Topic: PL: Everton 0 vs 0 Liverpool

[Mr Mingebag Squid]

Maybe Fabinho wasn't needed - but if the aim was to get him competitive action so he's sharp for the City game then I'm all for him playing.

Everton were never gonna have a go at us - it's no coincidence that their only really attacks at us were when Lovren came on - and only then it was for 2 mins. Beat Palace and go into the City game knowing they have to beat us, and that will suit us.

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

Is there honestly any need? He’s a Liverpool player, and we’re meant to give them respect on RAWK (I suspect people have taken a holiday for less....)

He’s not ‘fucking shite’. He’s 4th choice and we’ve seen before that he’s not the greatest at coming straight into the team, particularly after a long lay off. He’s also had a lot of good games for us, and even more that were far better than ‘fucking shite’. It seems probable that he’ll be moved on in the near future.

He's clearly not, but he does seem to repeat the same type of error.

I get the impression with him that it's in his head and he's prone to letting emotion get the better of him, basically he tries too hard which often ends up in a moment of rashness. I also wonder about his absence record, which are often illness related.
There's a reason why he's 4th choice, and I agree, he's on his last legs here.

[Fitzy.]

He does but I think sometimes he gives Utd and Everton far more credit and respect than they deserve. They usually always set up to play like this and one of the reasons for having players as strong and athletic as the likes of Van Dijk and Gomez is their ability to defend in one on one situations. Our lot can easily handle Calvert-Lewin and Richarlason so don't see why we need effectively 3 defensive players there.

Less so much today but the game last season against them was the same and for me its giving that shite far too much respect.

I don't particularly disagree but I think Klopp's pragmatism - an ever growing aspect of his management at Liverpool - has led us to this point and I don't think he's up for changing. His team set-up and relentless focus on game management over the past 18 months or so has led us to hardly ever getting beaten.

[sinnermichael]

A peak of 5.5m watched the derby and not 1 Everton fan, because lives are more important than football. Amazing.

[Victor]

 Don’t care if we play crap in the next 8 games as long as we get 5 points from them.... I’d rather have that than any of our good run ins in the last 29 seasons

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Hasn't Fabinho played left back at previous clubs?

Right back

[Trendisnotdestiny]

I am not sure I have seen a game yet (this weekend or in the Bundesliga during the past few) that has been near the levels of the pre-pandemic play.

Grinding this out, we'll see all sorts of things that will cause us aggravation --- injuries, poor link up play into the final third or at least predictable patterns leading to average outcomes near goal.

Also, we'll see more of the players struggling to find form immediately.  Lovren, TAA, and a few others come to mind yesterday, even though it is a small sample size and a very weird situation. 

Harleydanger is right as the noise machine is completely cringe crazy.  It appears to be the game as we know it, but still strange at the same time.

I think gratitude might be the real expression we can provide for players.   I am grateful for the players, our manager and staff, and all of us trying to get to some aspect of normalcy.

The last few months have been tragic in every direction --- and we have the best group of lads anyone could assemble.   Gratitude is how I feel with 8 games left.   Could care less if we draw the next 5.

What these players have done is resurrected hope for entire communities around the world for months upon months.   And they have succeeded in the most beautiful way possible for 95% of the season.

Thanks for coming back with class.  The rest will take care of itself.

[Wullie160975]

That bloody drinks break at 67 mins followed by multiple substitutions ruined any continuity and hopefully that's a lesson to go for the jugular from the off.

Predicted 0 - 0 - 3 months off and lack match sharpness. I expect more of the same on Wednesday.

By the time we get to the City game suspect we'll be up and running.

Those 2 things (while I understand the need for multiple substitutions for now) make it feel more like a friendly. I wonder if this is what the players feel too.

For about the only time I found myself agreeing with Neville, on the water breaks.

[Qston]

All very strange that game. It really hits home how much fans are needed for the ebb and flow of a game. I can also really see how home advantage is likely to be hugely diminished.

I actually thought we started to find some rhythm for the middle part of the game, with good ball retention. It is just that players are rusty and the quick interplay up front wasn`t quite working. This isn`t surprising given Mo wasn`t playing, and robbo wasn`t playing providing left sided width. I thought Keita had a decent game. The players did look as though they were pretty fit.

Hate the fake fan noise. Awful and they need to stop it.

[Bobinhood]

wow that was boring.

[Barneylfc∗]

All very strange that game. It really hits home how much fans are needed for the ebb and flow of a game. I can also really see how home advantage is likely to be hugely diminished.

