No way are we favourites for this lol. Klopps words were very complimentary and honest, as he was right, this is the best Everton squad he’s faced. Silva has got us on the right path, but Klopp has the benefit of 3 years in the role, and your side is now mature, we’re not yet the finished article. We should give you a decent test though, as we’re a good side, probably the most improved in the division so far this season. We’ve dramatically changed our style of play since gravy kecks and we’re playing some nice football. Will we get anything from the game? Dunno, history says not, but we live in hope. Watch Gomes closely, he’s absolute class that lad.
Would like to clarify that I wasn’t calling you or other fans losers. I was referring to fans who accept that our team are nearly men. Secondly, I think everyone accepts that bar the defence, the rest of the team are underperforming and not just the midfield. Thirdly, the midfield is the biggest issue. Whilst we did blow away teams last season, how much of that was attributable to the current midfield? Being part of the same doesn’t automatically imply they were a big part of it. And last season - we had coutinho for a few months and he was performing at world class levels. We also had Can, who wasn’t a fan favourite but he was an important part and then we had Ox who helped to fill the void to some extent. I mentioned in another thread (or maybe even this one), that Gini Hendo Milner aren’t bad players individually. They simply can’t play together and klopp needs to find the balance or a style/system that suits them. Finally to your point on Klopp - I would like to think he can see the issues but after 3 years, we’re still using the likes of Milner, Hendo, Lovren etc.
The defence and keeper were the weakest link until recently, they've been improved so now it's the midfield that looks wanting. Henderson is a decent player and doesn't deserve the stick he gets, imo - but he lacks creativity and we need that. Klopp has tried to address midfield with the failed attempt at Fekir and with Keita. The latter shows that no matter how good a player can seem to be from a distance, he doesn't always slot seamlessly into our league. I'm not writing Keita off, btw, just pointing out that solutions aren't always obvious. We're not conceding many and the midfield is contributing to that because it's more defence-minded than attacking. They don't push to help the attack enough, but if they did perhaps we'd start to let more in, who knows? However, the forwards are stuttering regardless of their support, and I've stated several times already that I think the formation is a major contributor to that. Also, Firmino (a player that you know I greatly admire) is all over the place at the moment - his first touch is heavy and his passes are poorly weighted. Salah could thread his way past 3 or 4 players last season but this season he couldn't beat an egg. Mané has always been a little selfish, and so he's just continuing to do his thing. I do agree with those that think Shaqiri should be getting more game time - of all the players we have atm he could turn out to be the key. For the moment at least.
You’re too close to it, and over analysing it imo. Your somewhat average performances of late simply lack the intensity that you have when you’re at your most effective. The harrying and high press that blew teams away last season in particular is lacking. Is that a deliberate ploy? Or are you simply starting to run out of steam a bit in the run up to Christmas after a hectic few months following on from a WC summer? You’ll no doubt summon up that energy tomorrow for about 20 minutes early on and ruin us, now I’ve said that.
No doubt intensity is down and as you say, is that by design? I suspect it is. Which amplified the lack of creativity even more because the high intense, chaotic style suits Hendo Milner etc more because it better utilises their physicality. By adopting a more controlled approach, we need players who are good on the ball. And that doesn’t suit the players above. We’re still winning games so I’m happy
The keeper and VvD have now given you an option that you didn’t have before. You can grind out wins in games when you’re not at your best, by nicking the odd goal and not conceding at the other end due to a quality keeper and a top notch CB. Hopefully you’ll be ranting about how you need a midfielder like Gomes tomorrow night mate
Gomes will go missing and you'll all be wondering how come your on loan player wasn't up for the most difficult game of his entire career
FORM GUIDE: LAST 6 LEGUE GAMES Premier League Form Guide LIVERPOOL: DWWDWW P0NTS=14 EVERTON: WWLWDW POINTS = 13 Too close to call, but in this derby form is out of the window.
my hope is digne is an idiot. that's one route we can maybe exploit. he has talked a big game and has courted Everton fans hatred of lfc. if he is stupid enough to dive in and foul that could be our in.
depends if we get a ref who will let a lot go. if we get one that is card happy, maybe he could be in trouble.
yeah.... the dinosaurs we usually get ref it like a 70s or 80s.game at times. just ref it like any other game imo. both sides and the fans would benefit from it. lecture both teams before off and then just nail first stupid full list in no control tackle with a yellow and go from there. neither side need to lash around kicking each other off. both sides need to pass ball and play attacking football. if you let the first one go then you get a funes mori style challenge later.
