Liverpool 3-1 Cardiff City: In game and Post Match discussion

It’s quite a headache Jürgen has created for himself isn’t it, Fabinho right now I agree has to start, I’m not sure there is a better DM anywhere all across  Europe perhaps even globally,
 Hendo being Skipper does not guarantee a starting berth, as good as he has been, however he is a leader of men and when fully fit he should be starting, but that might depend  on who the opponents are, Thiago with his vision and passing expertise has to start, especially if we have a front  three combination of , Mo, Mane, Bobby, Jota or Luis, and again the opposition could influence who plays,

Harvey, I mean Wow, he has it all doesn’t he ? what I’m worrying about is that we don’t burn him out, like we did with little Micky O, don’t think that will happen in this day and age though if I’m honest, but still, we need to be careful with him, I agree that a midfield trio of Fabinho, Thiago and Harvey would be splendifferous but it could get overrun, it lacks steel for me so it will be interesting who come in in the summer especially if Jimmy hangs his boots up or moves on, we have young Carvalho come in but we’re still light in muscle imo,

Last night we seen when Diaz come on Bobby dropped back a tad, so is that a option for Jürgen to accommodate Diaz, I dunno but for me the combinations are endless, using the five attacking forwards we now have we will for the most part always have fresh legs to call upon, so say we started with Mo, Mane & Bobby, we could end with Harvey, Jota & Diaz, having 5 subs would be a great advantage for us in this kind of scenario, young Kaide could also feature sometime down the line,

Would really love it now if we landed Bellingham, if we get him and one other with muscle we won’t be far off having the complete squad and dare I say a pretty close match to those noisy neighbours over in Scumchester, not that we’re far off them now, tbh, let’s face it, on our day we can beat anyone , as we will soon prove again in Europe !!


Let the fun begin!!


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Excellent post - can’t believe I forgot about Thiago 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

It’s quite a headache Jürgen has created for himself isn’t it, Fabinho right now I agree has to start, I’m not sure there is a better DM anywhere all across  Europe perhaps even globally

The Liverpool bias side of me agrees but if I’m behind honest, I think Kante is probably fractionally ahead of him. As good as Fab is, he doesn’t have the consistency of Kante who just seems to perform at the same level every week. He’s by far the Chavs best player IMO and has been for a number of years now.

That’s not taking anything away from Fab though, amazing player and I wouldn’t swap him for anyone because he’s so suited for us.

The Liverpool bias side of me agrees but if I’m behind honest, I think Kante is probably fractionally ahead of him. As good as Fab is, he doesn’t have the consistency of Kante who just seems to perform at the same level every week. He’s by far the Chavs best player IMO and has been for a number of years now.

That’s not taking anything away from Fab though, amazing player and I wouldn’t swap him for anyone because he’s so suited for us.

Each to their own mate, Kante is indeed a exceptional talent but like you I’d always have Fabinho, I’d say Fab is more versatile as he proved last season, not so sure Kante could stand in as a CB ?

Each to their own mate, Kante is indeed a exceptional talent but like you I’d always have Fabinho, I’d say Fab is more versatile as he proved last season, not so sure Kante could stand in as a CB ?

No I agree, don’t think Kante could play CB or RB, that’s why I think Fab is so suited to us because he has so much to his game. Just purely comparing them side by side as a DM Kante just edges it for me.

Couldn’t disagree with you more. He started there against the Chavs and had a damn good game by all accounts. Some people almost seem desperate to convince others that Elliott isn’t a natural in that position or that he can’t play there long term and again I couldn’t disagree more. So far he has performed head and shoulders above Keita and Ox there and I’d go as far to say he’s looked better than Hendo there this season too. He’s taken to the position like a duck to water and I have no doubts he’d have been playing there week in week out, regardless of the opposition had it not been for the injury.

If we’d signed him in the summer for 40mill then some people would probably have a different view over his midfield role because then people would finally have the narrative of a replacement being signed for Gini sorted.

Disagree.

Harvey has played well and he’s a good little player but you and others are making out he has produced some sort of zidane type level performances when he hasn’t. Some are even suggesting he is to replace our captain, and I’m not even hendersons biggest fan, but that’s a ridiculous shout.

So if we were playing city away in the champions league semi final first leg you would happily start elliott in the midfield? Madness.

I’ll be gobsmacked if klopp does that should we ever be in that situation and if it does ever happen, I guarantee we will be on these boards discussing the inexperience of Harvey and the naivety of klopp playing him there. It will be a disaster. That’s not criticism towards harvey in any way, he is a winger by trade, so the things that come natural to a centre mid won’t with him and we will be exposed, particularly with his defensive duties.

You say it’s about spending 40m and mention gini. It’s not. It’s we’re playing a lightweight young inexperienced winger in our midfield. I’m not saying he can’t hold his own because he certainly has the talent to do so, but I’m saying mistakes will happen and it will cost us games at some point, where if we had a proper centre mid then those mistakes dont happen.

Also mate kante has been sh*te for quite a while now to the point he doesn’t get in the chelsea team. Fabinho shits on him.

Disagree.