I actually thought we started to find some rhythm for the middle part of the game, with good ball retention. It is just that players are rusty and the quick interplay up front wasn`t quite working. This isn`t surprising given Mo wasn`t playing, and robbo wasn`t playing providing left sided width. I thought Keita had a decent game. The players did look as though they were pretty fit.

Hate the fake fan noise. Awful and they need to stop it.

The fan noise they're using is fucking shite. The drinks breaks they're having are fucking shite. I could understand it in games being played in mid afternoon 25+ degrees. But a game being played at 7pm in the pissing rain, there is no need.

[AndyMuller]

What is the reason for the water breaks by the way? Does it stop the coronavirus spreading or something?

Fucking weird shit.

[Gerry Attrick]

What is the reason for the water breaks by the way? Does it stop the coronavirus spreading or something?

Fucking weird shit.

To make sure they remain hydrated, which is pretty important for preventing cramp and stuff considering they haven't played for donkeys.

[ljycb]

The fan noise they're using is fucking shite. The drinks breaks they're having are fucking shite. I could understand it in games being played in mid afternoon 25+ degrees. But a game being played at 7pm in the pissing rain, there is no need.

There is a need when players are at an increased risk of injury at the moment. What I’ve never understood is why the football authorities have never thought about stopping the clock. Does anyone have an explanation for them never going for this? Feels like especially now it would make perfect sense.

[El Lobo]

Yeah don’t really get the criticism of the water breaks. They obviously can’t have random water bottles around the pitch to just have a drink from during the game, so this makes more sense.

[Crosby Nick]

Yeah don’t really get the criticism of the water breaks. They obviously can’t have random water bottles around the pitch to just have a drink from during the game, so this makes more sense.

My only problem with them is they don’t seem to be adding the time back on for them. The clock doesn’t stop, they probably have a two minute break and yet only had 3 minutes added on at the end despite that, tons of subs and Pickford taking an eternity on goal kicks. He also annoying fly held onto the ball for at least double the 6 second run loads of times.

I don’t think we’d have scored had we played for another 90 minutes but still a slight grievance of mine!

[Fromola]

I would play Fabinho at CB over Lovren.

Play Hendo DM and then Naby and Ox in midfield.

I'd rather play Hoever there to be honest. I know Lovren has always been a whipping boy and highly erratic, but he's a liability in the current system and his confidence seems to be at Karius levels after Kiev.

His last couple of performances he reminded me a bit of latter-day Carragher where he got absolutely rinsed on the opening day at West Brom (Lukaku?). Carragher finished the season a lot better but only because we basically defended very deep to accommodate him. Lovren in a high line is being far too exposed.

[Fromola]

My only problem with them is they don’t seem to be adding the time back on for them. The clock doesn’t stop, they probably have a two minute break and yet only had 3 minutes added on at the end despite that, tons of subs and Pickford taking an eternity on goal kicks. He also annoying fly held onto the ball for at least double the 6 second run loads of times.

I don’t think we’d have scored had we played for another 90 minutes but still a slight grievance of mine!

I don't think we managed the clock well in the second half. First 15-20 minutes of the second half we were all over them and building up pressure (without getting the final ball right). Then we make a couple of subs and then straight away there's a 2 minute water break and we lost all momentum then. Then the Matip injury and with Lovren coming on Everton suddenly sensed an opening and we were really struggling. The game went from us in the last quarter.

[Son of Spion]

The fan noise they're using is fucking shite...

I only watch Liverpool, so this was the first game I've seen since the resumption. Not realising that it was the TV people who supplied the crowd sound I thought it was Everton themselves and it was coming over the tannoy, especially as the amount of booing was ridiculous. All they needed for authenticity was 180 handball shouts and some vile chants and they had Goodison down to a tee.

Anyway, it was dreadful stuff.

[RainbowFlick]

What is the reason for the water breaks by the way? Does it stop the coronavirus spreading or something?

Fucking weird shit.

A mixture of it being 100 days away from competitive football (and only a very short 'pre'-season) and that temperatures are going to theoretically get a lot hotter in the next few weeks.

Is weird though. If players wanted a drink I'm sure they could just keep bottles on the touchline and quickly get a sip when needed.

[fowlermagic]

Did I see some posters suggesting we might use these 9 games as a bit of a preseason / planning session for next season? That got me a wee puzzled as when did we ever look past the next competitive game and surely after the shutdown we need to be enjoying every minute of this season as god knows what will will happen as we may not even have football in Sept. Also the players will get a break between seasons and head off on their holidays so we will be back to square 1 and require a preseason anyway. Give 100% and lets do this in style.

