Liverpool 2016-17: Klopp's Kop

SocrManiac

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Lallana is very nearly irreplaceable. Coupled with Henderson's potential absence, the weakness in the middle of the park could be crippling for the derby.
 

SoxFanInPdx

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There goes Top 4. I long for the day (hopefully us) that do everything possible to have the players they pay to have on their squad not play for the national teams. Every time an international break happens we lose a valuable squad member it seems and its getting really old.
 

OCST

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Lallana is very nearly irreplaceable. Coupled with Henderson's potential absence, the weakness in the middle of the park could be crippling for the derby.
Offset by Everton losing half of its back four, although Funes Mori out is addition by subtraction (I can't stand him and his shameful behavior in last year's derby is a big reason why). Coleman out is huge, though- he was having a fantastic season.
 

67YAZ

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Yikes. Wijnaldum does not replace Lallana's work rate and attacking threat. If Countinho and Firmino are good to go after their charter flight, I expect to see something like:

____________Firmino______________
Origi________________________Mane
__Coutinho____Can_____Wijnadlum__
Milner____Klavan____Matip____Clyne
___________Mingolet_____________


I don't much like this lineup, but I think it's the best from who's healthy. Luckily, the 'Pool left side looks pretty potent here especially with Coleman out. Maybe that will be enough to balance out the problems Can will have dealing with Barkley.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Yikes. Wijnaldum does not replace Lallana's work rate and attacking threat. If Countinho and Firmino are good to go after their charter flight, I expect to see something like:

____________Firmino______________
Origi________________________Mane
__Coutinho____Can_____Wijnadlum__
Milner____Klavan____Matip____Clyne
___________Mingolet_____________


I don't much like this lineup, but I think it's the best from who's healthy. Luckily, the 'Pool left side looks pretty potent here especially with Coleman out. Maybe that will be enough to balance out the problems Can will have dealing with Barkley.
If Henderson's available I think the midfield is Henderson/Can/Wijnaldum

Otherwise I think a Lucas comes in as a pure DM
 

PedroSpecialK

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I'd rather see Kevin Stewart get a run in the DM role alongside Can / Wijnaldum. Lucas is too immobile to have an impact on midfield at this point IMO.

It's a coinflip for me in terms of which of Klavan / Lucas will be played alongside Matip. Klavan would be my choice by far, given his recovery pace (compared to Lucas), and the aerial duels he'll have to endure with Lukaku. On the flip side, Lukaku doesn't have the out-and-out pace to burn Lucas like Vardy did - but Everton can also play Valencia or Calvert-Lewin up top to cause havoc.

My ideal lineup:

------------------- Mignolet -------------------
Clyne ----- Matip ----- Klavan ----- Milner
-------------------- Stewart --------------------
------- Wijnadum ----------- Can -------
----- Mané --------------------- Coutinho -----
------------------- Firmino -------------------
 

67YAZ

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Long-time target Mahmoud Dahoud set to sign on with Dortmund this summer for a £10.3m fee. There were reports that Liverpool had dropped their interest in Dahoud, but I don't immediately believe that. Klopp has been following his development for years, and a player of Dahoud's age and potential moving for £10m is a steal in today's market. Plus, we know Henderson is rather injury prone, so the prospect of European football next season seems to require more DM/box-to-box depth. I think either 'Pool are saving face here with a "we didn't want him anyway" rumor or negotiations with Can are getting out of hand (Can and Dahoud share an agency).

Really, it's just the disappointment talking. Dahoud is a helluva prospect.
 

kbourdon

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Leave it to the amazing English FA to hire absolute morons for their national coach. Lallana told the coach at half time he was having trouble with his thigh, and the coach made him play the rest of the game.
 

OCST

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If there is one thing that Reds and Blues can agree on ahead of the derby it's that the international break sucks.
 

SoxFanInCali

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Lovren returns, Lucas into the midfield!

Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Lucas, Can, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho.
Subs: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Grujic, Woodburn, Origi.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Lovren alongside Matip made all the difference. As a "fuck you" to me, Lucas even looked great in his CDM role.

Gotta hope Mané's injury isn't serious
 

SoxFanInCali

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Unbeaten against the top 7 for the season. Top 4 is there to be taken, but they have to do it in the games that they've struggled in this season.

The good news is that there are still plenty of games between the other top 7 sides left, so some dropped points by the competition is guaranteed.
 

67YAZ

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Lovren alongside Matip made all the difference. As a "fuck you" to me, Lucas even looked great in his CDM role.

Gotta hope Mané's injury isn't serious
No shots for Lukaku today, which underlines the defensive organization.

It wasn't a particularly strong attacking performance, but they created the lionshare of dangerous chances and converted very well. That's about the best we can expect from this squad with Lallana out.