Harvey has played well and he’s a good little player but you and others are making out he has produced some sort of zidane type level performances when he hasn’t. Some are even suggesting he is to replace our captain, and I’m not even hendersons biggest fan, but that’s a ridiculous shout.

So if we were playing city away in the champions league semi final first leg you would happily start elliott in the midfield? Madness.

I’ll be gobsmacked if klopp does that should we ever be in that situation and if it does ever happen, I guarantee we will be on these boards discussing the inexperience of Harvey and the naivety of klopp playing him there. It will be a disaster. That’s not criticism towards harvey in any way, he is a winger by trade, so the things that come natural to a centre mid won’t with him and we will be exposed, particularly with his defensive duties.

You say it’s about spending 40m and mention gini. It’s not. It’s we’re playing a lightweight young inexperienced winger in our midfield. I’m not saying he can’t hold his own because he certainly has the talent to do so, but I’m saying mistakes will happen and it will cost us games at some point, where if we had a proper centre mid then those mistakes dont happen.

Also mate kante has been sh*te for quite a while now to the point he doesn’t get in the chelsea team. Fabinho shits on him.

Maybe Klopp had more faith in him than you and appears to see a different player

I have no doubt that Klopp would have no issues playing him in a CL semi final - if he thought that was the best option for the game

In the second game of the season against Chelsea he started Elliot over - Ox , Thiago and Naby , in fact I think he started 3 out of the first 4 games we played

What if Klopp does see have playing exactly where he is and see him as the player to give the team that extra bit more creativity from the middle of the park.


Have you closed yourself off to the idea that Klopp sees him as the guy to replace Gini as opposed to buying someone - why does that seem such a wild idea ?

So if we were playing city away in the champions league semi final first leg you would happily start elliott in the midfield? Madness.

I’ll be gobsmacked if klopp does that should we ever be in that situation and if it does ever happen, I guarantee we will be on these boards discussing the inexperience of Harvey and the naivety of klopp playing him there. It will be a disaster.

Alexander Arnold at the age of 19. Played the Champions League QF's against Man City, SF's against Roma and the final against Real Madrid. So yes, I think there would be every chance Elliott would start.

where if we had a proper centre mid then those mistakes dont happen.

Well that's a load of bollocks because every single player makes mistakes that will either cost a game or a goal regardless of age, experience and position in the team.

Maybe Klopp had more faith in him than you and appears to see a different player

I have no doubt that Klopp would have no issues playing him in a CL semi final - if he thought that was the best option for the game

In the second game of the season against Chelsea he started Elliot over - Ox , Thiago and Naby , in fact I think he started 3 out of the first 4 games we played

What if Klopp does see have playing exactly where he is and see him as the player to give the team that extra bit more creativity from the middle of the park.


Have you closed yourself off to the idea that Klopp sees him as the guy to replace Gini as opposed to buying someone - why does that seem such a wild idea ?

Regarding your last sentence,  there is no replacing of Gini, Gini has come and gone, his ship has sailed, Harvey Elliot is Harvey Elliot and he will make his own history, I would doubt very much that Jürgen will see Harvey as anyone’s replacement,
For me the introduction of Harvey at the seasons start was to explore perhaps a new avenue of attack from the right, we seen how Trent could move infield with Harvey and Mo interactive as a triple entendre, it is my belief although I could be completely wrong that this was a effort to by pass low block teams, same as the left side with Robbo and Mane & with whoever played between, Thiago, Curtis, Ox, Naby etc and especially now Diaz has come to the party,

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gini, he was awesome, but players come and go as you know, some real crackers too, Gini is no different, maybe just maybe Jürgen had a new plan, knowing he had Elliot coming back, hoping perhaps that Naby would finally kick on, and knew that new faces  like Diaz were on the horizon, maybe he has plans too for when eventually Milner, Hendo, Thiago and Ox run out of legs, and ribena,

I’m liking the way Jürgen seems to be rebuilding in a way where there is very little disruption, he picks the best talents from the academy and has them playing early for them to gain experience and valued pitch time, and obviously training at the Axa with the seasoned pro’s, he virtually hand picks the best talents from around the world and only those who fit the system he wants to use, reminds me of Sir Bob without the ruthlessness,

Makes you wonder why he would do all of this and not want to see the fruits of his labour !!



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Disagree.

Harvey has played well and he’s a good little player but you and others are making out he has produced some sort of zidane type level performances when he hasn’t. Some are even suggesting he is to replace our captain, and I’m not even hendersons biggest fan, but that’s a ridiculous shout.

So if we were playing city away in the champions league semi final first leg you would happily start elliott in the midfield? Madness.

I’ll be gobsmacked if klopp does that should we ever be in that situation and if it does ever happen, I guarantee we will be on these boards discussing the inexperience of Harvey and the naivety of klopp playing him there. It will be a disaster. That’s not criticism towards harvey in any way, he is a winger by trade, so the things that come natural to a centre mid won’t with him and we will be exposed, particularly with his defensive duties.

You say it’s about spending 40m and mention gini. It’s not. It’s we’re playing a lightweight young inexperienced winger in our midfield. I’m not saying he can’t hold his own because he certainly has the talent to do so, but I’m saying mistakes will happen and it will cost us games at some point, where if we had a proper centre mid then those mistakes dont happen.

