LIVERPOOL kicked off their Champions League campaign in front of an expectant Anfield, but much as the competition might have changed, the problems remained the same.
The manager needs to wear this one, irresistible when on top, incapable when under the cosh, how many times are Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp going to implode before it becomes an issue that needs addressing?
Liverpool spent the entire summer intending on spending a world-record fee for a defender and ended the window without making so much as a bid for anyone, and given how the season has gone so far that can only be seen as a dereliction of duty.
The Reds have no equal when they’re in control, but when the capacity to blow teams away is a necessity and not luxury you’ve no chance of any realistic hope of winning trophies.
Liverpool find themselves seven games in to the season with 13 goals in the against column and have no excuses or mitigating circumstances to fall back on.
How can it not be a reflection on the manager when our first-choice defence includes two goalkeepers that the manager doesn’t trust, a left back that couldn’t buy a game last year, two right backs that don’t have a dozen first games between them, a centre half that instils panic every time he’s on the teamsheet and very little else backing them up.
I get that the manager desires top players, that he wants the very best, but for fuck’s sake.
Name five better defenders in Europe? I could name five in the Kirkby league who’d look more assured.
That Alberto Moreno looks one of the more assured members of our defence tonight isn’t a compliment.
And what of the midfield? It’s all’s very good looking elegant when the going is good, but when we’ve got a slight incline we have no gears to shift in to.
Once Sevilla drew level in the second half they looked far more the likely to take the three points, we had run out of legs upfront and had no leadership at the back, and not for the first time.
And again, this isn’t new.
It’s all well and good signing the best upcoming midfielder in Europe, but when he can’t play for 12 months surely it’s remiss not to address the reasons why you wanted him immediately?
Where are our leaders? Jordan Henderson carried his form from the Manchester City game into tonight’s fixture, and Emre Can, while at times he can look like a £150,000-a-week footballer, when he performs like tonight his release clause would be the least of my concerns which is all the more frustrating when you know he can be the player that teams would pay £75million for.
And what about the famed coaching that Klopp preaches of so much? The minutes on the training ground that he values more than anything. Can anyone genuinely say we look any more assured at the back than when he arrived?
Tonight laid bare the frustrations of the summer market and did nothing to allay Liverpool fans deepest fears about their side and the fear of it all slipping away is all too real too soon.
Liverpool had the perfect chance to put to bed the ghost of Man City tonight, but once again shot themselves in the foot.
But at least we’ll smash Burnley.
Won’t we?
READ: Liverpool 2 Sevilla 2: The Final Whistle
READ: Liverpool 2 Sevilla 2: Match Ratings
READ: Liverpool 2 Sevilla 2: Match Review
LISTEN: Liverpool 2 Sevilla 2: The Post-Match Show (SUBSCRIBERS)
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Kept that appearance on BTSport quiet lads. That Neill one Def has a face for radio.
That defence reminds me of the one we had early to mid 90’s, before Hyppia et al rocked up. Y’know the one with slightly unsure full backs, the one central defender that is likened to a Rolls Royce when going forward and then ends up shagging the post and the other ‘bully boy’ defender who when it comes down to it, can’t actually do what he’s paid to do. As usual with Liverpool they all generally tend to overstay their welcome somewhat.
The article is spot on though, the defensive side of the team esp midfield and defence has not improved too much in 18 months. Klopp does have to wear it
Agree, this piece is spot on. Can’t work this team out anymore. Defensive issues aside – I mean we shouldn’t be surprised at the leakage of soft goals anymore, right? – we also lack cutting edge when it matters despite all the huffing and puffing.
Maybe we need to slow down a bit and play a less intense style so we have more in reserve later on in games. It feels a bit headless chicken at times, then we gas, concentration goes and we concede silly goals. Apart from the Crystal Palace game we’ve looked vulnerable on numerous occasions in every match.
