Two of the three players (other is Trent) that are getting murdered by the fans for their performances? Definitely trying to protect the players and trying to suggest the fans don’t see all the good these players also do. I always like to see Klopp’s comments through the lens of what he’s trying to transmit to the fans. In this case, it’s ‘yes Hendo and Fab have had bad moments this season, but they are also delivering in areas I’m asking for that you fans just don’t see.’
The midfield had been the conversation piece pretty much this entire season by the fans. Both those players I’d expect will remain at the club next season (makes little sense getting rid given the week be little genuine interest).
It was also a choice to bring in Melo so it was clear we were looking to bring a midfielder in the summer…why couldn’t we?
Why couldn’t we bring a midfielder in January in spite of Gakpo? No one’s asking for Jude in Jan, no one’s asking for Enzo in Jan. Why couldn’t we do a deal to bring someone like Joao Gomes or Carlos Alcaraz?
Sometimes I wonder whether anything is running through Trent’s head. There was an instance in the first half where the ball trickled to RB position, we had 3 LFC players around the ball and Virg has his arms or to his side’s giving the calming motion as in ‘there’s no pressure, just play the simple pass’. And Trent came charging in and put his laces through it. It may have been one of those inside out for-the-cameras side of the boot kicks that he does. Ball into the midfield straight to a lone city player, possession lost, Virg changing those hands or at his sides with a palms up ‘WTAF’ suggestion. I’m not happy with Virg’s attitude this season but that one was absolutely justified.
I realise bombing our FBs forward is our modus operandi, but the KDB tap-in only came about because Trent ventured forward, forcing Konate to slide across to RB leaving Virg and Robbo covering 3 players which they just couldn’t do. Is that a set plan? Is he meant to venture this far forward and spend so much time up there? Is his exertions as a FB best spent trying to press from the front or get back and even the numbers in defence? I would have far more faith in the process if this a directive Trent is giving himself than if that sort of action is coming from the gaffer.
As I say, the biggest problem Trent had right now is between the ears.
If the midfielders that fit your style of play plus have the attitude we require are not available, do you sign a player that doesn’t fit your style instead? Do you sign them on a 3 or 4 or 5 year contract? Knowing the player you really need (not want) will be coming in 12 months time, do you tell this temporary player that they their services will not be required in 12 months time?
If you didn’t take that route and you went the loan option, which midfielders of the necessary quality are available? Keeping in mind it’s very slim pickings of players good enough for LFC that a club would w be willing to temporarily pay with. I’d imagine RM would be the only club in the world capable and willing to do this but even they don’t have huge WC depth in midfielders.
We’re miles from that pit of despair. Sure, there’s an important Summer ahead given that we’ve effectively missed a window to refresh the midfield but we were in the hunt for 4 trophies last year. Got two, missed a title by a sports washing fantasy club now under investigation and fucked over by UEFA’s shit organisation in the last. Spurs have never been close to that.
And I’d still rather be straight financially than be another City. That is the level of my disdain for them
There was a really good piece in the Athletic a while back showing the shape we typically take when pressing. Once we’ve forced the ball wide the shape is normally the wide attacker cutting off the drop ball, the CF pinching in cutting off a square ball, the CM stepping in to the middle, and that leaves the FB to step up to contest the ball up the line, often as high as where you’d expect the wide forward to be.
That doesnt mean he was right in the specific situation you are calling out, but the point is that if our players are doing their job, but we dont win the ball back, there are lots of them, FBs included, who are going to look like they got caught too high up the pitch
Sort of. Overall losses (capped at 60-90 million euros) will be measured over a rolling 3 year period, but each year within those periods we’ll be limited to a certain percentage of revenue being spent on wages, signings and agents. Those new rules kick in this season with a cap of 70% spending of revenue and then scale back over the next fews days down to a cap of 50%.
I’m not having a dig at Gakpo, I’m just pointing out that the argument as to why we couldn’t bring in a midfielder in January was because of money. We could have cut short the Melo deal and got Sabitzer for example. Or offered £35m for Sangare instead of Gakpo. We made a choice to spend money elsewhere.
Klopp was adamant we didn’t need one until a couple of them picked up injuries. Then it’s a trolley dash to do a cut price deal. Even then we could have got Zakaria from Juve instead. Might not be as skilled but he’s a hell of a lot more durable.
Whole summer was a mess. Not ruthless enough with moving players on, not enough done to address weak areas. Piss poor preseason and piss poor adaptation to the struggles we’ve seen all season. On top of that, the attitude of some players has become embarrassing.
Get this season in the bin and never speak of it again. Aside from the United game of course.
