Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

BoardsMember · 19-01-2021 09:11PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

But this notion that he "slows the game down" has come from absolutely nowhere, there's not a single midfielder in our squad who can transition from defence to attack faster than him, never mind the fact he's literally the only one of them willing to take players on on a regular basis.

Watch him play. He's definitely capable of playing the incisive ball, but he's also prone to slowing it down. Or maybe it is his presence, people look to pass him the ball, rather than taking it on themselves to hit a longer more ambitious pass themselves. There's definitely something to it.

Osmosis Jones · 19-01-2021 09:17PM

BoardsMember wrote: »

Watch him play.

Thanks I hadn't thought of that.

I do watch him play, incessantly.

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Twice in 15 seconds someone passed the ball to Wijnaldum and made a run into the box, both times Gini receives the ball with at least 3 players ahead of him and both times he elects instead to play a simple pass backwards. It's not just Wijnaldum, basically every midfielder we have has been playing far too conservatively this season:

And then we have Thiago. Within 8 minutes he created this disallowed goal by not immediately passing it out wide, but instead drawing in a midfielder, beating him, then drawing in multiple defenders and releasing it to Williams in an actually threatening area:

I posted this comment during the game yesterday and I wasn't lying:

Here's a group of highlights that all happened in a 4 minute span where Thiago showcased pretty much everything he brings to the team:

Spotting a lose ball, winning the 50/50, and driving forward 40 yards:

Hitting a first time 20 yard strike off the crossbar:

Winning the header from the goalkick after his crossbar shot and then playing a quick pass to the forwards beyond Villa's midfield press:

Tracking the runner and cutting out the pass in order to stop Williams from having to deal with him in a 1 on 1 footrace:

Cutting out the Aston Villa clearance, playing it back into the box, chasing up his own pass, winning the ball back, and finding another open Liverpool player inside the box under pressure:

.G. · 19-01-2021 10:28PM

Girly Gal wrote: »

If it means bringing in someone to strengthen the defence would it not make sense to leave VVD out of the squad as he's unlikely to be available before the end of the season, unless they expect him back early and he can make a meaningful contribution.

It might but maybe they feel Virg will be back well before the end and that could be why they're reticent to spend big money in January even if they could get who they want. There's also the risk the whole football operation gets shut down again and we've spent big money and have no income at all and no games. Lots to consider.

I'd like to see at least one CB in January but when it didn't happen on January 1st I pretty much accepted its not happening at all.

We'll find out how far along they think Virg is soon enough when the squad list is submitted.

Agent Coulson · 19-01-2021 10:43PM

I think when European football starts back you will see the other teams there stutter again and it might just arrive in time for us as we will be playing a game every 3 days by then.

~Rebel~ · 19-01-2021 10:50PM

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I think when European football starts back you will see the other teams there stutter again and it might just arrive in time for us as we will be playing a game every 3 days by then.

Might suit us alright - but once again, only if we have resources at the back. Going into a hectic schedule with makeshift defences will only hurt us even more.

Agent Coulson · 19-01-2021 11:02PM

Throw a low ball offer at Chelsea for Werner in summer.

I still think he will score goals under a good manager.

BorneTobyWilde · 19-01-2021 11:03PM

Leicester top. Now how crazy was that 5 games back.

We'll be back on top in no time also .

They had 11 pts from 6 games before this.

.G. · 19-01-2021 11:09PM

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Leicester top. Now how crazy was that 5 games back.

We'll be back on top in no time also .

They had 11 pts from 6 games before this.

It's a mad season alright and it will continue to be. No reason for anyone to be throwing the toys out the pram just yet. Long way to go and we're still right in it. Any run of wins gets you right back up there if you drop a bit.

We just need to get that run started!

basillarkin · 19-01-2021 11:13PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Thanks I hadn't thought of that.

I do watch him play, incessantly.

This was against villa schoolboys though.

Harry Palmr · 19-01-2021 11:18PM

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Throw a low ball offer at Chelsea for Werner in summer.

I still think he will score goals under a good manager.

Hell be plaing for leverkusen or dortmund on loan!

citytillidie · 19-01-2021 11:19PM

Agent Coulson wrote: »

I think when European football starts back you will see the other teams there stutter again and it might just arrive in time for us as we will be playing a game every 3 days by then.

Only in May, Feb, March and April will have a normal schedule as if its a normal season.

Osmosis Jones · 19-01-2021 11:21PM

basillarkin wrote: »

This was against villa schoolboys though.

And yet none of our other midfielders did a thing until he stepped onto the pitch.

The comment was comparing him with the rest of our midfield, all of whom played vs the Villa schoolboys.

basillarkin · 19-01-2021 11:26PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

And yet none of our other midfielders did a thing until he stepped onto the pitch.

The comment was comparing him with the rest of our midfield, all of whom played vs the Villa schoolboys.

Ya fair enough would like to see him combining with fabihno in midfield but that won't be happening any time soon, mo and Co up top a lot more worrying but probably only a blip. League wide open, between Liverpool and City, City favs though. Nice to see Leicester win again, they are doing brilliant. Hopefully they stay the course again, Rodgers is a good manager.

Agent Coulson · 19-01-2021 11:35PM

David Alaba’s pre-contract with Real Madrid is ready since the beginning of January and it’s expected to be signed in the next weeks. His salary will be around €12m [after taxes] per season. #LFC made a top bid to sign him 2 weeks ago but... his dream is called Real Madrid. White circle

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1351538802981019652?s=20

Blanco100 · 19-01-2021 11:42PM

BoardsMember wrote: »

Watch him play. He's definitely capable of playing the incisive ball, but he's also prone to slowing it down. Or maybe it is his presence, people look to pass him the ball, rather than taking it on themselves to hit a longer more ambitious pass themselves. There's definitely something to it.

