hopefully smith comes on.

I missed the 2nd half.
Never an easy game for any visitor - we had good possession but couldn't punch through gaining a goal first half.
Conservative tight game.
Firmino's shot was a cracker but this guy breaks me up, he either miss times or pushes the ball too far in front of him then he does something great.
Black Cats made us work so hard as expected, thought Borini was going to net one, came close.
Defoe came close as well.
So we scored early in the 2nd, thats all that matters.
3points !
Next up the Hammers.

That was sheer rubbish !
ok, were missing a few key players but that was utter crap, out enthused full stop.
We had more possession whole game but couldn't compete with counter football that we knew was going to happen.
FFS Moreno your back to pissing me off, you whinge over a tackle that wasn't that bad and look at the lesson the one who took you down gets running and scores ! Your pass's don't hit the mark countless times as well.
The best thing Klopp did was replace Moreno and Firmino, these 2 had shockers imo.
Klopp thinks we play well,flick here flick there, I felt our attack was stale, slow and then trying to pass right through to the goal line in front of 10 defenders.
Hammers made sure providing nice cross's to Carroll were as we don't make use of Benteke's strengths entire game, bloody ridiculous. Lone soldier easily picked out all game.
The Hammers backline near on won 99.9% every high ball we put over because it was shit to know one !
Our defending was poor, our midfield was poor, lethargic.
Thanks to Mignolet it could have been 2 more.
Nice to see Smith get a run mid 2nd half.

If you let them cross the Andy Carroll you're going to have a bad day.

No wonder he struggled for Liverpool, your players never gave him service + injuries.

I don't understand how you don't see Andy Carroll targeting fullbacks on crosses and not adjust.

Also becoming pretty clear just what a job Klopp has on his hands.

We simply haven't got the players.

It will take years of recruiting to get us back to anywhere near the top and for that we need a financial revolution like Man City.

Plus a new stadium.

I think Spurs have proved that is not necessary, I would argue your team is just as bad as Sherwood's was. I think Klopp is a good choice though as he should be able to be smarter in the transfer market.

Maybe its players not listening or capable of instructions or just not good enough.
Klopp has the credentials but at the same time learning the english game.
Their 2 goals were classic bad positioning by our backs, naming Clyne re 1st goal, maybe inexperience but he left too much space for starters.
He was more concerned pointing out to fellow players to cover whilst the ball was crossed therefore his reaction even though goal side too late to cover Antonio running onto the ball, then the 2nd Carroll wasn't even marked when running in to meet the cross #-o
Like WTF, I'd expect Klopp would have reminded the defense HT someone HAS to be on Carroll.
These are fundamental errors.
Sure it would be good to see new higher quality players but I don't see that Hammers,Palace,Watford for eg have a much better playing pool.
One big difference is "ticker" "heart" - those 3 clubs named show more than us when we've played them.
Today we were up a creek without a paddle attack wise, one dimensional, so easy to hold out.
Who has a go apart from Coutinho ? Benteke is like a lame duck, I'm sure he can score but how can we not work out how to use him, like is it that hard lol.....it was obvious playing alone striker wasn't working, why didn't Klopp change formation using 2 strikers ? why doesn't our midfield run through for any offloads off Benteke ?
Ol veteran Collins had an outstanding match making Benteke and our deliveries look amateur.
So many of our cross's didn't even find a Pool player running onto the ball or the space.

Yep we were pretty poor. But to be fair things did improve when Smith and Lallana came on.... Both seemed to play more to Benteke's strengths, which the rest of the team had not done all game.

Prior to that the only balls he was receiving were long upfield ones that don't help him or us and make it very unlikely that we'll keep the ball... I understand why CB was frustrated. But Benteke is also frustrating himself. So slow, and his movement is not good. Wasted a good opportunity when he should've been through on goal.

Smith though was promising again, and I think is pushing a case for more minutes. much needed competition for Moreno.

It's frustrating that results haven't improved under Klopp but for me it still builds down to the players we have, and the fact so many don't seem to fit together... Can only really blame BR and the transfer commitee for that. Benteke is looking like Andy Carroll mark 2...

I saw a Sky thing the other day where they were talking about Liverpool and Spurs. The Pundits agreed that only 3 current LFC players (at full fitness) would get into the Spurs first team (Coutinho, Sturridge and Clyne). What does that tell you? Poor purchasing. Spurs have expensive players yes but look at our spine, home grown talent. We have several academy products in and around the first team: Kane, Carroll, Mason, Bentaleb, Rose, Onomah

Your board needs to look at where money is going and what's coming out of it.