Klopp has to take a long hard look at things but it’s too late, the transfer window is shut. He’s stuck with the same players who look as if they have no idea who they are meant to be picking up and when.
With Mane out we now go up against Burnley another tough game. It feels like we could be heading for a mini crisis even this early if we don’t beat them. What if the players start doubting the manager too?
Hi all. Why can’t any of our players head the ball? It doesn’t matter where on the pitch you look, none of our guys can head the ball at any time. My manure supporting brother thinks the solution is to take the whole team to the barbers and give them all a Number 1. They are all too worried about messing up their hair to actually try and head the ball cleanly and with direction and purpose. Let’s beat Burnley next and move on.
Positives
– Didn’t lose
– The other two teams in the group also drew their match
– Gomez got a red card in dying seconds so no white flag or panicking
– Moreno improved somewhat and is still better as an attacking player
– Mane, Salah and Firmino are a good threat going forward
– None of the two goals were Karius’s fault
– Their manager getting sent off
– The Ref having a great game with Gini cracking jokes
– Standing Spion Kop!
Negatives
– Lovren
– Didn’t win
– Lovren
– Gini goes back into his bottle or was he still on the pitch?
– Salah misses too many chances
– Moreno’s irrationality surfacing like Sonic the Hedgehog
– Joe Gomez Red card
– Joel Matip’s impression of Kolo Toure’s forays and missing in the back
– Captain goes missing again
– Non-existent defensive-mids and midfield at times or when it mattered
– Klopp’s in-game management – baffling subs and his timing of it
– Klopp demonstrating that he doesn’t know how to instruct a team to kill off the opposition or the team not knowing how take instructions
– Coutinho is miles away, in Barca right now wondering what it would have been like beating Juventus the other night
– Ox getting some seconds like Origi – not sure what’s with these substitutions again
– Was Sturridge playing?
– Gegenpressing and high line is taking a toll already, and after 50-60 minutes the team looked flat
– Our defending well…Klopp knows best, like Brendan Rogers did about defending
– Game didn’t feel like CL matchup, more like same routine expected from LFC, with a different manager
And btw, I hope no one starts comparing this team to the 2005 CL at any time in the tournament until/unless they win the 2017/18 CL final.
Alright then, onward and upward towards the mighty Burnley!
Well, what have you left for me to say. Not a lot, except that I am starting to feel nervous every time Klopp chooses a team. To me, it doesn,t seem to matter who we buy because it never makes any diference. Let’s face it, he said, Klopp, that we defended well tonight. Where do you go from there. He either needs new glasses or he is eccentric and I don,t believe that his opinions will change. He is far too self assured for that and he never or rarely admits he is wrong. I am still fuming over buying an arsenal loser and I just thought what a waste of money when we needed more defenders and decent midfielders. I hate hiding behind the settee but guess what, that’s where I will be when we play burnley. I hate that prat joey Barton too. If he can get a dig in about Liverpool he is well up for it, watch over the next few days.
Love waking up at 4:40am to watch our Reds play again and only to be disappointed and shitty for the rest of the working day. Agreed Andy, our defensive woes are well documented and still remains the same today. But what got made me suddenly developing a case of tourettes this morning, waking up my housemates of course is our wastefulness in attack. No doubt when our front 3 and pressing midfield are clicked into gear they are unplayable. However, they just aren’t clinical enough. Our best counter attack for the game saw Can putting that ball wide of the post and of course Firmino not banging in the pen. It just adds pressure unwanted pressure throughour the squad and most especially our already shitty defence.
Early morning heart attacks and high blood pressure all for the love of the Reds.
Fucken hate the idea the next game is Burnely but lets do it all again.
The worst thing is that I can’t help but feel that if those who do the bidding and the negotiating at the club were to relive the transfer window knowing how it turned out, they’d still not put a substantial bid in for Van Dijk the first day of the transfer window, because yet again some statistician will have convinced them of that mystical ‘value’ that could be had somewhere, and we’d still end up in the state we’re in now.
