That loss was a hard one to take. Any loss at Anfield is, but that was truly embarrassing. The first half was a bore, as we had so much of the possession but barely attempted any shots and the ones we did lacked confidence, aside from Elliot's. Once we went behind, it never looked like we were up to the game.
Cody Gakpo had a solid first half, with incredible movement and link up play with the team. Other than that bright spark, not a single player was there. There isn't a single other positive to take from that game, which is so unlike these players this season. Easily Joe Gomez's worst performance this year. By the end, he was a waste on the field because he wasn't providing any attacking threat. Endo lost possession too much. Szobo's mistake to lead to their third goal was rough. Salah isn't connecting well with his passes. Van Dijk and Konate looked shaky back there and were left alone too often. It was great to see Jota back but he didn't have the finishing touch, which is to be expected. Just disappointing all around. Back to the premier league in three days, again at Anfield. From the get go, there has to be a surge of confidence. And no complacency. If any players don't give 100% in training, they don't start. Start as many young players as possible. They all have to re-earn their spots on the team. We may have a minimum of 8 games and a max of 11 games left this season. They have to fight. We have the depth to do it. It's there on the field. Robbo. Elliot. Gakpo. Diaz. Mac Allister. They're giving it there all. But they're lacking a little confidence and the whole team needs to play together. They got to get back to some of the basics of passing and get more good attempts on target. The tie is still not over. It definitely is very much out of our reach, but it's possible. The team needs to get a W against Crystal Palace and then focus on traveling to Italy with confidence and conviction. I'm excited for another game on Sunday and I know they'll pull off a win, but they have to want to earn it. They can't go out with that attitude again this season. Two trophies on the line.
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In just one week, Liverpool play their first game back from the international break, the final break of the 2023-24 season. We take on Brighton at home, the start to a loaded, emotionally-charged, nerve-wracking, every-game-is-a-must-win run in to end Klopp's farewell tour. Ten premier league games and a potential five more Europa league games, this could be the fairytale we're waiting for or another heart-breaking conclusion to the season.
While the LFC Legends scored four goals to beat Ajax yesterday, the Reds out on international duty put in some strong performances. Harvey scored 2 goals. Cody had 2 assists. Luis Diaz had an insane assist followed by an either better finish for their historic win over Spain. Yet, my eyes are on the players in England, continuing their rehab. To compete in the final two months of the season, we need the likes of Trent, Allison, Jones, Gravenberch, and Jota back. Everyone has stepped up in their place, but we are not prepared to continue winning without strong depth. The 4-3 loss proved how fragile the team could be. Tired legs. Lack of ambition and conviction. Poor passes. They were costly as we lost 2 leads to Man U, and we still have to travel back to Old Trafford to try again in a game that is a must-win, especially after failing to score against them at Anfield. A game that goes 120 minutes is brutal for both teams, but holding a lead in the second period of ET should be enough. Man U can't go through and score two goals. The passion and fight wasn't there. For us to succeed this season, we need it in every game. That's how important it is to have a strong squad pf players ready to fight. One more week without Liverpool football and then we'll have nearly two months. I am excited to soak up every single game and cheer for the Reds. I want more hardware and I know they can do it. Up the Reds. Enjoy the final week of international duty. Sunday's final was set for a 3 PM kickoff in the UK, making it 10 AM here. This would have been fine, but in November, I signed up for my second half marathon. I began training, running 3-4 times a week and hitting the gym to get some more strength. Stupid Liverpool had to keep winning games and reach the final and the FA had the audacity to not move the final in accordance with my life plans. As the great Sith Lord, Jar Jar Binks, would say, "How Rude!"
