Liverpool FC Forum

Fairly harsh assessment RBG but I agree with most of it. I think Klopp has that ruthless streak too and that there will be big changes this summer.

Midfield is a big problem and needs sorting. Allen hasn't long to go on contract, I'd definitely sell him. Henderson just doesn't look the same player and he's no captain. It'd be easier selling him than stripping him of the captaincy.

Milner I'd actually keep. His versatility can be handy when tactical changes are needed mid game. He can also cover 3 or 4 positions if on bench and we need to keep some experience I think. I think he's a decent performer.

I'm with you on Lallana. A few months ago I said he'd be first out the door this summer. He jumps out of 50-50s which for me is just unacceptable. But I have a feeling Klopp rates him so he might survive. His recent performances have been a bit better.

Benteke will be gone and we know Toure's leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if Skrtel or Moreno went too.

Last but not least the keeper situation needs sorting. Mignolet simply can't be first choice. If he's happy to provide backup for a year and then move on fine by me. But we will not progress in my opinion with this lad in the team regularly.

I can see Gotze happening. With him, Coutinho and Firmino we have the makings of a good attack. I'd actually like to see Coutinho play deeper in a midfield 3 rather than out wide or behind the striker. The more we get this lad on the ball centrally the better we'll be.

I think versatility has ruined this game mate ,I remember when we had  players that were the very best in their positions and that was all they needed to be . Now we have players who can get moved all over the pitch rather than taking the position they excel at to a different level. Milner was a workhorse for City and to an extent he's brought that to us ,but in terms of invention and bringing a fluidity to our midfield he offers little ,he brings industry rather than mastery or artistry ,and this is why I think we should distance ourselves from such players. What we need is a proficiency in one position ,a chance for the players to grow and develop in a place on the pitch that seems almost designed to show their ability .

This week away in Tenerife is the pre season Klopp never had and possibly has bigger implications for the group than just a bonding excercise, break from the norm reported.

Its a chance for Klopp to evaluate up close and personal and perhaps could prove critical for some and their careers at Anfield.

Don't disagree that we can do, and should do, better than Milner. But I just think we have a few more that should be out the door before him. I see him as someone who can still offer us something for probably one more season.

JC_81 » Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:18 pm wrote:Don't disagree that we can do, and should do, better than Milner. But I just think we have a few more that should be out the door before him. I see him as someone who can still offer us something for probably one more season.

Yeah, he'll be 31 next season (and no doubt slowing up) but to be fair to him you can see why City didn't want to let him go.
Considering it was at short notice I thought his performance at LB against United at Old Trafford was outstanding.

1. Christian Benteke £140,000
2. James Milner £120,000
Daniel Sturridge £120,000
4. Jordan Henderson £100,000
Roberto Firmino £100,000
6. Lucas £80,000
7. Jose Enrique £75,000
Mamadou Sakho £75,000
Philippe Coutinho £75,000
Martin Skrtel £75,000

Our highest earners

Bit too drastic that for me RBG. Would certainly keep Milner on the books and possibly Lallana if we can't get a very high quality replacement. Joe Allen is also proving a lot more effective under Klopp. Could have done better against Southampton but unfortunately Klopp didn't react well to their half time changes. He had a bad day. Joe Allen was a very small part of the problem. Thursday night at OT had clearly taken it's toll.

For me we are missing a captain and a catylist. Gerrard was a captain. Suarez was a catylist. We have nobody of that quality in the team. THEY ARE THE TWO AREAS THAT REQIRE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT. Coutinho, Sturridge and Sterling were all better players with Suarez on the pitch. We have lacked creation and what was once the best midfield in the world is now one of the worst and that is where I would like to see major changes. A lot of people would have written Firmino off before Klopp arrived. Those same people have now understandably gone very quiet. I would have shown Lallana the door a few weeks ago now I would think twice. Mignolet's mistakes which all goalkeepers make have been exacerbated by our inability to score goals. He is certainly nothing like as bad as a lot of people think.

We have a lot of quality. Klopp has pulled off some excellent results against top opposition. Clyne,Sakho and Lovren are a reasonble basis for a decent defence. Can, Firmino, Coutinho and possibly Lallanna and Allen can all make high quality contributions. Imagine how much more effective they would be with Gerrard and Surez on the pitch. Up front Origi will continue to improve. Danny will always score goals WHEN HE IS FIT. I have said before that if another team wanted Danny for £45/50m I  wouldn't hesitate to sell him  providing that we had bought a suitable replacement before letting him go and that will be the tricky part. As frustrating as this maybe we simply cannot afford to build our attack around player a with Danny's injury record. Benteke looks to have well and truly shot his bolt. If one or both of these players do leave then we need to make absolutely certain that we don't make the same ridiculous mistakes when it comes to replacing them.

Klopp  has certainly got a busy summer ahead of him!

I did say my opinion would be controversial ,but its imperative we rid ourselves of players who out of  a large percentage of games they've played for us,  have given us just a handful that are pointers to why they were brought to the club in the first place.

In Lallana's case its too little too late , even though I think Klopp will give him another season ,for me he has flattered to deceive and the weaknesses he shows in almost every performance are still effectively haunting his game.

People keep saying Milner should be retained because he offers us 'something' ,but I want players that give us everything ,again he's a player with weaknesses that can be exploited ,his reaction time is slow ,and he's often the reason an attack breaks down because he's put himself the wrong side of successfully receiving a pass or he's a yard off a through ball.  I think he's struggling with the pace of the game  on the same scale Gerrard was with playing in this team ,that's honestly what it reminds me of watching him ,its like we've replaced one aging and ailing midfielder with another susceptible to the same shortcomings 

Henderson because there are now more reasons to get rid than to keep ,sadly that wasn't always the case ,but for whatever reason he just seems unwilling to propel himself past ordinary ,and like I said earlier its not difficult to replace the qualities he used to provide by bringing in another player.

