Thoughts going into the new season?

[baitman]

LB cover: hoever
RB cover: hoever

[Red_Polo]

LB cover: hoever
RB cover: hoever

There has to be some logic behind it, surely? We can't just choose whoever.

[greenturnip]

There has to be some logic behind it, surely? We can't just choose whoever.

Clever!

[Fosterbloke]

What about Larouci or Lewis? Aren't they LBs?

[Exiled_red]

What about Larouci or Lewis? Aren't they LBs?

They are but neither of them nor Hoever will play in league or CL games unless we have an injury crisis or they do remarkably well in the cups. Milner and Gomez will fill in at LB before any of them get a game.

[baitman]

They are but neither of them nor Hoever will play in league or CL games unless we have an injury crisis or they do remarkably well in the cups. Milner and Gomez will fill in at LB before any of them get a game.

Id bet hoever gets some league time, initially as sub and then maybe as COVER to rotate or injuries. a better attacking option (from full back) than either of the other two.

[gratziani]

The squad is obviously good enough to challenge for both CL and league again.

I was one of the non believers against Barca with no Bobby and Salah and we smashed them.

Would love to see us sign a De Bruyne type of player as feel that is the only weakness we have, Bruno fernandes maybe ?

[Norbs]

Id bet hoever gets some league time, initially as sub and then maybe as civer to rotate or injuries. a better attacking option (from full back) than either of the other two.

He's never going to be civer in the league

[baitman]

He's never going to be civer in the league

Creepy weirdo stalker

[Lecter]

Personally I think we will be hard pushed to match our points total of last season, I expect a bit of a drop off maybe just under 90 points

City on the other hand would surprise me if they didnt reach over 90 points

I personally would have liked some signings but they havent materialised so we will have to wait and see how that affects us over the season

[Zapater]

Think we're thin. Yes, our backup players are capable of stepping in and performing well when required. However it's a different kettle of fish if someone is out for several months. If Robertson is badly injured, sure Milner is a decent option there, but if he has to play each game for 4 months it most definitely will impact on our performance and probably results.

I'm not as worried about the top positions as some, many don't consider Wijnaldum a good option for the left, but the fact he scored 11 goals for Newcastle from that position means he must have been doing something right. It's obviously not ideal, but we have options. Oxlade-Chamberlain is also a good option in the wide positions if need be. If there are real problems, January gives ample opportunities to current players to confirm they are not up to scratch.

When you are European Champions, you hope to make a real statement and I feel we may have missed a trick by not signing anyone if we don't. Even if it's just something to give a lift and psychological edge. We don't know what's happening in the background but you'd imagine there would be one or two players Klopp and the recruitment team would have had their eye on.

Regardless though, we've got a strong squad in a good place and unless there are major injuries and loss of form to several players we're in a good space to perform well. Things aren't too different from last season. Only really Sturridge and Moreno have really left and neither contributed a huge amount.

[Tribute]

Think we're thin. Yes, our backup players are capable of stepping in and performing well when required. However it's a different kettle of fish if someone is out for several months. If Robertson is badly injured, sure Milner is a decent option there, but if he has to play each game for 4 months it most definitely will impact on our performance and probably results.

I'm not as worried about the top positions as some, many don't consider Wijnaldum a good option for the left, but the fact he scored 11 goals for Newcastle from that position means he must have been doing something right. It's obviously not ideal, but we have options. Oxlade-Chamberlain is also a good option in the wide positions if need be. If there are real problems, January gives ample opportunities to current players to confirm they are not up to scratch.

When you are European Champions, you hope to make a real statement and I feel we may have missed a trick by not signing anyone if we don't. Even if it's just something to give a lift and psychological edge. We don't know what's happening in the background but you'd imagine there would be one or two players Klopp and the recruitment team would have had their eye on.

Regardless though, we've got a strong squad in a good place and unless there are major injuries and loss of form to several players we're in a good space to perform well. Things aren't too different from last season. Only really Sturridge and Moreno have really left and neither contributed a huge amount.

I think most people are in agreement with this - we've got great confidence in Klopp and the squad from last season but a slight nervousness about any long-term injury and the potential impact.

We're in a great position to kick start the season with a good home win against Norwich and then keep setting ourselves the task of 'just another 3 points' a game at a time. Come the January transfer window we can then see if the squad depth is coping ok and dip in if we need to... no need to panic about the lack of signings in the short-term. We've still got plenty in the tank to set the pace...

[Charly]

Personally I think we will be hard pushed to match our points total of last season, I expect a bit of a drop off maybe just under 90 points

City on the other hand would surprise me if they didnt reach over 90 ...

Agreed... my worry is how may look to VVD and Salah... It is like we have already thrown in the towel.

[Corndog]

Think we're thin. Yes, our backup players are capable of stepping in and performing well when required. However it's a different kettle of fish if someone is out for several months. If Robertson is badly injured, sure Milner is a decent option there, but if he has to play each game for 4 months it most definitely will impact on our performance and probably results.

I'm not as worried about the top positions as some, many don't consider Wijnaldum a good option for the left, but the fact he scored 11 goals for Newcastle from that position means he must have been doing something right. It's obviously not ideal, but we have options. Oxlade-Chamberlain is also a good option in the wide positions if need be. If there are real problems, January gives ample opportunities to current players to confirm they are not up to scratch.

When you are European Champions, you hope to make a real statement and I feel we may have missed a trick by not signing anyone if we don't. Even if it's just something to give a lift and psychological edge. We don't know what's happening in the background but you'd imagine there would be one or two players Klopp and the recruitment team would have had their eye on.

Regardless though, we've got a strong squad in a good place and unless there are major injuries and loss of form to several players we're in a good space to perform well. Things aren't too different from last season. Only really Sturridge and Moreno have really left and neither contributed a huge amount.

I agree, depth is not a problem out wide as we have CMs capable of playing there and wide men capable of playing through the centre.

It's also the fullback positions that worry me. Milner and Gomez can do a job particularly on the defensive side but 95% of teams will not be favourites against us.

Many of these will set up camp on their box and it's the very rare combination of pace, dribbling and outstanding crossing ability that Robbo and Trent provide that often gives us the edge in maintaining dominance and still threatening even against bus parkers.

I think what Klopp is doing with Brewster is correct, if someone looks good enough, don't buy in their position or esle their path is blocked (bo point having wonderkids if they don't get a chance). Whether he also looks at Hoever & Larouci in the same way, I have no idea.

Out of interest, would anyone swap either of our fullbacks for another on this planet? I wouldn't and I think the pickings are slim as far as worthy back ups with their qualities go.

[Exiled_red]

To be fair Milner has decent delivery so could fill in at full back and while there would be a drop off I don't think it will be that huge. Gomez at full back is more of a problem as he offers little going forward. I think I would actually play Henderson at RB ahead of Gomez.