Liverpool FC: 20 for 20-21

[Hagbard Celine 10,852]

18 minutes ago, Bone3421 said:

Save us Salah....

[mdmost 43,001]

Whew. That was a nailbiter. Lots to fix in the back 4. 

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

 

[maninblack 7,974]

Ugly but got the 3

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

🇪🇬  🤴🏽 

Edited September 12, 2020 by Firemans4Horn

[BrickHorn 18,217]

18 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Whew. That was a nailbiter. Lots to fix in the back 4. 

Hard to believe that was basically the same back 4 that dominated the prior two seasons. They looked awful today. 

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

We have some things to clean up but Leeds had 0.26xg today. 
 

That might be the lowest XG we give up all season. 

[maninblack 7,974]

1 hour ago, BrickHorn said:

Hard to believe that was basically the same back 4 that dominated the prior two seasons. They looked awful today. 

Some poor tendencies creeped in during our Champions march. Objectively we have been an average to poor defensive team since the February break. There's no disputing that.

[BrickHorn 18,217]

18 minutes ago, maninblack said:

Some poor tendencies creeped in during our Champions march. Objectively we have been an average to poor defensive team since the February break. There's no disputing that.

Agreed. It’s just such a huge drop off from the back line’s previous dominant form. Just a year ago, Virg looked unbeatable. Now he routinely makes bonehead David Luiz level mistakes.

My son is a defender. I used to always use Pool’s opponents for teaching moments. Now I frequently say things like “What Van Dijk just did is why I always tell you to play simple first touches.” I mean, I was just yesterday coaching him on why not to cross your feet and touch with the outside of your foot (“You’ll end up putting a through ball to the opposing forward.”) and then the best centerback in the world does exactly that today.

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by BrickHorn

[406W30th 1,111]

Gotdamn Salah was sharp today. Thoroughly deserved his hat trick, even if two were penalties. His second goal was an absolute laser.

Jones' cameo was nice as well. His confidence is incredible and he does not look out of place at all among the big boys. Naby had a great first half and I thought he should've been fed a simple ball from Firmino to finish, but Bobby tried to take it himself. Bobby looked amazing in spurts but pretty frustrating overall.

Nice to walk away with three points. Leeds are going to give a lot of teams a real fight this year.

 

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

Watched Leeds’ 2nd goal probably 5 times. Yes, it was a mistake but it was not an easy ball to deal with and it seemed like Alisson was hesitant and that lead to some miscommunication. I still have 💯 faith in VVD. 

[mdmost 43,001]

That VvD screw up reminded me of when Allison had a couple brainfarts back in the early days. I'd imagine no one will be harder on VvD than himself. 

Edited September 12, 2020 by mdmost

[hobbes2702 13,031]

The team made some mistakes but if I said I was concerned about our defense I would be lying. We need to refocus and play simple back there again but I don’t doubt that we will get it back. 

[mdmost 43,001]

TAA was a touch slow yesterday. I'd imagine that will work itself out. Gomez was the real trouble spot. Matip really needs to push for more time.

[406W30th 1,111]

If our biggest concern is whether or not Virgil can pull the back line's collective head out of its ass, that's fine by me. Our attack looked pretty great against Leeds and if that continues, we'll be just fine.

I really hope that Jones, Minamino, and Keita can start supplying some goals though. Their legs will be the freshest in what is going to be a grinding season. Maybe I'm worrying too much about how much football Mané and Mo have played but I think fatigue is going to be our biggest concern over the course of the season.

 

  

[maninblack 7,974]

Lallana going off injured for Brighton

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

2 minutes ago, maninblack said:

Lallana going off injured for Brighton

That sucks, but not unexpected.

[mdmost 43,001]

Brewster looking like he's going out on loan to Sheffield United. 

 

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

That would be great for Brew. They need a finisher. 

[mdmost 43,001]

Dutch papers are saying Gini now wants a new deal and is looking to stay. Also saw rumors that Thiago could still happen but closer to when the transfer window closes depending on if we can sell off some guys to fund the purchase. 

