Central Defence

Central Defence is a dilemma for us now, certainly for the weekend. With Virgil and now Fabinho out, we start with Joe, but as it stands we are asking Joe to play 7 games in 22 days and that is risky as well. Not sure when Matip comes back but here is what Jürgen said after the match about other options:

"Apart from Rhys, we still have Nat Phillips, who for the reason that we thought he might make a transfer to another club, he is not in the Champions League squad, which is strange. But he is a centre-half as well. Billy [Koumetio] the kid, I’m not sure if he can train now tomorrow or not but he will be back in training. So, we have very young and inexperienced alternatives, and in the moment it looks like we have to choose one of them. I don’t know yet. But to be really clear and positive, Rhys was not in one situation tonight our problem, he played a really good game."

Williams did not put a wrong foot but I would play Phillips because he has more experience.

Or else I would play Henderson next to Gomez.

Williams did not put a wrong foot but I would play Phillips because he has more experience.

Or else I would play Henderson next to Gomez.

Need Hendo in the midfield.

Need Hendo in the midfield.

Yeah I agree

Hendo would likely be more exposed at cb than a youngster in his natural position
What you need to do is provide more cover and protection to the youngsters, so it may well be a case of playing two number 6s in front of the two cbs for the time being, to try to make sure the pressure and runners are kept away from them as much as possible

You could play Thiago and Hendo as 6s in front of Gomez and the other
I'd rather that than Hendo at cb and a normal open approach
Play slightly deeper as a line and the two 6s in front with far less of a gap between midfield and CBS

Simply offer them more protection as a defensive unit

Just hope Matip fit for Saturday and then City . Play Rhys against Atlanta . Fab will be back after international break

To be honest no matter what we chose now it’s a risk, there is no ‘best option’... we chose someone and hope it works out.

There is no way Gomez survives all those games in that amount of days without a knock, unless someone’s sacrificed a loved one to some God somewhere, so hopefully by then Matip is back.

It’s basically just survival now, and hope we can score a few because I don’t think one goal will be enough for any game now.

"Apart from Rhys, we still have Nat Phillips, who for the reason that we thought he might make a transfer to another club, he is not in the Champions League squad, which is strange. But he is a centre-half as well. Billy [Koumetio] the kid, I’m not sure if he can train now tomorrow or not but he will be back in training. So, we have very young and inexperienced alternatives, and in the moment it looks like we have to choose one of them. I don’t know yet. But to be really clear and positive, Rhys was not in one situation tonight our problem, he played a really good game."

Sounds like Matip won’t be fit for Saturday then.

I think if Phillip's was in the champions league squad he would play yesterday. Klopp saying last night the only reason he isn't is because we thought we were selling him but it didn't materialise.

With that in mind I'm pretty sure he starts at weekend.

West Ham is going to be a white knuckle ride that's for sure.

If Antonio is fit he is going to be 1 happy man.  Could be the most one sided battles since a very one sided battle.

I think if Phillip's was in the champions league squad he would play yesterday. Klopp saying last night the only reason he isn't is because we thought we were selling him but it didn't materialise.

With that in mind I'm pretty sure he starts at weekend.

West Ham is going to be a white knuckle ride that's for sure.

If Antonio is fit he is going to be 1 happy man.  Could be the most one sided battles since a very one sided battle.

Yes West Ham could be a tricky game, would be great to have Thiago back for that one, but I agree that we might need to play 2 6's to give as much cover as possible to the defence and then play traditional counter attacking football.

It’s ridiculous that we are here right now. Imagine if we’d have replaced Lovren and Fabinho wouldn’t have had to been playing CB last night.

I’m sorry I know hind sight is 20/20 but many people were worried about this very scenario and now here it is. If Matip wasn’t made of paper it would have been one thing but he is and we knew that. So now we get to either play kids or play more people out of position.

It’s ridiculous that we are here right now. Imagine if we’d have replaced Lovren and Fabinho wouldn’t have had to been playing CB last night.

I’m sorry I know hind sight is 20/20 but many people were worried about this very scenario and now here it is. If Matip wasn’t made of paper it would have been one thing but he is and we knew that. So now we get to either play kids or play more people out of position.

Yup, and I’m hating the counter argument from a certain few being ‘who could have expected all our defenders being injured’ or ‘who saw this coming?’..... erm... the majority of us! Yet they’ll still argue that this wasn’t expected.

