Liverpool 2018-19: Alisson, I Know Lovren is Killing You

PedroSpecialK

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After playing 90' with an injury concern at Brighton, TAA is out 4 weeks with a knee injury.

Sure wouldn't have sucked to have Clyne around, but if Lovren's back for Palace they could roll either of Milner / Fabinho at right back
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Most of the reports are that Matip will get the start against Palace .. Lovren supposed to be out for a week or two.

On a happier note Joe Gomez is expected back by the 30th. Hallelujah!

Milner should be a perfectly fine RB against the teams on the schedule for the next four weeks. The Reds will be bossing possession against the likes of Palace, Leicester, West Ham and Bournemouth. Milner is actually an asset in this case because of his playmaking abilities.

Wijnaldum has picked up a knock so expect to see this team against Palace .. Allison, Milner, Matip, VVD, Robertson, Fabhino, Henderson, Shakiri, Mane, Firmino and Salah.
 

pedro1918

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This is a surprise. From the Echo:

Jurgen Klopp has NOT ruled out Trent Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool's home clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

But the Reds boss won't take any unnecessary risks over the defender's fitness as his team look to extend their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Alexander-Arnold suffered a knee injury during the warm-up ahead of last weekend's 1-0 at Brighton and Hove Albion but played the full 90 minutes.
So at the very least, probably not as bad as previously reported.
 

67YAZ

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This is a surprise. From the Echo:
So at the very least, probably not as bad as previously reported.
Well that's good because I was totally nonplussed about why TTA played the last match. After Trent went down, Milner was doing the express warm up...I don't quite get why Klopp didn't put Milner in just as a precaution.
 

JayMags71

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Well, this blows chunks:
Joe Gomez is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after Jürgen Klopp said the Liverpool defender may require another operation on his broken leg.

Gomez has been out since fracturing his lower left leg at Burnley on 5 December. The 21-year-old was expected to be absent for six weeks but, almost 10 weeks later, his manager has conceded the Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich on 19 February is not “a realistic target”. Liverpool also fear Dejan Lovren has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury, with the central defender almost certain to miss Monday’s visit to West Ham.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/01/jurgen-klopp-criticises-kyle-walker-for-mocking-liverpool-on-twitter
 

pedro1918

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Liverpool can confirm Joe Gomez is to undergo surgery to assist his recovery from a lower leg fracture sustained at Burnley on December 5.

The defender has been undergoing a rehabilitation programme since suffering the initial break at Turf Moor; however, after further diagnosis, the club’s medical staff believe he will benefit from a further procedure to enable a more complete recovery.

No timescale will be placed on an expected return date for Gomez, though it’s likely he will feature again this season.
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/336739-joe-gomez-injury-surgery-latest-update-liverpool
 

67YAZ

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Ugh, but it's much better to be cautious with Gomez. He's a cornerstone.

The new deals for TAA & Robertson got me to look at the other expiring contracts: Markovic is gone; Moreno & Sturridge will not be brought back (shedding a combined £160k/week); and Milner. I'd be glad to see him back on a 2 year contract, taking him to age 35, given how many roles he can play for this squad. If Liverpool can keep it in the range of £12m total between wages and signing on fee for the two years, I'd think it worthwhile.
 
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teddykgb

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Given how much of it is Pickford bloopers it reminds me of Bravos season as City keeper. After a while the whole backline becomes unsettled just not trusting the keeper and all sorts of crazy mistakes creep in
 

OCST

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Speaking of, with Everton playing City tomorrow, there's lots of talk on Everton social media re: a City victory hurting Liverpool. So you're seeing a lot of jokes like this:

 

PedroSpecialK

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Schneiderlin... that's a name I haven't heard in a long, long time.

Yeah if I had a sports betting account anywhere, I'd put everything I own on City today.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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So .. the past few weeks have seen some pretty anemic offensive efforts out of The Reds. The common denominator is , of course the midfield. Klopp has been extraordinarily stubborn in playing Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson and Fabhino in various combinations whenever he can. They are a solid hardworking setup - but sadly lacking in offensive creativity. In many ways the rise of Fabinho has made things worse in that he’s yet another defensively solid MF who is keeping more offensive gifted players on the bench.

