The Top 4. Can we get there?

Every season clubs go through a sticky patch, some sticky patches last longer than others, this could be our sticky patch, without playing well, without certain players,  etc etc, we are still in contention,  Arse have just dropped points again at home to Hull City, 
We're 10th in the table, a win tomorrow takes us to 4th,  I detect a bit of panic in here,  relax people,  we are well in contention,  we may not be hanging on to the shirt tails of shitty or chavs, but there's miles to go yet,

Take comfort in that our main rivals have again dropped points, we just need to bag that win tomorrow and we'll be ok.

YNWA

I think if we do get top four (or better) it will have as much to do with other clubs failings as our team's great play this season. I expect as the season progresses that we will improve, sadly not to anything like the extent required to win the league.   

I think we made the squad stronger during the summer but I don't think we made the team stronger. I think we bought too many players that are little or no better than the players we already had rather than top quality players that would have improved the team.   

I think Brendan will again have to adapt tactically, accept that we are no longer the free scoring side of last season and grind out results with more pragmatic football until Christmas when hopefully we can address some of the problems our summer spending didn't solve.

Thankfully Spurs, the mancs and Arsenal seem to have as many problems as we have, so we are still in with a chance of top four, but after last season it is quite a disappointment not to have kicked on.... hopefully a cup will come to our rescue.         

a good 4-0 win tomorrow will put us into 4th place.Chelsea could easily implode so the league is still wide open at least until April.One game at a  time.

We should finish 3rd.  Chelsea won't implode.  I think they are the team to beat this season.

a good 4-0 win tomorrow will put us into 4th place.Chelsea could easily implode so the league is still wide open at least until April.One game at a  time.

There's optimistic and then there's kidding yourself. We've been utterly toothless without Sturridge this season. What on earth makes you think we're suddenly going to explode with four goals? Who's going to score them?

There's optimistic and then there's kidding yourself. We've been utterly toothless without Sturridge this season. What on earth makes you think we're suddenly going to explode with four goals? Who's going to score them?

To be fair though we're playing QPR, I'd fancy myself to score against them without much trouble.

Surely our seemingly toothless attack can get a few here, if not then we truly are fu**ed.

To be fair though we're playing QPR, I'd fancy myself to score against them without much trouble.

Surely our seemingly toothless attack can get a few here, if not then we truly are fu**ed.

I fancy us to win, just not by four goals. I just don't see where we'd score that many from with a misfiring strike force.

I fancy us to win, just not by four goals. I just don't see where we'd score that many from with a misfiring strike force.

Your wrong mate, Saints hammered 8 past Sunderland, not all goals were scored by striker's,  we have Balo, Raheem, Lallana, Stevie, Hendo all capable of bagging one or two,  you need to believe in your team more,  simples!


YNWA

Your wrong mate, Saints hammered 8 past Sunderland, not all goals were scored by striker's,  we have Balo, Raheem, Lallana, Stevie, Hendo all capable of bagging one or two,  you need to believe in your team more,  simples!


YNWA

Your right Billy.

However  ...  why should the midfield players have to do all the work for a dysfunctional attack ... and a dysfunctional defence ?

Your right Billy.

However  ...  why should the midfield players have to do all the work for a dysfunctional attack ... and a dysfunctional defence ?

How ya doin skip ?

It's a team game mate,  we are as one, when one department lacks for whatever reason we roll our sleeves up,  it's not ideal we're lacking bodies up front that needs to be remedied in Jan but until then everyone needs to up their game and muck in,

As for our defensive deficiencies I think we need a specialist defensive coach, aka Steve Clarke, that and a new more commanding keeper, not sure what's happening regarding Victor Valdez but if it was going to happen it would have happened by now imo, I like Tim Krul at toon, he's a big unit and very imposing,  could do with him between our sticks, and he's better than Migs if I'm honest.

YNWA

Your wrong mate, Saints hammered 8 past Sunderland, not all goals were scored by striker's,  we have Balo, Raheem, Lallana, Stevie, Hendo all capable of bagging one or two,  you need to believe in your team more,  simples!


YNWA

Like I said, there's optimism and there's kidding yourself and whilst we won 2-3, it could turn out that we didn't score a single goal today. Realism should not be confused for a lack of faith in the team. As for a defensive coach, most of our defensive problems stem from failure of the basic failure to clear our lines which you don't need a defensive coach for because anyone that's ever played football is taught that as a child.

With only GD separating us from that spot, I guess we should be a good bet to get there.

There's optimistic and then there's kidding yourself. We've been utterly toothless without Sturridge this season.

What on earth makes you think we're suddenly going to explode with four goals?
Who's going to score them?

They are ! 

They did !