Is Sepp van der berg that bad? Selling Ki-Jana seems like a mistake now..

Williams looks the type of kid who with more pitch time he will grow and grow. He didnt put a foot wrong last night

Philips did ok in Germany last year so he might have that bit more ecperience but Williams with the game time last night and the fact hell start v Atalanta might as well play v West ham. And then take it from there.

Why have youth academys and u23 teams if when you actually need players you move players positionally. Fabinho played in defence with Monaco. Henderson isnt a defender. Yes Im sure hell do a job but why weaken our midfield. Go with Williams.

How do we know he wont be a top class player??

Williams could grab this opportunity like TAA did before him. I remember Trent only got game time because of an injury crisis and it worked out well for him.
Perhaps by the end of the season Williams will be considered a starter or 3rd choice. And if not him possibly one of the other youngsters waiting for their chance.
Who knows.

Either way it’s more exciting than worrying for me.

Williams could grab this opportunity like TAA did before him. I remember Trent only got game time because of an injury crisis and it worked out well for him.
Perhaps by the end of the season Williams will be considered a starter or 3rd choice. And if not him possibly one of the other youngsters waiting for their chance.
Who knows.

Either way it’s more exciting than worrying for me.

Or maybe the poor kid has a few bad performances and supporters get on his back and it stunts his growth or destroys him. I hope you are right but he’s just a kid, there will be a ton of pressure on him to perform to a possibly unrealistic level.

Klopp saying last night the only reason he isn't is because we thought we were selling him but it didn't materialise.

From 'thought we were selling him' to 'first team centre-back' in the space of a couple of weeks.

Wonder how the lad feels about all that!

Williams could grab this opportunity like TAA did before him. I remember Trent only got game time because of an injury crisis and it worked out well for him.

Vast majority of youngsters who go on to make it big at big clubs do it through injuries.  Let's face it, the likes of Phillips and Williams would never get a look in at a Premier League club but would be sent on loans indefinitely.

Trent, Gerrard (for Redknapp), Owen (for Fowler).  They've all only got given the chance due to injuries.

Vast majority of youngsters who go on to make it big at big clubs do it through injuries.  Let's face it, the likes of Phillips and Williams would never get a look in at a Premier League club but would be sent on loans indefinitely.

Trent, Gerrard (for Redknapp), Owen (for Fowler).  They've all only got given the chance due to injuries.

In the few games we has played Rhys has looked solid and yet people prefer we would have signed someone else.

A few years ago we bought one Steven Caulkner as backup but personally i much rather a young, promising player like Williams get those minutes over some "finished product" depth player. Oh, but the visionaries who saw all this coming would have been happy because we would have bought someone, yay!

Oh, and it cracks me up. "If Fabinho wasn't playing CB he would not have gotten injured!", as if injuries only occur during games and only happen to those playing defense. JFC.

Matip will be back shortly, though does not look like he'll be ready for Saturday, so in the meantime we go with Joe and Rhys as the starting CB's. When Matip is back he can give Joe a break.

When both Joe and Joel are healthy, do we put them both as a starting pair, or do we break them up so we have 2 starting pairs to rotate. Not sure which route to go.

Central Defence is a dilemma for us now, certainly for the weekend. With Virgil and now Fabinho out, we start with Joe, but as it stands we are asking Joe to play 7 games in 22 days and that is risky as well. Not sure when Matip comes back but here is what Jürgen said after the match about other options:

Why is that risky? Trent and Robbo have barely gotten a break and they run miles more than the CB's in any game.

Vast majority of youngsters who go on to make it big at big clubs do it through injuries.  Let's face it, the likes of Phillips and Williams would never get a look in at a Premier League club but would be sent on loans indefinitely.

Trent, Gerrard (for Redknapp), Owen (for Fowler).  They've all only got given the chance due to injuries.

I disagree. If they are good enough, at some point they will force their way into a playing situation. Do you really think that Stevie would have never broken through on his talent alone? I think it's a bit naive to say that any of those named wouldn't have made it without the benefit of an injury opening the door. Maybe would have taken a little longer, but if the talent is there, you don't need to wait for an injury to impress.

Do you really think that Stevie would have never broken through on his talent alone?

