    :lol: I was reminded earlier about this priceless moment in TV history... some 30 years ago...

     
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  12. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I tend not to post articles (full ones) in this thread... but this one seems to explain something that bothers a lot of LFC supporters lately...

    https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/fsg-liverpool-transfer-spend-revenues-26051122

    FSG Liverpool transfer spend explained amid $129m gap as record revenues prompt awkward question

    Had Liverpool’s latest revenue figures emerged in the final weeks of last season, they would have been held up as evidence of a club in rude health both on and off the pitch.

    At that time, the Reds were in the midst of a push for an unprecedented quadruple made possible by the relentless winning machine built by Jürgen Klopp.

    And so data that showed the club leaping up to third in the Deloitte Money League and ahead of Manchester United for the first time ever would have only cemented the feeling that such levels of attainment were sustainable.

    Unfortunately, Deloitte’s report has instead landed with Klopp’s side sat ninth in the Premier League, while their chances of lifting any trophy this term look slim.

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    And this contradiction between financial prosperity and on-pitch woes has only served to heighten the ill-feeling towards owners Fenway Sports Group in some quarters.

    The Americans' alleged parsimony in the transfer market has long been a talking point among Liverpool’s fanbase, with the debate becoming particularly heated in the aftermath of a failure to address clear midfield issues last summer.


    It is in this context that, after record revenues were reported last week, a familiar question reared its head: just where exactly has all the money gone?

    Thankfully, between Deloitte’s findings and the club’s latest accounts, there are clues as to why Liverpool’s spending power doesn’t quite appear to match its financial might — for now, at least.

    Let’s start with a wage bill which, according to Deloitte, has now climbed to a whopping $454m (£368m/€418m) per year.

    To give an idea of just how much this growth is swallowing up an increased revenue, consider that, for the 2016-17 season, Liverpool paid out just $256m (£208m/€236m) in wages.

    This change has been driven by squad expansion, a string of extensions signed by senior players in summer 2021, and the fact that the club’s contracts are heavily incentivized, making success expensive.

    And, while it would be unfair to speculate whether a jump from a pre-Covid average of around 58 per cent of revenue going on wages to 62 per cent now has led to a reluctance to further spend on transfers, it does at least explain where a lot of the money is going.

    Beyond wages, another key factor is that Liverpool’s spending in the transfer market is actually far higher than often thought, as proven by its accounts.

    It is there that the club’s tendency to pay out sizeable agent fees as well as sign-on bonuses is reflected — a factor commonly left out of media reporting around signings.

    For example, it is perhaps not widely known that the Reds’ accounts show they spent $515m (£418m/€474m) in total on player acquisitions across the summers of 2017 and 2018.

    By contrast, Transfermarkt — to use one popular source often cited by fans — report a total spend of around $386m (£313m/€355m), creating a rather significant discrepancy of $129m (£105m/€119m).

    These differences have no doubt helped fuel negative perceptions of FSG’s spending on transfers since their arrival at Anfield, even if that is, at times, unfair.

    Of course, while these figures prove that there has been no sinister skimming of funds leading to penny-pinching, Liverpool’s owners are not entirely above criticism.

    If there is one element of their financial management of the Reds that deserves closer inspection, it is the conditions created by their approach to recent infrastructure spending.

    When it came to the redevelopment of Anfield's Main Stand in 2014, FSG handed the club an interest-free loan which reflected the fact that such projects are not considered in Financial Fair Play calculations and also allowed for payments to be paused during the pandemic.

    However, for the building of a new first-team training ground at Kirkby and expansion of the Anfield Road End of the stadium, they took the unusual route of eschewing long-term financing to instead make use of the club’s £200m revolving credit facility.

    It is a call that has since created an unnecessary pressure on cash flow when wiggle room would have been welcome, not least in the form of a desperately needed midfield signing being sanctioned six months ahead of schedule this season.

    It also makes a mockery of previous suggestions that Covid was limiting transfer capabilities given that, in the last accounting period, £70m of the balance of this external loan was paid off.

