If we had played a make-shift back 5 against Brentford I would agree with you, but we played our first choice back 5 against Brentford. Perhaps there are issues with match sharpness and such, but the understanding and cohesion between these players isn't an issue; this is a unit that has won the PL and CL together after all.
Also consider that 2-3 of our CB's are returning from long term injuries, so Klopp has been sensible in how he's managed their minutes so as to not burn them out early. Not to mention that we have a new CB to bed in which is obviously a crucial factor in rotation.
Literally missing the point entirely.
You say that was our first choice back 5 but it was only the 3rd time they’ve all started this season which is less than 50% of the games so far, the last time was vs Leeds. In the 4 games that have followed that we have changed the CB’s alone in each of the games and have conceded 5 goals in those 4 games as well as a penalty that was luckily saved.
This is before we even take into account that the full backs have been changed too.
Last season we were shipping goals because we were changing the defence every game. Yes there were mitigating circumstances, before you mention the injuries. But, we became more solid when we stuck with the same defence; TAA, Kabak, Phillips and Robbo. Why? Because there was a consistency there and we weren’t chopping and changing every 5 minutes.
City for example, up until last season were chopping and changing their defence from one game to the next and were leaking goals. Then they set on Walker, Stones, Dias and Cancelo for a period of time and became rock solid, much like this season too but mainly Laporte instead of Stones. Their defence isn’t better than ours, it cost more but it’s not better in terms of individual ability, but they have such a strong understanding from playing together most weeks and they are currently better as a collective.
If you think there’s not been too much rotation that’s fine, but don’t try passing it off with the success of the league and CL wins because they were over a season ago now, 3 members of that defence played virtually no football for near on a year so what happened in the past is irrelevant now. Just like having to get their match sharpness back individually, they need to get the understanding and the cohesion back too as a collective.
I don’t think it’s being unreasonable to say we should choose a defence line up and stick with it for a fair few games and gradually introduce the changes. There is plenty of football to be played, plenty of time for them all to get their chances. It’s a fair shout, no?
« Last Edit: Sep 28, 2021 01:25:43 am by 7-King Kenny-7 »
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