Liverpool have played roughly 40 games this season and it pains me when I miss even a bit of one match. This team brings so much joy (and stress and pain). Missing the first 60+ of the Carabao Cup final was hard, but it was surprisingly easy to shut down and not be drawn to my phone to constantly check for score updates. I only got the single notifcations of an insane Kelleher save and a goal ruled out for offside on Endo. Starting off my run with "You'll Never Walk Alone," I was ready to focus on my goals while the boys chased theirs. When I finally ended the race and immediately clicked on ESPN+, I was drawn in by the lack of experience on the field. The end of regular time looked like all Chelsea, pushing and trying to break the stalemate. But, added time looked all Liverpool. They never gave up and they looked so confident. What is Jurgen cooking to make boys making their second debut for the first team feel so able to fall into this squad. When it comes to young players, everyone likes to overrate and freak out about the emerging talent. I'm reminded about how much we believed in Bajcetic last year (who still may turn out to be the real deal come next season) or the rating of Mainoo this year, who is certainly talented but I think it's way too early to use the word "generational." And I fear this happening with this team. Bradley has been immense in Trent's absence, barely losing a step in all the games he's featured in. McConnell looks strong, as does Bobby Clark. And Jayden Danns is rightfully getting the spotlight following his three appearances. But, we have to remember they are young and it's not a certainty that they'll make it. For now, we have to only applaud their immense fight and confidence to show what they're made up and win a trophy for Liverpool. We need our players back and our injuries to subside. That's how we can compete for the final 3 trophies. But, for now, I am glad that we have Klopp and these kids to show what it means to play for Liverpool. Yes, he is. Of course he is. Mbappe is immensely talented and a world-beater. Any team would be lucky to have, regardless of ego. Is he worth the money? No one is worth his weekly wages. Yet, this is the current state of the financial side of football. If anyone is worth this money, it's him. But, no one should be getting paid $1million a week. Only a handful of clubs can truly afford that. Of course, this is the wider conversation of financial fair play and everything the "Super League" stood for. How can any team compete when a select few are the only ones with enough money to truly get the best players in the world (we're just lucky in the current state to afford the players we have). Is there a chance he'll come to Liverpool? No. Just because his mom likes us, doesn't mean he'll come. Should we try for him? No. I think we should end all of this transfer pain now. He's going to Real Madrid. It's just a matter of when they announce it. Mbappe is fantastic and I would be happy to see him here, but his wages are too high. We need a full team and not just a world-class star (we already have tons). Mbappe news should be treated as the fun, video-game like saga that his star power brings, not false hope, and certainly not staking our future. Next season, a new manager will take the helm and the season will be tough. New players coming in, old players leaving. New philosophies. The hardest thing to do is to continue performing at the level we are at now, especially if we qualify for Champions League next season. All effort should be put into this idea of the future of Liverpool. And that is a collective investment. What players serve this future. What staff serves this. How can the fans support this. No time for fairytales. Brentford away on Sunday. No Trent. No Thiago (probably ever). And no Szobo. Maybe Salah. He probably won't start. But that's okay, given how good our frontline has been without him. The squad is strong, even if we haven't been the best on the road. And with a shaky first half against Burnley, they should not take this game lightly. They have to start strong, pressure high, control the passes, and the rest will come. The right pass will come through Macca or Jones. Or even Van Dijk. I'd love to see Gomez in an inverted role, or Bradley back and controlling the game down the right with Jota. Both will give us dominance.
Also, against Burnley, I was so impressed with how Endo finds space. He is unbelievable in picking out that space to get forward. The team should take notes. I think a 2-1 win for us is in order. A brutal 3-1 loss to Arsenal at The Emirates has tipped the season wide open and thrown the fan base into a wide array of emotions. Bitterness led fans and pundits to chastise Mikel Arteta and Arsenal for their “excessive” celebrating (I do think Martin Odergaard’s picture-taking with their team photographer was really sweet and I don’t see a problem with it. If anything, it should be flattering to us how teams react when they beat us. We’re just that big of a club). Other fans went into full failure mode, claiming Man City are walking away with the trophy. While this does make it slightly easier for City, who are bound to go on a long unbeaten run in the final stretch of the season, I am choosing to stay positive.