    Quite why FSG would choose to create that time-sensitive financial burden rather than increase the size of their loan to the club when the impact of the pandemic was still being felt across world football is difficult to understand.

    In fact, that decision appears even more questionable since it has emerged that the owners are open to a sale in which any infrastructure debt, particularly that relating to a cash-making project such as the Anfield Road End expansion, would hardly be seen as an impediment.

    It is hard to shake the feeling that this unnecessary urgency placed on debt repayment relates to a desire to either make Liverpool look even more attractive to potential investors or maximize profit on any sale.

    And the same goes for FSG's steadfast refusal to deviate slightly from what is an extreme interpretation of a self-sustaining model even in moments when it is obvious the manager could use some help.


    Mercifully, there is an upside to this approach that will be apparent in the club’s next set of accounts when they are released next month.

    It is fair to expect that the absence of Covid-related drag and further repayment of the revolving credit facility will allow for a big summer spend, even if Champions League football is not secured.

    But it remains to be seen whether FSG will make full use of that headway to give Klopp the summer rebuild he needs, or if they would prefer to leave it to new owners to capitalize on Liverpool’s bright financial outlook.
     
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  13. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    That was a fascinating read. I wonder, however, how those wage numbers compare to other top clubs like Man City, ManU, Chelsea, Etc.

    This is also an interesting piece.

     
  14. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    No words right now. Shambles. I’m very concerned that Klopp wont be back next season. At this rate. They started this second half better v Wolves but still didnt score given opportunity. Down three now.
     
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  15. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    What a disaster. This team is just so bad right now. I still blame the ownership here. It’s possible Klopp has a part to play obviously. No one really knows his relationship with Edwards and whether he sought more power or whether there were other reasons for his departure.

    But not having the money to spend from ownership; not replacing older players - especially at midfield - and failing to retain the brain trust in scouting players has killed the team. So many bad decisions.

    I can’t see us attracting top tier talent without an ownership change. Fans will really start to push for ownership change. And their bad record, lack of UCL games, aging talent is going to hurt the value and draw. Fans and ownership may have to accept an owner that makes them uncomfortable but who will have the money to spend. Could be several years before they become a top 4 club again. Sad to see after that run last year. So close to all time glory. But it’s been a fantastic
     
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  16. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Good article, but I wholly disagree with this part of it:

    "Most curious has been seeing Salah diverted away from his role as the main threat and isolated in wide areas with a severe reduction in shot volume.

    Salah has not stopped being Salah, the system no longer allows him to be."

    I really don't think there's been any change to what we are asking him to do. He played up top, he played out wide, he played in the channel, that hasn't changed from then to now. Granted, she wrote this article before yesterday's debacle. Salah skied FOUR shots on goal yesterday. If he was anywhere near his form from over a year ago, he scores at least one of those chances, probably two (and that's being conservative). The truth is that he's been on the decline since January 2022. The statistics are just now showing it, but the eyeball test was there for over a year.

    All the other stuff is very interesting though. The turnover of many surrounding the club is obviously having an effect.
     
  17. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I can't imagine we'll get passed Real Madrid in the upcoming knockout stages of the UCL. Assuming that, we'll just have the EPL games left on the calendar for the rest of the season.

    Remember that away game vs Man City from 2017? The one we lost 5-0. The one that Sadio got a red card for colliding with Ederson. That team effort in a 10 man squad was awful, they mailed it in. It didn't matter who they were playing against, LFC were going to lose and lose by a lot. It's almost as if, that game's mindset has been the story this season.

    The manager is still saying the same things, but the team isn't listening. I said that from early this season when things started off bad. That the message is not being heard. They just aren't reacting to him like they should be. And my concern is that Klopp isn't here next season to correct this. Either by being fired or by him leaving voluntarily. The ownership changes and front office chemistry has certainly had an effect. Can Klopp survive all that? That's the story the rest of this season. I have to pray that Jota/Virgil coming back shortly has a huge impact to the rest of the players. But there's no answers in this midfield. Not adding this transfer window to that group could be the final nail in the coffin. And if Klopp is gone, next season is really going to be a challenge. Like you said, top 4 would be 2 years away at least IMO. No Bellingham if Klopp is gone, that is for sure.
     
