[PL] BORO v LFC Buildup Thread Weds, 19:45 GMT

[Bender]

I thought we had a fairly strong squad going into the season, but looking at the bench with all due respect to those players I was hoping we wouldn't see a bench like that in the PL this season. In fairness the kids could go on to develop into great players but at the moment they are very inexperienced and you can't depend on them at this stage of their career.

If we had been in a difficult position in the game we didn't really have anyone on the bench that we could rely on to do that. Fortunately we didn't need to, but heading into the Christmas period you feel we could do with a few more options.

The club needs to add quality signings in Jan as difficult as that can be,Mane is off,Couthino hopefully will be back,but as you mentioned the bench looks rough lately,As well as our issues in defence and gk,Firmino is off form,Lallana and Can and Origi keep picking up injuries,so so good signings to keep the momentum going is important.

[Bender]

i cant see chelsea losing. They seem to be able to grind out 1-0 wins when needed - a mark of a title winning side. Plus the fact that they also don't have euro footy means they can decide not to rotate. If we can keep pace with them until we play them at the end of Jan then that will be a massive game. And also that is the start of a time when they have a tricky run of fixtures so here's hoping.

The positive about Chelsea is that before too long, Conte will fall out with Abramovich and that will be the end of him!!!


Getting back to us, although I agree with you about the squad, to be honest it might disrupt it by bringing in a new face. I think if we could get one or two players that are viewed as future stars (Pulisic for instance) and play them from the bench then that might be best for this season and for next. Obviously Mane is going to be a huge loss (lets hope Senegal get knocked out early in the competition!) but hopefully Coutinho will be up to full fitness by then. Once we get up to the Sunderland game on 2nd of Jan, then Klopp should give most of the first teamers a week in Dubai - hopefully that will recharge some batteries.

Coutinho has been a huge loss but Origi has stepped up when Sturridge wasn't around to step up. You would be hoping that Sturridge will sort out his broken toenail or whatever his latest problem is - and by the end of Jan we should hopefully have attacking options of Firmino, Mane, Coutinho, Origi and Sturridge. If Klopp can somehow navigate us to keep in touch with the top of the league then we can have a ****in good go at the run in.

think at least 2 signings who are able to step into the first team would be a minimum requirement....without as you say disrupting things too much.

[frank the tank]

The club needs to add quality signings in Jan as difficult as that can be,Mane is off,Couthino hopefully will be back,but as you mentioned the bench looks rough lately,As well as our issues in defence and gk,Firmino is off form,Lallana and Can and Origi keep picking up injuries,so so good signings to keep the momentum going is important.

One or two would be great - as long as they don't disrupt the team spirit. And as long as they are happy to be on the bench initially.

I think it is likely that Klopp will go to the Bundesliga market because that is what he knows. Integrating someone from abroad mid-season will be tricky. It can be done (Coutinho a great example) but might be tricky. If it is a player that Klopp would go for in the summer anyway, then it would certainly make sense.

One positive is that Joe Gomez might be up to full speed by the end of Jan. That might be like a new signing for us - someone that can effectively play anywhere in the back 4.

Big pity that Ings isn't also at the same stage.

[SB]

They've been out of the ****in division for most of it

we've played them in cup semis though

[Bender]

One or two would be great - as long as they don't disrupt the team spirit. And as long as they are happy to be on the bench initially.

I think it is likely that Klopp will go to the Bundesliga market because that is what he knows. Integrating someone from abroad mid-season will be tricky. It can be done (Coutinho a great example) but might be tricky. If it is a player that Klopp would go for in the summer anyway, then it would certainly make sense.

One positive is that Joe Gomez might be up to full speed by the end of Jan. That might be like a new signing for us - someone that can effectively play anywhere in the back 4.

Big pity that Ings isn't also at the same stage.

yep injuries are hampering the season....

[Fosterbloke]

To be where we are without three important players is amazing. What a great season so far!

[SB]

To be where we are without three important players is amazing. What a great season so far!

no doubt

[frank the tank]

unreal

Klopp is like superman, batman and santa claus all rolled into one..