Possibly not.  Football at Academy level is filled with tales of the better players not getting the chance for a breakthrough - getting to their early twenties and ending up at the likes of Marine etc as their life starts getting filled with all the other stuff.

I'd wager that a player could score 10 goals a game in the Academy and they wouldn't drop Sadio Mane for three months to allow him time to mature in the first team.  It's just not going to happen.  He'd go on loan to a team at the top of the Championship.

Anyway, I'm going off topic here.  Big opportunity for Phillips or Williams in the upcoming month or so.

To put it into context City who are struggling a bit as is have 5 experienced CB's, plus Walker and Fernandinho who have also played a number of games in this position.

We started the season with only 3 experienced CB's plus one non CB in Fab who can fill in effectively.

We should not have to rely on kids to start PL or CL games at CB in October I'm baffled some here think this isn't an issue.

To put it into context City who are struggling a bit as is have 5 experienced CB's, plus Walker and Fernandinho who have also played a number of games in this position.

We started the season with only 3 experienced CB's plus one non CB in Fab who can fill in effectively.

We should not have to rely on kids to start PL or CL games at CB in October I'm baffled some here think this isn't an issue.

I think everyone thinks its an issue. But its rare to lose 3 central defenders 2 weeks apart to be fair. And nowt we can do for the next 8 weeks about it.

Whose to say that Williams wont be called into the next England squad based on how he goes for us in the next few games?? Im exaggerating but the point is he could show to be boss a chance he wouldnt get with no injuries...could save us millions...its almost exciting to see how this goes

Id rather have Rhys Williams in there than Tyrone Mings thats for sure.
Remember Shanks telling a young Kevin Keegan, I see Bobby Moore is carrying a nock. I just saw him limping, just run at him son,  he won't have a hope with that bad ankle......  Or words to that effect.. Keegan went out and ripped him a new one  The psychologist that Shanks was. Moore wasn't injured.
Come on Jürgen, have a word with Rhys.

Regardless of what we may think about hindsight this is a perfect example of why some people should calm down with the ''So you know better than Klopp and his staff eh?'' arguments which are ridiculous about 8 times out of 10 on a fans forum like this one.

Yes Klopp and his staff are humans and can be wrong and yes some fans on a forum can spot a potential problem without having to do their UEFA licenses or having played 15 years of professional football.

I wasn't one of those screaming about the Cb situation before the season started but like everybody now, I think going into the season with 3 Cb's was not a good idea from the get go even when you factor in Fabinho. If you've watched our last 2 seasons you know Fab is top 3 in the world in his position and is a huge part of how we play. This, effectively, means that whenever you have to plug him in another position than CDM you are dealing a massive blow to how we play because the whole pressing game, ball recuperation in midfield as well as the link between the back line and the rest of the team is very different.

My point is that even if VVD was healthy and that Fabinho had to be plugged in alongside him while Gomez and Matip were out it still would've been a sh*t situation with a significant impact on how we play because you can't just take a world class CDM out of the team and not expect it to be a bumpy ride especially in the PL and the CL.

Edit: as far as I am concerned, I will be hoping Thiago is back for this weekend's game, that we put him in along side Hendo at CDM and Gini as the other CM and that we control the tempo of the game by retaining the ball as much as possible, create in front of what I expect to be another low block and win back the ball as fast as possible when we are dispossessed in order to give the 2 guys at the back, whomever it will be, the smoothest ride possible. 

Id rather have Rhys Williams in there than Tyrone Mings thats for sure.
Remember Shanks telling a young Kevin Keegan, I see Bobby Moore is carrying a nock. I just saw him limping, just run at him son,  he won't have a hope with that bad ankle......  Or words to that effect.. Keegan went out and ripped him a new one  The psychologist that Shanks was. Moore wasn't injured.
Come on Jürgen, have a word with Rhys.

Same here, and it's obvious Klopp felt the same way and preferred to keep him as 5th option over bringing in someone else to further block his path. And bringing someone else doesn't mean that player would not have gotten injured, or that he would be as good as Rhys has been when he has played, and would need time to learn our system.

I think everyone thinks its an issue. But its rare to lose 3 central defenders 2 weeks apart to be fair. And nowt we can do for the next 8 weeks about it.

