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Liverpool Football Club Thread

glb

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glb

glb

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Call it what it is. The least impressive title defence since Blackburn’s a quarter of a century ago. The side is currently on course for 69 points, which may just about squeak into the top four, but even that reduced target feels lofty right now.
 

Klopp hinting the side’s mental strength is gone is telling, and perhaps signals the end of this team in its current guise. How Klopp’s Liverpool now evolve is for the kinetic German to conjure, but maybe even he’s feeling a little shot and in need of a break amid this weird season of zombie football.

 

Not really annoyed, main feeling is of frustration for the players more than anything. They gave everything for that title win last season but never got the adulation, the packed Anfield hailing their new Champions.
 

Sure, the pay packets are nice but they’re a squad built in Klopp’s image, designed to thrive and perform for an audience. Without the buzz of a matchday, the energy that appeared limitless is a finite reserve, delivering mixed, sometimes listless, sometimes lost performances. It’s hard not to think ‘something happened’ between the Palace and West Brom games but in reality signs of a drop-off had been visible in the proceeding weeks and months. Some called it early, some refused to believe it, perhaps hoping escapism through Red-tinted glasses would last another year.
 

Sunday may deliver one more vibrant hum of furious mayhem, wounded pride firing tired muscles and aching limbs to a victory over Pep’s slick results machine. But even a win will only delay the inevitable: a gritted-teeth limp to May’s finish line, then an envious glance towards one half of Manchester and a summer spent wondering when Anfield might again rumble and thrum for its heroes, and who those heroes might be.

 

Champions of everything, what a ride it has been :wub:

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Gabe

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3 hours ago, glb said:

Call it what it is. The least impressive title defence since Blackburn’s a quarter of a century ago.

Pretty sure the Moyes-era Man Utd and one of Chelsea's attempts will end up still being worse, but we'll see.

 

3 hours ago, glb said:

It’s hard not to think ‘something happened’ between the Palace and West Brom games but in reality signs of a drop-off had been visible in the proceeding weeks and months. Some called it early, some refused to believe it, perhaps hoping escapism through Red-tinted glasses would last another year.

I think a few of us had been questioning performances long before the West Brom game, even when we were winning; we just rarely looked comfortable and in control, unlike in the previous three years, nor did it feel like the team would be able to hold a lead and manage the game out. It almost seems like the Fulham game gave every team the belief that, actually, we were there for the taking and had finally run out of ideas of how to break teams down.

 

I was going to post last night about what the future may hold, because I do think at least one of the front three will leave in the Summer (plus some midfielders), but also who knows if Klopp himself still has the desire to build again. Whatever happens, nothing can take away from the amazing times and experiences we've had over the past three years in particular and whilst I do go with the mantra that you need to defend your title to really be a great team/manager as opposed to a very good team, his influence goes way beyond the trophies in the cabinet.

 

This post makes it almost sound like he's already left, but he's always said he would like to go back to Germany at some point and this weird, wacky season may be a catalyst to that happening.


Anyway, in terms of last night, I've gone back to my 'Eh' stage. It felt rubbish at the time but today it doesn't really seem to matter all that much anymore. Roll on Sunday.

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glb

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I did also overlook Leicester were poor as champions but do like a bit of sauce so mentioning a quarter of an century and Blackburn’s ill-fated campaign makes a better impact.

 

Feel like the summer is a fork in the road for a lot of the squad. Don’t think there needs to be wholesale changes but certainly adjustments in a couple of areas. Robertson said earlier this season football without fans is rubbish, and that sentiment goes a long way to explaining the lethargy in performances, but a lack of threat for certain players’ places is also a contributing factor. 
 

There have been positives amid the inconsistencies: Curtis Jones has been a revelation at times, Thiago clearly will shine even brighter in a first-choice midfield and Jota will soon once again add more verve to the attack.

 

Stadiums opening up again coupled with Champions League football, or rather the revenue involved, will breathe new life into the squad, along with some big names returning. Some of the signings rumoured are ludicrous and surely won’t happen but can’t also help be excited about how the team might evolve.
 

There will still be some great wins this season, and a few more defeats. It’s perhaps a blessing that the players are detached from supporters at the minute; everyone can wipe the slate clean and pretend this season never happened once turnstiles start clicking again.

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glb

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17 minutes ago, Azrael said:

Once we've sold Mane, Salah and Firmino in the summer our new front three of Mbappe, Haaland and Jota will revitalise the team. 


Man, the thought of Haaland... I know it probably definitely won’t happen (because Man City) but imagine.

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bradigor

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I reckon we go BIG on Haaland personally. I don't want to say we let Bobby leave to help fund it, but he could also do with a new challenge. I reckon Edward could work his magic and somehow manage to swap Origi and an out of contract Wijnaldum along with a bag of off-brand jelly beans for Haaland. ;) 

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JamesTW

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Honestly not that arsed about what happens Sunday! Empty non hostile Anfield will completely suit City, or even the Leipzig game, no fans and all the injuries, this season feels like 1 long Europa league group game or early league cup round

Next season is a bit more normal hopefully! and we can start again

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glb

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3 hours ago, ryodi said:

I bet if we sent Keita on loan to Southampton he woudn't get injured once during the season. 


Thinking Nike should release a red and white striped home kit next season. Win the league at a canter.

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glb

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1 minute ago, Marlowe said:

Hope your lot put on their shooting boots tomorrow. If not the league is going to be a dire procession!


Think it will be regardless of tomorrow. Everyone below City looks far more likely to drop daft points than Pep’s side.

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glb

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1 minute ago, bradigor said:

Virgil (my best bud, so it's ok) has been named in the squad for the rest of the season. 

 

I didn't notice this before, so he could will be back for our push for a UEFA Cup spot.


Van Dijk will play before either Matip or Gomez. Reckon he’s being targeted for a triumphant return in Istanbul ;)

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Adrock

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14 minutes ago, bradigor said:

Virgil (my best bud, so it's ok) has been named in the squad for the rest of the season. 

 

I didn't notice this before, so he could will be back for our push for a UEFA Cup spot.

 

Matip is in the squad, as is Gomez. Both expected to be out for the the entirety of the remainder of the season.

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Oh Danny Boy

Oh Danny Boy

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Thiago and Jones on there gives me some hope. The problem we have is because of no central defence the attack has been blunted when teams play ten men behind the ball. Now defensive minded teams are realising that they can just play to nick a goal and it can work out. West Ham, Spurs and City play to our strengths. And even though on paper the next couple of months look tough I think we have a chance to rack up enough points to secure top 4 over that period because we are going to be playing teams who will take risks against us.
 

I’d definitely be tempted to fast forward Kabak into defence so we can start playing Henderson further forward. 

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Adrock

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I don't understand the complaints about lack of creativity thanks to Henderson and Fabinho playing at the the back. The last couple of years those two were part of the workmanlike midfield regularly bemoaned for their lack of creativity.

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