PSG was an exciting game, but could have gone either way. Also it was 6 weeks ago, we've deteriorated since. I'm not being negative, just trying to be realistic - we are struggling in the CL this year, and anything could happen in the last 2 games.
I think the expectation is the problem. Last year we didn't have that and was the first English team expected to fail but we ended up in final. Who knows what will happen this one. We are already being written off. Normally when we surprise everyone.
I would say PSG is the only game where they played well this season just a little sloppy in defence for there goals. If you look at the last 9 games only won 3 of them which includes a scrappy 1 nil against Huddersfield., Cardiff and Red Star being the other victories. There is something seriously wrong and needs to be addressed as quickly as possible.
It's shoring up defence which has impacted our attack. Fine balancing act that hopefully will be corrected asap
Having relaxed after watching that horror show, this is the game that people have been mentioning that we were getting away with. Our performances have been erratic to say the least and have been made to look better results wise due to the back line coming through big time. Last season after the CL final loss it was very clear that the set of midfielders we had were all work horses hence the reason Klopp went for Keita, Fabinho and Fekir. Now after upgrading our defence, we are playing like Milner Hendo and Gini are now ball players. Two of the new signings are currently sat on the bench meaning we have reverted to the players of last season. If they are not pressing, they are useless. This result is all on Klopp and not the players as he chose them. He needs to make up his mind on what formation and structure of play we will have for the remainder of the season. If he fails to, it is looking more and more the loss of Buvac was massive.
Last night, or at least a result like last night was just inevitable with the way we have played this season.. There was going to be one game where we just won't get away with not turning up and that's what happened. Whether it is due to a more pragmatic setup from Klopp or just general poor form, we need to go back to what made us unique, the pressing from the front, committing midfielders forward and flooding the box. With that said, I thought red star countered our press last night extremely well and aren't getting the credit they deserve, they showed more quality on the ball than we did all night. Not sure what needs to change, we could never rely on the high tempo blast them away in the 10 minutes attitude forever but we've lost all elements of that, at the momemt we look like a rigid workman like hoofball team three individually good players up front who are each isolated.
I don't disagree with the evaluation of the midfield given by some on here, or the idea that there's been a bit of a trade-off in strengthening the defence. However, the front three are playing like they've only just met and even when they have the ball they seem unable to put any sort of move together, and I don't think the lack of creativity in the midfield fully explains this.
Red Star Belgrade don't usually lose at home ,that is not a good excuse for our below pa performance.
I agree. I've felt like a moaner on here after saying I was disappointed in some performances even when we won. The "We won didn't we?" or "Still at the top of the league" retorts just seem like denial to me. We've really been so lifeless and predictable so many times this season it was obvious that we'd get found out. The CL group is now in serious jeopardy when we should have been comfortable, and there's really no room for error in the league the way those around us are playing. I really do think it's a bit of a mini-crisis, and I don't think I'm over-reacting.
Meeting PSG and NAPOLI in the last two games is becoming exciting, especially if we need to beat Napoli to go through.
I have concerns. I'm starting to move from "Getting great results and not even out of second gear yet" to "Is this what we are now?". More than a little worrying.
Sod me i thought i was depressed then i read this thread & thought "oh apparently i'm fine it's the rest of them who need putting on suicide watch" .
Those concerns would make more sense after Christmas you ****ing drama queen At the moment getting results without getting out of 2nd gear is great as new year onwards a lot of teams start falling away. If we are just getting into our stride then all good
My main gripe is the midfield would stand in the passing lanes behind the front three last season as we applied a press. Look at all opposition goal kicks. Mane left wide midfield, Firmino Center midfield and Salah wide right midfield. Who is behind in the half spaces? Nobody. There is some massive gap between midfield and front 3. On the front 3 chemistry, the players responsible are Mane and Firmino for different reasons. Mane is hogging the ball too much and flops as soon as any contact is applied. He is also guilty of an awful first touch. Firmino like Mane, has a heavy touch but worse is he is playing too deep meaning Salah is isolated. We all to some extent agree Firmino is best at the pressing option but looks ordinary when trying to build up play. My hope is that this loss is our wake up call.
