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

[Crosby Nick]

Arsenal improving can be seen as a positive in a way since they're still to play City. A draw in that match would be really handy. Thats a while away though.

Yeah, then sticking around for a while isn’t terrible news. Might take some pressure off it being yet another two horse race/head to head where every weekend is spent watching City win and hoping we follow suit, or us winning and hoping they slip up. Gets draining after a while. Might be a bit less hype around us and then if Arsenal stay in the mix.

As long as we keep winning, don’t mind if they do too much.

[Number 7]

Well if Arsenal win there next 4 before we play City and City win their games as well, then they both would be ahead of us and we’ll be 3rd heading into it if I’m not mistaken. So it very much is a 3-way title race now.

Yes you are correct.
But remember their CL ties kick off this week and next week whereas we have a bye in the EL until March 7.

Let’s see how they handle CL and PL. There are 3 PL gameweeks before we play in Europe.

[Air Jota]

One game a time, have to first and foremost win our games.

[AmanShah21]

City currently have 0 injuries. They are the only premier league club with a 100% fit squad.
I don't think we've ever gotten down to 0 in decades now. What we need are injury returns because the longer the injury list stays that way, the more knackered the players will get having to play more and more minutes. We've done brilliantly this season at rotating and using earlier subs to manage workload. Right now, that isnt even possible.
We have 9 players for the front 6 positions that are currently fit, and that just isnt very healthy. We are lucky that this part of the season is not so terrible and we are in this situation when we have two consecutive weeks without midweek fixtures, but we need some injury returns at the end of it and not lose any more of the fit lads.
We have to manage injuries better because that has been the difference between us and City under Jurgen. If we had the same amount of injury absences as them, we'd have 3-4 league titles instead of 1. We really should be trying to see why this is the case and what they are doing better than us in this regard.

[RayPhilAlan]

City currently have 0 injuries. They are the only premier league club with a 100% fit squad.
I don't think we've ever gotten down to 0 in decades now. What we need are injury returns because the longer the injury list stays that way, the more knackered the players will get having to play more and more minutes. We've done brilliantly this season at rotating and using earlier subs to manage workload. Right now, that isnt even possible.
We have 9 players for the front 6 positions that are currently fit, and that just isnt very healthy. We are lucky that this part of the season is not so terrible and we are in this situation when we have two consecutive weeks without midweek fixtures, but we need some injury returns at the end of it and not lose any more of the fit lads.
We have to manage injuries better because that has been the difference between us and City under Jurgen. If we had the same amount of injury absences as them, we'd have 3-4 league titles instead of 1. We really should be trying to see why this is the case and what they are doing better than us in this regard.

You're right, it's good that we've got a few games in a row that are, on paper, a bit easier, giving several weeks for the likes of Mo, Dom and Trent to come back, and Robbo to get back up to speed.

[spider-neil]

City currently have 0 injuries. They are the only premier league club with a 100% fit squad.
I don't think we've ever gotten down to 0 in decades now. What we need are injury returns because the longer the injury list stays that way, the more knackered the players will get having to play more and more minutes. We've done brilliantly this season at rotating and using earlier subs to manage workload. Right now, that isnt even possible.
We have 9 players for the front 6 positions that are currently fit, and that just isnt very healthy. We are lucky that this part of the season is not so terrible and we are in this situation when we have two consecutive weeks without midweek fixtures, but we need some injury returns at the end of it and not lose any more of the fit lads.
We have to manage injuries better because that has been the difference between us and City under Jurgen. If we had the same amount of injury absences as them, we'd have 3-4 league titles instead of 1. We really should be trying to see why this is the case and what they are doing better than us in this regard.

They also had 0 players at AFCON and the Asian Cup.

[MonsLibpool]

City currently have 0 injuries. They are the only premier league club with a 100% fit squad.
I don't think we've ever gotten down to 0 in decades now. What we need are injury returns because the longer the injury list stays that way, the more knackered the players will get having to play more and more minutes. We've done brilliantly this season at rotating and using earlier subs to manage workload. Right now, that isnt even possible.
We have 9 players for the front 6 positions that are currently fit, and that just isnt very healthy. We are lucky that this part of the season is not so terrible and we are in this situation when we have two consecutive weeks without midweek fixtures, but we need some injury returns at the end of it and not lose any more of the fit lads.
We have to manage injuries better because that has been the difference between us and City under Jurgen. If we had the same amount of injury absences as them, we'd have 3-4 league titles instead of 1. We really should be trying to see why this is the case and what they are doing better than us in this regard.

