The Bigfooty Liverpool Thread

[jod23]

I still don't get Gapko. As you say he is the most ineffective player against a low block you could imagine. Doesn't run at the opposition. Doesn't dribble. Doesn't cross or play decisive passes. Broadcasts his trademark cut back from miles away.

I think when Isak gets up to speed we see Ekitike in the LW position.

Rio gave us more in 5 minutes than Gakpo did the whole game. In open games, Gakpo can be very effective but against a low block he shouldnt be used IMO.

 

[QuietB]

Yes

I know everyone is waiting for Wirtz to have a break out game. Not surprised this was not it - there is about 5m between the back 5 and the midfield line of 4. And Wirtz is meant to play between those lines - good luck.

Gapko needs another trick. He has been easily blocked cutting onto his right 3 times in the first 40 minutes.

 

[jod23]

Are any of you guys concerned with your performances? Winning ugly is great at times, but four on the bounce with late winners isn't ideal in the sense the performances aren't convincing.

It obviously isn't sustainable, but the flip side I suppose is your new signings probably need time to gel etc as a unit. I've thought Salah hasn't looked the player he was.

It will be interesting to see if you guys click, and if we can maintain our momentum.

We have a huge turnover of players, a new system and the whole club is still greiving no doubt from the terrible loss of Diogo in the summer which I'm sure affected everyone pretty deeply at the club.

We arent playing well at the moment but I do think we will come good, we just have too much talent and a very good manager for this not to work.

I think the performances will start to come soon. Probably a good sign that we havent played well at all and we're still 4 from 4.

Not worried about Mo, he's been off it but he will come good. Still has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 games.

 

[QuietB]

That game was dire.

Wirtz was really good I thought given he was working on a phone box all night.

Everton next - with Athletic as a warm up - bloody hell!

 

[Ocha905]

Everton next - with Athletic as a warm up - bloody hell!

If we get through those games unscathed (in the literal injury sense) we have been blessed by lady luck.

 

[Mr Meow]

I love Gakpo, he's a great footballer but an even greater person. Fantastic young man to have around the football club.

Having said that, as a left winger, I think Diaz is far better and would have preferred to keep him rather than Gakpo. Be interesting to see if we try Ekitike wide with Isak in the middle and Gakpo to the bench.

I feel everyone is just keeping that spot warm anyways for Rio who is inevitable.

Diaz's stats were much worse than Gakpo as a left winger, and even as a striker. After his first half season his actual output of goals and assists was rather poor. Gakpo might not be the answer but he has had more goal contributions than Diaz per minute, and comfortably. Younger too. The deal for Diaz was a no brainer at his age and for his output.

 

[Mr Meow]

I agree, but, to be doing it what appears to be consistently, and so early in the season seems a little worrying. Don't get me wrong, if we were four from four like you guys were, I'd be happy.

Another part of me does look at it though and think that you guys don't look anywhere near as convincing as you should/capable of.

You would imagine yes, the new signings will add a lot.

Agree on your final point most definitely.

Salah looks to have dropped a bit personally. Your game against Bournemouth he didn't look great, Newcastle not much either and even against us he wasn't the Salah we have seen in the past.

It's overlooked how unconvincing we were for a lot of last season, too. We just happen to have opened with an underwhelming spell as opposed to it coming in at other times throughout the season.

Compared to the Klopp era, under Slot our results have outmatched our performances. Finding a way, somehow, was a common theme when playing poorly - except in cup finals and that CL knockout tie, where we were punished.

It would be nice to see things running smoother but I'd rather good results until we get there rather than be on the backfoot like Man City already are.

If Arsenal don't win the league this season, I really wonder when it will happen.

 

[gaskin]

Hugo with the funny.

 

[ADL9798]

performance from Gravenberch.

 

[triggering bro]

I wonder if against Burnley in hindsight we were too technical going into the final third. Against the low block you either try and pick them apart with Wirtz/Mo or you put in constant chaos balls and play for repeat set pieces. The repeat chaos balls can be frustrating but can also pay off when in this case we jagged the handball pen.

The team are still gelling with an influx of new players but also how to use them appropriately verses various set ups. Burnley were like the low block final boss. Great win in hindsight but we also walk away with some valuable lessons for when we play similar set ups. Slot working his notebook overtime.

