Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

Osmosis Jones · 04-01-2021 07:33PM

Gbear wrote: »

We've been pretty ropey in front of goal in 4 of the last 5 games (granted, the other was a 7-0).

We've been pretty much spot on in attack in the league otherwise this season.

If we can click up front again, we can continue to ride out the issues at CB.

I know we didn't score even with him on the pitch but we looked so much more threatening once Thiago came on, keeping him fit is key, his experience playing on by far the most dominant team in Germany is really showing because he seems to always know how to unlock a packed defence, some of his little scoops over the top are a joy.

niallo27 · 04-01-2021 07:42PM

Liverpool have really shortened up in the betting, is their team news we don't know about yet.

Fitz* · 04-01-2021 08:00PM

Henderson starts at CB
Thiago also starts.

2 surprises IMO.

Time for Ox to shine now. A goal against his old club will help.

retalivity · 04-01-2021 08:02PM

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1346169573033316352

Arguably only one defender (Robbo) starting!

paulie21 · 04-01-2021 08:02PM

https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1346169794563866625?s=19

shanec1928 · 04-01-2021 08:03PM

retalivity wrote: »

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1346169573033316352

Arguably only one defender (Robbo) starting!

Trent?

Zak Flaps · 04-01-2021 08:07PM

retalivity wrote: »

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1346169573033316352

A bit of an unfair slap in the face for Williams and Phillips!

Utopia Parkway · 04-01-2021 08:07PM

Two midfielders in the centre of defence. Wild.

Club must surely have a centre half signing in the pipeline.

ratracer · 04-01-2021 08:08PM

This has a 4-4 or some other ridiculous score line written all over it!!

~Rebel~ · 04-01-2021 08:09PM

Zak Flaps wrote: »

A bit of an unfair slap in the face for Williams and Phillips!

?
They’re not starting...
Or do you mean it’s an unfair slap that they’re not starting? I think they’d agree themselves that Hendo and Fab are far superior players, even out of position, tbh.

I’ve no problem with either playing as CB’s - I’m just worried about how much we’ll miss them in midfield. Lot of pressure on Ox tonight.

tinpib · 04-01-2021 08:09PM

For as long as Matip is out for important games I'd far prefer Hendo at CB instead of Rhys Williams or Philips. That's still a great midfield with options of Milner, Keita, Minamino, and Shaq down the line.

Girly Gal · 04-01-2021 08:12PM

This really sends out a signal that Williams and Philips aren't good enough yet and that a CB is badly needed. We can't really continue with 2 midfielders at CB, granted Fabinho has been great there, but, Henderson as well is really stretching things, plus both are missed in midfield

cj maxx · 04-01-2021 08:13PM

I know we're still leading the league but this feels like must win game tonight.

retalivity · 04-01-2021 08:15PM

shanec1928 wrote: »

Trent?

I said arguably...sure haven't people been saying that TAA's future is in midfield?

Potential Underachiever · 04-01-2021 08:16PM

Fascinating line up, I did have an inkling that we might try the Hendo CB experiment, no idea how it's going to pan out though.

Zak Flaps · 04-01-2021 08:16PM

~Rebel~ wrote: »

?
They’re not starting...
Or do you mean it’s an unfair slap that they’re not starting? I think they’d agree themselves that Hendo and Fab are far superior players, even out of position, tbh.

That they're not starting.
I think they've been pretty good (esp Williams in Europe) the last few months when asked to play.
This might be a small blow to their confidence, thinking that their manager doesn't trust them.
I can't remember what Henderson is like at CB.
What was he like before when he played there?

theoneeyedman · 04-01-2021 08:18PM

Pep has been playing without, a centre forward.... We've gone one better, playing without a centre back.

'interesting' side..... I thought (after Williams came on and looked really slow) we could have done that on the WBA game, play Hendo at CB.

