Posted this in the pub, but might as well copy it here. According to the Beeb we're playing Red Star twice on Wednesday. Once in the Cl group A at 8 o'clock, and once in the CL semi-finals at 8 o'clock. I think this is asking a bit much of both teams, tbh. Good job we don't have to play in our own group as well. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool
Absolute must win and see which of our rivals wins. We have to win this one and then follow it up away. Please god we can. Firmino to start. Salah to continue. Shaqiri probably also. Defence wont chance. Midfield? Tbh I'm not sure why Henderson went off. I'd go for windy, fabinho and Milner. If for no other reason that I expect them to defend very deep. Lallana needs a longer recovery time than this. Keita not sure, but probably too big a risk. Henderson? Who needs a crab in a game off 11men back. I would want to see taa not lovren in this one too. But that's just me
Feel harsh on Gomez not playing CB, probably the best this season. Trent offers so much more going forward too
Simply must win. Early goal would be nice as they’d have to be a bit more adventurous. Would be nice if the other game ended in a draw please. Thank you.
Before the games started to be played, this was a must win. RSB are the group's so-called whipping boys, anything less than 5pts over the next two CL games is failure!
Napoli draw with red star opened up 2nd to us. As well as our win of course. Our loss to napoli unfortunatley has put us on the back foot so now we need to drag ourselves back
Nah. It was away and we lost by a single goal. Smash them at Anfield and we'd be in control without them drawing with RSB. Plus we beat PSG, can't see them doing that.
It was the manner of the defeat though - we were useless. The performance levels this season have been really poor. We're getting the points because we're not giving much away, but it's more like a Mourinho team grinding out uninspired wins than the football I want to see. Klopp's post-match interview yesterday showed that he's far from happy.
Agreed but that games passed now so only the result matters. Agree that Klopp isn't happy and that we need to improve. We've become boring to watch again...
Our game needs to improve massively to progress in the CL or even the PL. Right now, bar the Napoli game, we’ve got away with sub-optimal performances. Just. Our defence has improved dramatically since the second half of last season with Alisson, VvD, Gomez and Robertson all massive pluses. TAA too. However, everything ahead of them on the pitch just hasn’t clicked yet...which is a concern. Like Klopp says, we’re at the top of the league but still have a lot of improvement to come. For me, we still lack creativity in the middle. We have plenty of industry but little magic. That’s got to be our next signing. Surely.
On that lack of creativity. There were a few occasions in the first half when Milner or Henderson had the ball with space ahead of them. Instead of driving forward with the ball, they just passed it sideways. Feel we really miss Chamberlain and his corners too
no it was a 3 point swing and it means we must win by more than one goal against them or being on same points = they go higher than us in table. it's Napoli 4 lfc 3 if we win next 2... and say Napoli draw both lfc 9 Napoli 6 if then the 5th round goes Napoli win off loss (you say it's away also no big deal) then before last game we would be 9 points alive but with them ahead of us so even a draw and we could be out. for me is much rather be on 9 points alongside pay with Napoli on 4 going into final games. really that loss away means a result is needed in our last game v Napoli to progress no matter what. it's only a question of how big a result.
imo. 1. Henderson rarely looks for a positive pass anyway. 2. none of them are moving to make options for passes. the midfield.just knock it back or hold it too long then pass sideways or back. we need more.movement just to be on for one two type play. 3. speed of passing must increase. no more hogging ball and running with it. the ball moves quicker. use it. quick short passing. look for runs up top but the ball mist move fast.
It's more and more apparent that the midfield is slowing our game down. Last year we won the ball and a couple of passed later it was with our forwards who where flying at the opposition's goal. Now the ball goes into the midfield and his held or passed back. It allows the opposition to get in shape and negates salah and manes pace. The ball is then bounced about a bit until a cross gets hoiked in. Our front 3 having clicked yet. But the midfield is the area that needs serious looking at.