This is not a 'we're better than you' thing at all but over the last few years both our teams were very similar in terms of performance. However your club seems to be regressing where as ours seems to be building. Your club needs to turn it around.

In your clubs fans position i'd rather see your club put faith in youngsters and endure a couple of mistakes than continue this cycle of buying players that don't make the grade.

Your team is also much better with Henderson in it. I've always rated him. Shame he's had such a shitty injury run.

Harrison, yer look with Lallana at least he has the skill to take on the backline and can link far better than Firminho !
I just can't understand Klopp sticking to that game plan, Benteke needs runners off the ball, good cross's for he to meet just as a Carroll. haha Carroll MK2 - I really hope not.
Injuries are really starting to hurt us, Ings, Origi, Milner, Skrtl, Hendo, Studge, Gomez. Start up players.
Were looking to play too much tiki taka, yer I love seeing this type of good football but variety is the key, some long ball to Benteke with runners off him can turn games around, he made his name last season getting early balls and having a go, were not giving him those chances enough.
Can needs to be playing CDM, he's a good tracker, has ticker and can attack the space.
Agree with Smith, he's promising, tried a stupid flick that went wrong but overall he worked hard, run into space down the flank and crossed a few good ones. Moreno definitely needs the competition, he gets himself out of position too often for me.
Just as he did last game, when brought down he expects a free kick, get the feck up and get on with it, the ref will blow the whistle if decided.

Yes I watched that as well, on ESPN for me.
True, on form right now about right without looking at it closer but I would add to the 3 Hendo as well at full fitness.
What your not mentioning though is also why is Spurs there they threw up ? because Pool isn't where they should/expect to be incl the toffees for starters, they quoted Spurs to be a 5/6/7 placed squad (probably where we end up lol) but obviously not this season to date.
With the off form by chelski,manu struggling,arse/city inconsistant,leicester,palace,watford stoke all improving the ladder from 10th to 4th is just 7points, even with our misfiring depleted squad were 6points behind you guys and your on form !.

Mate we have quite a few Academy players around the fringes, we have for years introduced local youth.
Heck were the best of burning $$$ on any other local up and comer ala Carroll and more. We have endured countless mistakes.
Heres a few current young uns Ibe, 18 when signed, Flanno 18, Brannagan since U9's, Gomez not local but 19yrs and there's more I can't recall.

A few years ago you have Spearing and Shelvey doing ok in midfield and Flano as a defender. A little more persistence may have resulted in a productive midfield. As it stands Lallana hasn't played like a 25mil player, Moreno can be good but can be atrocious, Lovren hasn't been great, Can is ok but nothing special, Benteke hasn't hit the ground running, Firmino is still getting used to the EPL, Joe Allan isn't the same player as he was at Swansea, Milner isn't playing as well as he did at city, Mingolet isn't what his billing made him out to be, Ballotelli and Markovic have been farmed, Origi is raw and not getting enough of a chance.

Gomez looks like a decent buy it's a shame he's injured. When he comes back you guys need to back him. Look at Delle Alli, he came up from league One.

Ibe seems to be under pressure to be the next Sterling. Everyone needs to stop comparing the two.

Harsh I know but the only stand outs for me have been Henderson and Coutinho for me. I'd be pairing Gomez with Skrtel and helping him develop.

