PL 2021/22 Season

[Irishnev]

We've barely won more than half our games.

We are nowhere near the levels we achieved in 18/19.

Frustrating.

I think the seasons of high 90s points are a massive outlier - what ourselves and City did won’t be the norm. The most frustrating thing is when we scored two there was no way we’d drop points but many times this season we have struggled with two goals. Ali has been great and today was an off day but the defence and midfield balance is off - we don’t control games the way we used to

[fabinho]

And if we win, we're still unbeaten, one point off top, in knock out stage of CL with 2 games to spare, in QF of league Cup and currently have the best player in the world.

Considering many had thought we'd struggle to get top 4 and that our forward line was past it, what more could you ask for at this stage?

I was being diplomatic in my post as I had a feeling we'd struggle today against a decent side, and any post on here thats not positive gets jumped upon.

The draws have papered over the cracks, we're now 4 draws and one loss in 11 which is far from great. We face an in form Arsenal next who now sit just 2 points below us with a manager who was fairly under pressure until very recently. OGS's calamitous ship is now sailing within touching distance of the deadwood at Anfield.

We simply cannot compete longterm with a midfield of Henderson, Kieta, Thiago, Fabinho and Milner. If they're not sick they're either passed their best or out of form because they're coming back from injury. The midfield IS the problem, it needs wholesale changes in my opinion. Difficult decisions should have been made in the summer regarding contracts and the roles of the likes of Milner, Henderson , but they weren't. Thiago, Kieta, minamino and Chamberlain have been a complete letdown. We're fortunate that Salah had a purple patch thats for sure.

All that said, we're stilll in the top 4, but I think we've peaked early, whilst City and Chelsea have the squads to build and maintain form. In January we lose Salah and Mane for a couple of games too.

Top 4 at best this season, I wouldn't even bet against Utd finishing above us to be honest, and that isn't a pleasant thing to say for sure.

[Buzzo]

The end of a 25 match unbeaten run that would have (had we won today) been the longest in the history of the club. As soon as that stat was posted I feared the worst. It’s like the crazy wins in a row record, they aren’t beaten easily. Defeats happen (not often to us granted). Turns out draws aren’t as bad as all that eh

There is a long way to go, the key, as we saw in Jan/Feb/March is how we respond.

I still think we have what it takes. But it will be a battle over a season, we won’t run away with it like we did 2 years ago. This one will be a battle to the finish.

[fabinho]

The end of a 25 match unbeaten run that would have (had we won today) been the longest in the history of the club. As soon as that stat was posted I feared the worst. It’s like the crazy wins in a row record, they aren’t beaten easily. Defeats happen (not often to us granted). Turns out draws aren’t as bad as all that eh

There is a long way to go, the key, as we saw in Jan/Feb/March is how we respond.

I still think we have what it takes. But it will be a battle over a season, we won’t run away with it like we did 2 years ago. This one will be a battle to the finish.

As great as a 25 match unbeaten run is, the fact that its across 2 seasons means its pretty pointless as we now sit in 4th place after it. A nice little stat, but nothing more than that.

I'd like to share your optimism, but the issues with our midfield says to me that we won't be competing at the top after a long season. Henderson, Kieta, Thiago and Fabihno are not suddenly going to become injury free for long periods, history just doesn't back that up and its just wishful thinking.

If we're happy with a top 4 finish then OK we have a good shot IMO, but those expecting a title shot are going to be left disappointed.

[Exiled_red]

I was being diplomatic in my post as I had a feeling we'd struggle today against a decent side, and any post on here thats not positive gets jumped upon.

The draws have papered over the cracks, we're now 4 draws and one loss in 11 which is far from great. We face an in form Arsenal next who now sit just 2 points below us with a manager who was fairly under pressure until very recently. OGS's calamitous ship is now sailing within touching distance of the deadwood at Anfield.

We simply cannot compete longterm with a midfield of Henderson, Kieta, Thiago, Fabinho and Milner. If they're not sick they're either passed their best or out of form because they're coming back from injury. The midfield IS the problem, it needs wholesale changes in my opinion. Difficult decisions should have been made in the summer regarding contracts and the roles of the likes of Milner, Henderson , but they weren't. Thiago, Kieta, minamino and Chamberlain have been a complete letdown. We're fortunate that Salah had a purple patch thats for sure.

All that said, we're stilll in the top 4, but I think we've peaked early, whilst City and Chelsea have the squads to build and maintain form. In January we lose Salah and Mane for a couple of games too.

