Serious question - when was the last time Liverpool had a decent left back and two decent CBs. It seems to have been a problem for them as far as I can remember!
Liverpool - 2017/18
- Thread starter Rafateria
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Last time I can remember was under Rafa. I used to love Riise back in the day. Before that murky night in April.
Riise must of been about 14 years ago since he peaked? I can remember Aurelio being absolutely crap but I'm sure he scored against Madrid when you slapped them.
They won't challenge for a title without a better defense, but teams in the league couldn't wise up enough to prevent Liverpool from snagging a top 4 finish. And up front you'll have major difficulty keeping a clean sheet against them for 90 minutes.
Not just Madrid
I think that was Dossena when he went on his incredible two game scoring streak.
Their squad will get more stretched this year though. They didn't have any games in Europe last year and they went out of the cups pretty early.
They really need to keep Coutinho, otherwise they will have effectively regressed ahead of a very tough season.
Fast and good attacking against a Hoffenheim manager who doesn't seem to have done his homework. Everything about their setup in the first 25 minutes must've had every PL manager shaking their head in disbelief.
I read a lot about bringing in more players in this window, but doesn't it end in a week? I'd be surprised if it'd be easier to lure away first team players from others so late in the window. Unless transfer details have been in place and can be finalized with CL qualification, I don't see much happening.
But if you don't strengthen your defensive setup, it'll just be another season of disappointed expectations.
I read a lot about bringing in more players in this window, but doesn't it end in a week? I'd be surprised if it'd be easier to lure away first team players from others so late in the window. Unless transfer details have been in place and can be finalized with CL qualification, I don't see much happening.
But if you don't strengthen your defensive setup, it'll just be another season of disappointed expectations.
New season, 4 games, should have won all 4, 10 goals scored, Coutinho staying, Salah added , no afcon for mane, qualified for champions league.
I dont get why media and fans and pundits everyone is just so negative about Liverpool.
I dont get why media and fans and pundits everyone is just so negative about Liverpool.
Aurelio was our best left back in decades. Just never ever fit. and shit for the first two weeks after getting back every time.
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Their attack is superb under Klopp. Hopefully the defence remains problematic otherwise they could genuinely challenge for the title.
Attack good, defense poor. Also think hoffenheim were bad, i think they expected Liverpool to sit on the lead and away goals but they got blitzed and their tactics failed. Still a good performance to beat a good side.
Would have loved the meltdown had they crashed out but i think being in CL will also affect them and their thin squad over atleast 6 matches of group stages. Think they will be fighting for fourth again, their attack will win them a few tough games but their defence will lose/draw them a few winnable ones.
Would have loved the meltdown had they crashed out but i think being in CL will also affect them and their thin squad over atleast 6 matches of group stages. Think they will be fighting for fourth again, their attack will win them a few tough games but their defence will lose/draw them a few winnable ones.
Firmino though - what a player he is.
Liverpool's defence under Rafa was pretty solid - especially when Babbel was fit at right back
Rafa did adopt a defensive style though and they defended well as a team
Rafa did adopt a defensive style though and they defended well as a team
Easy. The CL is away above the PL in terms of prestige and player-pulling power. To say nothing of having to beat teams currently rated far above those in the PL.
They had Kuyt as a defensive striker remember?
More questions than answers for me
How far offside was that goal I've just seen on the BBC news?
And Emre Can on fire too. Were the Hoff playing with a full XI?
How far offside was that goal I've just seen on the BBC news?
And Emre Can on fire too. Were the Hoff playing with a full XI?
Great game last night for us, scintillating attacking performance, but it's more or less just glossing over the issues. It's been an horrendous summer, the players know as well as the club that we haven't progressed any, I don't blame Coutinho for wanting to leave before and especially not in the light of Klopp's recent comments on Emre Can. He hasn't signed a contract because he wanted to be assured of CL football, we have nowhere near enough for four competitions and it's going to be a long season unless significant activity takes place in the next few days.
Babbel never played for rafa.
Didn't see the game last night, so can't comment on that, but great that we're through! European nights at Anfield once again
However, the lack of reinforcements is staggering and I'm a little worried that our squad will be pushed to the limit when european football, three domestic tournaments and injuries set in. Last season we barely scraped 4th and that was without european football and early exits in the cups. I'm really hoping that something happens in the final days. CL could be a factor when trying to convince players to join us.
However, the lack of reinforcements is staggering and I'm a little worried that our squad will be pushed to the limit when european football, three domestic tournaments and injuries set in. Last season we barely scraped 4th and that was without european football and early exits in the cups. I'm really hoping that something happens in the final days. CL could be a factor when trying to convince players to join us.
Mane Mane, what a player! He's special and he looks like he's better this year than last year.
Didn't see the game last night, so can't comment on that, but great that we're through! European nights at Anfield once again
However, the lack of reinforcements is staggering and I'm a little worried that our squad will be pushed to the limit when european football, three domestic tournaments and injuries set in. Last season we barely scraped 4th and that was without european football and early exits in the cups. I'm really hoping that something happens in the final days. CL could be a factor when trying to convince players to join us.