 

[jod23]

performance from Gravenberch.

Yep, thought he was sensational all game.

 

[jod23]

I wonder if against Burnley in hindsight we were too technical going into the final third. Against the low block you either try and pick them apart with Wirtz/Mo or you put in constant chaos balls and play for repeat set pieces. The repeat chaos balls can be frustrating but can also pay off when in this case we jagged the handball pen.

The team are still gelling with an influx of new players but also how to use them appropriately verses various set ups. Burnley were like the low block final boss. Great win in hindsight but we also walk away with some valuable lessons for when we play similar set ups. Slot working his notebook overtime.

I thought we tried to unpick the lock for like 80 mins and it didnt work and then we got increasingly desperate and started with chaos. Balls into the box, repeat entries, long shots, deflections, long throws, corners... that seemed to be more effective and eventually the penalty came.

 

[Zidane98]

Presuming Mac is OK this is how I would lineup for the AM CL match & derby:




Atletico



--------------------------Ali----------------------------

Frimpong---------Ibou-------VVD-----------Kerkez


-------Wirtz---------Grav----------Mac

---Mo---------Isak---------Ekitike

(Isak 60 mins sub for Gakpo)


Everton

-----------------------Ali---------------------------

Bradley------Ibou-------VVD----------Robbo

---Szo----------Grav-------Mac

--Mo---------Ekitike-------Wirtz



Gone for a bit more steel in vs the blueshites because they're always up for a physical game. Reports suggest Isak will get 60 mins vs AM, hopefully he can do something in that time.

 

[Zidane98]

I thought we tried to unpick the lock for like 80 mins and it didnt work and then we got increasingly desperate and started with chaos. Balls into the box, repeat entries, long shots, deflections, long throws, corners... that seemed to be more effective and eventually the penalty came.

With a team like Burnley I feel like plenty of long range efforts, good crosses into the box is the way to go. It's a shame that Isak wasn't on as he is the sort of striker that can turn a half chance in box into goals.


Last season they only conceded 16 goals and had 30 clean sheets. Yes, it was the championship but even so they are unbelievable numbers.

 

[triggering bro]

I thought we tried to unpick the lock for like 80 mins and it didnt work and then we got increasingly desperate and started with chaos. Balls into the box, repeat entries, long shots, deflections, long throws, corners... that seemed to be more effective and eventually the penalty came.

Agee and my point exactly. Against Burnley you need 25 yard Szoboszlai bullets or dirty balls repeatedly put in the box. Their defence was basically a set piece wall for the entire match. Disgusting tactic.

 

[QuietB]

I thought we tried to unpick the lock for like 80 mins and it didnt work and then we got increasingly desperate and started with chaos. Balls into the box, repeat entries, long shots, deflections, long throws, corners... that seemed to be more effective and eventually the penalty came.

I have not seen a bus like that for a while. Not only were there 9 players in it - and probably 10 most of the time, the second line was sitting about 25 yards from goal.

So there was a midfield line where you shoot from distance, and there was a line of 5 players behind them that you still had to dodge.

It was a diabolical bus. Hope they do it to Arsenal and City.

 

[Cooldude]

Would play Szobo on the left, Gakpo telegraphed his cut backs since the 1920s and it arrived just today

Frimpong at right back would help against buses a lot

 

[Nuke Fremantle]

Apparently Bill Shankly used to tell his team to have some early shots from outside the box when faced with an ultra defensive opposition. The theory being if the oppo keep seeing us shaping up to ping one from long range they'll eventually be tempted to step out of line to try and block it and thereby open up a gap.

 

[foxdog50]

I think Giorgi might get a go as keeper

 

[Fwoy]

Other fans right now

 

[RossFC]

 

[RossFC]

 

[Grechy]

Good news is we haven't lost a game bad news is we won't win the league if this form continues.

Arsenal look pretty good at the moment but I'm not sure when it comes down to these types of games they have the grit in them just yet.

 

[Cooldude]

We'll see how Isak can change things once he's ready, a top class no.9 papers over a lot of cracks

 

[neko]

I'm sure our form will come good at some point. And we played the supposedly more in-form team Arsenal and we got the three points, not them.