Liverpool Thread - Premier League Champions* 2019/20 (Part 2)

Awful defending Glen Johnson covering the left post whilst everyone else is strolling around. What's that about?

Just shocking.

Not watched much of Liverpool of late but defense-wise it's not just about personal it's about how the defense plays together. Rodgers needs to get someone in to sort this out as he clearly has no idea how to do this.

I'm starting to think that way. Individual mistakes usually aren't a coaching issue, but it seems to happen to every player who plays for us in the back 4, just awful mistakes.  Unfortunately I don't think it's as simple as just getting a "defensive coach" in which everyone seems to advocate - defending happens all across the pitch and how you defend affects how you attack. 

not that lucky

So not sure what you are advocating then?

Balotelli hooked after swapping shirts at half time.  I've given him the benefit of the doubt but if that's his last game for us I wouldn't be surprised or actually that disappointed.  I thought he had a decent half too

Yes he did, as RM pressed he had nothing to do so can't be blamed. It was always a gamble but one that didn't pay off.

once they press RM they look ok. They need to get in their faces.

I miss Luis

yeah but if they beat the press they kill you.  These really good sides can just play in every way and they're too good

Look, football is in a funny moment.  The concentration of good players in the top teams is unlike anything we've seen.  Madrid have an insane team as do 5 or 6 teams right now.  

Our recruitment was too speculative, we needed everyone to go straight away and it's just not happened for half of them.  I know it's early but Markovic looks like a real dud.  Both the fullbacks are a bit iffy, Can is a squad player when we needed another centre midfielder and the Balotelli punt hasn't paid off at all.  

The team has major problems..

I can't remember any Liverpool  teamsin the past that would have given up so easily..

So true...Madrid, Bayern, Barca....maybe Chelsea miles ahead. Everyone else it's the luck of the draw.

It's not all doom and gloom, we are only one point away from qualifying at this stage.

Well we got very lucky with the ludogrets result

fudgeing hell sometimes I wonder if you eve enjoy football.

Man City and Paris also have ridiculous squads but  aren't getting the results

Madrid tonight though, did they miss a pass?  Honestly, beautiful to watch

Defensively we've stopped attacking the ball, I do not understand it, we spend more time wrestling instead of simply attacking the ball in the air.  We NEVER get the first header on the ball

Not sure how you get that from that post?

I love football, I maybe enjoy the analytical side more than most.  Watching a side like Madrid tonight I always try and see how we can get to that level.  

I don't know if you have a wife/GF/family, but I do and I find now I can't really let football results affect my general emotional state, too much else to worry about!

Was there a game on?

You guys watching this weekend's game in town? There is a Jets guy coming over who wants to know if there was a gathering for Liverpool fans.

Well fudge.

The only time liverpool looked in the match was when they pressed. You also talk about a defensive coach not being the answer. The players are not shark yet they don't talk to each other and there is no connection with the midfield and they spent far to much time watching RM players with the ball.

Agreed that RM can buy a lot of their success, but you still need to throw a few tactics together which Liverpool seem incapable of.

Needs more Carragher.

Basel lost also. Consolation at least. Gonna need a big performance in Bulgaria and again at Anfield to get out of the group.

I am sure that if Balotelli had walked into the TV studio at half time, Souness would have beaten him to death with his shoe - he was fudgeing livid.  

Read an interview with Kieron Dyer the other day. He said that after him and Bowyer had that scrap, Souness offered to fight both of them. That's good management!

Would we benefit from not getting out of group stage? We made CL, good experience for players and manager now time to focus on domestic comps to make sure we're there again next year to build on what we have gained?

Yeah that did cross my mind but it's the Champions League. Gotta go for it!

Also, 3rd in the group gets put in the Europa League. Would much prefer a CL knockout game.

Balotelli's heat map yesterday:

Yeah, good point around Europa

Police Probe Balotelli 'threat' ...

'Mario Balottelli is being investigated by Greater Manchester Police over a claim he threatened to swap shirts with a woman who was taking pictures of his Ferrari...'

see latest on www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football

Still convinced Markovic will come right Leighbo?

Just a few months ago, lots of Arsenal fans were hoping for Balotelli and happy to pay 30m.

Dodged a bullet it seems.

I was one of them, and certainly happy that bullet sailed by. 

Had we not signed Welbeck though, I would have taken anything. 

I think so but to be fair, haven't seen enough of him lately to tell. Videos from the training ground show a guy with pace, great touch and vision but yet to see that transferred to the pitch.

Edit: On Balotelli, Napoli are considering a 10m offer if the press is to be believed. I'd be tempted to take it and then spend some of the $10m to get Origi from Lille early.

Don't write us off just yet

My new lucky socks come right on the third attempt!

Why occasionally him? #bbcfootball

— Tattz (@JonTattz) October 28, 2014

Both Lovren and Balo have been singled out as the villian's this year, two goals from them to turn a game around could be perfect timing for the rest of the season. I thought Borini was outstanding given lack of matchplay and I'd like to see Borini and Balo starting up front vs 'Toon.