I gave Slot a lot of criticism last season, one thing he seems to have got spot on in hindsight was the use of Szoboszlai at right back when we were chasing a result late in the game. Szoboszlai has the energy, crossing ability and some semblance of composure youād want from a right back, which are not the qualities that Frimpong can offer. Iraola didnāt get that right yesterday.
I understand that heās still learning on the job, being a young coach who had never coached a club of this size and who had never coached in CL before. I just hope he doesnāt shirk subbing off the likes of Wirtz and Szoboszlai like he seemingly didnāt shirk leaving the likes of Gravenberch and Kerkez on the bench when they were not playing well.
To be fair to him, I imagine he came in and players like Grav and Szobo had good reputations and are being offered big contracts, so he was likely expecting big things. He“s now playing them, as you“d expect, but likely seeing that these hyped up players are actually not all that.
On Iraola, he was hyped up to a silly extent with people going on and on about his super duper tactics and looking for signs he will revolutionise us. However, from what I have seen so far, I like him. Straight talker, he hasn“t been scared to hook players or switch things up, and he seems to be aware of where our issues are, which is more than can be said for Slot. I think as things settle he will do reasonably well here. So far, despite the poor results, I am pretty satisfied with him other than not giving Nyoni much game time.
Iāll give him more than week or 3 to get it right. Our fan base is getting embarrassing. Go look at the pre match thread me and Hope picked it up. Expecting hattricks and so on for a team and players still learning is crazy. Maybe itās said in jest but a bit of acknowledgement that this is about 5% into a tenure would be welcomed.
If Iraola gets it right then we will soon be back.
Of course we have to give him time! This is now truly the post Klopp era. He has to try things out and find combinations that work and realise combinations that will not work. And weāre gonna have more games like this and thatās part of the learning process.
Jürgen Klopp remain the āGod of Anfieldā. As a German, i am very proud, that fans of LFC are āvergƶtternā my compatriot. About Andoni Iraola: I think, he need more time. Jurgen has guided Liverpool FC not directly to the success, but in the following years.
Klopp is just one of a kind, never to be replicated again. His biggest draw is inspiring confidence even in bad times and thatās why most of the fanbase love him through even results were not forthcoming.
It will be up to Iraola to replicate that in his own ways. This season I would think our expectations are at least back to CL, a good run to CL and if a cup win happens thatās a bonus. But ultimately what the fans need is to feel confident in the team even if we donāt win anything this season.