Topic: The Title Race 2023/24- Jurgen's Last Dance

[lionel_messias]

I think there's an advantage to playing Gomez against Brentford in that he is better in the air.

Agreed, and also Robbo might still need to be eased back.

[RedSince86]

Get these 2 banana skins out of the way with maximum points and we'll be fine.

Good to see Salah back for the final stretch and well rested as well.

[Kashinoda]

Rest of the season simulated 4000 times:

[HardworkDedication]

Wonder if we play Gomez on Saturday and Robertson v Luton, on Wednesday.

Why would we need to use Gomez at left back considering we now have our two main left backs available again? There is no need to play him at left back now. If anything the discussion should be whether we start Gomez at right back against Brentford and then Bradley against Luton or vice versa.

[lionel_messias]

Why would we need to use Gomez at left back considering we now have our two main left backs available again? There is no need to play him at left back now. If anything the discussion should be whether we start Gomez at right back against Brentford and then Bradley against Luton or vice versa.

He could be in ahead of Robertson on performance alone, Joe has been brilliant there. But I was more thinking if you play Connor Bradley at right back, Joe balances that out but also Robertson may not be ready for the start and also, Joe is better defensively and better in the air against grocks.

[Caligula?]

I just can't see us winning it with the insane amount of injuries we get. When was the last time we had everyone back and available? As soon as Ali and Mo are back in the squad you just know that someone else is going to be out. It's so frustrating because we'd be right up there come the end of the season if we get as many injuries as City or Arsenal do.

[alonsoisared]

Hello hello hello

[Zlen]

Fuck off doped mutants.
Red storm brewing.

[JP!]

[Bennett]

Chelsea impressive for about 60-65 minutes there and then completely shat the bed. Had zero outlet and allowed City to pen them in. Still two points dropped that I wasn't expecting so yay.

[Marty 85]

This is why we have to focus us on ourselves and nobody else. I've faith in Klopp and the squad to go the whole way. All clubs will have injuries and as bad as injuries may seem to certain players at the time, I trust we have a proper squad and ready replacements who can step in and do what's required. Klopp manages a squad for these situations. We've seen backups come in and make a name for themselves in these situations and we have to have faith that we will come out each game and be ruthless and there won't be a drop off in performance or mentality.

[reddazforever]

Thought Chelsea were outstanding today. Hopefully Klopp’s gonna make the team watch today’s game to ensure we take the final seriously as too many supporters and pundits are basically saying the cup is ours. If we go into next weeks game thinking that we’ll be in for a nasty surprise if Chelsea play like today

[Caligula?]

I know they had De Bruyne out for months and Haaland out for a out a month but imagine losing Rodri, Ederson and Walker as soon as those two came back. Because that's what we're constantly facing. We'd be miles ahead if we did have as many injuries.

[Caps4444]

Thought Chelsea were outstanding today. Hopefully Klopp’s gonna make the team watch today’s game to ensure we take the final seriously as too many supporters and pundits are basically saying the cup is ours. If we go into next weeks game thinking that we’ll be in for a nasty surprise if Chelsea play like today

City weee playing like the Spurs 9 men, Chelsea has numerous opportunities, should have had a couple more before City scored.  We won’t be so open.
Our team will certainly be weaker than when we won 4-1, but should still have enough….though I’m not expecting an easy game.

[MonsLibpool]

This is why we have to focus us on ourselves and nobody else. I've faith in Klopp and the squad to go the whole way. All clubs will have injuries and as bad as injuries may seem to certain players at the time, I trust we have a proper squad and ready replacements who can step in and do what's required. Klopp manages a squad for these situations. We've seen backups come in and make a name for themselves in these situations and we have to have faith that we will come out each game and be ruthless and there won't be a drop off in performance or mentality.

I think some of our fans need to stop doubting and start believing. The injuries, red cards and decisions
against us are enough to derail most clubs.

People need to start noticing how good this squad of players is. Enough of this inferiority complex as they fear us too.

Let's take it game by game.

[lionel_messias]

I think some of our fans need to stop doubting and start believing. The injuries, red cards and decisions
against us are enough to derail most clubs.

People need to start noticing how good this squad of players is. Enough of this inferiority complex as they fear us too.

Let's take it game by game.

Our squad is somewhat better than all of us thought it was in the eve of the season.

The likes of Joe Gomez, Bradley, Endo, Quansah and Kellerher have given us the depth to deal
with worse injuries than our rivals. The adaptability of Jones and Mac Allister are also coming to the fore.

With a revolving door to and from the treatment room, all we can do is keep winning,

and prioritise the Premier League over all else when we get the chance.

[Magz50]

I'll be going to the Man City game, gonna be a belter and worth the flight over. Jurgen VS Pep one last time!

[Marty 85]

I think some of our fans need to stop doubting and start believing. The injuries, red cards and decisions
against us are enough to derail most clubs.

People need to start noticing how good this squad of players is. Enough of this inferiority complex as they fear us too.

Let's take it game by game.

I think some of our fans need to stop doubting and start believing. The injuries, red cards and decisions
against us are enough to derail most clubs.