Liverpool are still in first, 2 points ahead of City (who do have a game in hand). We could have kept this at five, but we did have one of the worst games of the season. We were lucky to grab a single goal off of a brilliant fight from Diaz who was able to deflect the ball off the hand of Gabriel to give us a short lifeline before halftime. But that was about the only positive. As for the rest of the game on Sunday, it was all Arsenal. They outpressured us. They looked more dangerous on attack throughout the game. And they were defensively solid throughout midfield and the back line. Liverpool couldn’t say the same. Van Dijk, who has been phenomenal all season, was shaky. Allison made a huge mistake on the second goal. Even Konate was slow to react at times which was unlike him. It led to games in defense and handing Arsenal 2 open net goals that killed any fight in the team. Our midfield wasn’t solid on Sunday. Mac Allister was still the bright spot, but Jones didn’t get enough time or space. And Gravenberch was not giving the same fight as the other players, matching Arsenal’s energy (I will highlight his pass to Diaz that resulted in our first goal as a tiny sliver of hope for his talent). Our players held onto the ball too long. More than 2 touches and they had Declan Rice breathing down their necks. Arsenal came to play and they deserved the win. However, I still back us. There will be tough games ahead, especially on the road. But, this team is incredible. They have shown fight and the ability to bounce back, with 40% of our goals coming in the final 15 minutes in the premier league. This team never gives up and I know that they will not all season. While the reaction from fans after a loss (only our second in the league this season) needs to improve, I am ready to see how the team responds on Saturday when they face Burnley. How they play will show me how the rest of the season will go. If they are ready to give it their all for the premier league and for the 3 other trophies we have on the line. We are Liverpool. As fans, I think it’s important to stand behind this team every single game. Win, lose, or draw. It’s what Klopp deserves and it’s what this team deserves. Liverpool fans, myself included, were left heartbroken today when Jürgen Klopp announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
While the news is devastating, like the sting of a relationship ending when you aren't ready to let go, we can take solace in the final 4 months ahead of us. From the disappointment of last season, Klopp has turned everything around. Sitting 1st in the league, with a trip to Wembley and two more competitions with everything to play for, he's shown the legend he is in his final season at Liverpool. Since he came in for Rogers in 2015, he's been something special that this club will never forget. Along with the likes of Shankly, Paisley, and Dalglish, he deserves every bit of respect from us. Sure, this leaves the club with tough decisions, scrambling for a new coaching staff to come in and continue to compete at the highest level: the Liverpool way. All eyes will be on Xabi Alonso, as they rightly deserve to be. But, for now, the focus should be on this season (a possible quadruple?). Let's send Jürgen off with a bang, shouting his praises and putting our entire support behind the team. "I'm so glad that Jürgen is a Red!" Now and forever. What a finish at St. James Park. Liverpool earned 3 points in a match that was exciting, baffling, boring, infuriating, and so thrilling. So much to enjoy. And even more to critique. Jurgen Klopp expertly used his subs today. Everyone who came on made a difference. Joe Gomez stepped up. Harvey and Diogo made an immediate impact. Quasnah had an excellent first run in. And Darwin Nunez was the hero. After his incredible pre season, I was surprised when he hasn't been given the time. It makes sense with the five forwards we have. But today showed why he's so important to us and how much he's grown. Those 2 finishes were world class. The clobber off the post to stun the crowd when he equalized is still ringing in my ears, as is his trill of laughter as he rounded the goal to celebrate. Newcastle were the better team for so much of that game (even though they were up a man). The subs they made killed their attacking threat and left the door for Liverpool to jump in. They need to reconsider how they went about that. Of the starters, Mo was incredible again. He couldn't play the way he wants by going wide and having the freedom to take players on one-on-one. He had to play defense and he was a leader on that field. Szoboszlai was immense in the midfield. He's everywhere on the field, making good passes and making moves on his own to create chances. He's a breath of fresh air. I though Mac Allister was strong again, especially back in a preferable position. A clinical passer. Diaz was so good for the 30 minutes he could play.
