Topic: Pre-Season Thread

[stockdam]

Undoubtedly we have the forwards to destroy any defence. We have real strength in depth here.

Our midfield is arguably about the same as it was last year; maybe slightly better but only going forwards.

Our defence looks like it has slowed down a bit with VVD and Robertson visibly slower. We’ve moved TAA into midfield and that helps us attack but doesn’t do anything for our defence. I think we need a right back when playing against the top teams otherwise we could be torn apart. Gomez and maybe Bradley could play here.

So in summary we will continue to be a very exciting attacking team and we will dominate a lot of teams. However fast counter-attacking teams or ones that have strong midfields are going to relish playing against us.

There’s no doubt in my mind that we have bought two excellent young midfield players but we need to address our defensive play which is lacking a DM and a RB. Bring in a strong DM will change this and maybe use Gomez when needed as a RB. We’re not far off and one good signing might be all we need.

We have really good strength in depth in most positions but we are a bit too attacking and not solid enough in defence.

[RedG13]

It’s a shame Szobo will have to play straight away against Chelsea. He looks like he needs a bit more time despite his obvious quality. I’d have Jones in ahead of him but he’ll have to play as a 6.

does he? Mac Allister/Jones are the 2 I'm pretty confidently playing on Sunday.  He doesn't need be the 3rd. He can be the 3rd I'm just not sure klopp playing 2 new midfielders

[eAyeAddio]

We’re not far off and one good signing might be all we need.

We have really good strength in depth   

Good grief !   I don't think that you have been paying attention.

We lost 7 players at the end of last season.  We have signed 2 replacements.

Now, I'm no maths expert, but ..........

[Jambo Power]

Good grief !   I don't think that you have been paying attention.

We lost 7 players at the end of last season.  We have signed 2 replacements.

Now, I'm no maths expert, but ..........

I'm having a wild stab in the dark, that maths isn't the only field you are not an expert in.

[Carra-ton]

I would say, whether we buy Lavia or not. MacAllister has to be the number 6. He quite simply is a much better number 6 than Lavia or anyone else we can get with our budget.

[spider-neil]

I would say, whether we buy Lavia or not. MacAllister has to be the number 6. He quite simply is a much better number 6 than Lavia or anyone else we can get with our budget.

Nonsense.

[Spanish Al]

Well that’s pre season done then. Seen most of the highlights but only watched the one full game last night.

Was thinking Gomez could do a job as the LCB/LB hybrid for us, but like how Timber played there for Arsenal on the weekend (think he did anyway). Would make us a bit more solid and more of a genuine back three defensively when in possession and better prepared if we lose it. He seemed to work quite well at right back though when he switched there so there’s definitely a role for him this season. Just needs a bit of confidence I think as he’s young enough to find form again.

Forward options are just ridiculous and we should have the attacking tools for just about any situation and opposition. Slightly concerned if we don’t bolster defensively but if not it will be interesting to see what Quansah can do this season. Looks to have the pace and composure to play for us.

We seem to possess a lot of players, particularly in midfield and up front, who are very comfortable under pressure and able to play quick one or two touch passes.  Mo, Mac, Jota, Diaz, Gakpo, Thiago and Trent in the same line up could be very exciting. I saw Klopp said in pre season something along the lines of wanting to be one of the best possession teams as well as counter pressing and I think with some of the players we have, it will be very difficult to get the ball off us.

And Ben Doak. Wow. We’ve got a player on our hands there. Fearless, fast as fuck and his dribbling ability will surely see him get minutes this season. Just needs a bit more composure when he gets into the box but that will only come with playing alongside our best players for him to learn. Him and Nunez against some Europa League teams could be fun for its blistering pace and unpredictable nature.

All in all I’m excited for the season and intrigued as to how we go as Jurgen begins to piece together and nurture his second great team.

[dutchkop]

Well that’s pre season done then. Seen most of the highlights but only watched the one full game last night.

Was thinking Gomez could do a job as the LCB/LB hybrid for us, but like how Timber played there for Arsenal on the weekend (think he did anyway). Would make us a bit more solid and more of a genuine back three defensively when in possession and better prepared if we lose it. He seemed to work quite well at right back though when he switched there so there’s definitely a role for him this season. Just needs a bit of confidence I think as he’s young enough to find form again.

