Well, that was a horrible game to watch but I do think we need to get used to these kind of performances. With so much football in such a short space of time, we will need to rotate heavily every week so disjointed performances will become the norm I reckon. We just need to get everyone back fully fit so we manage these games better. Losing Fabinho is another huge blow not just because he's a CB option but also he's a physical and aerial presence. Losing Matip, VVD and Fabinho means we will become incredibly vulnerable to high balls, crosses and set pieces. Going back to the game, it's easy to be critical but we do have to accept that it is disjointed team who hardly play with each other. I thought the front 3 really struggled but weren't helped by the midfield at all. I think this is a season too far for Milner - he's painfully slow and his touch is horrendous. And Bobby was only on the pitch for 10 mins but he showed exactly why I just don't rate him anymore - missed a big chance to kill the game, gave the ball away a couple of times with one leading to a very big chance. His place in the team is really under threat. Let's look at the positives: - Robbo is a man on a mission and he has been incredible for a while now - Jota as quiet I felt but he has a knack of scoring goals and being in the right place at the right time - Shaq, again was quiet but he's involved in key moments. He possesses that real high quality which is crucial to unlocking teams - Trent had a very good game and was my MOTM. Deserved another assist to his name (for the penalty) - Alison f*cking Becker - this guy is so important to our backline. The number of times he came off his line quickly to clear the ball, made a big save in the first half and he did very well to make himself big and stood up for the chance at the end.
I'm with Jimmy about Bobby,think he needs to start earning his place and not take it as a given.To miss a sitter like that was not acceptable and before people go on about his role in the team I've been keeping an eye on him lately and whilst he puts a lot of effort in he does give the ball away too much.
This is the thing - I don't even care about the lack of goals (even though he has missed a high number of big chances). The lack of goals can be compensated by his work rate, movement, creating space for others and his link up play. Whilst his off the ball is still incredible, his passing and link up play is what is also suffering alongside the finishing. We need players who not only work hard but they have to contribute on the ball.
As has been said before, Minamino gets knocked off the ball too easily. He's lightweight and a bit of a headless chicken. These scrappy wins don't do my cardio-vascular system much good, but at least they're wins. Trent defo MOTM.
Two options: 1) you play Jota on the left and move either Mane or Salah central. Salah in central positions is lethal 2) you play Taki. Taki had a poor game last night but overall he has done pretty well since restart. He needs games alongside the Mane and Salah, and a functioning midfield before we can judge him.
minamino is not up to it. the end. no matter how you try to square it hes never going to be a player at the top level.
Been saying it for weeks, Bobby needs a rest/kick up the arse/dropped for a few games. Mo in the middle Jota on the left
It was a horrible game. As I said last night, I rarely criticise Klopp, he's done a marvellous job - but I was livid when I saw that line-up. It was asking for the kind of trouble it got.
I felt sorry for him last night - thrown into a makeshift team and expected to impress. He's obviously desperate to do well but everything was against him. If he keeps getting thrown into situations where he's likely to fail it won't do his confidence much good. Klopp is a good man-manager generally, but I'm not convinced he's going about it the right way with Minamino.
I agree that we need to respect the opponent etc and I would love for us to start the best XI every game. But we simply cannot this season because we're playing so much football in such a short space of time. We have 3 games in 9 days between 31 Oct and 8 Nov, then International break, and then 12 games in 43 days between 21 Nov and 2 Jan. I am surprised why PL clubs voted against using 5 subs in the league this season - injuries will definitely mount up as the stress on players increases.
Agree with that, there's a player in there definitely, but as you say the odd make shift team appearance isn't doing him much good at the moment. He does need to bulk up or get tougher on the ball, but I remember trent getting knocked off the ball all the time in his 1st season and not so much now he's bulked/toughened up (I still think he's a bit of a pussy though tbh, trent I mean) You can see how hard taki tries and how desperate he is to do well. We should all give him the same time some still give Naby Anderton before declaring he'll never be good enough after a short time and limited chances to impress.
Just a bit weird, most are behind Bobby who's been dogshit all season but new lad is a flop? Taki may get knocked off the ball too much but is that any different to Bobby doing a flick that doesn't come off 10times a game, which is pretty much the situation for him at the moment.
he does look like he's a Salzburg player if I am honest. He needs to hit the gym and get a year under his belt. Next year would be the year he tries to stake (or steak if you're Greez) a claim.
Bobby's off the ball work and the general fear of allowing him to run at the back line makes lots of space for Mane and Salah. He sacrifices so much in every game, doesn't complain, ok his finishing has lacked a bit. You ungrateful ****
