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Liverpool Football Club Thread

glb

By glb
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Adrock

Adrock

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I think just about everyone agrees that Rodgers is under massive scrutiny this season, especially the first half. Barring a relegation fight Rodgers will be in place until the end of the season, if he hasn't improved then he will be removed.

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Chewylegs

Chewylegs

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Which of the top 4 do you see yourselves as close to?

It would have to be Utd. Their last two seasons they've been 7th and 4th, have a host of new players in that time, a new manager and generally have looked pretty weak. Yes, of course they won the league 3 seasons ago but that was with a vastly different side.

At the moment, it is still unknown whether they will perform, unlike the other 3 that have had consistency for a good few years now.

Of course, if their team gels then it's going to be even harder for anyone outside the top 4 to challenge as they also have massive financial backing.

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Chewylegs

Chewylegs

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If Rodgers doesn't do well with this lot you just have to accept the man is a fraud and move on. Really cracking first XI with plenty of depth.

It is a cracking looking first XI on paper, but what is doing well? A trophy,, Champs league qualification or the title?! The premier league is the hardest in the world I'd say.

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carlito

carlito

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I think it's fair to say you'd have to rely on some really poor seasons from all the teams above you to mount a legitimate title challenge but you would want to be in a position to really capitalize on a stumble from any of them and nick their Champion's League spot - and there will be stumbles.

Benteke should be scoring 20+ goals in that team - he's been fed on absolute scraps at Villa yet still grinds out the goals each season. I wouldn't be too surprised if Sturridge finds it harder than he thinks to get back into the team on his return from injury.

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The Fox

The Fox

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I think they've bought pretty well but I still think it takes a poor season from Utd for Liverpool to be able to finish in the top four.

I can't see Chelsea/Arsenal/City being under threat though unless something goes seriously awry. Barring a reserve centre back it doesn't look like Chelsea are in the market for any signings, but there's still a chance Arsenal and particularly City could do some more big business before the end of the window.

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The Fox

The Fox

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You'd surely be hoping Fox that Arsenal buy at least one or two players?! I don't think a new goalie will suddenly turn you into contenders I'm afraid.

I think you can't underestimate the effect of continuity and cohesion. A lot of people these days seem to treat the transfer window as a competition in itself where the winner is the one who buys the most players, but it obviously doesn't generally work like that. United are having to buy loads of players because last season they were absolute shit for large portions of it, so it's not necessarily a great thing. Conversely Arsenal already have a stronger, more balanced squad and would have surely mounted a proper challenge last season were it not for two things: Wenger trying to implement a new formation without adequate pre-season preparations to hone it; and injuries/poor planning leaving us short at the back before Christmas (only two proper centre backs at the time, one who had an ongoing injury and one suffering from post-WC-win hangover). Long-term injuries to Giroud and particularly Ozil didn't help either of course.

We're not going to see any formation changes this season I don't think. The 4-1-4-1 shape Wenger tried and failed with will only be used in certain games this year, and we'll generally line up in a 4-2-3-1. The issue at centre back is resolved with Mertesacker getting his form back, Koscielny getting his fitness back, and Gabriel being signed. If we can continue the signs of improvements on injury management, we can have a good season.

I do think we need a forward at the very least, but it's not an easy market to buy in at the top level. I'm not sure there are any moves we can make in the transfer market that justify us being favourites over Chelsea though, especially if they can keep Costa fit more regularly. Even if we signed the players we're being linked with currently (Samper and Benzema - and I think they're both fairly unlikely to happen), I still think Chelsea are favourites, especially as they have the same advantages of stability and cohesion that Arsenal do. I'm also concerned about our midfield as I don't think it has functioned consistently well for a long time, going back to Ramsey-Arteta in 2013/14. Personally I don't really like Coquelin as a default option there but I seem to be in a minority.

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DeNeo

DeNeo

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Look at the team we had in 13/14 - it was mostly made up of the same players from the season before. The new additions didn't get much of a look in, and we kept the same side every week because we didn't have to rotate due to us not being in European competition.

While we'll definitely have to integrate the new players in, it's interesting that we've played the same line-up in most of our pre-season games - pointing to Rodgers wanting a settled side from the first game onwards. He's also talked about almost having a 2nd team for the Europa League. He's definitely learnt about the need for a consistent team.

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Chewylegs

Chewylegs

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I do think we need a forward at the very least, but it's not an easy market to buy in at the top level.

That was what I was asking!