Ledge

[Lecter]

Didnt watch all the match so only got to see the highlights

Looked like we had a little more intensity in our pressing and in our attacking play

We certainly seemed to be moving the ball quicker at times

Interesting to hear Klopp talking about higher intensity of pressing and more urgency in going for second balls

Felt that was a big problem for us the other night v West Ham

[Buzzo]

It does seem to be quite a **** or bust tactical philosophy if we are on it, we are almost untouchable. If we are off the pace we can be slightly exposed.

It's the most I've enjoyed watching us play in years - so I'm not grumbling at all.

Klopp has to be one of the best managers I've ever listened to. He just speaks constant sense, simplifies everything and always has good answers. His simple handling of the Karius situation shows how to both deal with a player without throwing him under the bus, and look out for the good of the team.

[Fosterbloke]

I wonder if we can withdraw to a different formation if our intensity isn't there in order to cover the back four?

[BigChief]

In terms of players we 'could' get in January, surely Adama Traore (who we were linked with anyway a few years ago) would be the one to replace Mane's pace. Might not have the same end product or impact but feck me he scares defences enough to play deep. And he should be attainable now, unlike maybe Dembele or Pulisic. The cost will be high but Adama also offers a chance to improve under a manager like Klopp. So his value, whatever we pay, will rise anyway.

[McDermotX]

From F365's W&L

Winners

Liverpool
“Their intensity, their quality on the ball, everything. Even when they were winning 2-0 they kept the same intensity, they passed with the same speed and won the ball back with the same aggression.”

That was a shellshocked Aitor Karanka, whose Middlesbrough team had just been well and truly Klopped.

After taking their collective foot off the gas at Bournemouth, Liverpool may never make that same mistake again. Against Boro they were back to their irresistible and ruthless best, not giving the opposition either space or time to gain a foothold. Many words have been used to describe this Liverpool side this season – thrilling, intense, calamitous – but the one word I would choose is ‘relentless’.

If you play with that level of intensity, you can afford to take risks in the opposition half because you know your teammates will hunt down the ball so you can take that chance again. You can afford the luxury of six naturally attacking players if every one of those players is utterly committed. Roberto Firmino’s slight dip in form – partially excused by the absence of Philippe Coutinho – is hidden not just by his teammates taking the scoring reins but also by his own ridiculous effort without the ball. Four tackles and three interceptions from a wide position in a game Liverpool dominated? The message: If you temporarily can’t be Roberto Firmino, then make sure you’re a little bit Dirk Kuyt.

Adam Lallana
What a phenomenal transformation. From decent but overpriced Premier League player to one of the most complete midfielders in English football in 14 months under Jurgen Klopp. He runs (by God, he runs), he tackles, he passes, he presses, he shoots and these days he scores. His two goals (and one assist) on Wednesday night shifted him to a total of 12 combined goals and assists in the Premier League this season, below only Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa. That’s quite some company for a footballer who is playing in a nominally deeper role this season.

It’s the quality of the chances that he creates that is most impressive. There are seven Liverpool players who create chances more often – including both full-backs, and pretty much every other forward or midfielder – but no Liverpool player has more assists. Six of his 17 key passes have been converted. Divock Origi is oft-cited as ‘not quite’ by Liverpool fans, but Lallana’s delivery ensured he was once again on the scoresheet at Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.

According to Klopp, Lallana sought his advice about his relative lack of goals at the end of last season and the German told him it was simply a matter of positioning. A few months later he has scored more goals in 14 Premier League games (six) than he did in 30 appearances last season. That must have been quite some chat.

[redmike65]

I wonder if we can withdraw to a different formation if our intensity isn't there in order to cover the back four?

Could go 3-5-2 by dropping Can back (when he plays) pushing Milner inside and pushing Clyne up on the right and swap Mane to the left for the out ball.

--Can--Matip--Lovren
----Hendo--Milner
Clyne------------Mane
-------Lallana
---Firmino--Origi

[Fosterbloke]

Could go 3-5-2 by dropping Can back (when he plays) pushing Milner inside and pushing Clyne up on the right and swap Mane to the left for the out ball.

--Can--Matip--Lovren
----Hendo--Milner
Clyne------------Mane
-------Lallana
---Firmino--Origi

There's going to be days when our pressing game isn't working or we're just not performing.