Whose to say that Williams wont be called into the next England squad based on how he goes for us in the next few games?? Im exaggerating but the point is he could show to be boss a chance he wouldnt get with no injuries...could save us millions...its almost exciting to see how this goes

Correct. What we are going through right now with 3 defenders down in 2 weeks is rare and just shitty ass luck.

Phillips is old enough now (23) where we pretty much know he's not going to be more than a squad player and better off moving to a small club to get playing time, but Rhys is 19 and is showing lots of potential, which he cannot realize if we further block his path to the 1st team by bringing in "in case of injury" players. I much rather Rhys get the opportunity to shine than have brought in another Steve Caulkner.

Correct. What we are going through right now with 3 defenders down in 2 weeks is rare and just shitty ass luck.

We're two defenders down and one midfielder down.  And one of those defenders has probably been out for about 50% of last season as well. 

The fortnightly injury to Matip and a hamstring for one of our midfielders are issues that have now become bigger issues because our reliable centre-back is out for the season.

Or maybe the poor kid has a few bad performances and supporters get on his back and it stunts his growth or destroys him. I hope you are right but he’s just a kid, there will be a ton of pressure on him to perform to a possibly unrealistic level.





Maybe...
But it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or not. Supporters get on everyone’s back. Look at Adrian. Or origi. You can score the winning goal in a champions league final and some supporters will get on your back.
It may be that empty stadiums will help these youngsters. The groans and moans will be silenced to everywhere apart from social media.
But I have confidence!
I think you have to. Otherwise you watch each game almost waiting for certain players to make a mistake.

Trent AA was ‘Just a kid’ when blasted onto the scene, and look what happened there, Rhys has a unexpected opportunity to do something similar, if you remember Trent was as green as F**k in his first few outings, but look at him now, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that young Rhys can’t hit the ground running,
He will of course make mistakes that’s part of his learning curve, it’s how and what you learn from those mistakes that make you what you are, he has been impressive from the time he’s had pitchside and doesn’t look out of place,

Different kettle of pigeons in the EPL but sometimes being chucked in at the deep end can be the best thing for him, he’ll soon learn, but what we mustn’t do is get on his back, let him mature without the constant ribbing, let him develop in his own time, cos you never know, in a few years up the pipe he could be another Virgil, but with years of experience on his still young shoulders.

Good luck to the lad.





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I thought it could get dangerous if we didn't sign a defender but that had nothing to do with Lovren.  I felt with Lovren he could only cover for the odd game hear and there.  We had a similar situation last season and it took a few games and then we hardly so him for the rest of the season.  My point is we didn't need cover for Lovren as he didn't give much cover in the last couple of seasons, unfortunately he was damaged goods. 

We needed another defender as 3rd Choice because Matip is heading down the same road as Lovren and Agger.   The problem we are in is massive but we have been short in other positions the forwards that we got some cover in the last 2 windows at left back we got cover for it. 

We have done fantastic in the transfer market our recruits have been absolutely on the money.  I don't want the club to change that strategy they are doing brilliant no need to change.  We could have signed a defender and not a left back it could have been Robbo that got injured. 

The situation we are in we just have to take it to January and lets see the decision of the transfer team.   You'd expect them to get someone in whether that be a short term or a player for the long term.  We have only 1 fit experience centre half lets all hope one of the youngsters take their opportunity with both hands starting with Rhys Williams.

Tough one - I'd put Hendo back to CB but we'd probably miss him too much in the middle.
So many f**king injuries, and not just that but the front lads haven't really been doing it.
Somehow been getting the wins, through sheer determination almost.
Hindsight is a great thing, but we should've signed a CB in summer when Lovren left.
The way things are going can't see that we have any choice but to go into the transfer market come Jan.

If the front lads could just knock in a few more that would take some of the pressure of the back, and maybe Klopp might not feel like we need to go 4-2-3-1.

Fab should be back after internationals apparently

Why is that risky? Trent and Robbo have barely gotten a break and they run miles more than the CB's in any game.

Footballers were not meant to play three matches in a week, let alone do that 6 or 7 weeks in a row. The fact that the schedule is that congested doesn't make it wise, and the sports science people will tell you UNANIMOUSLY that such a schedule greatly increases the risk of injury, for any player. I would expect Trent and Robbo to be rested somewhere in this stretch as well. So no, Gomez should not play every one of these matches.