I know everyone will say its rather predictable that I haven't selected Lucas ,but Lucas is the best reader of the game from a defensive aspect that we have at the club ,and who better for Can to learn his trade from than one of the best out and out DMs ( both from a personal point of view and a statistical one) we have had in England.

Joe Allen is like I have already stated a tidy neat passer of the ball ,but he will never give us the protection needed to shield our back four whilst his positioning and reading of the game is so poor.

I think Klopp already knows who's staying and who's going. I don't think he'll clearout 8 or 9 though. Personally, I think he'll move on half that (not included contracts that expire) with the headliners being Benteke and Henderson. Despite my views, I think Lallana will remain along with Mig, although both will be spending a lot more time on the bench as Klopp look's to strengthen the squad and bring in proven players.

So, for me I'd move on the following:

Benteke
Henderson
Allen
Balotelli
Skrtel

We'll also release Toure and Enrique, which will leave a few gaps in the squad.

I actually hope Toure gets another year.

Toure is way past it even as back up. He doesn't get enough games to stay match fit and I can remember his 1st 2 appearances this season ended with him pulling a hamstring in each. His fitness isn't going to get any better and considering the wage he gets it would probably be wise to let him go and free up that wage for someone else. Not sure if lorri is close to making the grade but the few minutes that kolo gets I would rather see them going to one of the younger players we are looking to bring through. Someone like Gomez.

Enrique is out of contract so he will be off and besides we have more than enough that can play in that position anyway.

Get rid of Bogdan also and I said it before that it would be worth taking a punt on Darren Randolph. He has impressed me any time I have seen him play and he would certainly give mingolet a run for his money. He wouldn't cost the earth either.

We need major surgery this year and it has to be the spine of the team and what ever we do in the summer I would personally like to see at least 5 new faces in that starting eleven come august.

RED BEERGOGGLES » Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:32 pm wrote:I think versatility has ruined this game mate ,I remember when we had  players that were the very best in their positions and that was all they needed to be . Now we have players who can get moved all over the pitch rather than taking the position they excel at to a different level. Milner was a workhorse for City and to an extent he's brought that to us ,but in terms of invention and bringing a fluidity to our midfield he offers little ,he brings industry rather than mastery or artistry ,and this is why I think we should distance ourselves from such players. What we need is a proficiency in one position ,a chance for the players to grow and develop in a place on the pitch that seems almost designed to show their ability .

100% spot on!
Barca has sold this versatile way of football for the past 8-10 years. But it is there way of playing under their own system and it works for them until a time their team gets old. Just like other clubs throughout the generations.
Just because it works for one club doesn't mean it can be translated into another - this was the miserable disaster of the previous management.
--
WE NEED specialists in particular areas of the pitch -
E.G. A goalkeeper that can catch, save and throw - not a goalie that enjoys playing tiki-taka in his won 18 yard box and putting his defence under needless pressure.
Proficiency is a great word to use BEERGOGGLES  - As this is what we need and we can only hope that a native of arguably the most proficient nation in the world can share his understanding of this by building a team that can dominate domestically and in Europe 

Heard both Sturridge and Benteke want out. Obviously Benteke can probably go but Sturridge would be bit of a blow but there is an argument he is on his way down when it comes to injuries so maybe selling him for a good price and bringing in a quality striker may make sense

johnbarnes » Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:17 am wrote:

RED BEERGOGGLES » Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:32 pm wrote:I think versatility has ruined this game mate ,I remember when we had  players that were the very best in their positions and that was all they needed to be . Now we have players who can get moved all over the pitch rather than taking the position they excel at to a different level. Milner was a workhorse for City and to an extent he's brought that to us ,but in terms of invention and bringing a fluidity to our midfield he offers little ,he brings industry rather than mastery or artistry ,and this is why I think we should distance ourselves from such players. What we need is a proficiency in one position ,a chance for the players to grow and develop in a place on the pitch that seems almost designed to show their ability .

100% spot on!
Barca has sold this versatile way of football for the past 8-10 years. But it is there way of playing under their own system and it works for them until a time their team gets old. Just like other clubs throughout the generations.
Just because it works for one club doesn't mean it can be translated into another - this was the miserable disaster of the previous management.
--
WE NEED specialists in particular areas of the pitch -
E.G. A goalkeeper that can catch, save and throw - not a goalie that enjoys playing tiki-taka in his won 18 yard box and putting his defence under needless pressure.
Proficiency is a great word to use BEERGOGGLES  - As this is what we need and we can only hope that a native of arguably the most proficient nation in the world can share his understanding of this by building a team that can dominate domestically and in Europe 

hmmm abit strange reading this... you know that Germany has a national team that didn't play with an out-and-out striker and won the world cup right? And from the way we're being linked with Gotze, we seem to be heading to that kind of versatility direction...

Doeboy » Tue Mar 29, 2016 7:21 pm wrote:Heard both Sturridge and Benteke want out. Obviously Benteke can probably go but Sturridge would be bit of a blow but there is an argument he is on his way down when it comes to injuries so maybe selling him for a good price and bringing in a quality striker may make sense

Their views reflect that of Klopp so no problem. Cash in, save the wages and replace them with injury free players who can score. Job done. There's no time to be sentimental.

In 3 years time no one will be able to name the current team, they're all Billy-no-marks.