I disagree with everything you write about Liverpool. Funny how opinion is just so varied. I also think we'll win it next season.
Hope you're right but I think the last few months of this season is pointing us in the direction our team is heading. It's been a long time since we played well for 90mins and won. All our recent wins have resulted from opposition not capitalizing on us being bad for first 45 mins. I'd be much happier if you're right and we win... I'm expecting the year after next year to be our year again.
If Haaland settles and continues the form he’s shown in Germany then you can’t really see past a City title next year If he is the new Werner then you can’t really see past a City title next year
I think he'll have a good goal to game ratio, but he looks a bit injury prone, the bigger they are etc.
Will take Haapand 3-6monthe to settle into the team/style at City. Will only be second half is season he will show if he can make it, weird also this season with the break. Be tough on the ACON player having two breaks for major tournaments within a year.
ACON next year begins in June so after our season finishes. The winter WC gives an interesting dynamic to next season though. Especially from a form/injury perspective and think it will play a part in somevplayers decisions this Summer too. Ending the season only a week before is pathetic though and no where near enough time imo.
This is interesting bcos I totally get where Luv is coming from you probably could win more next season as you are but at the same time, in the 90's and early 2000's in particular when I thought we had built a good team that was winning trophies, only for Fergie to break it apart and build again, often in key areas of the squad. So I can see where Milk's coming from. I think it's about planning ahead if you want sustained success and stay ahead of the pack...before you have to.
Look at our recent transfers. Diaz a left winger who'll replace Mane. Konate 22 years old and looking like he'll push Matip out but I think there's still room for him to learn and plenty of games for both. Jota who is clearly replacing Firmino but again room for both. We even have good cover at left and right back in Tsimikas and Gomez. We've been bringing players in of the right age over a few seasons already, the only hole is CM we need someone as Hendo can't get up and down and is cover for Fabinho imo, Milner too old, Keita and AOC not good enough. Praying for Bellingham. I expect Jones and Elliott to both improve and play more.
Indeed mate ... and that's what gives you sustainability... we are attempting something similar, albeit at a more modest level, and perhaps with greater emphasis on bringing prospects through the academy as we don't have the same financial clout as you and the other big boys ...
We've had a good squad but holes are forming. I don't think Jota is a long term replacement. Klopp's been lowering his appearances, I think he's mostly out of favour. He started well for us but hasn't really kept up the good performance. I think Jota, long term is replacing Minamino and Origi as a backup option and new forwards will come in over the next few summers. Firmino and Salah only have a year left and they're both still obviously good but neither are what they were a few season ago. Neither look like they will extend their contracts. Long term, I only see Diaz as a first choice striker for us. It looks like we have a wealth of forward talent but it's declining and going to dry up soon. Mentioning midfield. Elliot has a bright future, but ultimately, Jones is going to be just shy of what we need in Midfield. Of the senior players we're aging here too. Fabinho and Tiago are the only great midfielders we currently have. As we discussed elsewhere, I don't think Gomez is anywhere near good enough at RB to be considered full time back up for TAA... But hopefully this incoming Scottish kid is. Gomez certainly isn't the creative marauding type that TAA is, he may provide better defensive cover but not doing everything Klopp wants from the fullback positions.
One of the most satisfying things is watching the young players mature and improve each season... we've now got 4 possibly 5 youngsters that could be considered by Southgate, Maddison, Barnes, James Justin, Dewsbury-Hall and Luke Thomas ... we also let a really good one slip through our fingers by not giving him first team opportunities ... Calvin Bassey who went to Rangers and now has a whole host of suitors by all accounts ...
I agree with that. He's a great goal scorer, but I don't think his movement and linkup quite fit perfectly what Klopp is going for. Origi and Minamino both score important goals and could hit the net, but neither really go many minutes from Klopp because they didn't press and pass as well as some of the others. I think that's why Jota has been seeing less action lately too.
This Scottish kid won't be cover even if we get him imo. It'll be Gomez. No rush for Jones he's getting more physical and still growing I think he'll have a good season. Our squad is aging but it's not old, we have another season of Bobby and Salah and then they will need to be replaced and that's where we see what the likes of Diaz and Jota are made of and we'll also be able to buy if needed, 2 this summer and 2 next and it's all good. Concentrate on quality not numbers.
Mind you ... despite everything we are saying ... if Haaland turns out to be anything close to the hype, we're all in trouble
Your last sentence is on the money ... yes you need squad depth, absolutely ... but you have to have the quality ... we ****ed up by letting Dennis Praet go out on loan to Torino this season ... the lad is quality and whilst he's not spectacular, it's telling how well the team plays and how many points are won when he is in the team ... but Brenda pissed him right off by not giving him game time ... particularly when Tielemans and Maddison were under performing... keeping quality players happy when they are not playing is where the very best managers excel ...