Fact is Klopp has had four transfer windows now, and nearly two years training his team. He has bought two CB’s for a combined 4 mil. We have shipped out four, if including Lucas.
I just don’t get it.
I love him, and convince myself he knows so much more then all of us about footy… but still. Why are we still so crap at defending?
I’m with you Dougy.
It’s nearly 3yrs in charge.
He took over a team with an already dodgy defence and 3yrs later its barely improved.
Still making ridiculous school boy errors.
Still conceding goals far too easily.
Our central defenders are worth a combined £34mil approx.
Now money is not the be all and end all but surely a problematic defence needs more investment than that?
I can understand not getting VVD in, these things happen.
I cannot understand not having a backup or indeed another player in addition to VVD brought in. Howedes was available and many more I’m sure.
Moreno is still our leftback in what is his 4th season.
Nothing’s changed. He’s still doesn’t have a defensive bone in his body.
Yes he’s decent going forward but that just masks his inadequacies in defence……..and he’s our left back.
Defensively little has changed for many years now going back to before Klopps time. I’d have thought the first thing to do was make us solid at the back, hard to beat or score against.
Name me one team that has won the league that wasn’t built on a solid defence?
2 years mate.
My bad, I keep doing that when I mean coming into his 3rd year in charge.
I want to back Lovren and prove all the moaners wrong, but ffs!
Punctured the mood with all the subtlety of a machete. And wasn’t done by a mile. Surprised he wasn’t doing step-overs outside their box.
At least Karius wasn’t shite. I don’t particularly rate him, but no point in hoping that he does poorly just to prove all the moaners wrong. I’m beyond such pettiness.
I have a very high respect for Klopp , but right now Klopp is in denial , or he has no clue to resolve our defensive problems , his style & tactics is we outscore the opposition and its cool if we let in a few at other end I am tired of hearing after each game -” we will learn from our mistakes” we are still learning and next thing we know and realise we are in relegation dogfight ,Come on Klopp together with your assistants dont be in denial, admit & fix the problem ,surely all the Football analysts & pundits together with our fans can’t be wrong when they see the problems
Problem is that I believe Klopp doesn’t read the press, in fact is he interested in in anybody’s opinion? He seems blind to the glaring faults in his team, or is he just defending them in public?
Whatever the defensive weaknesses and wasteful finishing are becoming a major problem and more than annoying! Worst of all we are stuck with this squad, team selection and performance against Burnley is critical, another performance like this and fans will start to turn against him.
I wouldn’t read too much into what Klopp says in public. As with any manager, public comments usually are a cover for what they are actually about to let rip in the dressing room or training the next day.
KMI1806, fully agreed with you about Klopp’s comments being a cover. I love reading comments by AW readers as they are much more informed compared to other LFC fansites. I realise today’s comments show deep frustrations with the seeming inability to correct defensive frailties by Klopp. I’m really curious to know what Klopp was saying in the dressing room post-match or training today after such a defensive debacle. He and his assistants have a job in their hands to solve this puzzle….but all is not lost.
the thing to remember is that Klopp sees stuff differently to us. That first goal he’ll almost certainly be looking at why the midfield didn’t cut the play out, why the lad who crossed it wasn’t closed down, and I expect he’ll be less focused on Lovren and his fucking inability to clear the fucking thing – as that last bit isn’t down to coaching. Lovren was in the right place after all.
Klopp very much sees football as a system and he’ll see that goal probably with its root cause in something that happens 30 seconds before they actually score. Something that can eb worked on within the structure of the side.
Just a question: what does an article like this achieve?
We’re all mad/frustrated but bellyaching isn’t going to change a thing in any positive sense.
Yes we’ve seen both the best and worst of what this team is capable of, and in our worst moments, it’s easy to entertain a sense of dread that this season can go south, but why give it airtime?