Allison. Best keeper in the world. We need to compete for him. He deserves it. I wasn't impressed with Endo. Great shout by him to recognize he wasn't strong defensively. I still give him the benefit of the doubt of not playing in the prem yet and this only being his first start. I think he can be good for us this season. Robbo and Matip were fine. Did their jobs. Trent was dumb for throwing the ball away. I don't think it should be a yellow, but by the new rules it is and it's insane. Killing this game with strict enforcement like that. After that card, he couldn't play aggressive defense. I'm proud he kept his head after that, but he needs that discipline. The first three games have not been good for him. He needs defensive cover so he can thrive on the ball. He's played well defensively, but the best part of his game hasn't been on full display. I'm surprised so many fans are fuming about the Van Dijk call. I think the red was deserved. A soft tackle, but he definitely got Isak before the ball. Isak would've been in on goal. I think that's textbook. But, I'm not a rules analyst. What I think fans should be more upset about is the lack of a back up plan. Konate is injured and Van Dijk is sent off. Gomez comes in. Trent on a yellow, but not a single person on the bench could replace him if we needed that. We got lucky today. We also deserved that win. But, we were still lucky. The squad we have is not sustainable for a title push. There are 4 days left. We need another midfielder and a defender. I truly don't care their main positions anymore. We need the cover. We obviously have the money. We were ready to spend 115 million on Caicedo and only used like 25 for Endo. Use that extra 90 for quality players. Show them the project. Show them the heart. Show them the fight of that game. If we get 2 more quality signings, we can compete. But without them, if anything goes wrong with any of our players, I think we're screwed. I'm going to ride the high of this win through the week. I hope there is the added bonus of signings before Villa next Sunday. If not, it will be a long fall. After a deeply unsettling 15 or so minutes at Anfield, Liverpool showed class on Saturday against Bournemouth. In those 75 minutes, I'm left feeling the best I've felt about the Reds since the end of the 2022 season.
In the first few minutes, Liverpool did what they do best (at least for the past year and a half), come out slow and concede first. That was a problem that hit us late in our quadruple push that we haven't seemed to shake off. Other teams come out with more intensity. We play lazy. And we're forced to claw back. Luckily, we did just that in our home opener. Luis Diaz had a tremendous goal to tie it up as he continues to prove that he is back. He never fully recovered after his injury last campaign, but this season, so far, he's been our best forward. Mo Salah opened his scoresheet after a saved penalty kick by jumping on the rebound. Pretty? No. Important? Absolutely. I think he played slightly better in the game vs Chelsea. Against Bournemouth, his finishing was very poor. Uncharacteristic of him. It feels like a drop in confidence. Not form. Especially because his dribbling looks solid and his passing might be the best part of his game. Jota got the final goal from his classic poaching position. I am unsure why Darwin Nunez is a substitute player, but maybe I have to trust Klopp. For the midfield, I am most impressed. Alex Mac Allister has been great the first two Premier League games, especially for having to play the holding position. I am excited for him to play his natural position. Hopefully he can play next week after his red card gets overturned (fingers crossed). Endo got his 30 minutes to shine a day after signing and he was impressive. Looked hungry on and off the ball. I'm excited to see more. Cody Gakpo is so great on the ball, but he needs to play the CF position. A more False 9 will help us in attack. With Endo coming in, I think a 4-3-3 might be out best position, with Gakpo up top with Salah and Diaz. Goals galore coming up, in many ways thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai. He is class. He's immense. He's signing of the summer for us. In the two games we've seen, he's been so good on the ball, taking players on with no fear. His passing is on point too, almost better than Trent's. I hope he stays with us for so long, because he has the makings of one of our best midfielders in years. I see him being just as good as Wijnaldum this year, and maybe even better over the next few. I am very happy with him. The defense is still our most glaring issue. But I'm not overally pessimistic. Konate has been our best defender and so good these two games. And Van Dijk I think has been so much better so far this season than last. Confidence looks to be back for our new skipper. And I don't want to give too much hate to Trent or Robbo. I will love them both to the end of my days. A few years ago, they were immense on the