People need to start noticing how good this squad of players is. Enough of this inferiority complex as they fear us too.

Let's take it game by game.

Exactly. Look at the Barca game. Sounds simplistic but we are greater than the sum of our parts and adversity has proven to bring the best out in this team. We're in a title race but we have momentum this time. Let's beat City by a point and have them worry about us each and every game until May 19th.

[amir87]

With all the injuries mounting up this might just go down as Jurgen’s greatest ever achievement if we win the title this season.

[lfc_col]

[Anthony]

[CHOPPER]

The Ides of March, are almost upon us.

[Tokyoite]

I think some of our fans need to stop doubting and start believing. The injuries, red cards and decisions
against us are enough to derail most clubs.

People need to start noticing how good this squad of players is. Enough of this inferiority complex as they fear us too.

Let's take it game by game.

That's true but the amount of games we play and the rate at which we get injuries makes it very hard to believe we will be at the top at the end of the season.
Abu Dhabi and Arsenal look much better on that front than us, although obviously that could change any game but so far it doesn't look like they will pick up as many injuries as we are.

I'll start believing if we are still where we are 5 games before the end of the season but for the time being I don't, unfortunately.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

That's true but the amount of games we play and the rate at which we get injuries makes it very hard to believe we will be at the top at the end of the season.
Abu Dhabi and Arsenal look much better on that front than us, although obviously that could change any game but so far it doesn't look like they will pick up as many injuries as we are.

I'll start believing if we are still where we are 5 games before the end of the season but for the time being I don't, unfortunately.

Why would you when we're so far behind the pack already.

[Caps4444]

Why would you when we're so far behind the pack already.

We are fortunate with the FA Cuo draw, and I can see us heavily rotating for that.
Gives some of the big players a rest.

[MonsLibpool]

That's true but the amount of games we play and the rate at which we get injuries makes it very hard to believe we will be at the top at the end of the season.
Abu Dhabi and Arsenal look much better on that front than us, although obviously that could change any game but so far it doesn't look like they will pick up as many injuries as we are.

I'll start believing if we are still where we are 5 games before the end of the season but for the time being I don't, unfortunately.

I don't wish injuries on their players but every team gets injuries. It's how you cope with them that show how good you are.

City have a thin squad and them flogging their players in the CL will have an impact.  For example,  De Bruyne shouldn't be starting every game at his age.

For Arsenal,  they've been playing one game a week for months after "sacrificing the cups to focus on the league". I'd rather be us who have a greater
chance of winning trophies. They are still not top are they?

We know how stressful the CL is. Some on here have seen us play more finals that most clubs have ever reached. That's why it's a bit naive to judge when a team has a lighter calendar.

[Kloppage Time]

It might not be as bad as you think!
Salah coming in for Jota is hardly a downgrade and Gakpo is a solid back up
Szob is coming back and it's a toss up between him and Curtis most weeks and again Gravy is a decent back up
Back four is as good as it's ever been and I've no worries regarding Kelleher
as it stands we're more than capable
it was also starting to look like Trent was moving into midfield
Trust in Klopp

[has gone odd]

Remember that CL game when our star attacker was out and we had to score a bunch of goals against a team with Suarez and Messi in?

Okay, not quite the same but Klopp will field a team that should be capable of winning any match we have left. Of course injuries are irritating but we have some very decent players still fit!

Will not write off the Arse, they are on a crest of wave after their fortunate victory recently, City will always be there somewhere but here we are, top of the pile still. After everything I have seen this team do in recent years, I still believe.

[ac]

It might not be as bad as you think!
Salah coming in for Jota is hardly a downgrade and Gakpo is a solid back up
Szob is coming back and it's a toss up between him and Curtis most weeks and again Gravy is a decent back up
Back four is as good as it's ever been and I've no worries regarding Kelleher
as it stands we're more than capable
it was also starting to look like Trent was moving into midfield
Trust in Klopp

City's draw gives further proof they are not as strong as previous seasons. Doku is downgrade on Mahrez and Kovacic is a down grade on Gundogan.

Due to the spread of the injuries and the versatility of the players I think we will manage better than people think. If Jones is out for the season we do not only have Sobozlai to combe back we also have the option of Trent in midfield. I think we could consider playing a 4231 with Trent as a 10 and Mac Allister and Endo in midfield.  Bradley is also an updgrade on Trent defensively.

Jota being probably out for the season is a big blow. That said, the injury to Salah may have been a blessing in disguise in that he comes back refreshed and back to his very best of 2 seasons ago. If he can do that and Nunez continues his improvement I think we can do it.

[88_RED]

That's true but the amount of games we play and the rate at which we get injuries makes it very hard to believe we will be at the top at the end of the season.
Abu Dhabi and Arsenal look much better on that front than us, although obviously that could change any game but so far it doesn't look like they will pick up as many injuries as we are.

I'll start believing if we are still where we are 5 games before the end of the season but for the time being I don't, unfortunately.

Surely you're fishing in the Sumida-gawa here.. 

[Crosby Nick]

So last night’s game almost cancels out our Arsenal defeat from a head to head with City point of view (1 point gain for them but back with us having the chance to be top by the time we play them. Opens the door for Arsenal a bit of course but don’t think that’s a bad thing if we hold our nerve.