It’s not just the missing players that holding us back, I think the 4-2-3-1 isn’t helping, we seem to have adopted that formation to squeeze players in, but it’s contributing to us losing the mid field.
If you’re weakened by injury, at least play the way everyone is comfortable with. Think this new formation is adding to the problem myself.

It’s not just the missing players that holding us back, I think the 4-2-3-1 isn’t helping, we seem to have adopted that formation to squeeze players in, but it’s contributing to us losing the mid field.
If you’re weakened by injury, at least play the way everyone is comfortable with. Think this new formation is adding to the problem myself.

Certainly looked very confusing v Sheffield which may have something  to do with lack of training ground time .

Its not just CB that were struggling for Injuries tho is it, this is just a mad season. Look on the physio room page, every team has some serious injury issues.

Konstantinos Tsimikas   Thigh Injury   Oct 23: "Kostas, who gets closer and closer but is not at all in contention for this game or the next one."   31/10/2020   None   50%

Naby Keita   Other   Oct 19: "He looked very good yesterday in training, to be honest. In the moment, I would probably rather expect him to be involved but I don't know it."   31/10/2020   None   50%   

Thiago Alcantara   Knee Injury   Oct 23: "Look, in my situation, I don't want to rule anybody out until someone tells me and so far, nobody told me."   31/10/2020   None   50%   

Joel Matip   Other   Oct 23: "But for me, everybody apart from the three I mentioned are in contention until somebody tells me different."   31/10/2020   None   50%   

Fabio Tavares   Thigh Injury   Oct 27: "He felt a hamstring, and that's not good. He said he could have played on but no sprints, which doesn't help. We will see, we will know more after a scan."   No Return Date   Currently Being Assessed   25%   
 
Virgil van Dijk   Knee Injury   Oct 18: "Further assessment on the injury has revealed an operation will be needed. No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage."   No Return Date   None   Ruled Out   

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain   Knee Injury   Oct 19: "Oxlade is obviously in a long-term rehab, but looks good and is in a good mood usually."   No Return Date   None   Ruled Out

Just throwing this out here

Rhys Williams- Gomez - Wijnaldum back 3 ?

Not the formation of choice for Klopp obviously but for Saturday it could offer a bit more protection. Having Henderson and Thiago in front of it would be great too. It’d be up to the front 3 to win the game for us then.

I think Antonio would have a field day on Williams if Antonio is fit so having that extra body back there would help. Gini did ok at centre back that time down at Brighton. Any suggestion of Henderson at centre back worries me for two reasons, 1 is he looked lost when he played there vs Monterrey and the second is we’d miss him that much more in midfield.

It’s not rocket science.

Williams and Gomez if Matip can’t make it.

Wijnaldum and Henderson need to do an excellent job at protecting those two

Just throwing this out here

Rhys Williams- Gomez - Wijnaldum back 3 ?

Not the formation of choice for Klopp obviously but for Saturday it could offer a bit more protection. Having Henderson and Thiago in front of it would be great too. It’d be up to the front 3 to win the game for us then.

I think Antonio would have a field day on Williams if Antonio is fit so having that extra body back there would help. Gini did ok at centre back that time down at Brighton. Any suggestion of Henderson at centre back worries me for two reasons, 1 is he looked lost when he played there vs Monterrey and the second is we’d miss him that much more in midfield.

I wouldn't be against a back three to be honest but don't think it'll happen.

Allison

Williams      Gini      Gomez

Trent      Henderson      Thiago      Robertson

Salah    Firmino    Mane

Not a million miles away from how we normally play just the driving midfield player in the defence as opposed to in front.

Could still struggle bro control midfield though which has been an issue with the 4 2 3 1.

It’s not rocket science.

Williams and Gomez if Matip can’t make it.

Wijnaldum and Henderson need to do an excellent job at protecting those two

Agree, but if there is one thing we have, it's a hard-working midfield. Thiago being available would also be great for protection as he is fantastic in recovering the ball as well.

Klopp has said he could use Hendo or Robertson as centre backs also if need be.

Footballers were not meant to play three matches in a week, let alone do that 6 or 7 weeks in a row. The fact that the schedule is that congested doesn't make it wise, and the sports science people will tell you UNANIMOUSLY that such a schedule greatly increases the risk of injury, for any player. I would expect Trent and Robbo to be rested somewhere in this stretch as well. So no, Gomez should not play every one of these matches.

