Yeah, the squad always mirrors the boss. Unfortunately, he hasn’t looked the relaxed, friendly and funny character he was until last spring. Now, he’s a totally different guy, and that has to reflect on the way the lads play. Pressure going to Klopp’s head, a few unreflected comments like his 5-subs rant, and then it’s going down into the players’ heads.
Looking at our players, especially the forwards, football isn’t a game for them anymore, but something way more serious, too serious. Look at Bobby’s face, or at Salah. There is far less enjoyment, even when they score a goal. The celebrations aren’t the same anymore. Tonight, they felt the pressure, and logically struggled to finish their chances.
Well, I hope you are right but IMO he just misses the finest to play for Liverpool, needs to much time on the ball, loves to run with it and looking to the ball instead of over the ball where the free players are. For now simply not good enough, hope he proves me wrong but for now he should train with the squad and play in the U23.
Yet another 2 points dropped, yet another disappointing outcome, despite chances after chances. Are we reverting back to the days that we could not beat teams from the bottom half of the table? Let’s hope not.
For most of the match, our midfleld was static. The sharpness in ball distribution was missing. Without the usual 1st team defence, we did not get quick forward balls from Fabinho and Nat Phillips. No more “route 1” style of attack, which added more pressure on the midfield. Surprisingly, even Hendo was off as well.
Our front 3 were huffing, and puffing, but did not blew the house of the barcodes down. So many chances once again, but the clinical finish that we saw against Palace, disappeared in this and the last match.
Once the subs of Gini and Thiago came on, we were having a lot more bite in our attack, but unfortunately 30 minutes were not enough in this case.
With today’s 0-0 finished, although we are still 3-points in front, the chasing packs are way too close for comfort, with some with a game or two in hand.
Once again, difficult to pick 3 outstanding players from a match with no goals and wasteful chances. Here they are anyways:
Fabinho: Reasonable solid at the back, made important interceptions and blocks, one he decided to perform a hip check like we ice hockey lovers like to see, which led to a yellow card.
Robbo: I was really worried when his calf and heel got raked by so many studs, but the tough Scot got on after some treatment, still with fire (or frustration) near the end of the match, went mano a mano against someone with a full head taller.
Ali: Did not have anything much to do, and gave us some scares in getting rid of the ball. When he was called upon, he made a massive save so that the barcodes did not have a smash and grab.
Massive shout out to 2 of the subs. Gini and Thiago coming on to give us some liveliness.
Yes, I agree. He’s had a really good first spell in the team. It would do him good to start a few from the bench, especially if Thiago is going to be able to start games.
But Dutch was saying he should be sent back down the the U23s. Why stop there? Let’s fucking tar and feather the lad as well?
He’s a first team players and he’s done better than anyone could hope for. A couple of quiet games is not a crime.
I’ve got a feeling there’s some teams behind us who are very hungry and want to steal our desert if we don’t get back to a killer instinct. We can and should play better.
Did anyone genuinely believe we would be top of the League going into January when all the Injuries hit, I didn’t, I was just hoping to stay in touch.
Now we have Thiago back, who looks boss BTW
Hopefully sign a CB in the next few weeks.
Yes the last few games are disappointing, but what the club have achieved against the adversity this season is miraculous, I have faith they are going to kick on in 2021 and get stronger
Even if his distribution were good, the midfielders on display couldn’t use the ball properly. If Thiago had started or came on earlier, perhaps that could have changed.
Oh and BTW, I gave MotM to Becker, we would have lost without him and also to Thiago who showed us in the short time he played what a creative midfielder looks like.
Don’t deny that but he was there whenever called upon. Crucial saves against Palace before we marched ahead, then did very well against West Brom and on crucial moments he has been at his best. Front 3 is what worries me and Klopp’s substitutions are too late. This season he is reacting late rather than taking the initiative. Recent example were last two games - Waited for 80 minutes before bringing in Ox/Shaq when the game was crying for a long range shooter and they could have finished atleast 1 of 2/3 free kicks from very promising positions. Same today, the midfield was static and he could have started with Ox/Shaq and moved Milner to RB instead of Trent who has been disappointing and deserves to be dropped.
Just watching the Amazon best saves of the year, and think Alisson could have been in the running for that if he’d started out stood in the wrong place like these lads.