I agree BETHFC in part.
The incompetence from within, impatience/and external forces the wrong calls have been made countless times, though were not alone on this as well.
Too much to carry on about on the general business of the club but being owned by a Investment company is not imo the best when your a person who has their heart and soul be it a club or otherwise, having been involved with these types of companies (still am) all they really are concerned of is the ROI - overspending is not their thing normally, if so there is always strings attached. Klopps signing is supposed to show Henrys ambition of the club, we shall see I suppose.
FSG's interests are quite diverse, do they really have the best intentions ? history has shown Invest groups normally sell off by the 5th year, were getting onto the 6th, bet if they had a good offer they would take it as simple as that.
Regards to BR, we all had great hopes just as some new players, his Swans tenure was proof but somehow the wheels fell off, why, after near on winning the title after so long, pressure from within ? ffs he/we lost our trump card and due to todays expectations your to get the same results without bullets lol.........
Did he make every call in regards to new recruits ? Suarez was the best player we've bought in a decade or more the rest have been young inexperienced up and comers or like Milner nearing the end.
As you mention I lol at certain players we've offloaded who have impacted better elsewhere like Shelvey ! I was really annoyed losing him, a very capable player and we've seen what he can do at the Swans, was improving for us but never given enough 1st team starts.
Flanno was doing the business no problem at RB but for the injury - awaiting his long awaited return.
Spearing was improving but just bad timing for him, we wanted quality yesterday and couldn't wait, didn't use him enough therefore sell him off we will get better ??????? nope on he and Shelvey.
Sorry I rate Can, if ever we end up getting a overall consistent squad he will be a beast imo.
Lallana is so up and down can't think what is going on in his head. He's got the game, he should be a start up player every game barring needing a rest.
Firmino is a dead set loss at present.
Allan, a love BR signing to me, too soft has lost his mojo with us.
Milner, old work horse nothing more nothing less, free transfer no harm done $$wise but needs to lift.
Mignolet, you'd think by now he would look far more solid, he has improved, has a questionable CB pairing and LB to deal with at the same time.
Talk/comments elsewhere of Balo being called back (lol) - probably BS, box player, we wasted him just as were doing Benteke so no point.
Origi is raw, was getting his chance with Klopp till injured, look forward he back, he was looking good.
Gomez, huge loss imo, was looking damn good so early in pre season, real shame, next year.
Lovren is actually looking farfar better than last season, he worked his arse off last few games I can't pick on him tbh.
Sakho works hard but scares the be jesus out of me, hence why I said questionable CB pairing, need the Skrtl beast back asap, I'm happy he pairing with Lovren at present but we need to invest in here on another quality younger CB.
Good ol Lucas, we can't afford he on the pitch anymore but have no one else to step up, he's no Captain as well.

Jan window now, god knows what Klopp has on his mind but I don't expect anything OTT - but I hope he has in eyes on xyz and see what the future brings - its long overdue we get back in the 4 and punch back up where we belong :)

I agree mostly with this.

That's the issue though, you did a Tottenham. You sold Suarez (who lets face it carried your team like Bale did for us) and bought several ok players. The hilarious thing is Rogers said he'd never did it and had a go at us for doing it. Then he did it and look where you are. Liverpool, like us, are now seeing the results of poor investments in players.

Now Spurs approach was to put faith in youth and trying to make key signings (Son, Njie, Alderwiereld). Does Klopp do the same?

What do you do with Sturridge? He cannot be relied upon and appears to be made of glass.

Things will improve I'm sure with Henderson back but you seem to have issues across the pitch.

I have also just seen the Coutinho and Lovren are injured following the COC. Brutal.

oh yer sure we saw that coming regards to taking the Suarez $$$'s doing just the same as you guys.
I agree mate.
Just look at this article from July 2015 with Comolli - not that he was great at his job during his tenure but in bold good points....as I said the pressure/the desperation being back in the 4 "yesterday" is one of the big issues at hand. Everyone is expecting every single signing is to hit the ball running and deliver NOW, we all know it isn't that simple.
Gooners for eg, have been pretty stable for yonks, Wenger been there forever doing a sound job BUT he hasn't delivered them a league title since 03/04. It's not so easy even being settled.

Liverpool's former director of football Damien Comolli has questioned his former club's summer transfer dealings and warned the Reds are likely to be left behind again in the race for a top four finish.

The Reds have signed a total of seven new players this summer, with Christian Benteke’s £32.5m arrival on Wednesday adding to the acquisitions of James Milner, Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez.

In addition, last summer's signing Divock Origi has joined after spending a season on loan with Lille, meaning manager Brendan Rodgers has to mould a new-look team once again, despite failing to do so last season after bringing in seven new players following Luis Suarez's departure.

Speaking on talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, Comolli, who was respsonsible for £120m-worth of signings during his time at the club, said: “Without talking about individual players, it is always a big risk to make so many changes during one transfer window.

“I thought it was a huge risk last year after selling [Luis] Suarez and bringing in, I think, nine. Now they have decided to change a lot again and totally rebuild. That is always a massive, massive risk.

Comolli continued: "Liverpool are changing everything every year. I’m not convinced it is the right approach… By the time everyone settles into the team, and the players coming from abroad get used to the Premier League, they might be well behind fourth place."