I agree with the lack of reinforcements complaint. I think you've left yourself too thin so far, and that could have big repercussions later on. I think you've been screwed by the Coutinho situation. If you knew he was going to be a Barca target you could have done some strengthening before he left, but because it's almost come out of the blue after Barca got stung by Neymar, selling him now would leave you in a bit of a bind in negotiations with other clubs who know just how much money you have. Without reinforcements - and even with Coutinho - I think your squad is going to be stretched.
I think today's CL draw will be interesting. You could find yourself in a very difficult group and facing the very real prospect of Europa League football, which would only strain the squad further.
A lot of hypotheticals at this point, but nonetheless I feel you've made a mistake not bringing more players in.
Out of the top 6 teams, I think they're the most ill-equiped to handle an injury crises.
I cannot believe Klopp is happy with the amount of business done.
I cannot believe Klopp is happy with the amount of business done.
Absolutely. Even before Coutinho became an issue, our squad should have been reinforced. All the talk about Keita and Van Dijk suggests that we did want to strengthen, but only had those those two prospects which, if true, is crazy. There must be plenty of players out there who could provide our squad with both quality and width (not sure it's the right word).
I'm really hoping that the CL will persuade someone to come and that Klopp sees that we can use someone other than those two.
That's not entirely true. I mean, in that sense you could say Liverpool have a great defense overall, because they conceded fewer goals than 15 other teams in the league. The point is that Liverpool aren't really competing with most of those sides - they're competing with United, City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs, and they conceded more goals from open play than all these teams.
I agree that a holding midfielder like Matic wouldn't solve all your problems, because the system and tactics are equally to blame as the personnel. It would probably help, though.
It's an all-round problem IMO. Personnel, keeper, system, attitude. The danger is that Klopp may be going down the Wenger route of just ignoring/denying the problem.
Arsenals' defence was never this leaky imo. Yeah we've never been thumped by 8 goals or destroyed 5-0 in Europe but on the whole they've always had a decent ish defence but I agree with that Wenger point. I mean there is a week left but if we don't sign VVD which I doubt will happen he needs to try and reintegrate Sahko because he has already come out and said there is no VVD alternative. We are so lucky our attack is good.
Why has their summer transfer window been so disappointing? It was glaring obvious where they need strengthening and they haven't even filled them in adequately. Is it Klopp being stubborn and refusing to sign anyone but his first choice signings? or FSG not stumping up the cash?
We all know they were after VVD and Keita but both have went dead and seem to be off the table but surely there are other alternatives out there or 2nd/3rd/4th choices like most clubs have approaching a window.
We all know they were after VVD and Keita but both have went dead and seem to be off the table but surely there are other alternatives out there or 2nd/3rd/4th choices like most clubs have approaching a window.
Yea Mane is a wicked little player. Would be perfect for us. Always forget how young he is too.
Matic got 7 assists in the league last season, same amount as Coutinho.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....ippe-Coutinho-Manchester-United-Barcelona/amp They are calling us obsessed ha
The Coutinho saga, inadvertently, has acted as a perfect cloak to keep Mane hidden. For now! The guy is destined for a Bayern, Real Madrid, PSG or even maybe Barcelona. Actually scratch Bayern, they won't be able to afford him by a long way. I can see him being next summer's transfer saga when the cat is truly out.
You think Mane is that good?
You don't?
Edit: I should qualify. Without him we're no more than a top 8 side. So yes.
Coutinho scored 14 , matic just 2. Anyways
stats often lie mate they dont tell complete story. If we go by stats lucas leiva and pogba near about had same number of assists last season if your getting my point.
Matic is a ultra defensive midfielder suitable for mourinho's more pragmatic approach. Going forward he doesn't creates much. Klopp prefers more balanced CDM.
I think he's good but not seen loads of him. Big step from good for Liverpool to Barca/Real/Bayern class.
He's much more of a one man saviour than Coutinho. Not quite Ronaldo/Bale or even Neymar level but not far removed.
Plus Matic wouldn't have gone to Liverpool, he bad better offers. A more box to box type like N'Zonzi would be great for Liverpool.
Calm down
He's good, but yes, he is far removed from cristiano/neymar. Neymar would have scored 4 by himself yesterday with everything Mane wasted...
Their attack seems fine without coutinho.
Their defence is woeful wherever he is.
If Gnabry had his shooting boots on the right feet they could have conceded 4 yesterday. They will get punished by better sides.
Before the season is out, they will be punished by worse sides too unless they do something to change the way they defend. Its not just the players, there is more to it.
Their defence is woeful wherever he is.
If Gnabry had his shooting boots on the right feet they could have conceded 4 yesterday. They will get punished by better sides.
Before the season is out, they will be punished by worse sides too unless they do something to change the way they defend. Its not just the players, there is more to it.