Rory Fitzgerald

Didnt know Gabriel Jesus is also injured and will miss about 3 weeks - he'll miss Leicester today then Leeds away and possibly back for Arsenal on October 17th. Thats their 2 main strikers out injured. Hopefully they drop points with the injuries.

I posted this before I found out about Thiago. The pattern of games recently against Arsenal saw us have 59% and 69% possession in the Community/League games with most of that had down our left. If that is the case, having Thiago in that channel as LCM would make more sense. Down our RCM channel, defending on the side of TAA/Gomez, Arsenal played more down this side with the likes of Tierney/Saka/Aubameyang. Would be better to have Henderson down this side (he missed Community & League games). If we are to have less ball on this side and do more defending - then it makes no sense to ask Thiago to play this channel. Wijnaldum has played with TAA more with better understanding to team up with Trent rather than Thiago. That was my conclusion on how the midfield would shape up before news came out.

Thanks for that - I've no idea how that side of things work.

If Reddy and Joyce got the news at the same time then it looks like they were given the information rather than finding out for themselves - both have reported that both players have missed training sessions. As such, it seems someone from the club has decided to give this information out but limit the details of their conditions. If that is the case, why does the club decide to let that information out now ? Why decide to disclose that information ?

That’s right yeah And the crazy Cameroon lads eating grass too.

That was the main alternative I was thinking of as we played a few with Salah upfront central in December last season. I just went back and noticed that we did the same in 2018 and 2017 i.e. 4231 played in December for a few games in those seasons. I dont know whether that was as an adaption because we needed to rotate and let Shaqiri/Lallana come in and therefore changed the system.

Just did a check and see that Karius got a 6 year contract in 2016 - brings him up to 29 by 2022. Do we get any loan fees for him or are we just getting some of his wage subsidised. Not that I am losing sleep of course, just curious.

Good read - found myself reading the long quotes in his accent I liked the parts about the work done on the training pitch, set-pieces for Pete gives a feel for the personal pride that goes into set-piece work, working on switches with Trent and the pieces on throw ins and high line. He's talking loads about each of them but at the same time he's saying nothing. Also, glad to hear he is working on his corners

Has anyone had any thoughts about our main formation with Thiago in the team ? Do we stick to the same set up in midfield and put Thiago as the #6 and rest Fabinho for alot of games or do we put Thiago as one of the #8s and leave Fabinho at #6, or does Klopp try something different. 4-3-3: One #6 + two #8s (1) As Henderson can play the right-sided #8 and Fabinho in the #6, is it Wijnaldum most at threat as the left sided #8 and how effective will Thiago be there. (2) Thiago plays the #6 but that rules out Fabinho as he won't be playing an #8 4-2-3-1: Two #6's + one #10 (1) Thiago's preferred position as the #6, it allows another midfielder in there that can play that role (Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum). Klopp has played 4-2-3-1 at times with Salah as the central striker, Firmino deeper and Shaqiri out wide. Could Jota play one of the wide roles if Salah goes up front. (2) Thiago and another midfielder plays the two #6 positions but its Firmino's position at risk with Keita/Wijnaldum/Jones pushed forward. Jota goes to the right, Mane left and Salah upfront 3-4-3: Three #6's A system to push the full backs even higher. When in possession deep, one of the midfielders drops deeper to let the back line fan out to spread the ball and shape up like a 3-2-5 when on the ball. Henderson & Thiago as the midfielders and Mane and Salah playing a little tighter with Robertson and TAA further up the pitch. 4-2-2-2: A hybrid of 433 & 343 Play two #6's and an #8. The #8 supports Firmino whilst one of the #6's has to be prepared to remain deep to allow the full backs push forward so Mane and Salah can take advantage of the space Firmino leaves.

I'm interested in people's thoughts about the midfield 3. Gomez is back in training today according to Klopp, so the assumption is that he'll start. Then its 3 from Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum and Keita.