Shaqiri - he has been nailed to the bench for what seems like 6 weeks. He provided an excellent spark in the first half - indeed, even forcing a switch to 4-2-3-1 to accommodate his skill set. That seemed to get Salah going as well. Now however it seems Klopp has decided Salah has to be on the right in a 4-3-3 and there’s no room for Shaq.

Naby Keita - it took half a year for him to break into the lineup - and it finally seemed like he was there to stay .. but no - when the big games came around it was back to the donkeys.

What is it about Henderson or Milner that Klopp sees ? And I have absolutely no idea how the Ox is going to get into the lineup given this slavish devotion to defensive solidity.

The failed Fekir transfer would seem to prove that Klopp realized the midfield needed an offensive injection .. what has changed?
 

PedroSpecialK

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Shaq had a couple of poor showings, but hasn't deserved the lack of run he's been given (especially relative to Sturridge / Lallana).

One of Keïta + Shaqiri need to play at this point - there's no use in throwing Milner and Henderson out there for 120-150 minutes weekly when Wijnaldum + Fabinho would serve as a perfectly capable dual pivot. Oxlade-Chamberlain should be returning to the U23s this week so hopefully he can provide a spark off the bench down the stretch, but I'm not holding my breath.
 

pedro1918

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So Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was supposed to play the first half for the Under 23s against Derby County. He was substituted a little before half time with tightness in his hamstring. LFC said it was precautionary and he is fine. He will be considered for first team duty after the international break.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-ease-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-15945403?utm_source=liverpool_echo_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Link7848&utm_campaign=lfc_newsletter
 

koufax32

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Speaking of permanent transfers, old friend Philippe Coutinho has struggled to find a place in Barca’s first team. Frenkie De Jong’s imminent arrival could mean someone else needs to be sold. Any chances he might want to come back? Would Klopp want him?
Not at the rumored asking price.

That would be a really fun midfield though.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Speaking of permanent transfers, old friend Philippe Coutinho has struggled to find a place in Barca’s first team. Frenkie De Jong’s imminent arrival could mean someone else needs to be sold. Any chances he might want to come back? Would Klopp want him?
Ahh .. no .. especially at the rumoured price +£100m ..

Coutinho had kind of a career year in his last few months here. If Pool had been given the option of selling the 2015/2016 version for £130m they would have been doing cartwheels. He has undisputed skills .. but is Ozil level bad defensively. If Shaqiri can’t get into the side because he doesn’t defend I can’t image Kloop welcoming him back.

For that matter I don’t see them spending big on anyone this summer. They need a cheap left back with Moreno gone (Chilwell? Sessegnon?) another CB (sell off Lovren) and a young striker (with Sturridge moving on) .. Timo Werner would be ideal. And the Fekir rumours are starting again (sigh.....)
 

67YAZ

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For that matter I don’t see them spending big on anyone this summer. They need a cheap left back with Moreno gone (Chilwell? Sessegnon?)
I would love to see Sessegnon in Klopp’s system, both the tactical set up and his approach to player development. There’s still monstrous talent there, it’s just that everything about Fulham has been depressing and squandered this season.

I’m not exactly sure how to price his transfer yet. He’s going into his last 12 months and certainly had a down season. On the other hand, he’ll only be 19 when the next season starts, is only a year removed from ripping up the Championship, and Fulham will be desperate for a windfall to cushion the drop. (Even with the parachute payments, they look to be in a fiscal mess for the foreseeable future). And then there’s the English player premium within the EPL. £35m with various escalators that could push it towards £45m?

Edit: with Gomez coming back next season, I think we’re more likely to see Lovren shipped out and a veteran depth CB brought in.

And there’s been a lot of rumors about Werner for a couple years now. But as long as Red Bull is on the phone, they should also inquire about that American kid, Adams...
 
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SoxFanInCali

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Caught this when watching a replay, nice pic of Margaret Aspinall (the chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group) hugging King Kenny after Salah's goal. The 30th anniversary of Hillsborough is tomorrow.

Also...Sami Hyypia!
 

SocrManiac

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What's his I hear about Sallah wanting to leave next year?
A report came out of a Spanish paper saying he had a huge row with Klopp. Salah and his agent both denied it.

We’ve seen the Spanish papers do this before to turn players’ heads toward Barca or Real.
 

SoxFanInCali

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California. Duh.
Damn, both the 2012 and 2014 visits were the Wednesday after the bash, so I could just hang out a few extra days. Not so this year.