Forward options are just ridiculous and we should have the attacking tools for just about any situation and opposition. Slightly concerned if we don’t bolster defensively but if not it will be interesting to see what Quansah can do this season. Looks to have the pace and composure to play for us.

We seem to possess a lot of players, particularly in midfield and up front, who are very comfortable under pressure and able to play quick one or two touch passes.  Mo, Mac, Jota, Diaz, Gakpo, Thiago and Trent in the same line up could be very exciting. I saw Klopp said in pre season something along the lines of wanting to be one of the best possession teams as well as counter pressing and I think with some of the players we have, it will be very difficult to get the ball off us.

And Ben Doak. Wow. We’ve got a player on our hands there. Fearless, fast as fuck and his dribbling ability will surely see him get minutes this season. Just needs a bit more composure when he gets into the box but that will only come with playing alongside our best players for him to learn. Him and Nunez against some Europa League teams could be fun for its blistering pace and unpredictable nature.

All in all I’m excited for the season and intrigued as to how we go as Jurgen begins to piece together and nurture his second great team.

plus two really good upgrades in the Midfield department , Macallister and Saboslai and even Jones and Elliott looked sharp when they came on.

Elephant in the room, is total midfield clearance and lack of experience in midfield,  and no defensive reinforcements.
apart  from Joe and Quansah our defensive bench options looks very light. I agree Joe can play across the back 4, 3 and that is a huge positive
Even past the attackers and those on the bench .. if we get a number of injuries, suspensions and need to rest a few players once Europa league and cup games start I do worrry about our squad being  down to 22 players and 9 out 2 in.

[dutchkop]

I would say, whether we buy Lavia or not. MacAllister has to be the number 6. He quite simply is a much better number 6 than Lavia or anyone else we can get with our budget.

Mac at #6 is temporary solution - Klopp said so after match.

He is good & football intelligent enough to play across all midfield roles and probably a few more -this does not mean we should play him there when he can do so much damage just behind the forwards or from a deeper CM role.
His defensive qualities in the attacking third can have a bigger impact for the team, by defending higher up we can stop more counter attacks and create more  opportunities

We need another #6 specialist to replace Fabinho and Henderson in the squad

[ScottScott]

Mad that this'll be our last season in the PL. Hopefully we can put up a fight but after reading through these last few pages I doubt it. Ah well, we had a good run

[ScottScott]

Good grief !   I don't think that you have been paying attention.

We lost 7 players at the end of last season.  We have signed 2 replacements.

Now, I'm no maths expert, but ..........

Ox, Arthur and Keita played 11 games worth of minutes between them. They were nothing but lads who trained with us and were taking a place in the squad which could have gone to anyone else (nothing against them as people). Those minutes will be replaced by Jones and Elliott alone

Milner played 14 games worth of minutes and was 37 years old. Everyone hated him coming on or starting games and it was clear his legs had started to go. Give his minutes to Baj/Gomez/Bradley and you lose nothing

Fab and Hendo are the two we needed to replace. Hendo played 29 games worth of minutes and Fab played 40 games worth. Those will be replaced by Dom, Mac and (I'm assuming) Lavia

So we've lost 25 games in 4 CMs who barely played and were pushing 40. With EL this year, you'll be able to replace those easily with lads already here needing more time or even lads who have impressed in preseason (Clark maybe)

70 games will be the more difficult to replace but we look to have brought in 2 lads who are ready and who never miss time and are looking to bring in at least one more DM in Lavia so we'll be fine (in my opinion). I just wish we had it done about 3 weeks ago

At the end of the season, the majority of people would have driven Ox, Keita, Milner, Arthur, Henderson and Fabinho out of the club and never wanted to see them again. Now they're being spoke about as if they're impossible to replace. New DM/Bajetic/Thiago/Trent/Mac/Jones/Elliott/Dom is plenty when really, until February, our sole focus should be on the PL

[Eeyore]

I would say, whether we buy Lavia or not. MacAllister has to be the number 6. He quite simply is a much better number 6 than Lavia or anyone else we can get with our budget.

MacAllister simply doesn't fit alongside Trent.

Mac has the quality to play in a double pivot, but needs to be the deep lying midfielder alongside a defensively minded 6. Him and Trent as a pairing would be ridiculously good in possession.