I never understand this, that a footballer can not perform for 270 minutes per week. As an example of other sports I refer you to Tennis where in a 2 week tournament a player will play every other day normally for at least 90 minutes per match, often a lot more. I get that tennis is not a contact sport but it is every bit as physical and demanding on the body as football.

I wouldn't be against a back three to be honest but don't think it'll happen.

Allison

Williams      Gini      Gomez

Trent      Henderson      Thiago      Robertson

Salah    Firmino    Mane

Not a million miles away from how we normally play just the driving midfield player in the defence as opposed to in front.

Could still struggle bro control midfield though which has been an issue with the 4 2 3 1.

That might be a good approach, to play 3 CB's, it would certainly take some of the pressure off Rhys, but who are the 3 CB's, would you play Rhys, Nat and Joe or chuck a midfielder into the mix, tricky. I'd go with the 3 CB's and have Joe as the leader of the pack.

It’s not rocket science.

Williams and Gomez if Matip can’t make it.

Wijnaldum and Henderson need to do an excellent job at protecting those two

One of them needs to be more or less playing as CB/DM, very deep.

In terms pf a back 3 Id not hesitate to play Robbo onthe left of a 3 when Tsmiskas is ready, or vice versa, not sure if  Tsmiskas would be ready to play out of position yet

That might be a good approach, to play 3 CB's, it would certainly take some of the pressure off Rhys, but who are the 3 CB's, would you play Rhys, Nat and Joe or chuck a midfielder into the mix, tricky. I'd go with the 3 CB's and have Joe as the leader of the pack.

I've literally put the three I think that you quoted mate.

I've literally put the three I think that you quoted mate.

Great minds eh ? :-)

I never understand this, that a footballer can not perform for 270 minutes per week. As an example of other sports I refer you to Tennis where in a 2 week tournament a player will play every other day normally for at least 90 minutes per match, often a lot more. I get that tennis is not a contact sport but it is every bit as physical and demanding on the body as football.

Of course they could, but it's how fit they're in comparison to their contemporaries

What has happened to the young ranga Dutch kid Van der Berg? Always though he was nailed on to develop into the first team but looks like he’s behind Rhy Williams and Billy K.

What has happened to the young ranga Dutch kid Van der Berg? Always though he was nailed on to develop into the first team but looks like he’s behind Rhy Williams and Billy K.

Has deffo fallen down the pecking order, personally I thought he was slow on the turn and a bit cumbersome whenever i saw him play.

What has happened to the young ranga Dutch kid Van der Berg? Always though he was nailed on to develop into the first team but looks like he’s behind Rhy Williams and Billy K.

Doesn't seem to be training w the first team anymore, but has been playing regularly w the U23s. He came on at halftime in one of the preseason games, vs Stuttgart I think it was, and was noticeably dismal, giving the ball away etc. Jürgen took him off after 15 or 20 minutes.

Hopefully he can bounce back but as you say, he's fallen behind others.

Am I wrong to suggest that our CB woes are behind us, the three lads brought in to cover for Virgil have all performed admirably, and if Fabinho’s hammy not torn would we have lost out on potentially a very good CB in Nat Phillips, having sold Lovren was his replacement already at the club and we don’t need to buy anyone?

Young Rhys I expect will play tonight, but against Shitty Nat will be Jurgens go to man, and how well did he do against the hammers ?

Life without Virgil might not be as worrisome as we first thought, with Nat not being registered for CL duty it has created a situation where both players will be rotated keeping them both fresh, and when Joel is back he can rotate with Gomez too, Fabinho coming back after the international break offers more options but we might not need to if the young lads keep performing as they have, and I’d prefer to have Fab in the holding role,

When I think about it, we’re going to be fine, once those international’s are out the way, we should have Thiago back, Matip,  Fabinho, Naby too, the rest of the injured nearer to training, we are already top of the shop and could be 8 points ahead of Shitty come Sunday night, so after our wee soirée into the dark side suddenly everything looks a lot brighter, albeit without the big fella,


Altogether now....”Always look on the bright side of life, tdo tdo, tdo tdo tdo”




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City game is the real big test hopefully we have Matip for that game.   Then we have Leicester first game back after the break hopefully we will have options of Matip and Fabinho. 