Bournemouth coming to Anfield on Weds. Klopp isn't sure Mane will be back for it, though one reporter claims Mane was walking about unencumbered after the game. With or without him, 'Pool will have to be a lot better organized and composed than they were against Bournemouth back in a December.
 
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SoxFanInCali

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Mike Parry of TalkSPORT was quite upset that "James Bond" was showing his allegiance to Liverpool publicly.


Needless to say, he's getting tons of abuse. If he's doing it as an April Fools joke, he's doing a good job not letting on.
 
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67YAZ

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Klopp uncertain about Mane's knee, but may be out the rest of the season. They'll have a solid diagnosis once the swelling goes down.

Tomorrow's tilt with Bournemouth will require some creative rostering with Mane, Lallana, and seeming Henderson all out. I'll guess at Lucas at DM and Origi on the right with Woodburn first off the bench for the forwards. In the midfield, maybe Stewart or Grujic is the first substitute option or even something like Moreno coming on to push Milner up. God help them is someone else goes down.
 

67YAZ

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That was 2 points given away. On the closeup replay of King's goal, you can see that Klavan loses track of the ball and frantically starts searching for it. He loses contact with King allowing King an easy turn and shot. Ooooooffffff.

In other chipper news, Liverpool have been hit with a 2 year transfer ban on academy players from PL and EFL sides (the second year is suspended for 3 years). LUFC admitted to breaking rules in trying to recruit a Stoke youngster, who's family ended up saddled with thousands of pounds in private school bills when 'Pool refused to pay. But turnabout is fair play - LUFC have charged Man City with a similar academy recruitment violation.
 
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SoxFanInCali

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28 years.


This is the first year without a memorial service being held at Anfield, as the families decided that the rulings that their loved ones had been unlawfully killed meant they had finally received justice. Tributes continued around the city and country, including one from across the park.

 

PedroSpecialK

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United / City draw. Big help for Liverpool, but given the track record of dropping points to sub-par teams I'm not holding my breath for top 4
 

SoxFanInCali

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If everyone was to win their games in hand, 3rd through 6th would be City at 68 points, United at 67, and Liverpool and Arsenal at 66 with 4 games left.

It's going to be a crazy last few weeks.
 

InstaFace

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I love it especially the darker red shade. Guess I'll have to pony up for a Van Dijk kit in the summer :)
Might even work out as well as Lovren did!

But no, seriously, would be a shame for Southampton to lose who I think is their best player, and whom they've sworn to keep, repeatedly. Not even sure the rumored 50M GBP is full value for him, with other big PL clubs rumored to be in the bidding.
 

SoxFanInCali

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Today went about as well as we could have possibly hoped.

It means nothing unless they can take care of business tomorrow.
 

pedro1918

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Today went about as well as we could have possibly hoped.

It means nothing unless they can take care of business tomorrow.
Yesterday I would have agreed, but both Manchester's penalty spot goals were abominations. I was left wishing for more.

But part two of your post is the most important part. A win tomorrow is essential and running up the score would be very nice indeed.
 

SoxFanInCali

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The last 3 Southampton players to score a league goal at Anfield:

Sadio Mane
Nathaniel Clyne
Dejan Lovren (from a corner taken by Adam Lallana)

So if a Saints player scores today, look for Liverpool to buy him this summer. (No, van Dijk is hurt, so he won't be scoring.)
 

swiftaw

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The last 3 Southampton players to score a league goal at Anfield:

Sadio Mane
Nathaniel Clyne
Dejan Lovren (from a corner taken by Adam Lallana)

So if a Saints player scores today, look for Liverpool to buy him this summer. (No, van Dijk is hurt, so he won't be scoring.)
One of the papers today said Liverpool were also interested in Bertrand and Romeo, so if either of those guys score I would say the signing would be certain. :)

I guess Liverpool fans are rooting for Arsenal today.
 

SocrManiac

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Four games against Southampton without scoring a goal. That seems like a fairly alarming lack of adjustment.

Subs were far, far too late.

Coutinho looked awful. No way did he shake off that injury. I can barely remember seeing Firmino touch the ball. Origi was non-existent.

A glaring issue with this side since Suarez left is a complete inability to bust through eleven defenders once in ninety minutes with anything like consistency. They are absolutely blueprinted against weaker sides. Without the ability to counter or press, there are no ideas. I'm not sure how to fix this with the current personnel.
 

67YAZ

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A glaring issue with this side since Suarez left is a complete inability to bust through eleven defenders once in ninety minutes with anything like consistency. They are absolutely blueprinted against weaker sides. Without the ability to counter or press, there are no ideas. I'm not sure how to fix this with the current personnel.
This is a little much. Early in the season when the "Fab 4" - Lallana, Mane, Firmino, and Coutinho - plus Henderson were all healthy, this squad was ripping up sides that tried to pack it in: 5 on Leicester, 5 on Hull, 4 on Palace, 4 on Stoke, 3 on Boro. And they also handled business well against other lesser sides, which put Liverpool top of the table for a bit. But there's no depth. With any of the Fab 4 missing, the attack becomes predictable (except for the odd overhead goal of a lifetime from Can).

