16 Apr 2024 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Crystal Palace - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

1.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 08:51:11
Cheers Ed01. Interesting reading, as always. I don't agree that we were more intense when we had "the kids" playing. Im not sure what kids you are referring to in particular. We've been scraping out results for a long time and this falling off a cliff has been on the cards for ages. I'm just amazed that we've stayed in the running for as long as we have.

{Ed001's Note - Danns, Clark etc. How can you not agree when it was clear?}

2.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 09:44:41
Ed001, I also think we've lacked intensity since more of the senior players returned. I thought Bradley, Quansah and Elliott were really driving us forward at times. Konate, Gomez, Szoboszlai and Salah are making us so weak down the right side of the pitch as they're just not at it. We do miss Clark, Danns and McConnell to a lesser extent (due to less game time) but I agree they were also really on it in the cup competitions.

We need to give those 6 young lads more game time again. Along with Jones to be fair, who looks fired up after returning from injury. Konate, Gomez, Szobo and Salah probably need to be dropped now in my opinion. It's probably not a lack of effort, but more form and fitness.

{Ed001's Note - I hate to say it but Salah really hasn't looked right all season. It is hard to see how he can keep his place.}

3.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 09:54:05
Great review Ed001. I love Klopp and he basically got us out of the horrible downward trajectory we were on before he came.

However he's looking more burnt out these days and the reliance on Pep Ls tactics has been his biggest issue in recent times. I'm sceptical we will be as good without him but perhaps it is time for a refresh and maybe Amorims tactics can get the best out of Nunez?

I have to admit I'm very gutted we aren't getting Xabi Alonso for next season but I think he's doing the right thing for his own career and has a long time left as manager.

{Ed001's Note - it does look like it is time for a refresh, much as I hate the thought of Klopp leaving. He deserves to walk away on his own terms.}

4.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 10:20:32
Great review as usual Ed1. Its concerning that both players and Klopp himself look mentally and physically exhausted. And at the worst possible moment in the season. I do agree that the return of injured players suddenly making us a worse team than when most of our players are out injured. Its baffling really. I got really mad when Trent come in and go straight to the middle when out wide is where we needed him. Its like early season when he keep drifting inside and we struggling to beat teams.

{Ed001's Note - it is what Trent has been trained and instructed to do, but it makes little sense to me when the way to beat compact defences is to use the width and draw them out or hit the byline and cross from there where they are as likely to knock the ball into the goal as an attacker.}

5.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 10:45:23
How many games did Danns and Clark start together? I was at the Southampton game and the scoreline flattered us.

6.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 11:01:09
Great read, Ed. You said it all, man. For a moment during the season there (and maybe due to the enthusiasm and energy of the kids) we were pressing teams high, causing mistakes and creating chances and scoring goals (even tho, the finishing needed more work) and all was going well. Not sure while we reverted to the slow-poke type possession footie that did not work and has never worked YET we kept doing it.

Also, I and many on here have been sick of this ability of our team to spot the oppo. a goal in the first 10 mins near all season. It seemed like EVERYONE could see this as a problem long term yet the staff either could not address it or could not be arsed. Well, the issue with that is that even tho, we were rescuing games, there is only so much water in that well cos when it dries up, this is what you get.

As for Klopp, he will leave us an absolute legend and transformational manage, I have no doubt. I hate to see it end this way however, in the last 18 months or so, he is responsible for what has happened here and has to take the L for now. Will he and the players turn things around? We are about to find that out, ASAP.

7.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 11:24:26
Ed01 who would you play on the right wing for the remainder of the season? Elliott, Szobo, Diaz?

Salah has been completely ineffective since he returned from Afcon, as have others returning from injury. Really hope Jurgen switches things up from the tried and tested (line up-wise and tactic-wise) . Won't hold my breath though.

{Ed001's Note - Szobo or Elliott would go in for now anyway, that wouldn't mean they would stay there all season, just to take Salah out. He may just need that jolt to get him going again.}}

8.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 11:40:43
I love Endo for what he brings in certain games Ed so would it not be wise to find someone that can bring all the elements to the holding midfield role.
I mean someone with more technical ability so they can receive the ball in tight spaces.
Endo does the simple things well but when under pressure, lacks the technical ability and awareness to deal with this.

{Ed001's Note - like who?}

9.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 11:42:14
Ed, you mention a lot about the lack of high press, high intensity. Who would be the best manager to bring those specific qualities back?

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea off the top of my head.}

10.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 11:53:26
Good read Ed001. IMO we've had a good look at Diaz now over the past few seasons and it's obvious that the end product isn't there in the numbers we need. He's one player we should move on and replace for 24/ 25.

11.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 12:15:04
Regrettably I think time has caught up with Salah. I think we need to move him on in the summer along with Diaz and bring in two new quality younger wide players.

12.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 12:18:29
Klopp and pep get talked about for the tactics but what about Peter Krawietz he’s must have a say in it as well. Have all three taken there eye off the ball.

13.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 12:37:51
At half time I said take Konate off, Endo to centre half and TAA holding.
Salah off and either Szoboszlai or Elliott to replace him. The Bradley injury wouldn't have helped but it was even worse with Sunday's team.
We had Szob and an out of sorts Salah covering the right hand side and it wasn't enough.