The way I see it is we are going to have to paper over the cracks till January because we can only realistic expect to have 2 good options for 2 positions and one of them is injured at the moment in Fabinho.  Matip has to be cover when these two options are available.   We have 2 or 3 youngsters hopefully one of them perform miracles but it is a big ask. 

Williams becomes an option in Europe and Philips maybe a option in the League but they need protection.  Maybe Billy might become an option too but these youngsters shouldn't be playing consecutive games just makeshift players for me.  They are too inexperience to be playing at the highest level in the game in this position.   Centre Halve and Goal keeper department is a position you need top experienced players ready not developing.    The good news is we have a GENIUS in charge and he will hopefully get us through this huge problem. 

Am I wrong to suggest that our CB woes are behind us, the three lads brought in to cover for Virgil have all performed admirably, and if Fabinho’s hammy not torn would we have lost out on potentially a very good CB in Nat Phillips, having sold Lovren was his replacement already at the club and we don’t need to buy anyone?

Don't know why is it that when a spot opens up on the roster the reflex reaction is to want to bring someone in from the outside, and if not done used as a stick to beat Klopp/management with, instead of giving our academy/depth players a chance.

Rhys and Nat have done better than you could have sensibly expected someone new to perform, given they would have had little time to adjust to our style of play.

The cries of "WE SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A CB" surely have silenced.

Am I wrong to suggest that our CB woes are behind us,



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The short answer Billy Yes...

It's impossible that any club in England and posibly the whole of Europe can survive without a player of VVD standards. Absolute world class and arguable the best player in the world for his postion. How can any team think their CB worries are behind them with the ability he shows on the pitch.

You'll leak in more goals that's for sure, it's basically just a question of how well/bad Liverpool adapt to it.

The short answer Billy Yes...

It's impossible that any club in England and posibly the whole of Europe can survive without a player of VVD standards. Absolute world class and arguable the best player in the world for his postion. How can any team think their CB worries are behind them with the ability he shows on the pitch.

You'll leak in more goals that's for sure, it's basically just a question of how well/bad Liverpool adapt to it.

Your right Keith, Virgil is the best in the world in that position, and of course his very own standards will be very difficult if not impossible to replicate, however, we are talking about surviving the period of time he is missing and although that will be difficult enough it is by no means out of our depth,

We seen how Fabinho adapted in his stead and unfortunately suffered his hammy, all doom a fookin gloom then, but then young Rhys burst onto the scene and played admirably for someone with little experience, similarly with Nat Phillips he apparently was surplus hence his non inclusion in the CL squad,  but again he didn’t look out of place,

For me the key word is experience or lack thereof, now we all know that both of those lads are short of the experience required but how do you get that experience?

It would be folly if anybody thought that we would be error free with that lack of experience but before Virgil was assaulted mistakes were rife in and around our back 5 anyway, it is a massive blow losing the big fella, there is no getting away from that, but ready made replacement’s as we have mentioned simply aren’t available, so you make do with what you have, and what we have are two young hungry determined individuals who will give their all for Jürgen , their peers and themselves , and you can’t ask for anymore than that, the experience will come with time,


I think we will surprise those who think our season is done already, but who sits atop of the pile right now, yet , we’re yet to hit top gear, last two campaigns we have taken the one game at a time mantra, we will do so again this season, and as each game passes we get closer to having the big fella back, after the international break we’ll have Thiago back, Keita back, Matip back, Jota has settled quickly and will thrive in the coming months, you would be very silly to write us off, do so at your peril  !







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Since VVD injury we have played 5 games. Conceded 2 goals, 1 a peno

Don't know why is it that when a spot opens up on the roster the reflex reaction is to want to bring someone in from the outside, and if not done used as a stick to beat Klopp/management with, instead of giving our academy/depth players a chance.

Rhys and Nat have done better than you could have sensibly expected someone new to perform, given they would have had little time to adjust to our style of play.

The cries of "WE SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A CB" surely have silenced.

I'll be that guy...I still think we should have bought a CB. I just think it's not ideal to have to move Fabinho from his best position to cover another position. Because then you've lost players in two positions, not just one.

I hope Phillips and Rhys can keep performing at an acceptable level. I must say I've been pleasantly surprised, but the question becomes, can they do it for the whole season?

