22 Jan 2017 11:07:28
Everything was ticking along quite nicely until missing Coutinho, Henderson, Mane and Matip at various times / lengths over Xmas and New Year.

That disruption's clearly damaged and it can't be coincidence that a poor run of form followed, but it doesn't make Klopp, the players or the owners - who are getting stick again, rubbish overnight.

If nothing else, Klopp's 'team' philosophy surely demands better, but a bit of patience and perspective instead of demanding instant gratification as of right would be nice.

But then again these pages might get boring. Or maybe not.

1.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 12:45:11
I see way your saying but u need a squad to cope with these injurys we don't at tge moment who replaces mane hendo matip no one that's why arsenal Chelsea have better depth forvthis situation

2.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 12:56:18
good assesment, tho we have dropped too many points by playing players out of position with Mane missing games . take Firmino and Lalana, they are not so effective being played out wide, so our squad is too thin, we should have another wide man, who is responsible for that .
these dropped points means that any thoughts of winning the premiership have now gone, its making the top four now, and that is becoming more difficult now .
Klopps reluctance to buy a top player, to increase our chances of top four might be a negative factor .
we can only keep playing our best till Mane comes back, cos we have 3 or 4 players who are bang average .

3.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 13:14:47
Not sure if injuries are the only reason for our 'dip in form'
There are 2 players I think are mainly not performing, they are Klavan and Can. This is not about blame, but I have seen better from mainly Can - but they play in vital roles and it is impacting the team - especially in our high energy pressing game, as others have to work harder to compensate.
Another thing as we all know, teams who defend in numbers and rely on counter attacking have proven success against us. Maybe Klopps main tactic has been figured out? Maybe our high energy pressing game is tiring the players out?
I'm no expert, just some ovservations and questions - any ideas all?

4.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 13:29:41
You could add Lallana to that list of missing players too, putting him out on the flanks ruins him.
It's plain to see how important Mane is to us, with the natural width and pace he offers. Apart from us not being good enough defensively, my biggest critisms of Klopp is that he doesn't have an additional wide man in the squad.
Certainly not badgering the players, but I would gladly see one of Sturridge or Origi leave the club in order to make space for another wide man.
Our first eleven is very good, but we lack in depth big time

5.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 13:58:00
I think it's a bit pointless not buying a player in January when we are in top 4 to buy a player in the summer to try get back into the top 4, what a wasted opportunity!

6.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 14:38:08
But is our system to rIgid and positions fixed for players quickly switching from pressing to attacking.
Has Klopp got a plan B?
Against Burnley, Bournemouth, Swansea etc. We attacked using the same moves, players making the same runs. It was so repetitive.

And our game has to be played at a really high tempo to force the opposing players into a mistake.
If this tempo drops so does the effectiveness of the system and the other team gets on top.
Yesterday we didn't hit top tempo till we were 2 down.

7.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 15:28:34
Take your points and it does frustrate me that we've got the highest goals against in the top 4, by far, despite regularly having among the highest possession in the league (haven't checked, just my impression) with fewest attempts on goal (same again) .

Yes Can slows down our play, but so did Lallana until recently. Hopefully Can's young and intelligent enough to learn. If he isn't/ doesn't then I expect he'll be moved on, shake his hand and keep trying to progress. He does need out of the spotlight for a little while though.

For me the players need to be cleverer in recognising the opponents tactics and flaws as a game goes on, yesterday being a prime example (more width, less funneling), as does Klopp. Watching the game I couldn't help but think that Ojo stretching them up front with Lallana subbing Can in the middle wouldn't have been better.

There is, and was, clearly room for improvement, but in my view they're tweaks rather than Klopp just being flat out wrong or certain players or even the owners being junk.

8.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 15:50:03
We're also not playing some personnel in the right positions. Firmino was, due to Coutinho's injury, moved to the left - but he does not function at all well there and is a shadow of the player he is up front. The same can be said of Lallana on the right- loses all of his quality and influence he has playing in the middle. Honestly, whether they are quite ready or not, it would be worth giving some of the U23's game time there - it would be beneficial to the system we play and, more than any individual, it is the system that has brought us the good results this season. When players have been shoehorned into positions that does not suit them the system has not looked anywhere near as effective.

9.) 22 Jan 2017
22 Jan 2017 16:07:30
I must say our positioning in the 'zonal marking' is poor at best, I maintain my long standing stance and that is I personally can't stand 'zonal marking' and that forme is letting us down. Can is also well below par at present, we need him to switch on.

Positives:
Glad to see Mignolet is performing.
Our attacking players are class.
Klopp is still our manager thankfully.
We are still well in the running for top 4.
I am sure this is just an accute dip in form.