Covers many people's comments really. You can be nearly men - edge into top four, get to quarter finals/semi finals but it's very hard to go all the way when you can't defend.
Noticeable now for me that the midfield is not offering enough protection to the back four, who (Matip apart) aren't particularly good. Lovren falling over for their first was pretty standard. Their second they picked up the ball from the throw under absolutely no pressure - not sure what Henderson was doing there.
Silly initial yellow card as well from Gomez for the shirt tug. Just so needless - highlights his immaturity really (and probably the unconscious belief he had that Lovren wouldn't help him out).
Doesn't look like we're getting a defender anytime soon - can't imagine us doing anything of interest in note in January.
I'm fairly positive though in the sense that I think just changing Henderson and Lovren could make a fairly significant difference. Keita will be next summer and hopefully a quality centre-back to join him.
Also, I'm struggling to see the reason behind the purchase of Oxlade Chamberlain. We've paid £35M for a player who we could have signed for free next summer and he's playing 3 minutes of a game at Anfield.
A few points on this mate:
1) Totally agree with the nearly men label, I don't think we'll win anything with this squad because, as you suggest, the consistency is so unlikely.
2) It was actually very early on that the acres of space were highlighted in the midfield and how on counter attacks we appear outnumbered even when we shouldn't be. Our central lads, specifically Can and Henderson, have no threat awareness. Sure they know when to press and when to support the other lads in relation to where the ball is, but when there's a threat developing around or behind them they're fairly oblivious to it and I think is a very difficult thing to coach as to me you've either got this or not. Usually it's a talent any DM absolutely needs and one I used to praise Lucas for plenty, right now we don't have a player in the squad who could play that 6 role effectively imo.
3) Your point on Gomez I believe is a large problem why we concede a lot of goals because players don't have faith in others. Unfortunately they're right not to and again I'm not sure that Dejan or Mignolet can be fixed, it's just natural instincts that make them do the things that make the rest of us go WTF!?
4) January I expect to be different this time around, Jürgen admitted to learning from the last time when he chose not to add, I'll take him on his word with that.
5) Agreed on your last point especially, bringing in a top midfielder and CB to replace Henderson and Lovren and we'd improve enormously.
6) I think AOC has been bought with cover in mind as much as anything and with his versatility he'll get an awful lot of minutes as the suspensions and injuries kick in. Just think we already have Mane missing for 3 games, he'll get plenty of minutes just off the back of that.
Logged