The issue is that it would be like playing Gerrard and Alonso as a pairing. Two deep lying playmakers is great in possession but the issue is when you turn the ball over. Both Xabi and Gerrard were much better with a Masch or Hamman alongside them.

Mac was really good last night but defended like an 8. As soon as we lost the ball his instinct was to charge forward and press. That works as an 8 in a gegenpressing side. However the 6 has to make a split second decision whether to back up the 8s in the press or drop and protect the space in front of the centre backs.

That is why you have a specialist 6 and why Fabinho in his pomp was so good.

[Knight]

The system were trying to play without a DM and only 2 CBs, City are playing with 4 CBs and 1.5 DMs (Rodri and Gundogan). I dont see how it will work with this personal to be honest

Gundogan wasn’t 0.5 of a DM last year was he? He scored way too many goals to be seen like that.  I reckon 2 8/10s with Trent and a proper DM behind them is fine. I’m totally with you on the defenders - the emerging RAWK consensus is we cannot play this inverted system without making the LB a 3rd CB and I think that’s bang on.

[jambutty]

I don't trust any of our defenders any more.

[stockdam]

Good grief !   I don't think that you have been paying attention.

We lost 7 players at the end of last season.  We have signed 2 replacements.

Now, I'm no maths expert, but ..........

We lost players who were either at the end of their top flight careers or ones who were very prone to injuries. None of them were guaranteed starters or even as subs whereas we have signed Mac Allister and Szoboszlai who are first team material. Losing Fabinho and Henderson were not at the end of last season and probably came as a bit of a shock to Klopp.

Some of the players will be replaced with the crop of youngsters that we have.

Trimming the squad down has been good as it has released funds and has allowed some of the younger players to step up.

We were never going to buy 7 top class players in one window nor do we need 7 players. The two signings that we made are good players who will probably slot straight in. We are blessed with an abundance of good attacking players but we are vulnerable when we lose the ball. We need a DM to replace Fabinho and we may need a RB who can also play as part of a back 3. Gomez may be the player as he has the speed but can he cut out the poor positioning etc.

So don't focus on who we have lost as none of them were certain starters. Some have vacated slots in the squad that now allow the likes of Quansah and Doak to step in.

[Gerard00]

Watched all the preseason games and in most of them we were exposed repeatedly. Allison will save us a few times but I don't think many teams will be fearing us to the point where they think they're not going to get a sniff.

I think to have a good season you don;t mess up too many games against the bottom 10 home and away but last season showed that those types of teams have a chance of hurting us (Forest, Leeds, Brentford, Wolves, Palace, Bournemouth) . This defence and midfield is way too easy to play through right now and until we get new players or change the system i'm expecting repeats of last season. Relying on blasting teams away only works if you keep them out the other end.

[dutchkop]

when the CFC match thread gets started I will transfer:

So Chelsea are missing Nkunku for a few months - plus a few other injuries as well an bedding in new players

So they could lineup like this:  Caciedo comes in if they sign him on time & before Prem player registration

Kepa
James T. Silva Collwill Chilwell
Enzo Santos
Sterling Gallagher Mudyck
Jackson

I think they will Muduyck will sit on Trent and use the space between Trent and Ibou on the counter.
if we can solve this challange  on Sunday we can get a positive result

Anthony Taylor confirmed as Ref for Chelsea match 

Taylor is one of the worst for us. https://tomkinstimes.substack.com/p/referees-treat-lfc-very-differently

[MH41]

For those who have watched his progress, and his game minutes in pre season, is Quansah an option in defence this season?
I have never watched him play, but he looks to have all the physical attributes required form photos anyway.
Is he fast? Or what are his main strengths?

[Gerard00]

He reminded me of Matip, hes composed and keeps it simple from what ive seen so far - he can run with the ball and not afraid to burst past the striker into midfield to open up options.

Didn't watch him last season so not sure how that translates to the PL. Maybe still considered a bit 'lite' in that you could see him getting bullied / targeted a bit compared to Konate/VVD - the likes of Kane and Haaland would hang off him but the same could be said with Robertson there. If you were going to play him as a LCB you lose a fair bit going forward from that side. 