But they've lost key players like De Bruyne,  Haaland and Stones for a decent chunk of the season. They won't have the same number of injuries as us simply because our style of play is more physical and we don't tend to kill games off early.

In their case, it's a stroll once they go two-nil up which can be after 15 minutes.

[BobPaisley3]

City currently have 0 injuries. They are the only premier league club with a 100% fit squad.
I don't think we've ever gotten down to 0 in decades now. What we need are injury returns because the longer the injury list stays that way, the more knackered the players will get having to play more and more minutes. We've done brilliantly this season at rotating and using earlier subs to manage workload. Right now, that isnt even possible.
We have 9 players for the front 6 positions that are currently fit, and that just isnt very healthy. We are lucky that this part of the season is not so terrible and we are in this situation when we have two consecutive weeks without midweek fixtures, but we need some injury returns at the end of it and not lose any more of the fit lads.
We have to manage injuries better because that has been the difference between us and City under Jurgen. If we had the same amount of injury absences as them, we'd have 3-4 league titles instead of 1. We really should be trying to see why this is the case and what they are doing better than us in this regard.

Thankfully we’ll only have 11 league games left when the Europa kicks in again however I’m really hoping we see a clear Europa team and a league team, injuries permitting. Tsimi, Bradley, Quansah, Grav, Elliott, Gakpo, Kelleher is the basis of a very good side, one certainly strong enough to get through the next two rounds of the Europa. If most of the squad are fully fit, those lads should be starting every game with a sprinkling of others.

[Nick110581]

One game a time, have to first and foremost win our games.

Exactly.

There will be pressure on all three Teams at different times. We play first this weekend in a potential banana skin. However, if we win then the pressure reverts to City / Arsenal. City have Chelsea and Arsenal have Burnley away.

[Knight]

I hope Klopp et al aren't thinking like this but I suspect that from now if we drop points before City they'll go on to win it. The reality is, if we take previous title races between us and them as indicative for this one, almost any dropped points are potentially determinative. And we'll already be behind them by a point if they win their game in hand. Plus they're on an 8/9 game winning run at the moment aren't they, the team with the longest winning run in the season almost always wins the title if I recall correctly, we need theirs to end.

[Nick110581]

I hope Klopp et al aren't thinking like this but I suspect that from now if we drop points before City they'll go on to win it. The reality is, if we take previous title races between us and them as indicative for this one, almost any dropped points are potentially determinative. And we'll already be behind them by a point if they win their game in hand. Plus they're on an 8/9 game winning run at the moment aren't they, the team with the longest winning run in the season almost always wins the title if I recall correctly, we need theirs to end.

They have won 8 or 9 in all comps at mo.

But it’s in our hands still.

[Fruity]

I thought after the Chelsea game we were the team with momentum and then a few injuries and the arsenal loss and it seems Arsenal have gained momentum with City just doing their thing. We certainly have a tougher game than Arsenal this weekend. On paper City have the toughest but Chelsea are so hit and miss.

I think the most important thing for us is to win our games up to the league cup and win that as well. Ours is still a new side (certainly the midfield) and to win a trophy would be massive and create that bit of belief. Run ins for the most part are won by the team that doesn't bottle it. Arsenal still have the potential to bottle it. We will also need some of our experienced players to step up. Trent and Salah in particular can be the difference in games.

[Knight]

They have won 8 or 9 in all comps at mo.

But it’s in our hands still.

True. It's in their hands still too though. Personally I prefer to use that phrase when the opposition can't do anything about it.

[Chris~]

City have a tough run (not sure if can be changed by Europe or the FA cup) where they play 6th, 1st, 9th, 3rd, 5th. If they're top after that they should win it. Looks a much easier run in than us and Arsenal for them after that  and obviously no chance for either to take points off them

[MonsLibpool]

I hope Klopp et al aren't thinking like this but I suspect that from now if we drop points before City they'll go on to win it. The reality is, if we take previous title races between us and them as indicative for this one, almost any dropped points are potentially determinative. And we'll already be behind them by a point if they win their game in hand. Plus they're on an 8/9 game winning run at the moment aren't they, the team with the longest winning run in the season almost always wins the title if I recall correctly, we need theirs to end.

