v Southampton League Cup Semi Final - 1st Leg Match Thread.

[Lecter]

Pass pass pass pass **** up. Boring.

It's Brendan football again

It's understandable we occasionally lapse back into that the concern is that teams might have worked out how to negate us as teams are sitting deep and knocking it long to win 2nd balls more and more frequently against us

[Daniel 7]

The defence looks like they're on mogadon, up front we are toothless and lacking in pace, the midfield aren't at the races either. Luckily, we have Karius having his best game for Liverpool so far - but for him, we'd be out already.

[kev776]

Mine'so become flawless. Mores the pity.

Could you share in the necessary place please

[BobTheCharmer]

It's Brendan football again

It's understandable we occasionally lapse back into that the concern is that teams might have worked out how to negate us as teams are sitting deep and knocking it long to win 2nd balls more and more frequently against us

Agreed. I think they have worked us out. Obviously with countinho and mane we are a different prospect, but they can't play every game.

[gratziani]

Crab football with that midfield , slow and predictable

Coutinho come on and up the pace would be ideal

[Buzzo]

I'm not totally sure about this.

I said this after 5 mins

Better than Kev Stewart though.

[Daniel 7]

Agreed. I think they have worked us out. Obviously with countinho and mane we are a different prospect, but they can't play every game.

Yeah, we're looking at the Plymouth and Sunderland model here again. Difference is we've been giving chances away in this game. Southampton are better than Sunderland and Plymouth. Been a shambles so far.

[Buzzo]

Same.

And mine. This may be for the best.

That stream appears to be flowing again

[labourRed]

Could you share in the necessary place please

Subscription service, sorry.

You'll find it in the Kodi thread.

[danperkins]

That was a shocker, zero pace or energy in the side. Midfield pairing of Lucas and Can is so slow and ponderous.Can over cooks things and takes an eternity to release the ball and Lucas is finished unfortunately with premier league pace.

Origi and Coutinho immediately on in second half but Klopp is always fairly late with his subs. Apart from his kicking Karius had been very good.

[Leyton388]

This is why we need to strengthen this window. When all fit our first team is one of the best about, however when we lose one or two there's not enough quality in the squad to cope. Think it's going to be a long second half of the season if we keep on being tight fisted.

[Daniel 7]

Sturridge hasn't helped either. His style of play doesn't fit at all. I'm starting to wonder about Emre Can as well. I'd sooner see him in the DM position than expecting him to labour forward. It doesn't suit him.

[Chris]

wtf has happened to us ?

We seem to be half the team we were before Christmas.

We are missing loads of our best players, isn't it obvious?

But still, we should be doing much better than that. Klopp rightly removed Lucas from starting in midfield ages ago so it's a little baffling to see him suddenly start a semi there. Him, Can and Wij is overkill. Can in Hendo's role would have been fine with Wij and Lallana doing their usual. Lucas and Sturridge in the same side will never lead to high tempo Klopp stuff.

If missing Coutinho and Mane isn't bad enough we are moving Lallana about, seems daft. If we are short then ****ing sign someone! In the meantime, get a midfielder off and Origi or Coutinho on. These are ****ing ****, looked shot to pieces confidence wise and we've given them a huge helping hand.

[Leyton388]

Sturridge hasn't helped either. His style of play doesn't fit at all. I'm starting to wonder about Emre Can as well. I'd sooner see him in the DM position than expecting him to labour forward. It doesn't suit him.

He hasn't progressed at all. I'm not convinced he'll be here next year.

[Lecter]

Yeah, we're looking at the Plymouth and Sunderland model here again. Difference is we've been giving chances away in this game. Southampton are better than Sunderland and Plymouth. Been a shambles so far.

The 2nd balls thing has been a worry for me all season

We just don't win enough of them

The pressure we put high up the pitch is great at times but winning 2nd balls is equally as important for me

It's why I keep saying we need a good young mobile dedicated holding / defensive player to mop up the 2nd balls when teams go long (which is becoming more frequent)