For one, it’s still early doors and there’s lots to play for. Yes, we’ve seen this before but we’ve also seen the team be irresistible before.
Secondly, leave this sort of wingeing where it belongs, on Twitter.
I’m all for honest analysis of the game, and this site does so admirably, but what does turning on Klopp* help?
*Quoting a comment that is the natural result of such an article.
No ones above criticism, even Klopp.
He’s been in charge for near 3yrs and we are still defending like this on a regular basis.
Unacceptable.
He’s been in charge for almost two years, not three.
See above
You forgot to add ‘go and support Everton’. What does this achieve? What does it mean ‘this sort of whinging belongs on Twitter’? 54k fans left the stadium disappointed last night but it’s ok, Dale is feeling positive and thinks everyone is over reacting for raising the obvious questions about this team and Klopp’s negligence, yay.
You’re not alone though Dale, there’s hundreds with this attitude all over the United States, Asia and London. You know the ones, they’ve been supporting us a good 5 years now and don’t really understand how much of ourselves have been invested in LFC. They’re happy to wait another year for Klopp to sort out the problems that are screaming in our face. Listen mate, people like you are doing a disservice to our club. The way you win things is by not having obvious weak links in your team. There’s a link between buying good players and winning trophies. There’s scant evidence that there’s another way to do it. This isn’t the North Korean Wrap dot com. We’re allowed to display emotion even if puts our leader in a bad light. We’re not children who need sheltering from the reality. We’re all adults and we’re all entitled to a view, especially when it’s based solely on facts. If you sit there meekly nodding your head in approval nothing is going to change. Grow some balls mate and stop living in this fantasy land where nothing ever goes wrong.
*Quoting a comment that is the natural result of such a comment.
Speaking of doing a disservice to the club from fantasy land, I don’t think it’s very cool to throw your tantrum on the international supporters – the ones who week after week have to wake up at ridiculous hours or take time out of work to watch a match – because they lack “investment” in LFC.
There seems to be a correlation. How is it the case that the people who pay a lot of money to watch the team feel the need to vent their frustration and those that don’t seem to feel they can criticise the ones that do for expressing what they feel is negativity. It’s one of two things, it’s either geographical differences in mindset or it’s the money aspect. Or possibly, it’s down to how emotionally invested you are.
Walter, what’s your view on why there is a discord between people in Liverpool and people elsewhere. Why does one feel the need to express their criticisms and the other feel the need to verbally attack the ones who do express them? Why do you think that’s the case?
@Dale you’re entitled to your opinion man. I, like some on here are asking questions about certain issues we all know are still hindering LFC’s progress.
So as far as what we expected, and what we saw in last night’s game that has some of us, as you write/think, “Turning on Klopp”:
– Our manager has been in charge longer than theirs
– We spent significantly more on our squad compared to Sevilla
– We played a Champions League game at Anfield
In a way you’re right, we’ve seen all of the above before and what have we won since?
However you want to spin it Dale, it feels as if we passed up the opportunity to really build on last season’s successful run up.
@Robin ..Walter has a point. Not all LFC supporters overseas are in the same boat as those who are either lacking a thick skin or start going down the route of singing “Don’t Stop Believing” in Klopp or whatever.
Fans overseas also pay to support LFC, though I don’t know where that money ends up, but we pay regardless, watching matches, buying shirts, mugs, traveling to Liverpool and Anfield, etc. Sure not as much as we’d like to or can always afford, but some of us do/try. Is it the same as you Liverpool natives, no way, but it doesn’t make us any less of a supporter.
More importantly none of us can place any monetary value on the amount of time we (including you, everyone else on here and myself) have lost just solely watching LFC games each time it is on and this goes for all supporters of LFC irrespective of where we are.
Money lost and recovered from Coutinho shirts yes, but we won’t get back our time spent.