 

Brilliant posting Billy, 
There is not one point that cannot be argued with,
If there was a template out there to describe what is expected of a true Liverpool fan,  well I'd like to see it,
Your the epitome of what a Liverpool should be, I doff my hat Sir, I love Liverpool fc with all my heart but I'm happy to admit that although as passionate as most I won't ever reach the level of passion and belief that you have, total respect.

I think a lot of posters/supporters should take a page from your book mate if I'm honest and start believing in their team more, maybe then our support will get back to somewhere near how it used to be.

YNWA

Cheers Bill, but I'm no more passionate than any other genuine Red mate.

Can't even blag it. 

We have been sh*t all season.....  But you have to look at the positives i suppose. 

Lots of injuries. 
3 rivals played. 
Ahead of United, Arsenal, Spurs, Everton. 

Been absolute turd bar when Sturridge played against Spurs.
Currently level on points with 4th, ahead of Utd, Arsenal, Spurs & Everton.

Mad season.

I don't think so. I'm convinced our defence just isn't up to the job. We are all over the shop at the back and can't see how it's going to get any better.

Last season, we conceded loads but were able to score more than we let in and so when Suarez left, it was vital that we made defending our top priority.

The main emphasis was placed on replacing Suarez because Liverpool knew they would be losing a huge player but have ignored the fact that defensively we needed class. Lovren is a fair player and will get better but I believe a big name player was and still is more important. Compounded by the fact that Simon Mignolet causes so much confusion amongst his centre backs, we are not likely to finish in Europa Cup positions, let alone a CL place.

There are too many sides including the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Swansea who are far more organised than us and who are also scoring shed loads.

I don't think so. I'm convinced our defence just isn't up to the job. We are all over the shop at the back and can't see how it's going to get any better.

Last season, we conceded loads but were able to score more than we let in and so when Suarez left, it was vital that we made defending our top priority.

The main emphasis was placed on replacing Suarez because Liverpool knew they would be losing a huge player but have ignored the fact that defensively we needed class. Lovren is a fair player and will get better but I believe a big name player was and still is more important. Compounded by the fact that Simon Mignolet causes so much confusion amongst his centre backs, we are not likely to finish in Europa Cup positions, let alone a CL place.

There are too many sides including the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Swansea who are far more organised than us and who are also scoring shed loads.

Surely this is a wind up.

I've been critical this season myself, I'm sure everybody has at some point - we've been dire at times, and I've also debated whether we are strong enough to finish inside the top 4.

But to throw West Ham and F***ing Swansea into the mix and suggesting we won't finish in the Europa spots is laughable!

Southampton look good so far but it won't last. Every season there is one team that gets off to a flyer and surprises everybody, this season it's Southampton. Remember a few seasons back when Hull were in the top 4 after 10 games or so? They got a win at Arsenal with a wonder goal and dick head pundits started to question whether they could finish in the top 4. Anyway, they finished 17th that season, which is my point.

City, Chelsea and Arsenal in my opinion are certain to finish in the top 4.

The only reason we won't finish in the top 4 is if the mancs strengthen massively in January and buy a new back 4 basically and even then they need to gel immediately. Spurs and Everton won't be in the running I don't think. That Europa League is a curse.

Yes we are sh*te at the back but there is still plenty of talent in midfield and upfront to out score teams this season with or without Luis.

We've also played 4 tough fixtures this season out of 8 games - the in form Southampton, Everton, Spurs and City. 7 points out of 12. Not bad really.

The mancs haven't played anyone yet. They've got Chelsea, city and Southampton next 3 games I believe. They'll be 15th in the league next month.

We're 5th (level on points with west ham in 4th) in the league currently with Hull, Swansea and Newcastle coming up next. So when you look at it, even though our performances haven't been convincing, we're not actually doing THAT bad.

Consider this. We're playing some of the worst football in our club's history, truly it's just horrible to see how bad we are. Yet despite that we are currently 5th on goal difference, above United, above Spurs, above Arsenal. Imagine what we can achieve when we're playing well?

I think it is all about the team that has what it takes to last the extra mile. I believe it is still teething period for the current Liverpool setup post-Suarez, and once the engines are running, the team won't be as bad as at the start. The likes of Southamptoon and West Ham have had an impressive start but in the long run their lack of quality, no disrespect to them, will take a toll. We are currently fifth and a Top Four finish should not be an unreasonable target.

I think it is all about the team that has what it takes to last the extra mile. I believe it is still teething period for the current Liverpool setup post-Suarez, and once the engines are running, the team won't be as bad as at the start. The likes of Southamptoon and West Ham have had an impressive start but in the long run their lack of quality, no disrespect to them, will take a toll. We are currently fifth and a Top Four finish should not be an unreasonable target.