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

13 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Dutch papers are saying Gini now wants a new deal and is looking to stay. Also saw rumors that Thiago could still happen but closer to when the transfer window closes depending on if we can sell off some guys to fund the purchase. 

[406W30th 1,111]

Watching the match this past weekend, it was hard not to think of how valuable Gini is to this side. I've said it before but I'll say it again – no way he leaves this window, unless the fee is massive. He simply cannot be replaced at this point and it'd be better to have him for this season and lose him for free next year than to take something like £15M.

 

[mdmost 43,001]

Pots 1 & 2 for Champions League are set. We'll face either Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund or Ajax. 

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

58 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Pots 1 & 2 for Champions League are set. We'll face either Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund or Ajax. 

My money is on Not Shakhtar.

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

Ajax, Ajax, Ajax!!!

[Jive Turkey 12,594]

Finally. 

 

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

[mdmost 43,001]

[406W30th 1,111]

Well this is certainly good news.

[maninblack 7,974]

Absolutely huge move. Just bought one of the best midfielders in the world. The team options just hugely magnified for Klopp.

[maninblack 7,974]

The other bit of news that Joyce tweeted was Thiago's fee will be paid in equal installments over 4 years. That allows us to move some players like Wilson, Grujic, etc and still have money to buy a CB or Forward if we wanted.

Adding Thiago and extending Gini (if true) also bridges the development gap for Jones. Klopp can bring him along at an easier pace and he'll get to train alongside a world class midfielder.

This one is a game changer.

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

Now sign Koulibaly

[mdmost 43,001]

The Sarr pursuit happens next I’d imagine 

[406W30th 1,111]

1 hour ago, Cheeseweasel said:

Now sign Koulibaly

It's actually spelled Upamecano.

 

[406W30th 1,111]

I'd sell Brewster if it meant landing Sarr. 

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

Just now, 406W30th said:

I'd sell Brewster if it meant landing Sarr. 

Upside for both is huge. Hate having another Senegalese player that we could lose during the African Cup, though. 

[mdmost 43,001]

Sarr looks to be around 40M to purchase as Watford bought him for 30M. I would think Edwards doesn't want to spend 40M right now but I figure he'll try to work his magic and sell off more pieces to fund another big purchase. I'd really hate to sell Brewster though unless there's a buy-back clause thrown in.

I'm so happy the midfield has been sorted. I wonder how early Thiago gets in. 

[406W30th 1,111]

We've gotta get something for Wilson and Grujic. It might not be quite what we hope, but even £25M for the two of them would go a long way toward getting Sarr.

I'm guessing clubs are holding out as long as they can to try and get the transfer fees down, but I'd be pretty surprised if they're Liverpool players after the window closes. Speaking of, when does the window close again?

[maninblack 7,974]

Watford going down helps. They'll need money and he'll want a move.

[maninblack 7,974]

5 hours ago, mdmost said:

 I wonder how early Thiago gets in. 

He'll be on the VvD, Mane, Mo plan. 

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

3 hours ago, maninblack said:

He'll be on the VvD, Mane, Mo plan. 

I read he was on vacation after the CL until very recently. So not excepting him coming into the starting 11 on day one. 

[mdmost 43,001]

This is a bit unexpected. 10M isn't bad though. 

 

Edited September 18, 2020 by mdmost

[mdmost 43,001]

 

Edited September 18, 2020 by mdmost

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

 

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

I'm hard.

[Cheeseweasel 26,438]

Jota would be an absolute mad move. But we'd probably be losing Brewster if it happens.

[Jive Turkey 12,594]

Thiago gonna bring the energy.  we need some new blood to stoke that fire.

[Firemans4Horn 18,036]

A lot of smoke about Jota for £35m

[maninblack 7,974]

10 hours ago, Firemans4Horn said:

I read he was on vacation after the CL until very recently. So not excepting him coming into the starting 11 on day one. 

Meant he'll play sooner than later