Title Race 18/19

[BobTheCharmer]

97 points.

Can we improve next season?

I think we can improve definitely but I don't think that improvement will necessarily equate to more points. We might simply play better and not get the luck at the right moment.

I think we can/will learn to win some games easier. We need to look at winning more games but with the certainty of losing a few more. Basically getting those draws converted to wins or at least giving ourselves a better chance by creating more. We will need some extra attacking threat in the squad so we don't have to play the same front 3 every game.

Mane has been superb this season. Despite his goals it's hard to argue Salah has been on top form until recently. Up to Christmas he was very patchy. Looking awful at times and indifferent at others. So with no shoulder injury and CL disappointment (hopefully) to contend with his overall game should improve. Bobby has been in and out with his form also. That makes this year's team performance even more impressive.

Ox to come back which could still take a while plus a fully acclimatised keita and there's reasons to be confident.

I think we need a top player to not only cover but potentially earn a starting position in the top 3. A real quality threat. Origi has done well but he's never going to be better than those 3.

As long as Klopp stays I'm confident. We simply have to push city hard again next year.

[fah-q]

I'm looking forward to this becoming an annual thread.

[Rich]

It is going to be incredibly difficult to overtake City next season but with Klopp you know he'll give everything.

Just need Aguero to revert to being a sicknote

[frank the tank]

Yes I agree 100%. I think our team can get better - but it is possible that we could end up being a better team but having less points.

I think adding 3 or 4 players to replace the 3 or 4 that will leave will make a huge difference. The huge advantage we have is something that Souness pointed out a few weeks ago on sky - we can buy a couple of players and afford for them not be need to make an impact for 6 - 12 months. So even if we weren't to make a signing this summer, then having Keita, Fabinho both with 12 months behind them - and with Oxlade back, there is an argument that we are already stronger.

However, I think we all recognise that we were lucky with injuries this season. Our front 3 were pretty much available for the whole season - Virgil and Robbo too. VVD out would be a huge loss.

For me, De Ligt and Werner would be a huge huge difference to our chances.

Also, I think Liverpool will benefit from the introduction of VAR next season. Obviously it will take all teams a bit of getting used to - and I have no doubt that the PL / FA match officials will **** it up initially - but we are a clean team. This season Kompany would have walked in the City away game - and that turned out huge. Perhaps Maguire would have as well in the draw v Leicester. Also, Man City were lucky with a few more decisions too. I can remember us getting one or two offside goals (including yesterday) but our "luck" was late goals that were legitimately given. Pickfords clanger in the derby being a good example. Plus there were 2 or 3 penalties that Salah should have been given but wasn't because of the preconception about him (that he doesn't help himself with either!)

Going forward, I think the scary thing for our competitors is that LFC will get stronger and stronger.

[Buzzo]

Yes I agree 100%. I think our team can get better - but it is possible that we could end up being a better team but having less points.

I think adding 3 or 4 players to replace the 3 or 4 that will leave will make a huge difference. The huge advantage we have is something that Souness pointed out a few weeks ago on sky - we can buy a couple of players and afford for them not be need to make an impact for 6 - 12 months. So even if we weren't to make a signing this summer, then having Keita, Fabinho both with 12 months behind them - and with Oxlade back, there is an argument that we are already stronger.

However, I think we all recognise that we were lucky with injuries this season. Our front 3 were pretty much available for the whole season - Virgil and Robbo too. VVD out would be a huge loss.

For me, De Ligt and Werner would be a huge huge difference to our chances.

Also, I think Liverpool will benefit from the introduction of VAR next season. Obviously it will take all teams a bit of getting used to - and I have no doubt that the PL / FA match officials will **** it up initially - but we are a clean team. This season Kompany would have walked in the City away game - and that turned out huge. Perhaps Maguire would have as well in the draw v Leicester. Also, Man City were lucky with a few more decisions too. I can remember us getting one or two offside goals (including yesterday) but our "luck" was late goals that were legitimately given. Pickfords clanger in the derby being a good example. Plus there were 2 or 3 penalties that Salah should have been given but wasn't because of the preconception about him (that he doesn't help himself with either!)