Lastly having to defend LFC against the likes of Scum, Plastic, and other unsavory fans who woke up yesterday and think they know all about football via FIFA XX, well it’s painful for us too. :)
Sash, it’s absolutely not about being less of a supporter. That would be stupid. It’s about the difference in attitudes of LFC fans. For example,
When the window closed a lot of people were disappointed. They have every reason to be and quite possibly, hindsight is already suggesting they had a point. But, take for example, the TAW subscribers group. People expressing dissatisfaction were verbally abused with the general theme being ‘you’re negative, Klopp knows what he’s doing, you should manage the team if you think you know better.
After Saturday, a lot of people were pissed off that regardless of the red card, we’re still seeing the same mistakes as the last however many years. Again, those frustrations were met with ‘some of our fans are so negative, go and support Everton if you want to moan etc, etc, etc. We’re now seeing it again after last night and more frustration that the same mistakes are being repeated again and again.
Now, here’s my point. We can be politically correct, all encompassing to our fan base and refer to us fans as one entity all we like but the reality is there are divisions appearing in the fan base. We’re constantly told by some that the ground needs more locals and that OOT, wools and tourists are ruining it for everyone. I don’t get involved in that. But, another division I’m seeing and it can’t be denied is that the local Liverpool fans have some frustrations over the some real issues such as the window and Klopp’s reluctance to improve the defence. Again, I’ll refer to the TAW subscriber group and say those fears expressed have been attacked and although we don’t want divisions over geography the reality is (putting all politically correct ways to behave aside) that people clearly think differently based on geographical regions. Take a sample of locals and a sample of American reds and canvas the views on FSG. Whilst there’s not a 100% correlation (for example, I’d probably be closer to the U.S fans views) there is definitely a correlation. It’s naive to suggest there isn’t.
I don’t want to see these divisions but at the same time I’m raising this issue because I’m sick to death of being told I can’t express my views or if I do I get met with abuse. I’d rather any dissent was in the form of constructive criticism rather than abuse or an attempt to make you feel small or not a fan as is often the case. In this case, Dale may well live in Anfield but he’s not the point in all this. The point is, if people who care about the club (and I’m certainly not saying more than the next fan) feel frustrated and someone with different circumstances is criticising them it’s gonna lead to friction. The bottom line is no one has any right to abuse due to someone views. I’m going one step further and suggesting geographical regions of the fans comes into to. I genuinely believe that and feel it’s time it was recognised. Finally, I don’t look at you any differently because you’re in New York. FWIW I like your views on LFC. But, if you start telling me to button it when I express how I currently feel then I may be tempted to point out that it’s easier for you to say that based on the circumstances that arise from geographical locations. It’s difficult to explain but I’ve had a go, haha. I suppose my solution would be to let people express themselves and then divisions won’t grow.
Sash, I suppose at the heart of this is, If our wives leave us and you say, I’m made up. I’m looking forward to the future and I say I’m distraught about it. If you then say to me, oh shut up, get over it and move on – why the negativity. Then the likelihood is we’ll fall out. It’s wouldn’t be your decision to tell me how I should think, feel and act.
Hi Robin, yeah your points are well taken mate and I agree, no one should be asked to pipe down because they have a right to express themselves especially if it is constructive, and in lieu of circumstances one feels or thinks warrants some level of questioning or discussion.
I used to read comments before without ever participating, and TAW is the first place I started, and once in a blue moon I used to on FB and instagram. I’m not very good at it, but on TAW I really enjoy the banter, yours, and many others on here that have valid points even if they disagree with my views.
I’ve not done a great job and recently have been feeling negative about Klopp and the team because of the issues you and others have raised and most of us all know are affecting the overall team performance.
Re fan on fan censorship, yeah it’s annoying and if left to continue then causes even furthers the division in thinking towards harmful. That’s not cool. I don’t get the “Go support some other team” rubbish either, but that’s juvenile at best.
