Match Day Thread Vs Real Madrid (H)

So a player doesn't score because he is fell out with another player
Not passing i can understand, not scoring does not compute

 

So sell them for what they are worth and get em off the wage bill

 

I think Phillips, Matip and yes Davies (panic buy I agree now), who never had any chance of figuring really, will all be on their way this summer and we'll use the money recouped for those three to help buy proper cover there and competition along with Kabak, who I reckon we'll definitely keep, for VVD and Gomez who will be the starting pair next season.

Up front I wouldn't rule anything out and I wouldn't be surprised if any of Mane, Salah or Firmino leave. We have to bring in another serious option up top alongside Jota to stimulate some kind of recovery.

 

I'm not saying that the crowd was the only reason, or even the main one, far from it. But to say that we're not the only club to play without a crowd so it has had no effect at all isn't accurate imo. That implies that there's no difference between crowds when they are there, but testimonies from players and fans tells you that there is. As an example, Dortmund are also famous for having an intimidating Atmosphere, so Watzke said that Anfield wouldn't have an effect on them because they were used it. After they crumbled he admitted that it did.

I agree with the gist of your post though, although part of the squad Problem is our own doing. Players like Keita and Ox weren't exactly cheap, and if they were to stay fit and be on form for most of a season, our squad depth would look much better. But I think we all know that's not going to happen. Cheaper players like Minamino and to a lesser extent Shaqiri also haven't done the business.

Davies is a wierd one. I wouldn't be surprised if he went to Celtic in the summer, as the move was supposed to have been agreed before we stepped in. Maybe he's purely a last resort and we're not playing him to make sure he doesn't get injured? But then I don't know why we'd give him a five-year deal; in the off-chance he turned out to be amazing? Or maybe we just messed up.

 

I was going to say that I think we might keep Matip, because we might not get much money for him so we'll just let him run his contract down. But according to Transfermarkt he's got another three years on his contract, so maybe not.

 

Just thinking logically he's the CB we can probably get the most for out of those on the table, he's decent but not excellent and quite breakable, we also got him on a free transfer, so I'd be looking to sell him. I see what you're saying about his market value but given his contract reputation and what he has shown of himself when fully fit for us I think we can make some bank on him

 

Transfermarkt have him at 25 million, which seems a bit steep for a 29 year old who can't play two games a week. I admit I thought he only had a year or so left on his contract; I don't think he'll be around for three. Will we settle for a back four of VVD, Gomez, Matip and Kabak for next season? That would be 18 million minus whatever we get in CB sales, e.g. Philips, Williams and Davies. Leaves more money for other positions. I'm not sure if we'll keep Kabak and bring in a new established CB; I think it's one or the other. If we do get both, then I agree Matip will probably be on his way.

 

Little harsh on Matip - he's a brilliant defender. One of the best in the league. But it's all pointless if he never plays.

The rumours were that he wanted to leave last summer but Klopp convinced him to stay so I would be surprised if he doesn't go this time around. Sell him, Phillips and Davies - hopefully bring in around £15-20m and use that towards Kabak and Konate.

 

Bit pedantic I know, but I wouldn't call Davies a "panic buy" as such - just an attempt to have some sort of back-up as all our CBs, even the makeshift ones, were dropping like flies, and we really needed numbers. I get the point though, that we never had any long-term interest in him, and he was probably the best we could manage to secure at that stage.
Kabak will probably be long-term, as he has the makings of a good player once he gets the experience - but even he wouldn't have been near starting if we had anything like the defence we need. He still looks raw, and is young for a position where players generally don't come into their own until mid-20s.

 

Yeah sums it up just about perfect imo.

 

He was bought at the last second, would be nowhere near the top of the list of CB targets, and we've yet to use him and it looks unlikely that we ever will. That screams panic buy to me. It was a signing for show more than anything - to show fans that FSG arrived like Knights in shining armour to give us two centre backs instead of one.

Kabak on the other hand wouldn't be near the top of the list but he was on the list and we did speak to Schalke a few times last year.

 

I'm afraid that Gomez is another who will just keep picking up injuries, we can't rely on him and we really need to be looking at other options.
Konate's injury record doesn't inspire me either, tbh.
The scary thing is that even Virgil may no longer be the player he was.
Some serious work is required to get our defence back up to scratch.

 

Sorry, Jim - but that's just silly imo.

 

I supported FSG since they arrived but they let us down in January. We had an opportunity to bring in 2 decent level defenders. But they didn't want to spend.

I don't expect FSG to be like oil rich owners where we spunk money up the wall. I don't expect FSG to deviate much from the model which has worked well however this was a real emergency, a real crisis, where we were so desperate for centre backs, they let us down. Instead, they chose the cheap option and expected Klopp and the players to do what FSG always expect - overperform, over-deliver and perform miracles.

 

I could be wrong (and I don't know where to look to find out) but I think Gomez as mainly had impact injuries and they tend to be long term rather don't regular occurrences.

You're right that he can't be relied upon for an entire season but I wouldn't label him injury prone (unless I'm wrong about them mainly being impact injuries.

I think he's better than most when fit, certainly needs to be one of our 4+ CB options

 

The January window was disappointing but it's not changed my opinion on FSG or the transfer committee. I trust them 100%

 

Nice edit

Someone didn't like the truth

 

His patella injury has one of the lowest recovery rates across sports. I'd be surprised if he comes back to his peak levels...

 

If you want a discussion on our next steps fine, it is something that everyone has an opinion on.

I think people put too much store in players as they are transient beasts. They get their star status and their rich rewards and the come and they go.

It is purely a processional relationship. I say this having watched player after player stick two fingers at our fans. Souness left for italy, rush followed him, came back, mcmanaman followed their example, owen did it. Gerrard flirted with it (putting medals over club), torres did it, suarez did it and of course sterling and coutinho did it.

A long line of when it suits they kiss the badge and when it doesn't they sulk and want to move where the grass is greener.

My opinion is that we have many fine players and many gaps as well.

Alisson looks a man in need of a break but also a bit of a lesson in preparation. I have seen his elves of warm ups out on a ptch and i have to wonder if his injuries and stiff looking frame is down to a little bit of a lack of focus on the basics. He is a wonderful keeper, he holds everything but needs to go see his family and have a break.
Trent i think needs a bit of a reset as well and a good preseason.
Robertson doesn't need much bar team mates to play to his strengths
We badly need vvd not to look like a slow cart horse upon his retrun. It will take some month i fear for him to get fully fit.
unlike others i don't think gomez is going to come back as fit as before. I am not so sure. I think this needs adressing.

After that Henderson will be entering his twilight and fabinho needs support. theres change needed in midfield and unlike some i don't think jones is quite that.

Upfront
imo there's heads and legs gone and i've said who enough. Salah and jota have something about them still.

You could add 4 or 5 this summer. A whole new spine in fact. CB,CM, striker.

 

Yeah, "truth"