I can’t see Robbo playing all of the next two matches, so we’ll be seeing Kerkez at some point soon. I have a sneaking suspicion that Wirtz will start against Madrid.
Isak will be a luxury David Fairclough.
1 Like
Such a relief. I can have a relaxing sunday and read the post-match thread with a nice cuppa rather than an intoxicating beverage.
12 Likes
Argie Bargie!
2 Likes
5 Likes
I was out watching Arch Enemy and the result definitely increased my enjoyment of the gig!
3 Likes
I think a big difference between Klopp and Slot is how Klopp took time to integrate a new player into the team - we saw that with Robbo and Fabinho, to give two examples, and their first few games/minutes during the settling period were not very promising, but they grew into key players of Klopp’s trophy winning side. Players like Van Dijk and Alisson being an exception, obviously, because we needed major improvement and the difference in class was big when we brought them, while now in Slot’s case we are talking about replacing a title-winning starting 11 that is aging (or gone).
While Slot rushed into fitting them all in from the start, and then he saw how this was not paying off (I imagine it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that he may have gotten an advice that mentioned Klopp’s approach and the historical result of it), and now realized that he has to rely more on his title winning players, and slowly integrate new players in, giving them time.
I do think they will come good, most of them at least, and I do think that had Klopp tried the same approach, we would have said the same things about them as well.
So we need (sing it with me)
3 Likes
It’s not that accurate to be honest that.
However I think it may have been beneficial and when Wirtz came on second half I don’t think we particularly changed shape.
3 Likes
Care to expand?
It’s a myth. It happened to Fabs and it did because it took him a while to get up to speed. But Naby who arrived at the same time was straight in. if we spent proper money on a player or brought them in with th clear expectation of them playing an important role (Matip) they invariably went straight into the team. Mane, mo, gini, naby, Matip, Diaz, Gapko, Darwin are the counters to the myth. We remember the fabs situation precisely because it was unusual to have spent that much on a player we saw so little over the first couple of months and then over apply the meaning of that memory.
It’s the same category of using the Virgil situation to claim we don’t move on from our primary target when we have loads of examples of doing that very thing
2 Likes
Yup pretty much Robbo and Fabinho were the only ones who didn’t come straight in and if I’m honest most people considered Robbo to be back up anyhow.
He took advantage of Moreno’s injury and never lost his place til recently.
3 Likes
Even if Robbo and Fabinho are the only examples (not sure they are), it shows that Klopp was not automatically integrating a new player straight into the team, unless ready. Which is not what Slot showed this season. (Maybe he showed that with Chiesa last season, but seeing how he continues to do it this season, it’s probably not about integrating slowly, but whether he likes & believes in the specific player).
It’s not as if I’m arguing that he did so for the majority of signings. Looking at why I made that impression, it’s probably because I started with that as being a key difference, and also by using the word “exception” for Van Dijk and Alisson. Well, ok, I see how you objected to that, but the main point I was trying to make is supported even by agreeing that it’s Robertson and Fabinho that would make exceptions.
My point was not so much whether Klopp partially or exclusively waited or not (that’s secondary), my point is that it’s not supposed to be automatic to put new players in, especially if we’re talking about too many new staring 11-intended players, like this season.
Ekitike may be the player that can have immediate positive impact from the go, much like Van Dijk and Alisson, while Wirtz, Kerkez, Frimpong, Isak may start shining later on, whether that’s the final third of this season, or next season or the season after.
Previous signings had that as well, like Grav in his first season not being rated in his first season’s appearances, while becoming pivotal under Slot in last season’s title run. Szobo was underwhelming in the beginning, then last season more fans would realize his quiet but essential work, vital to our efficiency, and probably MVP so far in the opening stage of the season.
So again, the point I was trying to make is that it will probably take time, but I trust most signings to become successful here.
2 Likes
Thought our best performance was against Arse.
Thought Villa were quite poor excluding Rogers
3 Likes
Agree about Arsenal. But I think we made both teams look poor. Villa was in a good place before facing us, and they started the game well, almost scored early too, but for the post. We slowly started playing better, and made them play worse.
3 Likes
Wasn’t Oxlade-Chamberlain held back as well?
1 Like
Probably injured.
1 Like
I still scratch me head thinking about that signing.
1 Like
I was at that game. Thought we were there for the taking only Arsenal were cowards, and stuck to their defend and go all in on 20min corners approach
1 Like
Made the point in the summer that whilst we had brought a fair few in we only really needed one of the strikers to hit the ground running. The rest we could ease in if we felt we needed and actually we probably should have tried to. But then injuries and suspensions haven’t helped with any kind of phasing plans.
Macca makes a huge difference. No surprise Dom had one of his better games with Macca and Gravenberch behind him. Does beg the question where Wirtz is going to get his game time because right now Dom is first name on the team sheet.
2 Likes
Totally. Slot is in front of a challenge regarding where to fit him, given that Grav-Macca-Szobo are working well, and also LW where he has played before means that width has to be provided by a very attacking fullback, and needs to have great chemistry as a pair as well. Will he inevitably end up there?
For now I see him getting minutes/starts rotating with Macca or Szobo for AM in some games (to also provide rest when we play 2-3 times per week - when FA Cup games start at least) and with Gakpo for LW in others. I expect him to be a main starter in European games, and to slowly grow into a starter in the League, but as to which position he will settle, that remains to be seen.
You don’t watch Arsenal a lot do you….
That’s pretty much their game plan.
2 Likes