Also mate kante has been sh*te for quite a while now to the point he doesn’t get in the chelsea team. Fabinho shits on him.

I’m a big fan of your posts mate but on this occasion I’m going to disagree. Elliott is primed for the midfield 3 role and Klopp has big plans for him.

Feels like he’s not quick enough to be a winger and his technical ability, tactical awareness and vision slots him straight into midfield. I think he’s superb and he has an aura of confidence about him that makes him a little special.

I think he could be huge for us for years to come! Fingers crossed.

I’m a big fan of your posts mate but on this occasion I’m going to disagree. Elliott is primed for the midfield 3 role and Klopp has big plans for him.

Feels like he’s not quick enough to be a winger and his technical ability, tactical awareness and vision slots him straight into midfield. I think he’s superb and he has an aura of confidence about him that makes him a little special.

I think he could be huge for us for years to come! Fingers crossed.

If you're good enough then you're old enough. And Elliott, even now, is more than good enough!

Alexander Arnold at the age of 19. Played the Champions League QF's against Man City, SF's against Roma and the final against Real Madrid. So yes, I think there would be every chance Elliott would start.


Well that's a load of bollocks because every single player makes mistakes that will either cost a game or a goal regardless of age, experience and position in the team.

Trent was brought through to the first team as a full back from the beginning. And who was the alternative? Clyne was it? An average player who was probably unfit.

Harvey was signed as a winger, his natural position. And who are the alternatives to him? Thiago fabinho and hendo.  They all start ahead of him in such a fixture and it’s madness you’re even encouraging it.

And obviously players make mistakes. But you know full well what I meant. Theres far less chance of mistakes occurring when you go into a game such as that with a game plan having a trusted, experienced centre mid rather than a young lad finding his way who is used to playing on the wing.

For the record I rate harvey elliott and I like him a lot. But he won’t be playing in the middle three for liverpool for the rest of his career. I think it’s great he can adapt and he can be used as an option there, but he won’t be there long term and we won’t be having this conversation in 2 or 3 years.

Trent was brought through to the first team as a full back from the beginning. And who was the alternative? Clyne was it? An average player who was probably unfit.

Harvey was signed as a winger, his natural position. And who are the alternatives to him? Thiago fabinho and hendo.  They all start ahead of him in such a fixture and it’s madness you’re even encouraging it.

And obviously players make mistakes. But you know full well what I meant. Theres far less chance of mistakes occurring when you go into a game such as that with a game plan having a trusted, experienced centre mid rather than a young lad finding his way who is used to playing on the wing.

For the record I rate harvey elliott and I like him a lot. But he won’t be playing in the middle three for liverpool for the rest of his career. I think it’s great he can adapt and he can be used as an option there, but he won’t be there long term and we won’t be having this conversation in 2 or 3 years.

Totally see your argument and we see where you are coming from. It's not unreasonable. But Jürgen rates him for now. So only time will tell...
Me highlighted some of Jürgen's words in bold...

Losing Harvey Elliott was “one of hardest moments” in Jürgen Klopp’s career

This Is Anfield  •  Liverpool FC News  • 
Losing Harvey Elliott was “one of hardest moments” in Jürgen Klopp’s career
February 7, 2022
Joanna Durkan

Jürgen Klopp conceded he was “in a worse mood” than Harvey Elliott was following his injury back in September, saying the incident was one of the hardest to take in his career.

The manager showed his faith in Elliott at the start of the season, with the teenager duly repaying the trust in kind before his momentum was brought to a crashing halt.

A nasty ankle-fracture dislocation at Leeds back in September unfolded only a matter of meters away from Liverpool’s bench, with the severity of the injury apparent immediately.

“We were all shocked” was the manager’s immediate reaction and now, 147 days later, after Elliott marked his return with his first goal for the club, Klopp admitted the moment of the injury was one of the “hardest” in his career.

“It was very touching, to be honest,” Klopp told beINSPORTS after Elliott scored in the 3-1 win against Cardiff.

“I’ve known him for a while now and I know what an incredible talent he is and what a nice kid he is.

“When we lost him in the Leeds game that was one of the hardest moments in my career. We could all see the situation, it was directly in front of us and then you are waiting.

“You see all the steps he makes during the period and then he comes back and has a situation like that.”

It’s a credit to Elliott’s work ethic and mental fortitude that he is now firmly back in the mix for Klopp’s side, a trait that is not lost on his manager.

“Probably his biggest talent is how ready he is mentally for all the stuff out there,” Klopp said of the 18-year-old in his post-match press conference.

“He is a kid, yes, but on the pitch not so much. He was buzzing and he was waiting for this moment, we all were. That he could do it [on Sunday] is just really nice.

“When he got the injury, the next day or two days later I saw him at the training ground and I was in a worse mood than he was.

“It was pretty much like, ‘come on boss, head-up, I will be back.’ He is an exceptional talent in a lot of different departments.”

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2022/02/losing-harvey-elliott-was-one-of-hardest-moments-in-Jürgen-klopps-career/

Forgot to come in here and say get the F**k in!