06 May 2024 07:35:14
Much better yesterday. 3 key things for me that changed our fortunes.
1) Trent back playing as an actual right back and holding the width.
2) Going back to the midfield that saw us playing our best football this season (Endo, Macca and Elliott) . If only we'd done it sooner instead of persisting with Jones and Szoboszlai who've just looked miles off it since coming back from injury.
3) Gakpo and Diaz interchanging throughout the game, so Gakpo was on the ball more in his preferred wider role and as a result looked arguably the best player on the pitch (along with Elliott) .
Went a bit to pot after the substitutions disrupted our flow but we'd already done the damage so it ultimately didn't matter. It's almost certainly too little too late this season (barring a quite spectacular implosion from both Arsenal and City) but hopefully we can end on something of a high by carrying this performance into the final 2 games.
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06 May 2024 01:29:00
Konate
Genuine question here for the Eds or anyone.
Why is Klopp starting Quansah over Konate?
I've been so impressed with Quansah, young lad who has come in and done an incredible job for us. I know he's made a few mistakes but that's to be expected with his age.
Konate, a French international, possible injury issues, has been rotated with mid week games. Should have played more Premier League games with his physicality, as Ed.001 suggested, with Quansah in Europe.
Without Matip and with Gomez essentially being L/ R back cover, we have gone through the season with basically 3 centre backs.
However, we haven't played since West Ham, over a week since our last game. Why is Quansah above Konate?
{Ed001's Note - because he is better on the ball.}
06 May 2024 03:35:31
I think Quansah has played amazingly well thus far. His first season of top flight football and he does not look out of place at all. In fact, I dare say that he has played his way from being 5th choice CB to being 2nd/ 3rd choice. If he was playing for another club, we were all be putting his name forward as a potential signing for us. He does have his faults but he is going from strength to strength and if he keeps clear of injuries, I can definitely see him as our long-term CB.
I love Konate but his injuries are a concern. Especially so for CBs where partnership is so important. It's no surprise that Arsenal have been playing well when they have an assured CB partnership of Gabriel and Saliba. Maybe that's something that we need to look into after the season ends - who our 1st choice would be moving forward instead of rotating between Quansah and Konate.
06 May 2024 06:46:01
My personal feeling is that our defence has suffered massively through the level of rotation that Klopp has insisted on. Pick your favoured CB partnership and play it as often as you possibly/ reasonably can. Only then will we tighten up how many goals we concede.
I get Konate has injury options but how can he possibly build form and momentum being in and out of the team.
06 May 2024 06:55:10
Changingofthegvardiol (reference to rival player in username? )
Konate doesn’t deserve to start. He is unfit to be a starting center back at any club because he can’t keep himself in good shape or injury-free for a reasonable length of time. It’s absolutely not good enough from both him and our medical team.
Let Quansah be the starting CB alongside Virgil and see if Konate has it within him to win his place back. He is a better player (at the moment) than Quansah, but good CB partnerships are rarely about the quality of individuals solely.
06 May 2024 07:24:46
Quansah plays because he's better in every aspect other than recovery pace and 1v1 defending. His positioning is better, he can actually head the ball in the intended direction, he reads the game better, he carries the ball forward better, he has a better passing range, he is less rash when stepping out to meet the ball, he actually wins headers at set pieces instead of shirking responsibility and leaving them all the Virgil etc. I really think Quansah is the best player we've produced since Trent and I highly doubt he's going anywhere short or long term.
Konate for me does not justify a starting role. To be honest he is near impossible to beat 1v1 but there's not much else good to his game. He's not a CB you win major titles with in my opinion because he doesn't have a football brain or composure. We need to be ruthless if we want to progress and he was a £36m mistake. Why on earth did we sign an injury prone CB who played in a back 3?
Quansah arguably has too much composure and sometimes he just needs to get rid or play the easier pass, but that is a learnable thing. You can't really coach a lot of things Konate is lacking so he'll never be elite. It would not surprise me if Slot pushes Konate out within 12 months, because he is more possession orientated than Klopp, and Konate is not a player you want to be giving the ball to under pressure.
Gomez probably won't be far behind either as he's even slower and less aware on the ball. His laziness also let Spurs back into the game last night. Robbo had Kulusevski and Johnson on toast and within minutes of coming on Gomez let them in behind from a simple straight pass, to square for a tap in. Average defenders have been allowed to fester in our squad for far too long because Virgil has carried them, but he's too old to do that now and he needs to be able to focus on his own game because he is struggling. He needs some bloody help. Matip has been his only half decent partner throughout Klopp's tenure and he's about as robust as a poppadum.
05 May 2024 21:57:06
Did anyone see ang give klopp a baggy in the tunnel? Good gear he said 😂.
05 May 2024 23:21:29
🤣🤣 He certainly gave him something in the tunnel before kick off anyway. We never seem to have any width so, maybe he gave him a winger?