I also wish Journalists, TAW, etc, would push to find out more about Jurgen Klopp during interviews regarding the issues that we are concerned about and ask the difficult questions there. It would be a nice way to lead by example and show us fans that there is some level of accountability and in turn the articles they write might shed more light on the matter, and as fans we can express more informed views as opposed to the you’re wrong mentality I often see when someone is trying to force the other off the microphone.
As for Klopp and his approach, which seems to be the basis of fan’s discussion these past few days/week, I really think he is a smart guy but his all or nothing stance is somewhat difficult for me to accept on certain issues. It comes across as being stubborn, something that Dortmund fans warned about during Klopp’s time at their club. For me this was a red flag then.
Eventually gegenpressing without gegenpressers being there all the time, might have cost him and them their position in the league.
Flexibility then might be the hallmark trait of a great manager.
My hope then, and still is that Klopp can turn this around, and becomes flexible in his tactical approach as much as he has been with the team individually (except for maybe Sakho). Maybe shy away from Hendo being the DM he is not, or Moreno at LB (though he’s trying to improve) instead of attacking winger, keeper rotation, etc.
Anyways Robin I’ve gone and written a book now, so please don’t stop posting your comments, as I do enjoy reading them and most of the others on here, and appreciate the insight into things that I often have none to offer.
Heads up against Burnley, if we don’t do it who else will? :)
Have a great weekend mate.
Haha, thanks for the reply. Good stuff.
One small point, no way would Klopp would discuss ‘why’ with anyone. He doesn’t feel the need to justify himself to anyone and that’s probably a good thing. As fans we should be able to work it out. I’ve still got absolute faith in Klopp. I’m convinced he’s going to be a success. I’ll be honest though, I’m still a bit angry about the window and feel it’s rubbing our noses in it every game. Take care mate.
At the end of the day we are stuck with this defense for the next 3 and half months. Klopp should be able to manage that barring major injuries. But come January 1st I would expect a stella marque defender, signed, bags packed and ready to play.
Anything else in negligence.
Thing is though Klopps has had near 3yrs to rectify the defence and we’re still seeing this shambolic defending on a regular basis.
Should the manager not be criticised for that?
not yet 2 years mate.
See above
Great piece from Heaton.
What’s also concerning is the lack of concentration at times when we should be acutely aware from previous games the moments when the opposition are most likely to punish us in defence. No one seemed concerned when they had that throw-in at 2-1. Yes, it was a quick throw but I’ve seen bollards be more alert than that.
It’s the same at set pieces.
And Moreno did his charging off into centre midfield thing again tonight. Robertson was excellent on his one start this season and yet we’ve gone back to a player who won’t improve sufficiently long term. Says a lot, really.
It’s seems too few in the team just don’t sense danger.
My solution –
Coach Flano to become a CB. He has the passion at least.
Bring in Carra as a defensive coach.
Put Coutinho in the 23’s team – cant stand the sight of his sulking face.
And put Moreno back on a plane to Seville
Agree with everything in that article. Well said.
I get that Klopp is ultimately responsible for the team and its performance. He is due criticism – for me one of the midfield 3 should be staying at home to screen especially when the fullbacks have gone forward.
He is also responsible for the bits we all like as demonstrated in a lot of games, most recently Arsenal is the fast flowing forward football. To some degree that means sacrificing defence or being able to find a very fine balance.
Personally I don’t mind the fullbacks going forward – it creates goals – I don’t actually feel they are out of position as this is what they are patently being told to do by Klopp.
If you don’t like it that’s fine and valid but so is Klopps point of view. That doesn’t put him in denial or blind. That is his style, high risk,as Mourinhos at united is low risk. He will Retain or lose his job playing like that.
None of us know what the truth is around Van Dike other than we desperately need him or something similar. I think we are that near. Could well be wrong but a player of that class changes the whole back 4.