Going forward, I think the scary thing for our competitors is that LFC will get stronger and stronger.

Agree 100%

You also have to question how City demotivate themselves. Our desire should be greater then there’s.

You could argue that this season they would swap with us League for CL, and Peps goal is the CL Final.

I think this season our players started to learn about how good they can be. I don’t think they were aware of it in August. If we approach the entire season as we did this then the potential for what we can achieve is off the scale.

Particularly if we are stronger which we will definitely be with the Ox, Keita, Fabinho for an entire season and whomever else we bring on.

It’s a mouth watering prospect and I can’t wait for next season (once we have completed this).

[Tee]

If City win the FA cup on Saturday will it be us who plays them in the Community Shield? Would be a great way to start the season and get a psychological edge, assuming we win.

[BobTheCharmer]

Using a tennis analogy, City are like Federer in that they win games with the minimal of effort.

We're more like Nadal or Murray, any chance we have we have to work our arses off for and we never give up. Teams have more chance against us as they rarely muster a shot against city.

We cant rely on other teams to get better. We need to be more ruthless.

[Buzzo]

Using a tennis analogy, City are like Federer in that they win games with the minimal of effort.

We're more like Nadal or Murray, any chance we have we have to work our arses off for and we never give up. Teams have more chance against us as they rarely muster a shot against city.

We cant rely on other teams to get better. We need to be more ruthless.

Also teams turn up as players do v Federer and think they’ve no chance so don’t give it a go.

We do need teams to be more competitive v City. But I agree - we can’t rely on it.

We have to beat them at least once next season.

[Mark79]

Isn't weird though that same teams will make an effort against us but don't bother against City?

We've been within a point of them most of the season, and even lead them by 7.

What is it that makes us worth a crack but just accept defeat when it's City?

[BobTheCharmer]

Isn't weird though that same teams will make an effort against us but don't bother against City?

We've been within a point of them most of the season, and even lead them by 7.

What is it that makes us worth a crack but just accept defeat when it's City?

It's the style of football. They cant get the ball off city to try and hurt them. I don't think it's not trying. Whereas our style gives teams a chance if they sit deep. We don't have as much creative spark. Imo.

[Phoenix07]

If City win the FA cup on Saturday will it be us who plays them in the Community Shield? Would be a great way to start the season and get a psychological edge, assuming we win.

Yes, it'll be us in the Community Shield vs Manchester City should they win the FA Cup.

[baitman]

When city are putting teams to the sword and scoring 4 or more they get in some extra practice that then stands them well when they come to their next games. Players are all clicking.
I know they had a period of a few 1-0 or low scoring wins but often they are outscoring us.
It'd be interesting to see side by side stats of our goals v theirs against the same opposition.

[Mark79]

It's the style of football. They cant get the ball off city to try and hurt them. I don't think it's not trying. Whereas our style gives teams a chance if they sit deep. We don't have as much creative spark. Imo.

There's probably something in that. Yet the teams that beat them all did the same thing, work hard to contain them then take their chances on the counter.

For the most part, its the same game plan against us, since teams have decided it's better to let us have the ball rather than have us press them into mistakes.

If you take out our head to heads against City, 6 teams took points off us and 5 teams took points off City. And that's with at least half a dozen teams resting 1st teamers against them, or just going on lash before playing them.

[Mark79]

When city are putting teams to the sword and scoring 4 or more they get in some extra practice that then stands them well when they come to their next games. Players are all clicking.
I know they had a period of a few 1-0 or low scoring wins but often they are outscoring us.
It'd be interesting to see side by side stats of our goals v theirs against the same opposition.

They scored 6 more than us across the season, which isn't a massive difference.

Both are high scoring teams.

[baitman]

They scored 6 more than us across the season, which isn't a massive difference.

Both are high scoring teams.

I did have a glimpse at the final league tabe and saw the total goals scored, but not sure if it somehow doesnt tell the whole story

Our goals scrored head to head v other teams would possibly reveal more.
It seems that they often score more, but obviously only 6 more overall...