FK Rubin Kazan (H) - Match Thread

[Fredo]

Pressing has been better the last two games but issues are still there when teams go past the first press.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

yeah works hard but for a guys who is meant to be our captain, his performances have been very average and uninspiring. Expected more from him.

I honestly expected what we're getting from him, its not his fault but he's just that type of player. Hard worker lacking quality.

For a player wanting to play in central midfield what can he do that is even pushing top level..

Short Passing; 6/10
Long Passing; 4/10
Shooting; 6/10
Heading; 5/10
Set Pieces; 6/10
Tackling; 7/10
Workrate; 9/10
Positional Sense; 5/10

May seem harsh but that is how I see it, work rate would be 10 but sometimes he wonders so far from his position it causes us problems.

[Venton]

Final 3rd has been an issue and still is

It hasnt been the only issue mind

Weve had far more issues under Rodgers

I am actually quite optimistic watching that, we are pressing the ball better, competing for 2nd balls better, moving the ball faster

Defensively our shape looks better

Even Firmino looked sharper in his game tonight

Lucas & Sakho have looked excellent under Klopp, two players Brendan frequently marginalised

Agreed. I was impressed with Sakho today (apart from his occasionally trying to tackle with the wrong leg) and Lucas' intelligence made a difference when he came on. The attitude and pressing did look better (if a little uncontained) but given a bit of time to get used to a decent system played consistently I think a lot more can come out of these players (apart from one or two).

[Lecter]

Pressing has been better the last two games but issues are still there when teams go past the first press.

Our press set is ok (wasnt under Brendan)

We are competing for 2nd balls (we didnt under Brendan)

Our defensive shape is much much better

Thats after 1 weeks coaching

[danperkins]

I honestly expected what we're getting from him, its not his fault but he's just that type of player. Hard worker lacking quality.

For a player wanting to play in central midfield what can he do that is even pushing top level..

Short Passing; 6/10
Long Passing; 4/10
Shooting; 6/10
Heading; 5/10
Set Pieces; 6/10
Tackling; 7/10
Workrate; 9/10
Positional Sense; 5/10

May seem harsh but that is how I see it, work rate would be 10 but sometimes he wonders so far from his position it causes us problems.

I always thought his crossing and set pieces were decent, been terrible so far. He just seems so slow to do everything at the moment, that's my issue. Never should have been vice captain IMO.

[Fredo]

Our press set is ok (wasnt under Brendan)

We are competing for 2nd balls (we didnt under Brendan)

Our defensive shape is much much better

Thats after 1 weeks coaching

We were ok shape wise when we played three at the back. As I said, the formation helps a lot in that. It was a cluster**** in a 433.

[Ams12]

Like i said after the spurs game, it was comfortable watching that even after they scored first. You can just see the effort the players are putting in to recover the ball back. We defo look somewhat better defensively. Klopp did say that we would need to be better defensively before we get better at attacking. So i assume a lot of time in training has been spent on building a better defensive base to work from.
That was also no way a Rodgeresque performance, as the commentator on my stream said, we were in control but just lacked a cool & confident finish or two, we had ample opportunities inside & outside the box. Benteke was unlucky with his placed shot hitting the post, on another day that could have fallen into Lallana's path for a tap in. Lallana & Coutinho both had a few opportunities outside the box but were let down by at least not making the keeper work. I do believe once our defensive shape is more comfortable, and when Sturridge (& the rest) is fit, the goals will start to come.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Final 3rd has been an issue and still is

It hasnt been the only issue mind

Weve had far more issues under Rodgers

I am actually quite optimistic watching that, we are pressing the ball better, competing for 2nd balls better, moving the ball faster

Defensively our shape looks better

Even Firmino looked sharper in his game tonight

Lucas & Sakho have looked excellent under Klopp, two players Brendan frequently marginalised

I'd say we're dire in both boxes and nervous and uncertain the 10 yards leading towards both boxes.

Spurs we pressed very, very well but tonight I thought it was poor and disjointed. Rubin bypassed our pressing with ease during the first half and I fancy if they'd have kept 10 men on the pitch they could have snatched that game.

Lucas' stock rose even further by Joe Allen playing 45 minutes and yes he made a big difference when he came on.

Can and Sakho were really encouraging for me, Sakho you basically know what you're getting from him at this stage to be honest, he's boss.

Moreno is so close to being a quality little player as well, just missing something in the final 3rd and doesn't really link up with anyone in the way Baines does for Everton and Shaw does for United.

Coutinho's form is worrying, him and Lallana never seem to play well together its either one stinking the gaff out or the other, they're both good players but also contribute massively to our biggest problem. Lack of movement and pace when attacking.

[Ben_Itez]

Final 3rd has been an issue and still is

It hasnt been the only issue mind

Weve had far more issues under Rodgers

I am actually quite optimistic watching that, we are pressing the ball better, competing for 2nd balls better, moving the ball faster

Defensively our shape looks better

Even Firmino looked sharper in his game tonight

Lucas & Sakho have looked excellent under Klopp, two players Brendan frequently marginalised

Got to agree with most of that. It's gonna take time but the signs are promising. Think Hendo and Sturridge will make a huge difference to this team along with a fit, and sharp, Benteke and Firmino.

It's only two games in so far too early to judge but playing against 10 men for so long also skewed what our 'normal' pattern of play would be as they sat back so much.

[Rich]

Lots of problems but I enjoyed the game, strangely enough.

[Lecter]

We were ok shape wise when we played three at the back. As I said, the formation helps a lot in that. It was a cluster**** in a 433.

No midfield was still a problem when we played 3 at the back

[Slinky Skills]

Final 3rd has been an issue and still is

It hasnt been the only issue mind

Weve had far more issues under Rodgers

I am actually quite optimistic watching that, we are pressing the ball better, competing for 2nd balls better, moving the ball faster

Defensively our shape looks better

Even Firmino looked sharper in his game tonight

Lucas & Sakho have looked excellent under Klopp, two players Brendan frequently marginalised

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I always thought his crossing and set pieces were decent, been terrible so far. He just seems so slow to do everything at the moment, that's my issue. Never should have been vice captain IMO.

I think his crossing is something that looks better from highlights, by that I mean he doesn't do an awful lot else that leads to goals so when you see him assisting on Match of The Day its usually a cross. But I agree I thought his delivery was better than he's showing so far.

[el matador]

We should be happy. Today we saw a lot of good things and then on the other side there were skrtel, Milner and Allen.

We should have scored 4 but only poor finishing stopped us doing so. But as the other guys say, our shape was good, apart from their goal we weren't really threatened.

From what I saw everything was better and that's after 1 weeks coaching. Were doing some things that Rodgers couldn't get us to do in 3 years. Anfield was rocking at times (albeit not that many).

We need to get our players back fit and have a fully fit squad to pick from.

[danperkins]

I think his crossing is something that looks better from highlights, by that I mean he doesn't do an awful lot else that leads to goals so when you see him assisting on Match of The Day its usually a cross. But I agree I thought his delivery was better than he's showing so far.