The rest of what you were saying is very true though, and it is extremely important to maintain consistency in a team, but then build on that as well. Cech is the only addition at the moment, injuries will happen, form will drop, so it's important to have the strength in depth. All the best sides add to one or two players to their already great teams.

From a Liverpool point of view, everyone seems to think by bringing in 7 players we will struggle to find form. People automatically think that all 7 will be thrust into the starting XI! It just ain't going to happen. I can see Milner, Benteke and Clyne as starters, with the rest either being played more un the cups or as subs. Firmino has come back from a tournament, he won't start much in the first few months either.

Liverpool are lagging behind the others when it comes to a consistent side because of injuries, people leaving and players utterly out of form. Hopefully this year we will see a more settled side.

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Istanbul

Istanbul

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If you look when we we nearly won the league season before last, the rotation was kept to an absolute minimum. Largely due to not having any European football, or decent cup runs, but also because of a relatively small squad with hardly no genuine strength in depth. I'm a firm believer that a settled side is far more advantageous than constantly chopping and changing, and if you can get a run going with that side then confidence and understanding continues to grow - breeding results in the process. Now, obviously with being in the Europa and going for cup competitions we are going to need to make changes this season, but I also think when you have a number of players like we do...the temptation to needlessly rotate to give other players a game may be a hindrance in that it will be more difficult for players to find and maintain form, as well as forge on field understandings and relationships with teammates. I think that's what happened early last season too. I'm very happy with our signings, but 7 players is a lot to bring in and gel...with a very difficult set of away fixtures to start the season, as well as the horrific end to the last campaign, a good start is more important than ever this time round.

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JohnnyNolan

JohnnyNolan

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Of the seven one is clearly the back-up keeper and another is a young lad unlikely to see much first team action outside of cup competitions. I'd say it's a fair shout to say Milner is a swap in for Gerrard, and I'd guess Firmino for Sterling.

Also two seasons ago we were helped by having Suarez who was in phenomenal form and we had very little to deal with in terms of injury to key players. Also we had the advantage of Man Utd and Chelsea being in transition with changes of management and Arsenal being very inconsistent.

Looking at our squad against others as it stands now I'd say finishing 5th in the PL is reasonable. I think it would take either an exceptional year from us, or a very bad year from one of the current top four for us to go beyond that.

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The Fox

The Fox

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I'd be very surprised if Firmino wasn't pretty much straight into your starting XI.

Also who the fuck is Samper?

Apols for the derail but I may as well answer: http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/24/sergi-sampers-father-contacts-arsenal-to-push-through-transfer-away-from-barcelona-5310472/

I've never seen him play but apparently he's the 'New Busquets'. Problem for him of course is that the actual Busquets has only just turned 27 so his path to the first team seems rather blocked.

Hard to say if we genuinely want him or if it's just the old 'agent fabricates Arsenal interest to get new contract/first team guarantees' act. I doubt Barca want to lose him and I doubt he'd leave ideally, but at some point he needs regular first team games I guess.

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Istanbul

Istanbul

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Couldn't watch the games today but heard it was a very poor performance excluding a great goal from the always improving...Jordan Ibe.

People going on about Lovren a lot, getting absolutely slaughtered. Surely he can't be as bad as he was last season...I admit to worrying every time he plays.

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Istanbul

Istanbul

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He's literally one of the worst centre backs I've ever seen play for us...and we've had some duds over the years. His mentality seems really poor too, which is what irks me the most.

I'd rather have Djimi Traore starting ahead of him at this point.*

*I love Djimi, if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have won the European Cup for a 5th time. So for all his faults, including back heeling it into the net against Burnley in the FA Cup, he will always be a hero in my eyes.

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JamesTW

JamesTW

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Well we were pretty shit aswell, it's not like they were bad and we gave it our all and still finished below them, they also played 1 game a week and we had cup games, extra time, replays all over the place, I don't think we'll finish in top 4 buts that why people could claim we are close to them, they are the easiest target above us

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glb

glb

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UEFA cup win though, you heard it here first.

I'd gladly take a UEFA Cup win. Despite being a drawn out affair, European triumphs just don't come along that often. Just a shame UEFA have tinkered and butchered the format to make it look like a poorer version of the Champions League instead of letting it blossom alongside the Big Cup.

What will be enough to keep Rodgers at the club another year? Top 4 and no silverware? 5th/6th and a cup?

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  • glb changed the title to Liverpool Football Club Thread

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