Liverpool need Champions League football in order to recruit the kinds of highly skilled, creative players that it will take to push this team to the next level. And I mean, they need to recruit these guys in addition to retaining the current core so that there's some actual depth to the squad, not just a bunch of teenagers filling up the seats. The Europa League would be treading water.

76 points and Liverpool and guaranteed 4th place. Anything less and it's possible that ManU and/or Arsenal could nick their spot.
 

SoxFanInCali

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I figured there would be a hiccup along the way. I was hoping to get the 3 today so that a draw at the Hammers wouldn't kill us. Now we need all 3 points at the Olympic Stadium.

Southampton still play both United and Arsenal this season, hopefully they are as difficult to be broken down in those games.
 

nolasoxfan

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76 points and Liverpool and guaranteed 4th place. Anything less and it's possible that ManU and/or Arsenal could nick their spot.
What happens if ManU wins Europa? Do they get the #4 EPL slot, sending Liverpool to Europa next year (the assumption here being Liverpool finishes fourth)?
 

67YAZ

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What happens if ManU wins Europa? Do they get the #4 EPL slot, sending Liverpool to Europa next year (the assumption here being Liverpool finishes fourth)?
Leagues can now send a max of 5 teams to the Champions League. So as it stands today in ManU finishes 5/6tth and wins the Europa, the EPL gets a full complement.
 

SoxFanInCali

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So, in a season defined by struggles at home against lower-half teams, all that separates Liverpool from a top 4 finish is a win at Anfield against an already relegated Boro.
 

67YAZ

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Liverpool have slapped a £30m price tag on Sakho. I appreciate that FSG have brought a hard nosed style of negotiating to Liverpool. Getting £27m+ for Benteke, getting over €70m for Suarez after swatting away Arsenal (and following a second biting!)...it gives me hope that they can hold on to Coutinho this summer or at least get a massive return if he does go.
 

candylandriots

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Liverpool have slapped a £30m price tag on Sakho. I appreciate that FSG have brought a hard nosed style of negotiating to Liverpool. Getting £27m+ for Benteke, getting over €70m for Suarez after swatting away Arsenal (and following a second biting!)...it gives me hope that they can hold on to Coutinho this summer or at least get a massive return if he does go.
Ugh. I was just going to write up a little Crystal Palace summary, and Sakho has to be job A1 for them. I just wish it wouldn't be so costly. I love that he arguably saved their season, but too bad he drove up his price so much in the process!
 

67YAZ

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Ugh. I was just going to write up a little Crystal Palace summary, and Sakho has to be job A1 for them. I just wish it wouldn't be so costly. I love that he arguably saved their season, but too bad he drove up his price so much in the process!
It is astounding that Liverpool will push for such a price for a player not even welcomed at the training ground anymore. There were rumors back in January that Sakho really wants to stay in England and prefers a move to London, so maybe that can smooth things a bit for Palace, keep competition to a minimum. Sakho showed his talent over the past few months. It's a sign of how much he really pissed off Klopp that there's not even a pretense that Sakho might return to Anfield.

In other Liverpool backline news, Andrew Robertson has signed on and will be announced when the transfer window opens. He was down to his last 12 months at Hull, and no word on feee or wages yet. He's only 23 and has over 200 professional and international games under his belt. My sense is that he's a good 2-way left back - solid, but not spectacular in defense and on the attack. It fills a need, and hopefully the price was good. I'd like to see Milner retained as a back up CM/LB next season; his leadership and new found versatility would be a boon for next year's packed schedule.
 

candylandriots

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It is astounding that Liverpool will push for such a price for a player not even welcomed at the training ground anymore. There were rumors back in January that Sakho really wants to stay in England and prefers a move to London, so maybe that can smooth things a bit for Palace, keep competition to a minimum. Sakho showed his talent over the past few months. It's a sign of how much he really pissed off Klopp that there's not even a pretense that Sakho might return to Anfield.
Curious about Liverpool fans - would you guys want Sakho back? Seems like there's a definite need, but also Klopp isn't one to change his mind on things like that. Were his transgressions too much for the fans or just the manager?
 

SoxFanInCali

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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.
 

67YAZ

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I'd take him back. He's got the athleticism to play the style Klopp wants, but needs to work on reading the game (hence the 2-3 calamitous situations every game). Considering all the run Klavan and Lucas got this year, he'd definitely have a role with next season's congestion.