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  18. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    This was great:

     
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  19. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    who knows if that win today ends up turning this season around or not... but I felt like Gakpo turned the corner in the prior match so to speak, he really seemed to get going on the ball better, showed more confidence and today was rewarded with his first goal. I think Nunez turned that corner a couple of months ago... prior to his injury. He just looked like he was growing in confidence, particularly with his pace and belief that he's the fastest man on the pitch (he may well be). You saw that today with the first goal and a wonderful assist to Salah, who really needed to score. Two of the front three scored and Nunez had a quality move/assist. It'll be interesting to see what the front three looks like once Jota and Diaz are back healthy. Klopp seems to like sticking to a front three that plays over and over again. I think with these five now, you have to rotate more often. I think Diaz, Nunez and Salah are probably your best three... and they can really run better than Jota and Gakpo. But those other two aren't slouches.
     
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  20. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Great game today, well up until the red card on Pope... I mean LFC were playing very well up until that point. The front three were moving well, Salah dropped back and sometimes in the middle. He was a part of both goals with passing. Wonderful to see. Actually thought Bajcetic played his worst game since he's been starting. Hendo and Fabinho their best in a while. Funny how that works. I'm not sure what will happen Tuesday v Real Madrid. Low expectations for the UCL... but we seem to be on the right track back into the top four with these last couple of results. Plenty of games left to get there and it turns so quickly if you can get rolling, which this team is capable of doing. Also, immense game by Alisson today.
     
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  21. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Defense is terrible. Gomez is awful. He's had so many years to improve and is still inconsistent. They need to sell him this year ... just for my own personal mental health so I don't have to see him on the pitch, LOL!

    Definitely need another defender.

    But that 3rd goal, as difficult as it was, was just bad team defense. Can't believe no one picked him up! smh. They have to practice that kind of thing (it's like not practicing goal line defense)!
     
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  22. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    yeah the set piece defending lately has been horrific. So that 3rd goal was not surprising, sadly. It's zonal marking and nobody reacts to the ball coming into the six as the player comes across the mouth of the goal. But the match was lost once they tied it 2-2... you had Alisson, who has been mighty good mostly this season just stupidly kicking it straight at Vini. And Gomez.. you are correct, he was so bad today... really exposed how bad we were... credit to Real Madrid, they expose you because they are so good. I don't understand Klopp playing all three of our #6 defenders to start the game... well to start was okay, but once they stopped moving forward, we had no counter once we got the ball...and then to go down 2-3 and not sub at that point, is all on Klopp. We needed to keep going offensively and score to make it closer... down 1 or 2 is not terrible at Real... but 3? It's over. Sucked that we had the home game first too... you can't pull a Barcelona miracle comeback on the road i don't think!
     
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  23. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    BTW, I think you have to bring in Gvardiol to pair with VVD next season. Konate has just been too injured to be counted on. Supposedly, the Croatian would love to play for us as he's a big fan. And maybe in time you have VVD's replacement with both Konate and Gvardiol.
     
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  24. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Definitely agree that Gvardiol has to be at the top of the list along with a premier MF and another solid MF.

    I think Gvardiol could invigorate VVD.

    I am a bit skeptical about Konate. Had a lot of hope for him early on but even when healthy he seems shaky. Although he is only 23 so he could mature. But he also has to stay healthy. For a guy only 23 he has been injured a lot. But then again, everyone on LFC seems to get injured a lot. Not sure what is up with that!
     
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  25. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I think it's all the female fitness trainers they added... I mean, who wouldn't want to be around them more often? I'm mostly joking, but there are at least two that I've seen from my watching the sidelines...
     
