That’s not entirely true, I’m pretty sure he’s not been tasked by Klopp to play high risk low % passes every single time he touches the ball. There was a point second half after Trent had lost the ball for the second time in quick succession Klopp was screaming at him to wake up.
If Trent wants to be considered a true world class player pushing for the Ballon’Dor he needs to watch someone like De Bruyne. It’s pointless having the passing range and vision of Alonso and Gerrard combined if you don’t learn when to use it correctly. You don’t need to take on the hardest pass, or have the impossible shot every single time. Sometimes the best pass is the simple one which keeps up the pressure. A prime example was the free kick right at the end, a final chance to get the ball in the box, yet he decided to try and pass inside for Salah, overcooked it and Salah nearly got smashed into the advertisement boards trying to get on the end… a final chance missed.
He is one of the most naturally gifted footballers we have ever had, but he’s also one of the worst for complacency in my humble opinion.
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This is a joke, isn’t it? A boatload of players already out and over the course of the week Phillips, Henderson, Firmino, Matip and Gomez get knocks as well? Nunez stupidly gets sent off ruling himself out for 3 matches at minimum? Just fuck off. Can’t deal with this kind of luck.
Not that we are making things easy for ourselves on the pitch either. Our finishing has been a constant source of frustation for me for years, but it’s been particularly bad since the preseason. So many great openings squandered by poor decision making and poor execution. The sequence of Nunez hitting the post and Van Dijk horribly miskicking the rebound said it all. Even with all the absentees we should have won this one and beaten Fulham but then again there are times when we can’t do the basics correctly.
It’s also clear that for several senior players the start of the season has come too soon. Fabinho has been fucking dreadful so far and I’m getting really sick and tired of watching him getting easily beat leaving everyone behind him exposed. Robertson seems sulky and grumpy all the time. Second game running he offered sweet fuck all in support of Diaz. Tsimikas immediately livened up the left flank even if his delivery was abysmal. Van Dijk looks slower both physically and mentally. And TAA needs to use his head more. Not every situation calls for him to launch a long ball or play a risky pass.
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Agreed, and as you say he does have points. Given the intensity of the PL, durability has to be high on the list of criteria when it comes to player recruitment and retention. And our midfield style is about running your ass off. Given that, it’s decidedly odd that we have at least 5 injury-prone (of varying degrees) midfielders (Thiago, ox, Hendo, Keita, Fab). We don’t know enough about Elliott’s durability but you probably don’t want a 19 year old body to go through 30 odd starts of. PL season if you are thinking long term longevity.
I know we keep trotting out the line about getting in the perfect player but I do feel the management have dropped a clanger with their forward planning of moving on a couple of the more injury prone ones and getting in a couple of new bodies. Simple mobility, agility, and pace is becoming an issue. Just a case in point, Brighton’s Bissouma replacement and Southampton’s new midfielder who got subbed on in the weekend show that there are very good players out there who can fill in and learn the craft while getting some starts, all the while being effective.
Happy to be pulled up on it in the future but I don’t see us mounting much of a challenge on the PL. The CL yes but we need to get the lucky breaks.
I’ll pull you up on it now. 
We haven’t become a mediocre team overnight; we are still by far the most likely to challenge the human rights abusers over the course of a season.
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I’m declaring that we will be less close to the title than last season. There I said it
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I don’t even feel like trolling ManU at this moment… 
I do believe we’ll come good. We did it last season but just hope it won’t be too late with all the current injuries.
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Far from it. But the workload over the last couple of years is taking its toll primarily on the midfielders. And we haven’t addressed that.
Quality is not in question.
Long term fitness and the ability to apply that quality consistently? That is absolutely in question
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Last season we started like a house on fire! Remember the 3 goals every match streak? Far from it this season
I look at it as the reverse situation. We have the best manager in the world along with some of the best players. We’ll get back on track. My only gripe is that we’ve held on to certain players for far longer than we needed to but that’s been discussed to death so let’s look forward.
Maybe it’s just me but I thought the first half was not as great as people are saying. We were quiet slow and very lateral. Fab doing his best Ray Wilkins impression. The only real width to stretch them came the right from Trent and Mo. Most of the crosses were aimless. Sure we created some situations but not clear ones. We. Issued Manes width. Robby always passed inside and back.
Second half with Hendo we moved the ball with more pace. Looked forward more than back. Same with Gomez. He passed it quickly with pace.
Our setup works when we have tempo. Otherwise every team plays the same tactic and we struggle.
I am it sure I have the answer but MF tempo is definitely the key to stop them setting up in the block or to find space.
I also felt Elliot would be better more central.
I keep coming back to this thread with the intention of contributing something worthwhile but realise I can’t really be arsed anymore.
The combination of being cheated out of multiple titles and the relentless number of injuries to our players while not even playing in a competitive match has left me wondering what is the fucking point.
The same core group of players (TAA, VVD, Robbo, Hendo, Fabinho, Diaz and Salah) will be run into the ground by Christmas while the fanbase eagerly awaits updates on the fitness of various sicknotes.
Abu Dhabi will be a minimum of 10 points clear by the time the sham of a WC starts, at least Sky will be denied a title race to whack off over.
Not defending Nunez in any way but I did chortle at the instant red card while our players can be physically assaulted on a regular basis with no punishment even with the VAR available. You’ve got to laugh haven’t you?
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Eze got passed Fabinho like he wasn’t there. Was sucked in towards the ball and when he moved to that position he needed to either win the ball or make the foul. The fact he did neither left us horribly exposed with a cb with no pace.
A sublime finish though it was, could VVD have gotten closer to shut that gap down?
I do agree with others that Ox, Keita and Milner need to be replaced (well Milner shouldnt be starting games in midfield ok to bring on). But who is buying these guys? They are always injured.
I really do think it will cause an issue. I had a feeling after last season and going for everything that this one could be a slog. Some players still look knackered and injuries aren’t helping. But to have 9 or 10 after game week 2 is ridiculous.
We do seem cursed at CB - but i really dont understand that if Gomez is OK to come on why didnt he start? Find that strange.
Arsenal and Spurs have improved. Chelsea looking to spend more and City are City. This season is going to be a bit tougher. Have we improved? I dont think we have. We have lost Mane and brought in Nunez who looks raw. Mane had the prem experience and know how before he got here. Nunez doesn’t.
United next and that will be tough. For all the slagging off they have had if they win they go above us and that is a good incentive.
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Cheaty are normally slow starters, not this year, it’s worrisome for me.
Two incidents immediately come to mind, Diaz vs Brighton and was it a southampton player who quite deliberately put a full set of studs right down Mané’s achilles? Refs should have whipped out the red card without hesitation. Also Cresswell on Hendo away at Westham and Kane on Robbo away at Spurs
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We’ve just struggled to two draws, not having led in either matches.
Anyone will be a challenge
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They’ll drop points somewhere.
And our destiny is still in our hands- win all our remaining games and we’ll be champions.
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36 straight wins is doable.
Not sure if it’s ever been done before in history of football……but doable.
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Yes, the Diaz and Henderson ones are 2 of the most nailed-on red card offences I have ever seen but the same bloke (Attwell) on VAR thought they were fine. Kavanagh was VAR for the Kane assault and we all know about him don’t we?
Rambler will be in shortly to tell me this happens to all PL teams 'cos he reads their forums.
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Yes I believe they will drop point nobody will win the league without dropping points but even with a full squad we will too let alone an injury handicapped squad we have now.
CP set up very well with a double dekker bus, I bet Bournemouth will do the same and I would not be surprise to me when even United does it next Monday.
Is it over, no but I don’t see much room for a lot of optimism either.
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