Read more at http://talksport.com/football/liverpool-transfers-ps120m-man-says-signings-are-huge-risk-reds-do-you-agree-150723159285#VHxmYTqCYFIMwk4k.99

Now look at the injuries we have suffered since start of the season.
Studge ? yer I just don't know what will become of him - I've always said "glass" but then he's class for the rare times he's on.
I'll bet you once/if we off load him he'll play a cracking full season and score against us both games lol.......
Yay good win v's Stoke away, thats a really good result under the circumstances, the Lovren/Coutinho injuries are bad bad news though. Shame.

I'd like to see an emerging striker who can be relied on for crucial goals in a tight fix (like Suarez), plus two solid defensive players to join the squad. Aside from that, I think investing in youth is the way to go, as there's less risk of burning megabucks on another Andy Carroll or a bench-warmer. Stevie G was a steadying influence on the team remember that, now he's gone (for the time being at least, I could see him making a Fowler-esque return for 6 months to wind down his career in some kind of "super sub" role) and LFC have one of the youngest squads in the league. I think investing in youth is a gamble worth taking because, although a few of those players might fail to kick on, there's the chance that a few will deliver on their potential and, provided the management is in a stable position, stick together and form a reliable nucleus, a backbone that can be added to and strengthened. I'm thinking of the manner in which SAF gambled on youth with Manure in the early 90's- and in some cases he got more than a decades' worth of harvest with that nucleus (taking into account later signings from overseas or other teams).

The other problem Klopp needs to address is one of attitude- and this is a problem that has been evident with LFC since at least the Benitez days. Like I said the other week, I had good faith that the team would get the win against giant-killing Leicester. Likewise, I'm confident against City, Chelski, Arsenal and Manure. It's Bournemouth and arsey Crystal Palace that concern me. There is a culture of treating those big fixtures like a CL final- and playing like it overall as a squad- but then being apathetic against teams that the on-field squad should be beating by 3 goals or more.

If you ask me? The problem is that players are signed up, they come to Anfield, see the museum and the trophies and hear all about what a big, successful club this has been traditionally. It reinforces the idea that this club was made solely on the back of winning those "big games", ignoring the fine print that for each of those 18 League titles to happen, LFC didn't just beat teams like Everton, Arsenal, Man United or (back in the day) Villa or Leeds. They also got 3 points in forgotten fixtures against Oxford United, QPR, Coventry etc. If Klopp wants to turn this club around, I believe he needs to come down hard on complacency of any sort. Fergie was renowned for being like this with his teams, while Klopp doesn't seem like the kind of manager to give players the "hairdryer", having the balls to drop even a big name player because of a substandard performance against a side we should put away easy, would send a message to the rest of the squad that wearing the LFC kit and taking the field is about being focused and playing your best, no matter where and no matter who.

It's early days yet and I was a supporter of BR until the wheels fell off at the back end of last season, but I hope Klopp sticks around for a while at least and fans will be patient. Arsenal have had Wenger for 20 years now, they hung onto him through a 9 year trophy drought (not just a League drought but an all-out trophy drought) but they're picking up steam now and are favourites for the League. I'd rather stick with Klopp if there is nobody clearly better (and at least as suited to this clubs' insistence on success) than end up like the oil teams who are a revolving door with a culture that leaves as soon as their manager gets sacked...



Edited by Captain Haddock: 6/1/2016 03:58:37 PM

Well said Captain, all in our dreams, like I said, FSG is either in or out, they have the cheque book and we need to stick with Klopp now, we gave BR 4yrs, I hope he can bring in the much needed suitable armoury.

I'll keep living in the past so hanging for a strong future - going to appreciate some of our Legends tomorrow night :d .

Obviously it's a completely different type of game we're talking, but I'm faithful that FSG, at the very least, have a better idea of funding a team effectively than the previous owners, the Glazers or the oil barons, based on their success with the Red Sox. I mean shit, this was a team that (likewise in a league without a salary cap) had gone 86 years without a Championship! In the last 15 years, Boston have won 3. They had the right idea hiring Rogers as their maiden venture into hunting down a manager. BR had done great with Swansea and the football he'd got them playing made a lot of people (myself included) thinking he could be the next big thing with more money to spend. I'd glad even now that FSG did that as opposed to forking out for a big name manager and having it flop in a giant clash of the egos (head East on the M62 if you want to see how that could've turned out).