  26. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I mean, that's what we're still capable off. The midfield had started to play better, Fabinho and Henderson... and they put it all together today, all 11 of them. But it starts with the midfield. The pressure... the control... the impetus to push forward. Man U were outnumbered in their formation if they setup as a 4-2-3-1. Funny how Rashford was supposed to shred TAA and it never happened... then they say well, ETH setup the team wrong and Rashford was more central. No he didn't... they just never got a foothold on the game. There were some moments in the first half... around the 25th minute I thought uh oh... and then after we scored the first goal... Man U came out in full force it looked like they could equalize straight away.. then HT to reset everything... I felt we needed a second goal to add early to really give us the lead... little did I know hahah.. 7-0! I think Gakpo made the right choice eh? lol... I think we're finally "back." Konate being back helps... Gakpo is now in form, that helps... and I think we've found the right MF to push forward in Elliott, being close to Salah's side... when they all link up on the right, Salah, Elliott and TAA, it's good... for now.

    Thought it could have been shades of Real Madrid after we went up 2-0 against them only to lose 5-2... but alas, Man U are no Real Madrid.
     
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  27. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Oh my goodness. That was just glorious!!!!

    Goose bumps! Literally teared up!

    My two favorite players - Salah and Firminho - scored. And the two young forwards played great.

    Melancholy over the goal by Firminho as I am so sad to see him leave. But I certainly understand why. Still - just love Bobby!

    And Wow! We have a real chance! Come on you Reds!!! Keep going! :praying:
     
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  28. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Just came in to say WOW. That will surely lift your spirits on the season eh?
     
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  29. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    it certainly saves Klopp (not that he needed saving)...
     
  30. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Yeah, today's loss v Real Madrid... is what it is... too bad we didn't give that effort for the first game, we might have had a shot. Seriously though, the midfield... no Hendo or Bajectic today... Thiago still out... this upcoming transfer window must be about adding and retooling the center of our team. We need at least two new players there probably more.
     
  31. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Right then, I'm gonna say it... I'll be surprised if we make top 4...

     
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  32. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    I won't talk about what the possibilities are (they are clear; but every time I do I jinx it). I fully assume we won't make the top 4.

    But just to put a word in for a "quiet" season from Salah ... 30 goal season in all appearances. Far from his best all season. Yet still productive.

    And with, I should say, virtually nil midfield offensive assist help.

    I did like that we started four forwards today and the formation adjustments the last few games. We really have 5 forwards with quality offensive potential.

    I hope that we can get some rest this off-season; be rejuvenated; somehow add some quality two-way midfielders of some sort (and maybe another defender) in the transfer window. Maybe Gakpo can be that? Who knows.

    And come on stronger next year. I still hold out hope for Klopp to win another trophy or two.
     
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  33. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    As LFC's season comes to an end, finishing fifth and at least securing Europa League next season, it was all on display today v Southampton in a meaningless game. We played a lot of backups, true, but the 4-4 score line was indicative of our whole season. The ability to score remains true. But defensively, we were bad against an already relegated side. What did we learn and what comes next?

    We learned we're an aging club that can't play at the level that Klopp demands from his side. A late season shift in formation to a 3-4-3 proved a savior in putting Trent in a more forward role as a roaming midfielder. It's a balance though... do you have the players to play that formation in the long haul... balance that vs a theory that the formation doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. We won everything with a 4-3-3. Are you shifting to a 3-4-3 just to appease one player and make everything better? Trent is "only" 24. Turns 25 in October. What today's game proved is that you don't have the depth to play that 3-4-3 formation. Neither Gomez, nor Matip, nor Tsimikas can handle it. Do you need more players if you keep that formation moving forward? Perhaps so.

    Having said all that, it's about the midfield. That's been the engine of the club for the last several years. They make everything work. An aging Jordan Henderson and an underperforming Fabinho need supplementing. Thiago can be added into that group, he's just never healthy enough over the full season to be counted on. You've also got Milner/Keita/Ox leaving. That's six players that are either leaving or underperforming. Seven if you dare to count Arthur :lol: Huge transfer window ahead.

    Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic, Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho (?)... you need 9 maybe 10 midfielders for a full 25 man squad... maybe more if you are really switching that formation. So you need at least 2, probably 3 midfielders at a minimum. Lots of talk about Alexis Mac Allister coming in, which would be great, but he's only one player to add to the group. Youth, energy, spirit, hope... all need addressing.

    You look at teams that employ a 3-4-3... you need speed and the ability to pass the ball out of your back three. Konate is great, but I'm not sure about him playing in a back three, if I'm being honest. Virgil, of course, he can do anything, but he is aging. There's talk of Timber being added. He would be a great fit. There are other names on the rumor list who I won't go into. You look at what City have done in this formation and what makes it work for them is the speed of Kyle Walker. So you need a player who has blazing speed to be one of the back three to make it all work. So, lots of talk about the midfield needing a rebuild, but you can't go into next year without adding to the back three. We haven't even talked about Andy Robertson and his role moving forward.

    There's a lot of uncertainty and this is clearly the biggest offseason in Klopp's tenure with the club. Get it right, and we're back in the top 4, challenging for the league once again. Get it wrong? And it's a long road back without Klopp, who would surely be part of the overhaul.

    Not to even mention what could be happening with ownership. The press have made it seem like LFC are looking to sell and get new owners... but the brass have been very coy and IMO making it look like they just need some infusion of funds (not a change in control). We've got a new man coming in to help make the transfer decisions and he's only here for 3 months... that's a bit odd to me as well. It could all go wrong, and if it does, there will be a load of finger pointing, which won't help.

    Lastly, the ones that put the ball in the back of the net... there's already been an overhaul to the group. We'll see Firmino out (loved him), Salah is still there, Mane of course is gone... you brought in Gakpo, Diaz, Nunez to add to Jota and Mo. You might need another player with speed to supplement the group. Because you'd ideally like to have 6 forwards so that you can rotate them throughout the season in full.

    So ideally, 3 GK, 6 CB's (if 3-4-3), 10 MF's, 6 F's. That's 25. If 4-3-3... 3 GK, 7 D, 9 MF, 6 F... And of course it's just numbers... you can have guys that play MF that can play on the back. Milner is an example. LFC need to find their core players this offseason, because their main group has shrunk.
     
  34. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I'm happy about Mac Allister and Szoboszlai coming in. But with solid rumors of Fabinho leaving and possibly Henderson... You've got two more holes to fill in my opinion. one of them could be filled by youth on our team but the other has to come from the outside. Romeo Lavia is an option that is mostly confirmed. he can hold, but he's young (only 19). In my opinion you need some experience at the 6 position. Amrabat is a maybe. Joshua Kimmich apparently on the outs at Bayern would be a good option. So the midfield has been partially addressed...

    Nothing else has been brought in... it may be early... but that concerns me considering what happened last season. With our additions, it seems to happen very early in the transfer window... and usually if it's later, it's a panic move. Arthur last season. So I think currently we're good enough to finish top six again... not sure about top 4 though.. and certainly not sure about challenging for the league. It's a long season, one or two injuries would be devastating depending on where that occurred. CB and GK if Kelleher leaves (hopefully not). on the flip side, I do like what we've done with the young players. They should be used a lot this season to supplement the roster and play in league cup, maybe Europa group stages, FA cup etc... Conor Bradley, I'm curious about at right back. Jarell Quansah the same... the preseason is huge for them to show they can play at top level.
     
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  35. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Now we are in trouble. Least amount of players on the squats in the PL. just lost arguably our two best defensive MFs (though I thought both should have been replaced).

    And Chelsea are now offering $48 million for Lavia while LFC have danced around 3 different low ball offers. That, after we should have been signing another before the Hendo/Fabinho departures and receiving an additional $55 million from those unexpected sales and we STILL can’t land a defensive MF.

    This ownership is really frustrating.
     