field, creating so many chances and letting VVD and Fab cover their asses. Last season and now, not so much. I think Trent played a solid defensive game against Chelsea (not as good against Bournemouth) but he feels nowhere to be seen in the middle of the field where he's his best. Robertson has some great runs but isn't as dangerous. When they go up the field, then the other teams can cut through us. Plus, we let them pass right through us in the box. If not for Allison, we could be at 1, maybe 0 points this season instead of 4. I do think we need another CB signing. I doubt it will happen. But, I do hope Endo works out, because he will be that cover for Trent to go up and do his thing. We need that. With less than 10 days left before the window closes, I see the most need in midfield reinforcements. Manu Kone. Ryan Gravenbach. Doucoure. I don't think they'll go for Doucore because of that price tag and because he would have to be our future; they need to believe in him. The other two feel versatile and strong, able to start and sub and help bolster the middle of the field. With a strong midfield core, we'll score a lot of goals through our top 3 and with Szoboszlai and Trent (and hopefully Mac Allister back in his position) creating chances. Sign one of those dudes and find a talented young CB to mold. I have no idea who is best there. Get the players who can play in the first team now but can also play for years to come. Our superstars are aging. But they're still in their prime. With the right signings now, we can compete this year and we can continue to compete. Because that is who Liverpool is. Newcastle away this weekend. Our next big test. Let's go in there and show them who Liverpool are this season. I love Liverpool as much as my future firstborn, but I am in complete shambles with the organization at the moment. Following this team every day has been a joy for years, but I am struggling at the moment. This summer has been disastrous. There have been glimpses of a hopeful future, with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai two immense signings. I thought they looked impressive in their debut on the weekend. Konate and Van Dijk were so good on Sunday and even Trent was good defensively (though, so underwhelming when we had the ball). The attackers looked hungry in the preseason and Salah especially has such an important left boot. He may have the most assists in the Premier League this year. But, it stops there. The season has started. We've lost Firmino, Henderson, Fabinho, Milner, Carvalho, Keita, Ox, and Ramsey. We don't have a defensive midfielder. Our defense is lacking. The world is laughing at us and it's deserved. Our summer transfer strategy has been nothing short of abysmal. From the outside, it looks like there's no clear strategy. You've lost your top two targets for the number 6 role to the same team that just outplayed us on the weekend. I haven't heard a peep about any contact with a defender for much needed depth. And there are only a few weeks left to save this season. The players we have look strong. I am excited for our team. But without depth, without support from the owners, and without a proper number 6, we won't make top 8 this season, let alone top 4. Liverpool is a Champions League team. We need to get back in that competition. If we don't, it will be years before we could ever compete again. Our star players will leave. Up-and-coming talent won't breathe in our direction (they aren't even now). And you will smear the name this club has brought for years. For decades. The market is broken. Players are being sold for more money than they are worth. That's the fact of this summer. You have to deal with it. Sign quality players. Support the team we have. Act like you love this club even a fraction of what the fans do. I'm tired of the lack of investment. This has just been a rant. Over the next few weeks, I hope we see movement and incoming players. We need at least a 6 and a CB. In an ideal world, we'd get Benjamin Pavard and Federico Valverde alongside a quality number 6. But that won't happen.
Here's who we should get: - João Palhinha: he's hurt so maybe that will drive his price down but Fulham will sell. He's a good player and we should seriously consider him. - Tyler Adams: he may not be worthy of Liverpool but as a biased American, I think he's a boss. He was Leeds best player last year and showed in the World Cup he can compete at the top level. Get him for that release clause and sign another 6, like Andre. - Gonçalo Inácio: he has a release clause. He's a top talent. Sign him. - Khephren Thuram: You backed out because of his wages? Reconsider. He's a monster. He would be such a great player in our midfield to give needed rest to our new signings. Go back and sign him. Everyone is shouting for these guys. I hope to see at least 2 or 3 of them in the door before September. |
Rob EnglishYou'll Never Walk Alone Archives
February 2024
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