On saying that, I think the promise of 2013/14 was more on the back of Suarez (plus a focused Stirling and a fit Sturridge) than BR, and ultimately BR failed in three crucial areas: 1) Failed to find an adequate replacement for a player the manager before him had signed (making us temporarily forget the mega-bucks he flushed away on Andy Carroll). 2) Failed to fix LFC's defensive achilles heel, which should have been underlined after the 3-3 draw with Palace in the penultimate round of 2014. 3) Failed to have the team aiming up for big games- as exemplified by their ungracious tumble through the last 2 months of the 2014/15 season, where it seemed to get worse as every weekend went on when they had something to play for (an F.A Cup final berth, Stevie G's last game at Anfield, Stevie G's last game full-stop). This is actually part of the reason I don't think we've seen the last of Stevie G in the red shirt- a player of his stature deserves a better send-off than the dross he found himself stuck in for those final 8 weeks of last season. You could guarantee Rafa would have engineered something memorable, and I get the impression Klopp could do it too.

Viva The Normal One!

Edited by Captain Haddock: 7/1/2016 03:04:23 PM

Captain, I should say we are on similar games - I'm just venting a little on FSG, sure they are farfar better than the past owners just screaming away of the disappointing outcomes.
Your post above sums up very well and agree, especially on SG's 2nd half of last season, a real let down :(
I just watched him in our shirt again - what a sight ! the switch ball, darts low flight, the accuracy, assisted 2 I think, pearla chips, he's all class and still fit, sharp as and I'd love to see him back with us seeing you bring it up but again he'd be in a limping team, not sure it would go to plan for the send off he so richly deserves !

Wow, to see Riise at warm up reminding us of those power shots he used to blow us all, his running back into position, his pouncing of his opponent, he's still a beast !
Garcia, our earlier Coutinho - still runs like mad, twists turns and put away 2 good headers.
Loved seeing Carra back taking up his usual spot, joy to see.
Rushi scored, isn't that typical :)
Aldridge scored.
Seeing Houllier over seeing on the sideline, good times.
I've supported this club for a long time, I lived those wonder decades.
To sing at koff brought tears to my eyes - YNWA =d>

'Twas a great period in time when Rafa was in charge- brought undone by the previous owners f**k them...

Apparently Ibe has now injured his hamstring in training.

Expected 11 changes made for the Exeter Cup game away.
Benteke stand in Captain, thats how raw our squad was and Bravo to the young ones what a fighting result.
Bravo Brad Smiths first Pool Goal - great for his confidence and for all of them for the return leg at Home.
Now to re group for coming League game :) looking forward to it tbh.

So Klopps first signing is a promising 19yr old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic.

Flanno working his way back to fitness, 3 stints in games of late he'll be back pushing Moreno soon I expect.

An update on injuries and possible returns :

Elsewhere, Klopp also confirmed positive developments on the fitness of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Jordon Ibe, although Dejan Lovren remains sidelined due to a hamstring problem.

The boss explained: “The situation now is better than it was two or three days ago because I think Kolo will be available, so we will have a senior centre-back.

“Mama wants to be available, hopefully we can use him and then we’ll see.

"Martin is still a few weeks and Dejan feels good but the time of his injury was January 5 at Stoke, so it’s only been six days until now and eight until Arsenal and United will be 12. It’s close and there’ll be a moment when we have to decide if it’s risk, or if it’s a risk we could try. But it’s not the moment for this and we have to wait.

“That’s the situation, so we will probably have Kolo and Mama and the next one is Lucas [at centre-back].”

Klopp added: “Jordon Ibe, Jordan Henderson and Mama, who I spoke about, is three [pieces of] good news.

“Millie [Milner] was, but we left him at home when we were in Exeter. He is still in training. They are all good news.”

So we've signed Caulker on loan from QPR (ending his current loan at Soton). Didn't see that one coming.

Sure didn't see that one coming is right.
At least he' fit ! 24, welcome Caulker, talk about thrown in the deep end, give those gooners hell please.

Strong words about us signing Matip on a free for next season too, would be great.

Yes imno a good addition - we need to bolster that rear incl GK.

I expected us standing up being at home and I wasn't disappointed overall.
Don't we get bitten when you criticize, yes I have on Firmino and typically you get sorted, what well taken strikes, especially the 2nd =d>
I only watched the 1st half, was happy how we played, Klopp is bloody smart how he works with our guys.
Not starting with Benteke.
Great to see Hendo back ! Even having Milner, his work rate cannot be questioned - and both not match fit.
Can was strong as.
My only gripe is Mignolet (mind you defending set plays were crap) - I don't think I'm hard saying those first 2 goals were soft, he should have had them both covered imo.
Look forward seeing the 2nd half replay.

Edited by M.L.: 14/1/2016 11:50:10 AM