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  36. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Well well well. Moises Caicedo to the rescue. Well it was never in doubt!? Right??? Haha. Its a smash and grab for sure. From the outside looking in, it’s as if Chelseas bid of 48m for Lavia pissed off LFC so much that they went all in on the much better and more experienced Caicedo! The min asking price was 100m all summer. Chelsea never got close until LFC entered the race. Supposedly Brighton had a deadline. And LFC came in with a bid that made Caicedo the most expensive player in premier league history!! Im positive Chelsea felt their final 100m bid would put them over the line. Haha. With what appears to be an unlimited war chest, they felt confident they would land the Ecuadorian.

    well thats quite the move assuming all the formalities are indeed just that today. We have completely transformed the midfield with Mac Allister, Szobi, and Caicedo. 24, 23 and 21 years of age! So these three have at least five more years in red assuming all goes according to plan. Was saying this the other day, if u bundle Alexis and Moises together as one number £145m is a very reasonable number for both. Who knows? Maybe we told Brighton when we signed Macca that wed be back for Moises at their deadline and would promise to beat the highest bidder. Hah. Either way, the good vibes we had with Brighton really seems to be paying off in landing both players. James Milner (now a BHA player) must be doing work over there!!

    tremendous

    of course, would love to add one more midfielder. Lavia at £50 would be the proverbial cherry on top. And then adding a young CB who could learn for one year under Virgil may just be that final piece. Until we land Mbappe on loan :shifty:
     
  37. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Confusing news now. How can u make a record bid and have it accepted but not have personal terms with the player agreed to. Apparently Caicedo inly wants Chelsea. This smells to high heaven. As if LFC knew it but bid anyway to appease the fan base. Too much pressure on the team to make a move. So they bid for something they know wont happen. Devastating.
     
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  38. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    My thoughts exactly. And how are you so stingy that you bid 46 million for Latvia, won’t go to 50, when he’s an obvious need, and apparently look like you’re going to lose him to Chelsea, then jump in on some crazy outrageous bid for Caicedo of 111 million? It all seems like a scam. If they thought it was worth 111 million then why weren’t they talking to him all summer long? I think/hope there will be more pushback from fans over this. This does smell bad. Like we (fans) are being scammed.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2023
  39. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Trying not to panic. Very difficult. Today? Going forward early we looked great. Gakpo and Szobo. Great. Once we tired? Not good. And we are getting tired very early in games. As a team. Not specifically one player. So we dont press and we are a different team. In that instance u need control on the ball. U need players that can defend. We dont have that. Not enough of it. Theres no confidence in defending. We aren’t one player away. We are three. New players. And they aren’t coming this window. Which means I highly doubt we finish top four let alone challengers for the division.
     
  40. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    If we lose both Latvia and Caicedo Chelsea, I will be apoplectic. It’s so maddening to see them potentially waste the last year or 2 of VVD & Salah. And Allison!

    And Klopp won’t stay around under this that long.

    Both their total spend and net spend the past 3 years as be dead center middle of the pack in the PL. 10th or so. If they want to compete with these big clubs they are going to have to be able or willing to spend. Target players they want and be aggressive. If they can’t they need to sell.

    They can’t say they need trophies to compete and not spend more, and more strategically, to do so. They spent £100 million on Nunez. He doesn’t even start. They needed a serious midfield upgrade for a few years now. And another defender. Who is going to give them a decent deal now? They know LFC are in serious need of 1-2 players at key positions to be a top four competitive team. It’s a seller’s market at this point concerning LFC. Who is really selling a top tier player right now? Maybe I’m just pessimistic. But these weaknesses have been evident for a while and they are only partially fixed with the 2 new MFs. They should have bit the bullet and shown strong interest in Caicedo early. Or shifted away once he was more into Chelsea. I mean, these guys should be smarter than this. Or sell the team to someone who doesn’t care about money.

    I am a long time Tony Kornheiser fan. His podcast is quite entertaining. But he always quotes a longtime sports producer for decades who always said, “The answer to all your questions is … money.” Money rules the day in every sport. Every sport. If you don’t have it or make it you are rarely going to win. MLB is one of the few sports where a team with moderate resources can build an excellent scouting dept and be given multiple extra advantages in the draft (more than the NFL) such that they can build a strong team for years - like the Astros.
     
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