My point? I understand the frustration – I feel it myself- I get Klopp and his responsibility, mitigated by the players available to him on the market. I don’t get the massive swings in opinion between games over where we are going. He is coming up to half way through his contract and the team reflects that. Very good going forward but average defending.
I would sooner try and fix the defending which as someone pointed out earlier means better defenders who can be bought when available.
The world’s gonna end again on 23rd September, so who’s arsed?
Good god, I don’t get this posting: A draw after a thrashing is pretty ok. So stop the moaning. Also, you can’t have it both ways: klopp’s teams always concede heavily, but they also score heavily. Got him successive titles, can’t be that bad so.
About your 5 defenders in Kirkby league – let them play so. Just because I guy was good at Nice or wherever, doesn’t mean, he fits in here. Really don’t get all the bitterness.
If you don’t get why people are upset that we STILL concede stupid goals, that we are still our own worst enemy, that we still need to score 3 goals a game because we concede on average 2 a game then you never will.
If Klopp wins the league with Liverpool you may well see these people who have concerns backtrack. Until then, I don’t think you will. Whatever happens in Germany is one thing but a lot of people know that in England and the CL if you concede too many then it’s unlikely you’ll be champions and leads to the criticism. Is that a fair point?
I can’t think of one team that won the title with a dodgy defence.
After the City game Andy penned an article (9 Sept) effectively blaming the ref for the defeat. Andy denies this is his main tenet but you decide here (does what it says on the tin)
https://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2017/09/manchester-city-5-liverpool-0-the-ref-gave-pep-the-reprieve-city-needed/
And now barely Three-days later it is Klopp’s fault. He may be right. But what changed in between? Which is it, the Ref or our Manager?
Surely the time for this later article was on Sunday, after a humiliating defeat of groundhog proportions? That it comes after a score draw in Europe is baffling and smacks of hysteria. No matter how disappointed we are with this Draw, and we probably all agree the defensive quality of the Whole team is not up to scratch ( I am being polite) the fact is this was a Draw against a European Team of quality, and our first game back in the Champs league for is it 3 or 4 years? And yes we were actually unlucky!
Putting all of this, now, on Klopp is getting it out of all proportion. Put the pitchforks away for now please
So after the match against City he feels that the ref should hold a lot of responsibility for the defeat and now after the draw against Sevilla he think Klopp should hold a lot of responsibility for the defeat?
And what?!
Can he not hold 2 different positions for 2 different games?
It is possible to blame the ref for the City defeat, yet show frustration with Klopp for the Sevilla draw where we had 11 men for the entire match. It’s not hypocrisy.
I’ve read the comments in the room and it seems everyone including Andy are avoiding the elephant in the room: FSG.
It’s safe to blame the coach. But what about the owners and the alleged dealmakers?
Klopp can only work with what’s given to him. He can ask for players and point out a few but FSG get the final say. It’s up to FSG to make sure the deal goes through. The VVD episode this summer exposed what I’m sure many have suspected for a while: FSG are cheap and a bunch of amateurs.
The owners still think they can still cut corners and go cheap to win the title. They still haven’t woken up.
Don’t blame Klopp totally. He didn’t make Hendo “captain.” I’m sure Moreno and Lovren would have been gone if Klopp had his way. They’re both on their nth chance already.
Can’t agree with any of this. I’ll try and address the points one by one.
It’s almost certain that LFC finished the transfer window with £150m in the bank that was available for Klopp to spend. It’s not down to FSG to make the deal go through. They have personnel for that. With VVD the apology came from FSG but probably with good reason. I think the risk was greater than people appreciate. Klopp has kept Henderson as captain. He has the power to change that. He also chose not to replace Lovren. Money was available. He chose not to use it.
FSG don’t get involved in the nitty gritty of the day to day running of the club. There are people in place for that too. FSG are an easy target, the reality is closer to home. The money was made available and lots of it but wasn’t spent or at least some key areas were neglected. Klopp said he has the final say on transfers. I suspect he didn’t want other targets.