Anyway, in Klopp we trust - need a good result here, need a good display, especially from Trent

plibige · 04-01-2021 08:19PM

If you look at how we play, with our defence parked on the halfway line and the centre backs being the first point of our build up it makes sense on paper to have Hendo there.

Still doesn't "feel" right to me. I suppose it's a "wait and see" situation.

I can understand why Phillips was overlooked due to the speed of Walcott. And Williams is still learning

fyfe79 · 04-01-2021 08:22PM

Zak Flaps wrote: »

That they're not starting.
I think they've been pretty good (esp Williams in Europe) the last few months when asked to play.
This might be a small blow to their confidence, thinking that their manager doesn't trust them.
I can't remember what Henderson is like at CB.
What was he like before when he played there?

I think Hendo last played CB in the Club World Cup a year ago. Not sure if he played both games there but definitely one of them and was fine.

Osmosis Jones · 04-01-2021 08:22PM

Still doesn't beat this

Osmosis Jones · 04-01-2021 08:23PM

fyfe79 wrote: »

I think Hendo last played CB in the Club World Cup a year ago. Not sure if he played both games there but definitely one of them and was fine.

He did it in the second half against Fulham a few weeks ago and we looked much better once he moved there too.

We're missing van Dijk for his quick decisive passing as much as his defensive capabilities at the moment.

ShamoBuc · 04-01-2021 08:26PM

I cant wait to see how Thiago gets our front 3 moving again. I think he is a key mover of the ball, always looking for it and moving it at speed, generally in a forward direction. Our midfield can be too ponderous and sideways, not tonight hopefully.

fyfe79 · 04-01-2021 08:26PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

He did it in the second half against Fulham a few weeks ago and we looked much better once he moved there too.

We're missing van Dijk for his quick decisive passing as much as his defensive capabilities at the moment.

I could claim to have meant that he last started at CB in the CWC, but I had genuinely forgotten he filled in at Fulham as well!

Utopia Parkway · 04-01-2021 08:27PM

Klopp said Thiago was tired after doing 20 minutes the last day so will be interesting to see what he’s got in his legs tonight. Hopefully an hour anyway.

Fitz* · 04-01-2021 08:30PM

How many different CB partnerships have played for Liverpool this season?

ShamoBuc · 04-01-2021 08:30PM

Reckon an hour is the most we will see of him.

~Rebel~ · 04-01-2021 08:32PM

Zak Flaps wrote: »

That they're not starting.
I think they've been pretty good (esp Williams in Europe) the last few months when asked to play.
This might be a small blow to their confidence, thinking that their manager doesn't trust them.
I can't remember what Henderson is like at CB.
What was he like before when he played there?

I doubt they're that precious to be honest - especially given that neither thought they would be within miles of the starting lineup this season. And anyway, you can't make good decisions by setting the potential upset of fringe players at a higher priority than actually fielding your best team.

Hendo's grand at CB, has played there in bits and pieces a decent amount over the years when needed - and we also just know exactly what he offers. If we weren't so light in midfield he'd have 100% been playing there already this season, but we've been lucky to field 3 midfielders (including 19 year old Curtis) in most games. This is the first time in months that we actually have options for who can start in midfield, with the opportunity to shuffle some of our best players into stop-gap positions. Wouldn't be surprised if Thiago comes off after 60, Hendo steps into midfield, and Phillips or Williams come on.

Osmosis Jones · 04-01-2021 08:33PM

Fitz* wrote: »

How many different CB partnerships have played for Liverpool this season?

https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/1346172969861705728?s=20

emo72 · 04-01-2021 08:34PM

I haven't seen flicks and scoops like Thiago does since I played schoolboy football. Ye can't be doing that lad.

Osmosis Jones · 04-01-2021 08:34PM

Hopefully we can have the game wrapped up by the time Thiago comes off, don't want Klopp having a decision to make between keeping him healthy and leaving him out there to help win the game, especially with United on the horizon.

Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

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