Roberto FIRMINO: 2020/21

Interesting, I didn’t notice that, one player at the time. I think he’s one of the best out there in terms of sheer sharing the game with players around him. Benzema is amazing in the linking up aspect. Very difficult to replace Bobby, yeah. He’s really unusual. Could be another, slightly different type of player for a similar role. Or as you say change the way our attack is structured, potentially with a pure number 9 (but who will also need to tick for boxes for Klopp, if that is when Klopp is still here!), but with different players around/behind him than now. We’ll see how it evolves, because even richer clubs can’t change it in one window.

So the famed atmosphere of Anfield, the extra-input of energy the fans give to the players, the chants and all that doesn’t mean anything to you?

I think that beyond folklore, all of this has a very real impact on what happens on the pitch.

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And when Jurgen came in and right from the start was demanding the fans get up and make an atmosphere, he was wasting his and everyone elses time?

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So this slump is all Jürgen’s fault.

Instead of forming a well-drilled unit capable of producing its best form on the pitch, irrespective of where or when we are playing, he has created a team of snowflakes who need to be mollycoddled by the home crowd or else fall apart.

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Typical internet arguement now

Both reasonable people just entrenched in a skewed view when we all know the truth is in the middle.

Boring.

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Yo Cynical… Just had to dig this out for ya…! :rofl:

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Jeff Goldblum What GIF by The Late Late Show with James Corden

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That GIF :rofl:

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Let’s see: most people contend that the team is elevated to more than the sum of its parts by the crowd.

The team has not been as good since the crowds were removed, as clearly demonstrated by our results.

Yet that is one of the most stupid things you’ve ever heard.

Okay. :+1:

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Swing and a miss.

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Its funny cos if some-one like Raheem Sterling had been playing crap for the best part of a year, like Firmino has been, then came out with the same shit that Firmino came out with about the lack of crowds affecting his game, we would be ridiculing Raheem for it,

In fact I would be the 1st to do,

but because its our Bobby who said it, some posters circle the wagon, and start making excuses for our £190,000 a week forward.

Bobby needs to sort himself out

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Nah, Klopp needs to sort this out. The false 9 worked for a few years and there might come some games where it will still work but in the near future we need a real #9.

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I read today that FIFA plans to allow clubs to keep certain players from joining their national teams in March. Specifically it will be Fab, Bobby, Ali and Jota, as Brazil and Portugal are on the “red list”.

It was also speculated LFC will not allow them to leave.

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Posted in the news thread and the Prem thread earlier,hope they stay here fit and safe.

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Good shout @Derecho. I missed that. I know playing for national teams is a big deal for many players, and evidently the March matches are critical for Brazil but I worry about letting the boys go.

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we are circling the wagons because this is what he said;

“Especially for the Liverpool team, which has always been very… I won’t say dependent on the fans, but it made a lot of difference. Playing with the fans, the feeling is incredible. The adrenaline, the atmosphere they give us. They’re certainly one more player on the pitch. But we can’t make excuses for that. We already adapted, we’re used to it. Anyway, of course we pray for that, we believe it will soon pass and they’ll return to the stadiums to encourage us and help us on the pitch.”

i dont understand whats to be so offended about, surely we arent that bored that we feel the need to misinterpret the above statement from one of our own players?

i wouldnt be teeing off on Raheem if he said the same thing word for word…(id probably be laughing becuase even a Citeh player wouldnt make that stretch)

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Of course it makes a difference,and if it makes a difference to enough players it can then affect the teams performances.Players can feel energised when cheered on.When the lockdown came in last march i felt we would be one of the teams most hit by it but all you have to do is look at results throughout the top flight this season to see how all teams have to one degree or another been affected by the loss of fans on matchdays.The lockoutout of supporters has,imo,been a hugh equaliser.Matches now feels more like 11 v 11 where on any given day the bottom sides can beat the top teams.

Below is from last April and seems to now be born out as the season is starting to take its toll on players who usually run their socks off and are now finding it a bit more difficult and could do witht the extra energy and push that the Anfield crowd gives them.

Lack of Anfield crowd is the biggest plus point for Liverpool’s Premier League rivals next term

  • The Community Shield against Arsenal will be played in front of empty stands at Wembley on August 29
  • Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will be most affected by continued lack of supporters in Premier League grounds next season

Tony Evans

Published: 6:00pm, 14 Aug, 2020

Bill Shankly used to say that the Spion Kop end of Anfield was able to ‘suck the ball into the net’. That’s the kind of advantage Liverpool will likely have to do without next season. Photo: AP

Bill Shankly used to say that the Spion Kop end of Anfield was able to ‘suck the ball into the net’. That’s the kind of advantage Liverpool will likely have to do without next season. Photo: AP

Liverpool have all the advantages going into the new season except for one thing. The crowd. Support has been a huge factor in the success of Jurgen Klopp’s team. The way they draw energy from the supporters gives real meaning to the phrase “on song”.

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Well City’s players have had years of not playing in front of fans tbh.

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to be honest, id drop him and play Sadio and Salah upfront in a two.

quite a few reasons why thats not a great front two in the traditional sense, but with the extra man in midfield you might get more from alcantara, and you might get more space for Mo and Sadio to work in.

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Truth be told he’s been poor for ages. Christmas 2019 saw a return to form, over the space of about 5 games he was sensational, but before that not so much. After that, the odd great game here or there mixed in with a load of second rate ones.

There seems to be a thing with Bobby where if you criticise him it’s a case of not being able to understand his role in the team. You just don’t get him because he’s unconventional. In recent times, it’s been much closer to the truth to say he’s just playing rubbish football.

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