FSGs to blame for our defensive frailties?!
What?!
Do FSG go missing up the pitch out of position?
Do they fail to clear the most basic of crosses?
Do they fail to put in tackles?
Do they pick the team?
Do they coach defensive drills on the training ground?
Do they identify transfer targets?
This just seems a bizarre swipe at FSG.
Money was there to smash the tranfer record for a defender but the deal didn’t get down because of previous mistakes earlier in the window by Edwards or someone with him.
In my opinion a mistake was made not bringing in another centreback in addition to VVD but that decision is down to Klopp and his team.
Where’s the leadership in this team? Henderson is probably the closest thing we have to a leader and that is frankly, depressing. On Saturday when Mane was sent off, we had 8 minutes for someone – anyone – to get the players together, calm things down and get the message across ‘just keep it simple and get to half time and we’ll re-group then’
But what happened? Ten players looked at their boots for 8 minutes, we got pinned back, panicked and effectively lost the game before the break.
It’s not just Saturday, it’s every single game. Opponents crowd the refs and shout the odds for every single decision. We look at our boots and get fuck all decisions. But I guess when the majority of our signings weren’t even captains at clubs like Hull, Southampton, Newcastle and Sunderland, it’s probably expecting a bit much for them to come to Liverpool and become leaders…..
Fans are right to moan about FSG and Klopp in the transfer market but there are things we could be doing that cost no money at all and standing up and being counted and acting like leaders is one of them.
This team lacks leaders, intelligent players (players who know when to up the tempo and go for the kill, but also know when to take the heat out of a game (like at 2-1 last night)) as well as instinctive players (we have no instinctive finishers or defenders). After two years of Klopp I don’t see any of these deficiencies being addressed.
As for criticising the article? FFS. What do you want? North Korea-like propaganda. How about TAW publishes 100% positive articles when everything at the club is 100% perfect!
We have the team we deserve and they play the way the fans, including the staff at TAW, support. When things are going well, they are great. When things aren’t going well, they’re fucking shit.
I’m sick of it and I think Klopp is too. I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted out. We aren’t ready for success yet. We’re just so desperate that every setback if the end of the world and the bigger picture just vanishes. I hoped TAW could still see the bigger picture when we suffer a setback. I was wrong.
We’ve had a poor defence for several years now.
This isn’t anything new people are seeing.
But I think people are getting pissed off with it now because we are so close to being a great team.
I love Klopp to bits and he’s an excellent manager and character. But, the current failings are down to the calls he makes and nobody else, although Edwards clearly screwed up on VVD which probably cost us signing him this summer.
But Klopp does seem a bit stubborn. He was accused of not having a plan B at Dortmund and at times it seems the case in England as well. He was criticised for his slow or non-existent in-game changes at Dortmund and that criticism would still hold now, especially the last 2 games.
My view is that he’s our Wenger and that his methods are perhaps slightly dated and in fact not sustainable for a whole season of Premier League football. Interestingly, Didi Hamann, who always speaks sense, clearly had reservations about Klopp being given a 6 year contract. I’m starting to see why. I don’t think he should be sacked or anything like that. But I don’t think this guy will win us the title with his methods. He might make us top 4 regulars but I don’t think he’s got the tactical nous to land us the big prize.
The big question is whether *anyone* can land us the title without the super riches of the Manchesters and Chelseas? I think the answer is almost certainly no, although the improbable can be done once in a while. See Leicester.
We didn’t “build from the back” or seek to rectify the deficiencies highlighted last season. With more competitions and a mud table net spend, there isn’t any real reason looking forward to be overly optimistic. Of course Klopp is complicit. But then ultimately the business model is John Henry’s. It’s FSG who have turned us into a franchise , with no regards whatsoever for the city, it’s people or the traditional values of the club.
No matter who the manager is, we will win neither the CL or the PL with FSG as owners.
Cue the superfans as per.