Said this the other evening. The fact he is the go to man in midfield makes us more predictable. He's a terrific player who will play more advanced when everyone is fit

~Rebel~ · 19-01-2021 11:57PM

Blanco100 wrote: »

Said this the other evening. The fact he is the go to man in midfield makes us more predictable. He's a terrific player who will play more advanced when everyone is fit

He's only played about 5 minutes - it's a bit soon to say what is or isn't predictable.

One could argue TAA was very predictable as our go-to last season but it didn't seem to do us any harm.

Osmosis Jones · 20-01-2021 12:05AM

It's one thing to predict something, another to stop it. As long as Thiago is good enough, which I fully believe he is, who gives a shít if defenders know he wants the ball, or that we want to get it to him.

We were "predictable" in 13/14 with Suarez too, and what did that do? It caused defenders to guard him far closer, allowing acres of space for Sturridge and Sterling play in.

~Rebel~ · 20-01-2021 12:14AM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

It's one thing to predict something, another to stop it. As long as Thiago is good enough, which I fully believe he is, who gives a shít if defenders know he wants the ball.

We were "predictable" in 13/14 with Suarez too, and what did that do? It caused defenders to guard him far closer, allowing acres of space for Sturridge and Sterling play in.

I'd love to one day see a midfield with both Naby and Thiago in it - two entirely different ways of breaking through teams, and if you try to stop one approach, you actively encourage the other.

Harry Palmr · 20-01-2021 12:48AM

What a strike by ex youth player Suso

https://streamja.com/jnaPV

Same era signing Luis Alberto also continuing to do well with Lazio, four goals recently.

Osmosis Jones · 20-01-2021 12:57AM

Harry Palmr wrote: »

What a strike by ex youth player Suso

https://streamja.com/jnaPV

Same era signing Luis Alberto also continuing to do well with Lazio, four goals recently.

The 3 Spaniards, those two alongside Iago Aspas, all given barely a sniff at Liverpool before being sold and going on to do great things.

Harry Palmr · 20-01-2021 12:59AM

To be fair only Aspas is a very regular scorer of goals but the other two have certainly done well enough. Suso could well be playing CL football again next season. Hell Seville would have a league title chance but for Atletico.

Speaking of old boys who hardly got a chance - cheeky 30 million offer for Ings? Telegraph running with holding out for a CL club (or maybe better pay offer!)

Blanco100 · 20-01-2021 01:01AM

~Rebel~ wrote: »

He's only played about 5 minutes - it's a bit soon to say what is or isn't predictable.

One could argue TAA was very predictable as our go-to last season but it didn't seem to do us any harm.

Thiago is a world class player. No doubt about it.

If Hamann says he will never fit in at Liverpool and the most ardent red tinted glasses fan says he is the second coming, the truth lies somewhere in between.

I think his position at the base of the midfield and his absolute willingness to provide an out ball for pretty much any his team mates shows they really rate him, and it's stark given the short time he has been at the club.

Will be interesting to see which trio gel best when everyone is fit. I think with Thiago, you need a line breaker in midfield too, Keita (if he could ever stay fit) would have all the tools to go up another level with someone like Thiago in midfield.

Actually think Henderson could miss out, a fully firing trio of Fabinho Thiago and Keita would be formidable.

Harry Palmr · 20-01-2021 01:04AM

Fabby
---Hendo---Thiago

Keita for Henderson if ever fit.

Osmosis Jones · 20-01-2021 01:11AM

Assuming Jota will be fit again before Keita can string 3 games together I'd be very interested in something like the following

Ali
TAA-Matip-Fab-Robbo
Hendo-Thiago
Firmino
Salah-Jota-Mane

~Rebel~ · 20-01-2021 01:12AM

If we don't sign a CB, I wonder is Billy Koumetio being considered at all as an option? Has a great eye for a pass, and is massive. Very inexperienced though. Quicker than Nat and Rhys, but not the quickest on the turn I'd say.

I'd much rather that's not the direction we were looking, but if we have to look at the CB's we have on the books, surely he deserves the same chance Rhys has had? The Utd cup match might be a good time to test him.

fyfe79 · 20-01-2021 09:07AM

Agent Coulson wrote: »

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1351538802981019652?s=20

If it's true that they made a bid for Alaba it surely implies that there's a decent chance of a CB arriving in the next couple of weeks.

davyboy1975 · 20-01-2021 09:28AM

fyfe79 wrote: »

If it's true that they made a bid for Alaba it surely implies that there's a decent chance of a CB arriving in the next couple of weeks.

We made a bid for him to come in on a free in the summer, not as a centre back though apparently

yourdeadwright · 20-01-2021 10:47AM

Bit of topic but anyone see Fernando Torres recently ,
He is absolutely jacked he looks like he weighs double what he did when playing football , His arms look bigger than his legs where, He must be flat out on the weights , its looks some what unnatural how big he has got but that occult just been the pictures I seen

DVDM93 · 20-01-2021 10:48AM

DVDM93 wrote: »

https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1351591954098884617?s=20

@yourdeadwright, he's some size alright!

yourdeadwright · 20-01-2021 10:52AM

DVDM93 wrote: »

@yourdeadwright, he's some size alright!

Think he just got a job coaching the youth at Atletico , there be no messing with him these days:D

Poor aul Vidic will have nightmares if he see's that picture

Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

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