Jürgen Kop

[G-Dragon]

Come back when you've sobered up mate. The aforementioned players would've certainly bolstered the squad just fine.

tbf I don't even know half the everton squad, forget the bench

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

The two of the usual top six who will be missing out on top four this season are going to be stronger than they've been in ages. To be honest, so far this season, all of the top six have been as good as you'd expect a team finishing 3rd-ish* (Chelsea excluded of course).

No in fact Chelsea also, they just hit a ridiculous vein of form.




* For a typical 3rd-ish team, think Chelsea in 08/09 and 13/14. Arsenal 09/10.

Edit: For more reference points actually think United during those barren years leading up to Fergie's kind of final surge as a manager. Every team in the top six is basically as good as you were back then.

At what point does a "ridiculous vein of form" become "having a really good season" coz we've lost one in twenty (more than half a seasons worth of games) and a tally of 63 points from 26 games has only been bettered once in the last decade from what I can tell...

Not convinced Liverpool have a particular problem with squad depth to be honest. That forum post you quoted contains the following...

We basically have a squad of around 13/14 players that Klopp seems to rate and they’ve been run into the ground, you cannot expect to get performances out of the same, small group of players all season. Our bench last night was a joke and Ben Woodburn coming on last night when we’re chasing the game makes a mockery of the ‘no-one good enough out there available’ over the winter.

...but this seems a bit daft. Getting performances out of a small group of players all season is exactly what Conte's done at Chelsea. The first XI barely changes from week to week, bar Willian sometimes coming in for Pedro and Fabregas occasionally appearing in place of Matic. If you don't have the added burden of European competition then it's difficult to see how players can have been "run into the ground", especially when a lot of them aren't even appearing in domestic cup contests! Can't imagine for one minute that the top guys at Liverpool have played any more minutes than the top guys at the other big clubs. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think that squad depth can be an issue (and the fact that Lucas Leiva is currently first choice CB would suggest poor planning or bad luck) but I'm not sure that Liverpool are notably lacking in comparison to other big clubs, or that this provides a very compelling explanation for their current malaise.

 

[G-Dragon]

 

[GodsGift]

Can you do one for your record against the bottom 10 mate?

 

[G-Dragon]

Can you do one for your record against the bottom 10 mate?

Its not that bad tbh. CBA though

 

[shane]

At what point does a "ridiculous vein of form" become "having a really good season" coz we've lost one in twenty (more than half a seasons worth of games) and a tally of 63 points from 26 games has only been bettered once in the last decade from what I can tell...

Not convinced Liverpool have a particular problem with squad depth to be honest. That forum post you quoted contains the following...



...but this seems a bit daft. Getting performances out of a small group of players all season is exactly what Conte's done at Chelsea. The first XI barely changes from week to week, bar Willian sometimes coming in for Pedro and Fabregas occasionally appearing in place of Matic. If you don't have the added burden of European competition then it's difficult to see how players can have been "run into the ground", especially when a lot of them aren't even appearing in domestic cup contests! Can't imagine for one minute that the top guys at Liverpool have played any more minutes than the top guys at the other big clubs. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think that squad depth can be an issue (and the fact that Lucas Leiva is currently first choice CB would suggest poor planning or bad luck) but I'm not sure that Liverpool are notably lacking in comparison to other big clubs, or that this provides a very compelling explanation for their current malaise.

Very good post.

The only thing I would point out is that Chelsea have been fortunate with injuries this season. I say that with reference to the need for squad depth rather than trying to say they're lucky to be where they are.

We've had injuries to key players which happens to everyone but we don't have adequate replacements in the squad and have suffered as a result. One can claim its unlucky to get the injuries in the first place. And no club has a like for like replacement in each position but our dependence on Henderson being fit or having to play Lucas at CB is something the club should have foreseen.

 

[Pagnell]

Any fatigue issues Liverpool have stems more from playing style than minutes played.

 

[Bilo]

Any fatigue issues Liverpool have stems more from playing style than minutes played.

Of course, but going a full season without your key players getting injured takes some luck. Losing key players to the extent we have is pretty much business as usual, but Chelsea have been very lucky in that regard.

 

[DontBringBertie]

How's the Klopp effect going these days then? Is it still "Rodgers' team" despite Rodgers having a better record than him?