[Gus 1855]

Good grief !   I don't think that you have been paying attention.

We lost 7 players at the end of last season.  We have signed 2 replacements.

Now, I'm no maths expert, but ..........

I don't think you can make a decision based purely on personnel alone. Minutes played far more appropriate a measure in terms of what we need to replace.

[SamLad]

I don't think you can make a decision based purely on personnel alone. Minutes played far more appropriate a measure in terms of what we need to replace.

That argument falls apart once players start getting injured.

[Too early for flapjacks?]

Good grief !   I don't think that you have been paying attention.

We lost 7 players at the end of last season.  We have signed 2 replacements.

Now, I'm no maths expert, but ..........

Replaced Firmino with Gakpo 6 months early. Keita and Ox with Mac and Dom before pre season started. Bradley replaced Ramsay. Doak takes Carvalho's game time which was mostly in attack. Bajčetić who most fans hadn't even heard of this time last year replaces Milner. Anyone genuinely suggesting we need to replace Arthur is an idiot. We just need to 2 midfielders to replace Fabinho and Henderson and if there are more exits we need replacements.

[Gus 1855]

That argument falls apart once players start getting injured.

I don't think that's true given the minutes played factors in injuries sustained.

[redk84]

Watched about half the match yesterday. Attack looked decent..

Just need to really commit in finding that synergy between forwards and definitely more convinced we are gonna be looking to blow teams away so the defensive frailties can be papered over. Which there are but yknow, injuries need to be kind too as we still have a lot of decent players in mid/defence

guess its matchday 1 next - im not entirely sure of the starting lineup to be honest apart from a few usual suspects

[SamLad]

guess its matchday 1 next - im not entirely sure of the starting lineup to be honest apart from a few usual suspects

I don't think any of us are mate

[Ghost Town]

Mad that this'll be our last season in the PL. Hopefully we can put up a fight but after reading through these last few pages I doubt it. Ah well, we had a good run

Yeah, RIP to Liverpool as a PL side. I've already started planning next season's journeys to Plymouth, Ipswich and Rotherham

[Samie]

[killer-heels]

Really happy with Klopp’s comments about the system. Like any top manager, he looks like he will change it up specifically for the Chelsea game. A bit of pragmatism is great, we cant do the “let them worry about us” line.

[vivabobbygraham]

Lawro's been spending too long in the Transfer thread

Fucking hell, Samie revealed

[Gus 1855]

Really happy with Klopp’s comments about the system. Like any top manager, he looks like he will change it up specifically for the Chelsea game. A bit of pragmatism is great, we cant do the “let them worry about us” line.

Agreed

[vivabobbygraham]

Gundogan has left

Yeah, Rodri's taking on that role, that's why they bought Kovacic. They'll be stronger, Rhodri's a beast. Another Yaya

[redk84]

Really happy with Klopp’s comments about the system. Like any top manager, he looks like he will change it up specifically for the Chelsea game. A bit of pragmatism is great, we cant do the “let them worry about us” line.

Reckon we have to earn the right again to be that confident in our setup

Tho i don't think it will be hard as I seem to remember Klopp was quite pragmatic in his earlier years with us

[Larse]

Gundogan wasn’t 0.5 of a DM last year was he? He scored way too many goals to be seen like that.  I reckon 2 8/10s with Trent and a proper DM behind them is fine. I’m totally with you on the defenders - the emerging RAWK consensus is we cannot play this inverted system without making the LB a 3rd CB and I think that’s bang on.

my post was hyperbole but not so far off. they reason why this formation has finally worked (in big games) last season for pep seemed to be because he had the Cbs to play it

[Knight]

my post was hyperbole but not so far off. they reason why this formation has finally worked (in big games) last season for pep seemed to be because he had the Cbs to play it

It makes a lot of sense really. Your LB and RB are likely to be worse offensively than attacking midfielders so why bother asking your fullbacks to attack. Just get central defenders very comfortable in possession. They sit back and free up your front 5 from having to worry too much about being countered on.

[paisley1977]

Its been a shame this pre-season that young Conor has been missing similar to last year with Ramsey. A good run of games for Conor could have altered a few things.
Is there any news on his injury ?

[Titi Camara]

PL Matchday 1: Chelsea v Liverpool, Sunday 13th August, 16:30