Tierney should be back for Arsenal after pulling out before the West Ham game. Hard to call their line up. Could be Holding, Gabriel, Tierney - but Luiz could come in and push Tierney to LWB. Front 3 looks like Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang - the other options are Pepe/Saka to play instead of Willian Midfield 4 - Bellerin and Xhaka probably start as RWB and RCM - thereafter, 2nd CM spot could go to Ceballos, Elneny, Maitland Niles. LWB could be anyone from Tierney (if he is not in the back 3), Saka, even Maitland Niles or even Kolasinic. I think the main call will be Luiz to CB and Tierney to LWB. I'll go; Holding, Luiz, Gabriel Bellerin Xhaka Ceballos Tierney Willian Lacazette Aubameyang Arteta is settling on a style of play so I dont expect him to change the 3-4-3 or take a backward step and not play a strong front 3 even though they are away. In that sense, it will contrast with the set up of Lampard playing us at home.

Pink wafer “biscuits” but they’re not a biscuit !

Must be great for Williams to have VVD beside him

Who’s he

Yeah, that or either 4-1-5

I know what you mean, but you've just said that you have less interest in a game that will involve Liverpool players and more interested to note the players that are not playing because they might not ever play for us again

Of all the things going on in 2020, this has crossed the line !

Lincoln at home is a decent draw. Its a game with potential to play more kids in it. So if we get through, I want another weak team at home - because we'll have the same questions about rotation etc etc. I am, without doubt, on the side of caution. If our kids have anything about them then there are games that should be decent - but winnable - challenges for them and Lincoln would be in that bracket. If the kids develop and look to send them on loan, you imagine we'd like a decent level like Scottish PL, PL like Harry Wilson or Championship. So League 1 should be a level that a few of them can compete against now. The rest of the team tomorrow will have players that will play PL at some point this season like Williams, Tsmikas, Milner, Jones etc so wont be entirely all kids. Thats just a long winded way of saying that I'd be of the view that Van Dijk sits this one out as its the weakest area of the squad at the moment in terms of back up.

Yeah, I enjoy listening to him. In fairness to him, he says he's very good on the ball and also in tight spaces so gives him credit for those skill - its more the off the ball work he is questioning. Whether I agree with the underlying sentiment, he does 2 things I like, firstly says that he's watched alot of continental football (and gave a strong opinion on Havertz being suitable as an '8' for us) and then, secondly, focused on his defensive side of the game and gave a critique of his tackling style based his opinion of those years watching continental football. The big part I dont agree with is that he doesn't improve our 1st eleven. However, I'm more interested in that kind of analysis - willing to back up an opinion with that kind of critique. Only two things can happen, he's right or he's wrong. But its a better listen than the defence that Redknapp gave to Havertz yesterday.

I dont think Gethin is pining for any of them, not like Hassony for Skrtel anyway, but if we get in 2 wide forwards this summer and got in Minamino in January, you could say that we are well stocked with 6 forwards and players like Shaqiri and Origi could be moved on. Brewster is a different kind of call.

Tried to see who we played in the Villa game but even those options are depleted. Against Villa we played --> Hoever VD-Berg Boyes Gallacher Boyes and Gallacher are on loan at the moment so that rules Boyes out as CB cover. Williams, Savage and Clayton have played in the last few U23 games, they are either 19 or 20 https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/academy No idea how ready they are. Clayton made the squad vs Villa, the other 2 didnt but Clayton never got on. Make of that what you will.

I'm really looking forward to seeing him more & more. He doesn't hold on to the ball for long and keeps the game moving. Once he gets rid of it, its like he then takes stock of the pitch so when he gets it back, he's moved the ball on to its next destination and keeps the opposition moving about as the play continues to shift. Well, I'm guessing thats what he's doing when he doesn't have it. He also has that drop of the shoulder too. I'll be surprised if he's not in the 6 player shortlist for PFA Player of the Year as I'm (beyond hoping) expecting him to leave a big impression this season.

Even when they managed to get out and get up the pitch, once the ball was passed side-or-backwards, it didnt come back forward, they just accepted that Liverpool got men back and started the process again by being safe and passing it back to their defenders and keeper. The goal kicks and passes to midfield/defenders, just kept coming back to the player that passed it. Very little ambition on the ball. Its like the purchase of Werner has set their game back from that viewing. They werent that negative last season.

Ouch ! BTW, You forgot to blame @magneto

Did anyone else smile towards the end of the game when Mane got the ball 30 yards from goal and started the big wind up with his left leg, I've never seen him take that shot on before