 

[G.B]

careful mate

 

[Abertawe]

I like Klopp head but he needs to get this ball rolling before very legitimate questions are asked about him & LFC as a whole. There's no reason apart from poor leadership that Tottenham should be levels above them which as it stands is the case. Liverpool seem intent on dropping points and having to go on big runs to make up the difference. That's just not sustainable to success. Every now & then they'll fluke it like that slip season but it can't progress them long term. It might not be long before they become Everton level in all honesty.

 

[G.B]

careful mate

 

[johnnytodd]

Crazy tactics manager his style wins nothing only 5 aside match.

 

[snortingfrogs]

Plan B.

 

[Smally]

He gets the fans to love his personality. But there's still a lot more he could do to make Liverpool better. Rodgers had Suarez, Klopp doesn't have anyone near that level, so I think will get through the season without bigger questions asked.

 

[SALTIRE]

The squad is underperforming at the moment, but even once they settle down again, I think its looking fairly obvious that Liverpool will be competing for the last CL berth with Spurs and Arsenal, and thats disappointing that even this early, we don't look like title contenders. Ach well, next year is our year!

 

[johnnytodd]

The squad is underperforming at the moment, but even once they settle down again, I think its looking fairly obvious that Liverpool will be competing for the last CL berth with Spurs and Arsenal, and thats disappointing that even this early, we don't look like title contenders. Ach well, next year is our year!

Title contenders? Is this serious post as my friend tells me he has put his 3 childs through school since Liverpool last wona the league

 

[Pagnell]

Rentacliche.

 

[johnnytodd]

I think the best Klopp can do is win the cup FA

 

[Pagnell]

Well, the Cup League is certainly question the out of.

 

[SALTIRE]

Title contenders? Is this serious post as my friend tells me he has put his 3 childs through school since Liverpool last wona the league

Just because its been a while suggests they can't ever challenge? And you support Inter as well...

 

[G-Dragon]

BELIEVER!

 

[smat]

The squad is underperforming at the moment, but even once they settle down again, I think its looking fairly obvious that Liverpool will be competing for the last CL berth with Spurs and Arsenal, and thats disappointing that even this early, we don't look like title contenders. Ach well, next year is our year! [emoji38]

ahahahahhaha

 

[johnnytodd]

Just because its been a while suggests they can't ever challenge? And you support Inter as well...

I agree they have a piece of chance but i dont think the system works for long season success

 

[SALTIRE]

I agree they have a piece of chance but i dont think the system works for long season success

That, I agree with.

 

[JimJams]

A piece of a chance. Not even a full chance. Bloody hell. Wee baws.

 

[Son of Cod]

That perfectly fine Klopp being tactically clueless thread got closed, so I'll use here to post Lee Dixon's thoughts on Liverpool's latest set piece goal conceded. He was basically asking why hasn't Okazaki been picked up. He said he is very confident that Liverpool aren't being drilled well enough in the boring training ground exercises, such as practicing defending corners over and over again. That they aren't being told about which opposing players do what and stand where on corners. My question to Lee Dixon, if I could get one to him, would be why on Earth would Klopp be concerned about such trivial matters when there are still attacking midfielders that need to be bought?

 

[Pagnell]

In 5th place despite playing pretty shit in virtually every league game so far. Can't grumble, but still big questions.

Fighting for that 4th spot again is the aim for me judging by what I've seen so far, along with Spurs and Arsenal. Which ia a disappointment as it means we have stood still at best. We won't compete with City and Chelsea for the title. United to finish 3rd.

 

[Son of Cod]

In 5th place despite playing pretty shit in virtually every league game so far. Can't grumble, but still big questions.

Fighting for that 4th spot again is the aim for me judging by what I've seen so far, along with Spurs and Arsenal. Which ia a disappointment as it means we have stood still at best. We won't compete with City and Chelsea for the title. United to finish 3rd.

Genuine question but do Liverpool fans still seriously start each season thinking they're in with a shot at the title? I mean honestly, deep down? No forum bravado or face saving. Do you look at your squad and think that that defence can possibly do the job?

 

[Pagnell]

Genuine question but do Liverpool fans still seriously start each season thinking they're in with a shot at the title? I mean honestly, deep down? No forum bravado or face saving. Do you look at your squad and think that that defence can possibly do the job?

I don't believe we can win it, the defensive quality simply isn't there and we will ultimately fall short. But I do believe we should be able to compete for it, which for me has always meant being with a realistic mathematical shot with 3-4 games to go. We have done that more than once in recent years. We should have been in that position had we pushed on this summer and taken advantage of our CL qualification. But we didn't so here we are. Again.