05 May 2024 20:20:05
Good day Eds and Reds, concerning the match today it was a joy to watch except the last fifteen minutes of the game, but what I observed is that the players look well up for the game (maybe due to the long rest we had), but to me it is not a coincidence that we played well today without having any mid-week fixture to contend with.
I'm not saying the players are not capable, but it has been a long journey from the beginning of the season trying to shuttle between competitions, to me that resulted in our decline, though I'm disappointed the way the end of the season has played out but I couldn't be more proud of them (players).what I will say is bring on next season, because I can't wait to see a fresh start from the players and the new manager,all the same thanks to the gaffer (klopp) for what he has done to the club and the city, you will surely be missed, once a legend always a legend jurgen.
05 May 2024 21:37:08
I had a great day!
Elliott was boss.
Quansah cool as a cucumber.
Gakpo had a good game.
Mac Allister was gash.
But seeing the return of Bajcetic (who was also totally off the pace) was a joy. He’s a big part of our future - trust me.
05 May 2024 21:45:39
Trent playing as an actual right back made the world of difference.
05 May 2024 21:53:13
Midweek games are to be expected at a club like Liverpool.
It's also a quandary keeping players fresh and asking them to play heavy metal football. You sprint at the end of the marathon not throughout it.
{Ed014's Note - you should tell that to the marathon world record holder whose average speed during the race is 13.1mph
05 May 2024 21:54:36
Robertson. World class that guy.
05 May 2024 21:58:20
Bajcetic was absolutely shocking, should have made that sub with 10 mins to go in hindsight. Not his fault at all but yeah well off match fitness. Can’t wait to see him next season after a summer of finding his feet.
05 May 2024 22:26:06
Glad you guys had a geat day out. Saw the game and frankly, we were brilliant all game till the changes were rung in and we lost our way. All in all in terms of chances created, we deserved the win and Spurs only got in when we rung in the changes hence, the tempo cooled down a bit.
05 May 2024 16:11:44
Just seen the news about Bernard Hill terribly sad our Yosser gone but not forgotten fly high mate will always remember High Park street and the afraid you'll be terrified in a minute line stuck with me cause it resonated tears in me eyes we lost another good man today.
05 May 2024 20:16:14
He was alright for a Manc!
Boys from the Blackstuff is a classic and one of the best things ever shown on TV. He was brilliant as Yosser. There was a lot of sadness and despair in it but Yosser's story is the one that most people remember.
It's funny how so many people associate Scousers with Yosser when he played the part mostly in his own Manc accent.
RIP Bernard.
05 May 2024 20:51:02
Sad news. when he was sat next to Souness saying “you look like me” RIP yosser lad.
05 May 2024 23:08:00
“I’m desperate, Father”
“Call me Dan”
“I’m desperate, Dan”
Brilliant drama series that hit the nail on the head in horrible times.
RIP Yosser and thank you for the memories Bernard.
05 May 2024
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, Referee carrying Arsenal?
Click picture for larger image
05 May 2024 11:54:43
Hi Ed001
Considering most of us didn't even know who slot was before Klopp announced he was leaving, any chance you could do a profile on him? I've read all sorts on here, like he plays with inverted fullbacks, a pivot, high press. Would appreciate your in depth take on him.
Cheers.
{Ed001's Note - I have added him to the list mate.}
05 May 2024 12:02:02
I get the impression that you’re not that keen on him Ed001? You just don’t seem very enthusiastic about him taking over.
{Ed001's Note - I am not sure. I am not a fan of inverted full-backs and he likes those, so that bothers me. He also plays very possession-heavy football, which can be boring. But he does like a high intensity level. I am just waiting until I can look at more of him before I get enthusiastic.}
05 May 2024 13:16:00
For me, Liverpool are gambling on potential with Slot.
He is far from a sure thing.
It really could go either way but I like how he handles the media at least. Seems confident and a strong communicator. Should be helpful.
I'm very looking forward to see how we play under him.
05 May 2024 13:33:08
Let's hope Slot gets a 7 with us.
05 May 2024 13:43:23
I’d argue klopp wasn’t a sure thing when we signed him . There are no guarantees in football . Slot may well come in and tweak his system to get the best out the players at his disposal. He might have not had the opportunity to do certain things at feyenoord that he wants to do at Liverpool . I will be firmly in the camp of let’s wait and see what he can do and I will not judge him after 2/ 3 games he needs to be given the time klopp was afforded . Unlike klopp slot will have a full pre season when he starts so I can’t wait to watch all the pre season content lfc related to see what’s coming . I’m actually excited about a new manager . Klopp is / has been quality for us but I genuinely think he’s made mistakes this season and i know it’s not popular because he’s leaving and we are celebrating klopps time etc but he is still accountable for things this season as are the players . Mostly making substitutions too late has been my criticism of klopp .