I still want to see Szoboszlai further forward because I'm yet to be convinced by him as an out and out midfielder. The comparisons with Gerrard are fanciful, to say the least. I agree with the review about Diaz. He just doesn't do enough for me and the number of times he loses the ball and then commits a foul is infuriating.

14.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 12:44:15
I wouldn't have a clue Ed. Is there anyone you can think of?
I mean Fabinho was brilliant here.
I notice we are trying to play the ball around teams for an example, like a stretchy elastic band. This is fine but then we need someone to pass and break the lines, someone on the half term who can receive in tight spaces. Players are also far too static in my opinion. I like to see players play a pass and follow it, set and go again. This has happened less and less in recent games.
Its a tough watch at the minute.

{Ed001's Note - I would play Trent there personally, when Bradley is fit.}

15.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 12:48:12
One more thing I would add is the seemingly lack of urgency.

Correct me if I am wrong, but what I noticed during corners is that Konate and VVD would stroll up the pitch, when what we need is for the game to speed up. Palace are taking a minute every goal kick and throw in (earlier in season players are getting booked for taking 10 seconds, but seems the ref are totally ignorant of time wasting now. Hopeless)

Recall seeing VVD evening guesturing for Robbo to slow down/ wait for them to amber into the box at the start of the 2nd half when we were trailing.

{Ed001's Note - that was very frustrating. You would think they would bust a gut to get up and get on with it.}

16.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 13:30:00
Yeah, perhaps. Defensively enough minded, I'm not sure but definitely has the ability when fizzing balls through the lines.
Time will tell. Cheers Ed.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

17.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 13:41:22
Quality over speed. I'm all for them taking a moment to ensure best execution of the set piece.

What if they rush it, screw it up and get hit with a goal on counter attack?

No, calm heads and clear thought. It takes a second to score a goal.

{Ed001's Note - so they can't jog forward to get in the box rather than stroll? Not sure how that would stop it being the right execution.}

18.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 15:02:39
I don't want Trent anywhere near the holding midfield role, personally. We need him back marauding down the right, putting in crosses. Where that leaves Bradley, I'm not sure. Regards to Endo, he's served a purpose this season, but he gets caught on the ball far too often and he's not the future. Regards to who takes his place, I've no idea. However, we employ a team of scouts who I'm sure are working on it as we speak. There are thousands of footballers, across the world. I'm sure there's someone out there.

While I'm on a role, I agree with those who think Salah's time has come to go. He isn't half the player he used to be, sadly. Who we get to replace him? See answer above.

19.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 15:04:15
Edd001 disagree with you on robbo. He made some great deliveries especially first half and seemed like our only outlet going forward. He delivered a great ball in which Diaz should have scored. Robbo also saved virgs slip clearing the ball of the line which i had hoped would have been the turning point. Second half i can't remember who was our best player to be honest because it was shocking to watch the same performance with a title to play for. Robbo could have fell off but he and allison stood out definitely for me.
On elliot, i couldn't agree more and was p. ed off seeing everyonelse come on and it took until the 82nd minute to put him on. An actual match winner for us . Just crazy on klopps part. For some reason i have thought klopp sees him elliot abut like minamino. It's a personality thing. I could be wrong but that's where maybe under the next manager elliot stops just appreciating being there and really shows he deserves to start ahead of others.

20.) 16 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 18:27:40
Glad you made that comment about the byline Ed. As far as going forward goes, it is the one thing i absolutely cannot understand or abide by.

City score an unbelievable amount of goals by getting to the byline and cutting the ball back, something which we never ever do. It is clear the management don't instruct the players to do this, and that seemingly our forwards are either too incompetent or too poorly coached to do it.

I am not a tactical genius by any stretch but it appears to me that getting the ball to the byline quickly and cutting back before the opposition can prepare is the most reliable and easiest way for the top teams to score. I feel like this was something we tried to do at our peak but i can't remember the last goal of that kind we scored.

21.) 17 Apr 2024
16 Apr 2024 23:10:21
A great read Ed1, saw it was posted this morning but saved it for getting home, many thanks mate.

You know, it makes me think back to the start of the season I'm pretty sure you were the one saying Lijnders' tactics wouldn't work out for us in the long run and I also seem to remember many people not agreeing. Well, fair play mate because you were bloody spot on from the off.

I'm gutted with how things have turned out at the last hurdle, absolutely bloody gutted. I know it's not over and I'm probably speaking out of turn but I can't see us winning anything now mate, not this season.

One thing on my mind was Gomez, would you start him on the left instead of Robbo? reason I say it is because when he did play there he was absolutely fantastic! don't get me wrong I love Robbo and in no way slating him but when I think of the two and who is better in the position, surely it's Gomez?

Hope you are well Ed1 mate. Thanks again, always appreciate your time to write these.

{Ed001's Note - I hope I will be proven wrong at the end of the season when we lift the Premier League.

I would stick with Robbo personally, Gomez does not offer enough attacking threat and on the left is always looking to come inside when we need width.}