[PL] Newcastle Utd (A): Post Match

[vlahka]

Liverpool misplaced 124 passes vs. Newcastle, most in a league game in any of the last 5 seasons.

[Havors]

Surely Klopp has figured out when we play Benteke on his own up front we are absolute ****e and never look like scoring. We play better with no striker like the man city game, we become 10 times more mobile and fluid instead of benteke breaking up the flow with his back to goal over and over.

That style and formation should only ever be used as an option to counter a problem not something we choose to do for no reason.

[Daniel 7]

Its kind of reminiscent of Kenny's Kuyt / Maxi / Suarez front line he played when he was the caretaker manager compared to the Carroll / Suarez / Downing model he replaced it with. The first one was brilliant, with loads of movement and was a joy to watch, the other was flat and had none of the above.

I'm aware it seems like Benteke is being scapegoated for this game, but I think what's nearer to the truth is that this display was the breaking of patience with him. He's run out of the grace period, the probation time is up.

[Mattshark]

Its kind of reminiscent of Kenny's Kuyt / Maxi / Suarez front line he played when he was the caretaker manager compared to the Carroll / Suarez / Downing model he replaced it with. The first one was brilliant, with loads of movement and was a joy to watch, the other was flat and had none of the above.

I'm aware it seems like Benteke is being scapegoated for this game, but I think what's nearer to the truth is that this display was the breaking of patience with him. He's run out of the grace period, the probation time is up.

I don't think he is being scapegoated. These complaints about his play have been made by a good few posters before this game.

[Daniel 7]

Yeah, I put this post in the wrong thread. There was an accusation of scapegoatery I didn't agree with in the Benteke thread.

[Fosterbloke]

I don't think he is being scapegoated. These complaints about his play have been made by a good few posters before this game.

I guess we should wait until the end of the season to see if there's more to his game to be revealed with us.

I'm starting to not see it, we need to be fast and mobile, I like that model and it suits most of our players well.

[cream]

If we're gonna play Benteke, we need to play to his strengths. Otherwise play Origi upfront, or Firmino with Lallana and Ibe. Doesn't help when you next to no creativity in the midfield but that couldn't be helped and should be addressed in January.

[Mattshark]

If we're gonna play Benteke, we need to play to his strengths. Otherwise play Origi upfront, or Firmino with Lallana and Ibe. Doesn't help when you next to no creativity in the midfield but that couldn't be helped and should be addressed in January.

But we have looked creative without Benteke.

[cream]

Can was a massive absence yesterday, God forbid we have to play a combination of Lucas, Milner and Allen again. We have options in midfield, just not very good ones.

[SK]

Benteke is a plan B player. it's always good to have one on the bench, but he seems slow and not able to influence the game as much as i'd expect him to. not winning enough headers or knock-downs for him to warrant starting most games. rather firmino up front with mobile players around him.

this game had to happen sooner or later, we've had a lot of injuries and a lot of games recently so an off game is always possible.

rest the one that need it it vs. sion and then we go again

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Can was a massive absence yesterday, God forbid we have to play a combination of Lucas, Milner and Allen again. We have options in midfield, just not very good ones.

Henderson was missing too, but we could definitely use an extra body Milner or Allen are fine just not together. Lucas stunk the place out, 2nd poor game lately but he's been outstanding most of the season.

[frank the tank]

i think the WBA game at anfield next weekend will tell a whole lot. The first teamers should be rested from the Sion game and we should have no excuses really. Also, it will be interesting to see how hurt the team are after the Newcastle game - or how much they bounce back....

[Fosterbloke]

On the plus side, Newcastle's next match is Tottenham, hopefully they've gotten some confidence from their victory and keep up the momentum. Can't have Spurs gaining momentum!

[el matador]

Someone said its the 5th game in 15 days. Its quite a lot of football in a short space of time especially when you're still adapting to a new style.

It wasn't great to watch but probably one game too far for the players.

[tanner]

Someone said its the 5th game in 15 days. Its quite a lot of football in a short space of time especially when you're still adapting to a new style.

It wasn't great to watch but probably one game too far for the players.

I agree, but it hurts because all the top sides dropped point ahead of us. That should've been a great incentive for the lads.

For all the positive feeling about the club of late, we still only find ourselves level with West Ham and Crystal Palace and just a point ahead Everton, Watford and Stoke.

Everyone else is **** at the moment so things aren't that bad, but we really do need to make the most of this run of games over the Christmas period because this is a poor season in terms of quality and a number of sides can do it.

I fear Utd are just going to keep plodding along and win the league. Now, we can't let that happen, can we.