On the injuries front, biggest issue is not being able to rotate so much. How we with Mo back, I’m fairly sure the Diaz, Nunez, Jota trio which had been looking so good would have been broken up anyway for Mo to come back in. I’m going to hope Darwin is fine at this point and it’s just Jota who may be out for a longer period. We won’t have 5 amazing options but we still have 4, so should always have a good bench option available still.

Losing Jones would be a blow. But having Endo back has really helped us. He and Mac Allister feel key to how we play now and if those two are around for most games, I feel like we can cope with whoever is the third. And hopefully Szoboszlai will be ok.

Intensity is going to step up now but it will for the others too. After next weekend the League Cup is done so City will have the same kind of schedule as us. Arsenal out of both cups have it slightly easier but I’d expect them to progress in Europe so they’ll have other things to think about as well.

All in all, we’ve done as well as we could have after the Arsenal game. Win our next two and we’ll be top going into the City one and then have a great opportunity to directly damage them.

[Crosby Nick]

Looked at the run in for the first time the other day. City’s last four or so look fairly straight forward. Think we will still probably need to beat them to open up a little bit of a gap as their tougher fixtures some in the next few. Don’t think we want to be trying to chase them down.

Arsenal have United away second last. That will be a huge challenge for them. There has always been a bit of bad blood between the clubs. Think they have Everton on the final day as well. Who knows what they might need from that game.

We have some potentially tricky games too. West Ham and Villa might not be looking as tricky as they did a couple of months ago. Could do with them still having European dreams when we go there which may distract them.

[BobPaisley3]

Looked at the run in for the first time the other day. City’s last four or so look fairly straight forward. Think we will still probably need to beat them to open up a little bit of a gap as their tougher fixtures some in the next few. Don’t think we want to be trying to chase them down.

Arsenal have United away second last. That will be a huge challenge for them. There has always been a bit of bad blood between the clubs. Think they have Everton on the final day as well. Who knows what they might need from that game.

We have some potentially tricky games too. West Ham and Villa might not be looking as tricky as they did a couple of months ago. Could do with them still having European dreams when we go there which may distract them.

Arsenal’s run in has been slightly overlooked, they’ve still got to go to City, Spurs and Yernited.

[Caps4444]

It might not be as bad as you think!
Salah coming in for Jota is hardly a downgrade and Gakpo is a solid back up
Szob is coming back and it's a toss up between him and Curtis most weeks and again Gravy is a decent back up
Back four is as good as it's ever been and I've no worries regarding Kelleher
as it stands we're more than capable
it was also starting to look like Trent was moving into midfield
Trust in Klopp

100% agree and trust.
The only issue for me is that we can’t rotate anymore especially in midfield.
Feels Mac and Endo probably need to play almost every game and that poses risks.

[MonsLibpool]

100% agree and trust.
The only issue for me is that we can’t rotate anymore especially in midfield.
Feels Mac and Endo probably need to play almost every game and that poses risks.

We have Grav, Elliott, Trent and Szobo. Even McConnell. Normally,  Endo and Mac won't play together.

[BobPaisley3]

100% agree and trust.
The only issue for me is that we can’t rotate anymore especially in midfield.
Feels Mac and Endo probably need to play almost every game and that poses risks.

After the final it has to be Grav and Elliott starting in non league games, possibly with McConnell chucked in.

[DelTrotter]

Wouldn't hope out much hope on Utd, they've shown before they'll happily throw games to screw us even if it fucks their own season up. Arsenal will find it brutal though having to play CL then get results away to City, Brighton, Spurs and Wolves plus a few home games that could be a pain like Chelsea and Villa.

[Crosby Nick]

Arsenal’s run in has been slightly overlooked, they’ve still got to go to City, Spurs and Yernited.

Yeah, forgot to mention Spurs. That’s three grounds they don’t win too often at. I know we also have United and that is looking a tougher prospect now. But a local debt away at Spurs feels tougher for them than us having to go to Everton. And City they have a dreadful record at. Hopefully they get a point there this time though.

We really need to be winning all the games we ‘should’ be winning. All home games bar City, and all away games outside of maybe United and Villa. If we do that then we won’t be far away depending on the outcome of our game with City.

City looked they were never dropping points again - until they did. Arsenal might look like that at the moment - until they do. We won’t win every game from here too either. We just don’t want to drop silly ones that reduce any margin for error.

[BobPaisley3]

Wouldn't hope out much hope on Utd, they've shown before they'll happily throw games to screw us even if it fucks their own season up. Arsenal will find it brutal though having to play CL then get results away to City, Brighton, Spurs and Wolves plus a few home games that could be a pain like Chelsea and Villa.

Yeah, they’ve got a really tough run in. Ideally they draw City, Bayern or Real in the last 8 too.

[DelTrotter]

Yeah, they’ve got a really tough run in. Ideally they draw City, Bayern or Real in the last 8 too.

Yep, some tough ones would be nice then in an ideal world we have some europa ties wrapped up after the first leg.