One game at a time.

[lionel_messias]

One game at a time. Get players back ready for Brentford.
Endo is a huge plus. Conor, Joe and Dom will be.

We may as well be careful with Mo and Dom and not get them back too early.

Just win the next one, I don't care about City (until we play them). I don't care about Arsenal.

[Saus76]

One game at a time. Get players back ready for Brentford.
Endo is a huge plus. Conor, Joe and Dom will be.

We may as well be careful with Mo and Dom and not get them back too early.

Just win the next one, I don't care about City (until we play them). I don't care about Arsenal.

We’ve got to be careful with Mo. A hamstring for a player who relies on pace is high risk.

[Brain Potter]

we play Brentford on Saturday. Win that and we go 5 points clear.
 Arsenal are at Burnley, which is a gimme, whilst City play Chelsea at home.
As said earlier we just have to win our games

[Zlen]

For us it really depends on getting some players back and quickly. We aren't making it through this period until the international break with what was available yesterday. We need players back to stand a proper chance. Otherwise we can't rotate enough and it's only a matter of time before shit collapses - like it did against Arsenal. I think it's a bigger ask to win three league games before City come to Anfield, than it is to beat them when they do. Two tricky away games, one in breakfast kickoff and Luton at home. That's a bowling lane covered in well lubricated banana peels if I ever saw one. And that's with us having players available. Running on fumes with limited options - slip up is almost certain.

[Air Jota]

Mo will probably be back within the next 7-10 days, which will be a great boost. Obviously Ali,Gomez and Konate will be back for the weekend, which leaves us with Trent and Dom not available for an unknown period of time.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

We’ve got to be careful with Mo. A hamstring for a player who relies on pace is high risk.

I don't think Salah has relied on his pace for about three years now.

[Nick110581]

For us it really depends on getting some players back and quickly. We aren't making it through this period until the international break with what was available yesterday. We need players back to stand a proper chance. Otherwise we can't rotate enough and it's only a matter of time before shit collapses - like it did against Arsenal. I think it's a bigger ask to win three league games before City come to Anfield, than it is to beat them when they do. Two tricky away games, one in breakfast kickoff and Luton at home. That's a bowling lane covered in well lubricated banana peels if I ever saw one. And that's with us having players available. Running on fumes with limited options - slip up is almost certain.

Just take one match at a time.

Most aways in this League are tough. City had about 20 chances against Brentford but they still posed a threat to them with their direct tactics. We navigated the Bournemouth away really well so just need to focus on ourselves.

We have time off now and hopefully Gomez and Ali are better so can train. Konate returns from suspension. Mo is super close. Bradley may be back too. And we don’t know timelines with Trent and Dom yet.

[Zlen]

Just take one match at a time.

Most aways in this League are tough. City had about 20 chances against Brentford but they still posed a threat to them with their direct tactics. We navigated the Bournemouth away really well so just need to focus on ourselves.

We have time off now and hopefully Gomez and Ali are better so can train. Konate returns from suspension. Mo is super close. Bradley may be back too. And we don’t know timelines with Trent and Dom yet.

Yeah, you're right. The way things sometimes happen and pile up within few games, injuries, suspensions, unexpected illness, compassion leave... they can also go the other way. Players returning, hitting form and purple patches, you never know. Next up Brentford, we'll have a stronger side than against Burnley which should offset it being away and early. At least we're the most experienced team when it comes to 12:30 kickoffs.

[Nick110581]

Yeah, you're right. The way things sometimes happen and pile up within few games, injuries, suspensions, unexpected illness, compassion leave... they can also go the other way. Players returning, hitting form and purple patches, you never know. Next up Brentford, we'll have a stronger side than against Burnley which should offset it being away and early. At least we're the most experienced team when it comes to 12:30 kickoffs.

This will be a really tough match though.

We have drawn 3-3 and lost 3-1 since they have come back up. Last season performance was pretty bad.

[Fromola]

At the end of the day we know that City (and/or Arsenal) will near enough win every game and we'll have to do the same.

If we beat City then it'd give us enough scope to maybe lose somewhere or draw a game or two (Goodison and Old Trafford for example we know we'll be up against it). We'll have to win all the rest. Nobody ever does us any favours.