05 May 2024 14:42:52
“For me, Liverpool are gambling on potential with Slot”
To be fair Davey, that is kinda our thing.
05 May 2024 15:18:30
From my point of view I dislike Slot.
My opinion, my view.
I am certain he will fail and quickly.
I had a similar feeling about Brendan Rogers but not so intensely.
Following Juergen will be a mammoth task for any manager.
I don't like Slot's system at all.
There is definitely unease in the camp with Juergen leaving. I don't find this surprising.
I am biased. I don't like Dutch football or their managers. I have many reasons for what I believe will be a difficult coming period.
I don't have the attitude we must get behind the team no matter what. If I don't like something I will say so and not blindly follow.
Therefore if I dislike a direction I will say it, unconcerned about popularity.
Fasten your seat belts it is going to be a bumpy ride.
I just get visions of a once smiling Slot, standing in disbelief with his jaw on the deck, clueless to the events he surveys.
My opinion, just my opinion.
05 May 2024 15:43:39
Very few sure thing managers to be fair, if any. It’s always going to be a gamble, maybe Slot slightly more than others that have been mentIoned.
05 May 2024 15:49:10
@ yuri
Obviously entitled to your opinion but the fact you dislike the man before he’s even had a chance is nothing short of a disgrace IN MY OPINION
you may not like his tactics or playing style but to not like the actual man himself come on .
As a fan base we have to get behind the next man at least giving him a chance and not live in the past because the past is already gone and it was great with jurgen at times but it’s time to move on it really is.
05 May 2024 16:04:33
My ex wife left me because I gambled on slots.
05 May 2024 17:53:29
I don't mind if people think I am a disgrace because of what I am saying.
That's life.
For as W C Fields famously once said, "Never give a sucker an even break! "
05 May 2024 18:26:21
Slots first job will be to teach Nunez English and then the offside rule.
05 May 2024 18:32:46
Yuri01, you won't blindly follow Slot but you dislike him, his system and his direction before he has even managed one of our games and because of where he comes from?
Unbelievable!
05 May 2024 18:36:41
Looks like you've made your mind up Yuri 😄.
05 May 2024 19:08:45
He will be flogging a dead horse there, JK. I'm starting to agree with the Andy Carroll song!
05 May 2024 22:30:52
@Yuri from the moment you dislike someone without even knowing them or having a chance to open your mind and judge their words, acts and deeds on the merits, is the living epitome of bias hence, your opinion on Slot or who/ whatever else means absolutely nothing to me cos it is based on inherrent bias and prejudice. Peace and Love.
05 May 2024 23:14:20
@Yuri - great motto for life that eh “Never give a sucker an even break”?
Anyway anybody who sees Slot as a replacement for Klopp is, basically on a hiding to nothing. Slot is the next Liverpool manager, no more, no less. For those who like to judge, he can only be judged on the circumstances he finds when he takes up the role in, presumably, July.
06 May 2024 00:00:28
It won’t matter how good the manager or system is, we need quality additions to go into the first 11. Some players just aren’t good enough over a season.
06 May 2024 00:18:54
the only thing i've seen of Slot is that clip of him laughing when antony goes down "injured", gets back on the pitch and goes down again only to get booked for time wasting.
06 May 2024 01:44:28
Yuri, you may well be right but at the same time we have to give him a chance, do we not? poor fella hasn't even signed on the dotted line and you're writing him off. He could come in and win us the league, he could come in and fail - point of the matter is we have no idea what will happen, I hope for the best of course but just got to wish the man some good luck and get on with it.
06 May 2024 02:33:48
All.
I haven't posted my thoughts to be popular.
Yes, indeed I have already written off Slot.
Yet, that is my assessment. An average Dutch coach, probably a nice bloke but Mr Average Guy.
I am just going with my gut feeling.
Thank you anyway for putting up with my grumpy feelings.
I would probably agree with a certain Mr Maureen-ho.
Young modern managers maybe the way to go?
Or as Mario Zagalo the Brasilian manager used to say:"Who am I to tell Pele how to play football? "
Who am I to tell Liverpool who should be the next manager?
I am doing it, but it isn't Slot. Even though he is likely a nice man.
We cannot get Alonso or Amorim. Therefore, one grumpy to another. Hey Jose. Come over here and prove you can do it. I know that is what you want. You have enough trophies to prove it.
06 May 2024 07:34:28
Yuri, more football based detail rather than just gut feelings would add more credibility to your post.
Your post just smacks of negativity without any football based reasoning.
Also, I’m sure if we wanted Amorim we could have got him.
Ed2 likes him and I think he said he’d be the ideal choice before anyone else was even mentioning him. That’s a good start for me. Reason for my view because his view is well informed and founded on important relevant factors.