I think its teething problems for our attacking, passing philosophy yes, but the defense is nothing other than psychological now. Even if we had 2 of the worst CBs in the country they could do better than this. We literally can not defend against any period, not prolonged, ANY PERIOD of pressure towards the end of a match. We basically sh*t ourselves and do everything wrong. I think this stems from MAINLY, that we have it in our heads now how poor we are. If you look at all our goals conceded from sets or long balls in, even the lower teams are better at defending them then we are, so that has to suggest its psychological as opposed technical ability.

I watched Ire v Germany there last week and we were able to withstand VERY long periods of pressure from zee germans. Wilson looked like a world beater compared to our lot - had to think to myself... Jesus when was the last time we lasted 5mins without conceding whilst pressure was on... that wasn't due the opponent missing sitters.

We just need to strip it back, go back to basics, play the ball and not the man or stick 2 lads as 100% ball winners and the rest can do zonal/man marking or whatever the F**k it is. 2 absolute ball winners. I remember Hypia and Carragher... no matter where the ball came into in the box they were the ones getting their head on it. Positionally they were great too but they judged the flight and made it theres.... we look like we are judging the attackers and not watching the ball at all. Most set pieces against us, I can tell who the FK taker will try hit the ball into... or the area (usually just outside the 6yard cause Migs doesnt come) so why cant ours manage winning the ball as opposed to trying to manage the opposition not getting into their positions. 9/10 a CB should be able to beat a striker 1 on 1 to a ball lofted in if he has a run on it too.... not in our case. For F**k sake, they are controlling balls on their chest now in our box.... and 8players fell asleep and not one of them were looking at the ball for the corner against QPR... WTF. Have they all lost their mind.

A leader should be screamin at the lot to wake up!

Its all basic sh*t and they just need to sort it. Once it is we are sorted. Also we need to stick with the same back 4 for every game, every midweek game too, until its sorted (injuries aside).... starting tonight, cause I couldnt handle selfie enrique playing again.

Rant over.

we might get there if everyone carries on being terrible (spurs, arsenal, everton, man u) but we need to improve;
1. Mig needs to step it up or Valdes is needed
2. The CB pairing whoever that is needs to improve
3. I actually think we are missing Flanagan
4. Coutinho, Markovic, and Balotelli obviously need to play as well as they can
5. Sturridge returning is crucial and perhaps Borini needs to be upgraded upon to provide a genuine option upfront

Surely this is a wind up.

I've been critical this season myself, I'm sure everybody has at some point - we've been dire at times, and I've also debated whether we are strong enough to finish inside the top 4.

But to throw West Ham and f**king Swansea into the mix and suggesting we won't finish in the Europa spots is laughable!

Southampton look good so far but it won't last. Every season there is one team that gets off to a flyer and surprises everybody, this season it's Southampton. Remember a few seasons back when Hull were in the top 4 after 10 games or so? They got a win at Arsenal with a wonder goal and dick head pundits started to question whether they could finish in the top 4. Anyway, they finished 17th that season, which is my point.

City, Chelsea and Arsenal in my opinion are certain to finish in the top 4.

The only reason we won't finish in the top 4 is if the mancs strengthen massively in January and buy a new back 4 basically and even then they need to gel immediately. Spurs and Everton won't be in the running I don't think. That Europa League is a curse.

Yes we are sh*te at the back but there is still plenty of talent in midfield and upfront to out score teams this season with or without Luis.

We've also played 4 tough fixtures this season out of 8 games - the in form Southampton, Everton, Spurs and City. 7 points out of 12. Not bad really.

The mancs haven't played anyone yet. They've got Chelsea, city and Southampton next 3 games I believe. They'll be 15th in the league next month.

We're 5th (level on points with west ham in 4th) in the league currently with Hull, Swansea and Newcastle coming up next. So when you look at it, even though our performances haven't been convincing, we're not actually doing THAT bad.

It's no wind up at all.

What have UTD got to do with it?

I use West Ham and Southampton as example's because they are simply playing better football than we are, as are Swansea and West Brom for that matter. We have become, mediocre.

Have you not even noticed that Steven Gerrard's post match interviews are all very negative and very acknowledging of the fact we are lucky!

Forget our league position, we are extremely flattered to be in 5th. West Ham and Southampton are where their football suggests they should be. We are not. How we are lying where we are, is astonishing.

It is a fact that we have been outplayed by West Ham, Aston Villa and QPR.... QPR???

We were no better than Everton, West Brom and Southampton, made to look mediocre by Middlesbrough, Ludogorets and Basel and Man City taught us a Footballing lesson, so forget the fact we have a load of midfield talent, we have lost all the midfield battles since the Tottenham result and they certainly are not going to prevent us from conceding goals, and with all due respect, they aren't doing much in front of goal either.

But it's ok, we have Real Madrid tonight.