F**k me, let's get this thread back on track.
Very disappointing result over the weekend and i bet Jürgen is still fuming with the shambolic officiating that took place at Anfield. Interesting how many supporters are changing their viewpoint on Jürgen and his ability to take us to the top. I fully believe he will take us there, the only obstacle in the way of that rise is FSG. As has been correctly pointed out, our net spend since their takeover has been that of a relegation team and while we have acquired some great talent it has always been a case of one for one as opposed to one for two etc. The Summer window will be the final opportunity for FSG to show their true intent or lack of it.
Back to the game and while i was frustrated at the midfield selection and also the inclusion of Lovren i am also aware of the restrictions being placed upon Jürgen and the Squad. I'm not a supporter of rotation as i think that certain areas of the team should be the same week in week out i.e. goalkeeper and centre backs, central midfield and striker. Klopp's system relies on rotation and i have no issue with that as long as we have the squad depth to accommodate it. With Coutinho gone i think Jürgen was looking at Lallana as the potential temporary replacement until the Summer. Again though, one injury and it highlights how shallow this Squad depth actually is. I am a firm believer in that we should have two strong options for every position in the Squad, we don't have that.
We all know the issues with the goalkeeper spot, Mignolet and Karius are both displaying lapses of concentration on a regular basis and for some strange reason, Ward, who has excelled during both his loan periods at Aberdeen and Huddersfield still cannot get a look in. Nobody has been able to nail down the right back spot since the Clyne injury, Alexander Arnold not quite ready yet and Gomez being predominantly a centre back. Robertson has nailed down the left back berth for me but Moreno has got to go, the other option is Milner but i think this will be his last Season here.
At centre back the arrival of van Dijk has highlighted how sh*te our other centre backs are, Klavan is slow and steady and i thought Matip was quite good for a while but the arrival of van Dijk confirmed my worst fears. Lovren, nothing to say really, not good enough. If i was Klopp i'd get Gomez in with van Dijk, he is young and still learning and van Dijk would bring him on no end.
In the midfield i would say Jurgens first choice three would consist of Henderson, Can and Wijnaldum. Can is probably leaving, Wijnaldum just seems to deteriorate with every game he plays and Henderson is still recovering from his injury lay off. We then have Oxlade (still settling in) and Lallana can't seem to stay injury free. Milner is an option if we are struggling.
Up top we have Mane (outstanding), Firmino (world class) and Salah (world class), the only real replacements for the wide forwards are Lallana (mostly injured) and Oxlade (still settling in). I fear for Firmino as i feel he is being run into the ground, so vital to the system that Klopp employs he barely rests him. Replacement options for Bobby are Solanke (nowhere near ready) and Ings (not even in the same league as Bobby).
So there you have it, this is what Klopp has to deal with, this is his hand. He is doing an excellent job and i can't see how anyone can argue otherwise. Klopp does employ a high intensity game plan and i do not wish him to change that or sacrifice his principles or beliefs. Rotation is crucial to the success of the 'gegenpress' style he utilises, it is not his fault he doesn't have the Squad depth to realise that success.
Bear in mind also that we have lost Coutinho, Sturridge and Markovic with no replacements brought in.
It is down to FSG to back their manager in the Summer or he will not stay here for much longer. The Madrid's, PSG's and Bayern's of the world will come calling with the budgets he requires and he will be gone.
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