I'll be that guy...I still think we should have bought a CB. I just think it's not ideal to have to move Fabinho from his best position to cover another position. Because then you've lost players in two positions, not just one.

I hope Phillips and Rhys can keep performing at an acceptable level. I must say I've been pleasantly surprised, but the question becomes, can they do it for the whole season?

Obviously no one knows and the only way to find out is to let the season play out. However, we need to realize that whoever would have been brought in as 4th CB option was not going to be a top-level talent. That type of player wants to be a regular and is not going to want to go to a team to sit on the bench (4 CB options often times don't even make the bench for games) and play Carabao Cup games and hope for injuries to get more playing time. So an external option was likely going to be a "middle of the pack" defender much closer to Steven Caulker than Kalidou Koulibaly who would be new to the team and system for whom the same question you have about Rhys and Nat would apply to.

Then we have Leicester first game back after the break hopefully we will have options of Matip and Fabinho. 

De Ja Vu, let's hope it's the same scoreline we get as we did when we came back as Club World Champions! 

De Ja Vu, let's hope it's the same scoreline we get as we did when we came back as Club World Champions! 

That would be awesome! 

De Ja Vu, let's hope it's the same scoreline we get as we did when we came back as Club World Champions! 

Might get a couple more if Brendan starts to flip triangles! 

That would be awesome! 

Oh hell yeah, that is one of the best away games I had the pleasure of watching from start to finish. No nerves were shot! 

Footballers were not meant to play three matches in a week, let alone do that 6 or 7 weeks in a row. The fact that the schedule is that congested doesn't make it wise, and the sports science people will tell you UNANIMOUSLY that such a schedule greatly increases the risk of injury, for any player. I would expect Trent and Robbo to be rested somewhere in this stretch as well. So no, Gomez should not play every one of these matches.

*sigh*

Wonder what Dejan is thinking?

Guess we're really gonna see what the two Williams boys are made of over the next few weeks.

Wonder what Dejan is thinking?

Who knows with the sh*t Dejan comes out with 🤣

We need to play two no. 6s defending our defense. They will need to be protected. Fabinho is close?

Hope Covid postpones this season!

Hope Covid postpones this season!

Nah, dont be soft lad

I wonder what Daniel Agger is doing these days 😁

Who knows with the sh*t Dejan comes out with 🤣

Probably still thinking he's the best centre half in the business.

Play to our strengths and simply try to out score the opposition, after all we are the champions !

Play to our strengths and simply try to out score the opposition, after all we are the champions !

I agree, its our only strategy now, make the defence as compact and solid as possible with plenty of protection from DM, then attack attack attack, as long as we can outscore the opponent we win, its the tactic that nearly worked for the Geordies in the 90's.

Talk of bringing in Janmaat on a short term contract - decent player

Decent cover for Trent under the circumstances

Sure we will be okay, after all we are Liverpool !

Sure we will be okay, after all we are Liverpool !

Hope I was that positive :/

But you're right, we need to fight on.

Talk of bringing in Janmaat on a short term contract - decent player

He's ok, but I think he can cover CB as well so has good versatility.

Milan Skriniar or David Alaba would be top additions if we can get one of them in January.

Don't think we'll look at Upamecano until the Summer.

Milan Skriniar or David Alaba would be top additions if we can get one of them in January.

Don't think we'll look at Upamecano until the Summer.

Clubs will be rubbing their hands with predicament we are in charging extortionate  fees for their players which is a worry no doubt about at it though need one possibly two bearing in mind Matips frailties

Clubs will be rubbing their hands with predicament we are in charging extortionate  fees for their players which is a worry no doubt about at it though need one possibly two bearing in mind Matips frailties

That's the least of my worries; not a chance Edwards will have his pants pulled down over a deal.
If Fab is back soon and he can play once a week with Matip/Williams/Phillips we may just be able to get through to Jan.

Fortunately defending seems to have gone out of the window for most teams this season so all the injuries may not be as catastrophic as if they'd happened all at the same time in previous seasons.

Milan Skriniar or David Alaba would be top additions if we can get one of them in January.

I'd rather go after one that's commanding in the air. Read a stat that Skriniar loses more than 50% of his aerial duels and Alaba's isn't the tallest either.