Liverpool 2016-17: Klopp's Kop

[candylandriots]

He's definitely talented, but he seemed to create 2 or 3 calamitous situations every game. I'd take him back as depth, but he seems to have burned that bridge.

I do find it funny that he was nominated for the Palace Player of the Year award despite only playing 8 games.

As the local Palace fan here, I'd honestly put him second to Zaha. Like I said in my Palace post-mortem, there's a pretty strong case to be made that they would have been relegated without him.

EPL 25-02-2017 Crystal Palace 1 : 0 Middlesbrough 90' 7.37
EPL 04-03-2017 West Bromwich Albion 0 : 2 Crystal Palace 90' 7.34
EPL 18-03-2017 Crystal Palace 1 : 0 Watford 90' 7.25
EPL 01-04-2017 Chelsea 1 : 2 Crystal Palace 90' 7.19
EPL 05-04-2017 Southampton 3 : 1 Crystal Palace 90' 6.58
EPL 10-04-2017 Crystal Palace 3 : 0 Arsenal 90' 7.67
EPL 15-04-2017 Crystal Palace 2 : 2 Leicester 90' 6.66
EPL 26-04-2017 Crystal Palace 0 : 1 Tottenham 57' 6.34

So, 6 goals conceded in his 8 games (the Spurs goal was after he was injured).

Here were the 8 games before him (14 conceded, including some late decisive ones):

D EPL 26-12-2016 Watford 1 : 1 Crystal Palace
L EPL 01-01-2017 Arsenal 2 : 0 Crystal Palace
L EPL 03-01-2017 Crystal Palace 1 : 2 Swansea
L EPL 14-01-2017 West Ham 3 : 0 Crystal Palace
L EPL 21-01-2017 Crystal Palace 0 : 1 Everton
W EPL 31-01-2017 Bournemouth 0 : 2 Crystal Palace
L EPL 04-02-2017 Crystal Palace 0 : 4 Sunderland
L EPL 11-02-2017 Stoke 1 : 0 Crystal Palace

He was responsible for breaking up a lot of congestion in front of goal. I think his confidence there did so much to make other players better and cover up for Wayne Hennessey's shortcomings. I think if you ask almost any Palace fan who they would most want signed (realistically speaking) it would be him.

 

[SocrManiac]

I wouldn't want him back. He's a statistical anomaly. He consistently has high passing ratings, ignoring that he telegraphs the shit out of any move he makes and he often picks targets already closed down. He makes boneheaded mistakes of the type that the side is already capable of producing without him. There are too many C level center backs at the side as it is.

 

[candylandriots]

I wouldn't want him back. He's a statistical anomaly. He consistently has high passing ratings, ignoring that he telegraphs the shit out of any move he makes and he often picks targets already closed down. He makes boneheaded mistakes of the type that the side is already capable of producing without him. There are too many C level center backs at the side as it is.

Can you explain what you mean by this? I would think that high passing ratings and picking closed down targets wouldn't happen at the same time. But I'm still learning a lot about the game, so happy to learn. Thank you.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

With the title and relegation spots decided, the games involving Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man City get the prime network spots on Sunday. A win of any kind clinches top 4 for Liverpool, a 3 goal win and a City draw could allow them to jump into 3rd.

A 1-1 draw by Arsenal and a 2-0 loss to Boro would mean Arsenal and Liverpool would have a playoff, as they would be tied on points, GD, and goals scored.

 

[koufax32]

If they can't beat a terrible Middlesboro, at Anfield, with UCL on the line they don't deserve it.

I'll be absolutely giddy if they can get 25 mil. For Sakho. Turning him into a Keane type upgrade would be an excellent way to begin the transfer season.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

[

A 1-1 draw by Arsenal and a 2-0 loss to Boro would mean Arsenal and Liverpool would have a playoff, as they would be tied on points, GD, and goals scored.

Oh god please.

 

[The Napkin]

I know nothing about this but saw it elsewhere and thought it was neat and that some of you soccer folk might appreciate it. Figured this was the thread for it?

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I've made my feeling on Liverpool clear, but that's awesome. I couldn't stop smiling watching that.

 

[67YAZ]

Wonderful. The keeper in orange - Dan? - was fantastic, even if he did get caught out coming up for that corner. Great reflexes on that kid, maybe ready for Karius's bench spot?

 

[InstaFace]

That was incredibly cute. The commentary was top-notch.

And yeah, the U9s need better communication between their keepers.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

That first half was incredibly nerve wracking. Visions of Burnley all over again.

Thank you Gini!

 

[SoxFanInCali]

August 4th is the draw for the Champions League playoff round. The first leg will be August 16th or 17th, the return leg on the 22nd or 23rd.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Huge to be back in the Champions League. Klopp has been a godsend.

 

[koufax32]

Now, let's spend like marginally inebriated sailors, get healthy, and go into next season with more depth and a competent defense.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

And Liverpool will be seeded for the August 4th draw ..

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-seeded-champions-league-play-13069109

 

[nolasoxfan]

$42 million for finishing 4th. How many quality players can be reasonably added with that additional cash? The summer transfer period should be fun this year!

 

[JayMags71]

From MightyJoe's link:

Teams the Reds could face include Sporting Lisbon and Hoffenheim, who have already secured their spot in the fourth qualifying round.

I wouldn't want to face either of them.

 

[cjdmadcow]

What with work and a serious knee injury, I've not been around much recently, but happy days today...

Talking of money, here's the payout for this season's TV money and JWH can raise a glass but just note that Bournemouth - with a stadium capacity of less than 12,000 - has just earned over £123M

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Can's goal against Watford was named Goal of the Season by Match of the Day (BBC).

 

[cgori]

Can's goal against Watford was named Goal of the Season by Match of the Day (BBC).

Rightly so, I would say. That was a thunderbolt and they were having a hell of a time breaking down Watford's back line.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

From MightyJoe's link:

Teams the Reds could face include Sporting Lisbon and Hoffenheim, who have already secured their spot in the fourth qualifying round.

I wouldn't want to face either of them.

Sporting would become seeded if Ajax wins the Europa League, as the Dutch club would go directly into the group stages and free up a place in the seeds.