[andy07]

Big cup final in West London on Saturday.  We need to win this and it will be tough.  Every game is a cup final now.  A win takes us 5 clear albeit for a short time but we need City (and Arsenal) to be continually playing catchup.

[bornandbRED]

Normally hate 12.30s but think it’s a good time to play a side like Brentford as opposed to under the lights. Also much prefer playing first, getting the points in the bag (hopefully) and handing it over to the others to catch up.

[1892tillforever]

Normally hate 12.30s but think it’s a good time to play a side like Brentford as opposed to under the lights. Also much prefer playing first, getting the points in the bag (hopefully) and handing it over to the others to catch up.

For once we're not playing the previous Wednesday night nor is it after an international break, so that helps too! Win this and we're slowly getting over the Arsenal loss. You would imagine we'll deal with Luton at home then there's a cup final, winnable FA cup tie and a trip to Forest, which while it is a potentially tricky fixture, is eminently winnable. Then a Europa first leg followed by the cheats. So, almost there then 

[MD1990]

Brentford is crucial it will be tough.
I think we will see Gakpo start to help with set pieces.
Might see Diaz off the bench for that one.

[Kloppage Time]

I don't believe Klopp takes it "one game at a time" seems farcical, he might insist that the players do, but there is no way he does

[redk84]

Guess what? Players and coaching staff will be taking it one game at a time 

But i love the mental gymnastics in threads like these so lets go
City are in the middle of their first long run of wins....and counting on the pressure they are putting on now making us fold and Arsenal too. They will have a blip or two then may go on another run sure but maybe not without the likes of Gundogan and Mahrez to go on purple patches

Their squad is smaller and their defence looks a bit shaky at times.

We have our flaws too but most important thing for us as others have said is to have our injured players back to stay and then we can work with what we have without restraint. Klopp has been great with his use of subs this season. We've been unlucky with injuries and nobody but us seems to think so.
I don't think City will finish the season having dropped points in only 1 out of 20+ games - which would be the case if they only drop points at Anfield. Just don't see it...I think us, them and Arsenal will drop points in atleast 2 games each. Having said that its the timing of when these dropped points occur that will be crucial
Next 4 games for us need to be wins or i can see this potentially fizzling out for us. Do that and it gets into the "run-in" territory and City I think would be worried if we are ahead of them...moreso then if it were Arsenal in that position

Arsenal have the toughest remaining games so with Europe coming back i think they will eventually fade but you never know. (imo by end of March they'll be out of it)
They're a solid team that control games very well so depends how much they've learnt from last year I suppose. Drawing against City later would be ideal for us

Europe is just a huge factor - Us being in Europa with more capacity to rotate in those games may be key in the title race. i.e we could do with Copenhagen and Porto not shitting the bed in their first legs

Exciting times 

[lionel_messias]

I don't believe Klopp takes it "one game at a time" seems farcical, he might insist that the players do, but there is no way he does

I am 100% certain he and his coaching team do just that.

Obviously, they will have a global view where they are planning 2,3 and 4 weeks ahead but
I guess with injuries, that has to be fluid.

You have to win on Saturday to take care of March, April, May etc. And then you have to beat Luton.

Is the only way to do it.

[kop306]

2 changes for saturday

bradley replaces trent
konate for quansah

[Nick110581]

2 changes for saturday

bradley replaces trent
konate for quansah

And Ali comes back.

[Air Jota]

2 changes for saturday

bradley replaces trent
konate for quansah

Bradley may still not be available

[BobPaisley3]

2 changes for saturday

bradley replaces trent
konate for quansah

With Brentford’s style, Gomez has to play.

[kop306]

robbo played well against burnley cant see gomez playing there

klopp will want to reward bradley for his good form by putting him straight back in

good to see mo back in training today

interesting to see if he makes the bench this saturday or next wednesday

[lionel_messias]

robbo played well against burnley cant see gomez playing there

klopp will want to reward bradley for his good form by putting him straight back in

good to see mo back in training today

interesting to see if he makes the bench this saturday or next wednesday

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

[Gili Gulu]

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

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

[1892tillforever]

robbo played well against burnley cant see gomez playing there

klopp will want to reward bradley for his good form by putting him straight back in

good to see mo back in training today

interesting to see if he makes the bench this saturday or next wednesday

Barring any setbacks, Salah will make the bench on Saturday at the very least. After all, he's back training 4 days before the match.