Top 4 at best this season, I wouldn't even bet against Utd finishing above us to be honest, and that isn't a pleasant thing to say for sure.

I agree with the comments about the midfield, for me there are 2 big issues with the midfield the first is the injuries/ injury record of most players in there, but even beyond that I'm not convinced that our midfield has the right balance regardless of who plays which is the second issue. IMO for our midfield to work we need Fabinho, Henderson and 1 other, most likely Thiago or Naby. And we need the midfielders to plug gaps when the fullbacks go forward. Henderson used to do that really well, but his form has dipped in that regard this year, and Thiago and Naby have never been great at that, which for me is a big part of the problem. If you combine the two issues and look at what happens with injury to one or both of Henderson and Fabinho the midfield looks worrying.

[Big-Red-Ed]

Our midfield generally had Gini in it and he was always fit and available. Everyone we have now is a bit injury prone. We need to replace these players not wing it on a hope and a prayer.

YNWA

[~LFCHistory~]

Reinforcements needed for the midfield ASAP, 1 in January and another in the summer also Elliott will be back by then as well hopefully

[fabinho]

I agree with the comments about the midfield, for me there are 2 big issues with the midfield the first is the injuries/ injury record of most players in there, but even beyond that I'm not convinced that our midfield has the right balance regardless of who plays which is the second issue. IMO for our midfield to work we need Fabinho, Henderson and 1 other, most likely Thiago or Naby. And we need the midfielders to plug gaps when the fullbacks go forward. Henderson used to do that really well, but his form has dipped in that regard this year, and Thiago and Naby have never been great at that, which for me is a big part of the problem. If you combine the two issues and look at what happens with injury to one or both of Henderson and Fabinho the midfield looks worrying.

This is why I think wholseale changes were needed in the summer, it should've been a massive transfer window. Fabinho definitely needs to play, but the Henderson of now alongside him just isn't good enough. Thiago is possibly the biggest disappointment for me, but Kieta is a close second. Neither can be counted on.

[spud_gun]

We're not winning the league this season.

[Buzzo]

We're not winning the league this season.

Miserable Scottish c*nt

Way too early to be making such claims. We are more than capable of going on a run of wins. It is going to go to the wire this season I reckon.

[spud_gun]

Yesterday was a hammer blow

Teams with serious title aspirations don't draw away at Brentford or chuck away two goal leads at home to Brighton.

I thought the defence was too soft but as we saw with Konate coming in and Matip dropping out we were still conceding for fun.

We can't seem to grind out results.

[Exiled_red]

It comes down to how many games you fail to win as a draw is almost as damaging as a defeat. We have slipped up 5 times so far, Chelsea 3 and City 4, we need to slip up fewer times between the end of the season than City and at least twice fewer than Chelsea. Points total required to win the league will probably be high 80's to 90, so we probably need about 28 wins whic would be 22 from 27 remaining games.

[Buzzo]

Yesterday was a hammer blow

Teams with serious title aspirations don't draw away at Brentford or chuck away two goal leads at home to Brighton.

I thought the defence was too soft but as we saw with Konate coming in and Matip dropping out we were still conceding for fun.

We can't seem to grind out results.

You could say the same with teams with title aspirations for teams that dont draw at home to Burnley (Chelsea) , or lose at home to Palace (City).

One game at a time. We are 4 points off the top 2 off second. In the hunt. Plus we have already qualified for the CL next round.

I expect better from you.

[BigChief]

You could say the same with teams with title aspirations for teams that dont draw at home to Burnley (Chelsea) , or lose at home to Palace (City).

One game at a time. We are 4 points off the top 2 off second. In the hunt. Plus we have already qualified for the CL next round.

I expect better from you.

Spud gun is right though. We're not going to magically shore up our goals against. We're on target for 50 conceded, same as under Rodgers when we got out done by the **** old owl Pellegrini.

We'll be in the mix but just out of reach.

[spud_gun]

You could say the same with teams with title aspirations for teams that dont draw at home to Burnley (Chelsea) , or lose at home to Palace (City).

One game at a time. We are 4 points off the top 2 off second. In the hunt. Plus we have already qualified for the CL next round.

I expect better from you.

We've dropped points against Chelsea, Citeh, Brentford, Brighton and Palace

Chelsea have dropped points against Us, Citeh and Burnley

Chelsea aren't conceding many and grinding results out