[UntouchableLuis]

I'd bring Salah in for Minamino, Gomez for Matip and Robbo for Milner if they're all fit to start. I'd keep the midfield the same - thought they did well. I'd be tempted to throw Oxlade in for Henderson to be honest only because he looked properly knackered.

[Hendollama]

Did I see some posters suggesting we might use these 9 games as a bit of a preseason / planning session for next season? That got me a wee puzzled as when did we ever look past the next competitive game and surely after the shutdown we need to be enjoying every minute of this season as god knows what will will happen as we may not even have football in Sept. Also the players will get a break between seasons and head off on their holidays so we will be back to square 1 and require a preseason anyway. Give 100% and lets do this in style.

Will there be a break between seasons? I just assumed that since there was a 3 month gap, once this season ends, the new one will begin.

[redk84]

Felt very pre-season that.

Was kind of expecting a game like that and the draw isn't a surprising result. Need some more minutes and we'll get into a better rhythmn

Didn't lose and a point closer
That's fine for now

[El Lobo]

Will there be a break between seasons? I just assumed that since there was a 3 month gap, once this season ends, the new one will begin.

I think I read they want the new season starting 12/13 September at the latest

[smutchin]

So we'll get August off, while those still in the CL will hardly get a break...

Almost feels like we're better off out of it.

[Alan_X]

Kudos to jambutty; clueless from...err...everyone else.

You think a ‘form’ sequence that includes two champions league games, an under strength team losing an FA Cup tie and a 100-day break because of a pandemic shows Klopp has lost the plot?

[Zimagic]

Could have won, should have lost. Another boring draw at Woodison.

[Alan_X]

There is a need when players are at an increased risk of injury at the moment. What I’ve never understood is why the football authorities have never thought about stopping the clock. Does anyone have an explanation for them never going for this? Feels like especially now it would make perfect sense.

Because it would ruin the game. Two halves of 45 minutes gives you around 60 minutes of the ball in play in a fluid dynamic atmosphere. As soon as you stop the clock there is no incentive for a team in trouble to restart it in any hurry. The game would become literally stop start and any atmosphere or intensity would go flat.

[jambutty]

You think a ‘form’ sequence that includes two champions league games, an under strength team losing an FA Cup tie and a 100-day break because of a pandemic shows Klopp has lost the plot?

You forgot 2 full squad squeaky bum wins against mighty Bournemouth and West Ham.

Not lost the plot but in need of a Plan B for quite a while.

My mate who until yesterday hadn't missed a match in 30 years said: "We were shite.  Proves how thin our squad is.  Take one of the front 3 away, we're shite."

[Samie]

You only go to Plan B when Plan A doesn't work. Our Plan A works  pretty much evreytime. 

[Barrow Shaun]

You forgot 2 full squad squeaky bum wins against mighty Bournemouth and West Ham.

Not lost the plot but in need of a Plan B for quite a while.

My mate who until yesterday hadn't missed a match in 30 years said: "We were shite.  Proves how thin our squad is.  Take one of the front 3 away, we're shite."

Take two of them away and we turn around a 3 goal deficit to defeat Barcelona, apparently one of the best sides in the world, with apparently the world's best player on the pitch.

[wige]

You forgot 2 full squad squeaky bum wins against mighty Bournemouth and West Ham.

Not lost the plot but in need of a Plan B for quite a while.

My mate who until yesterday hadn't missed a match in 30 years said: "We were shite.  Proves how thin our squad is.  Take one of the front 3 away, we're shite."

And one of our main creators in Robertson. And 3 months worth of sharpness. And a fluent game of footy with no water breaks. And an atmosphere.

[Hazell]

You only go to Plan B when Plan A doesn't work. Our Plan A works  pretty much evreytime. 

90% of the time, it works every time.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Your mate is as clueless as you are

[ScouserAtHeart]

90% of the time, it works every time.

Maybe a bottle of sex panther is exactly what we need

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Terrible game and so-so performance, but 1 point down and 5 more to go.

Not surprising that we looked rusty and a bit toothless. Our game is so difficult that if the boys are a bit off their best then we can look blunt.

The only thing that properly worries me was Lovren's performance. He looked miles off the pace both physically and positionally.

I would prefer we move Gomez to centre back and put one of the kids to left back (if Milner isn't ready) than have to watch him again.

Thought Minamino showed some good touches, but I don't like him in wide positions. Doesn't have the acceleration to play there for me. I want him within the width of the penalty box pretty much all the time. Don't mind him dropping deep, but he has to get out of Trent's way down the flank.

Promising from Keita, but Klopp clearly being very cautious with his playing time and I am sure he has good reasons for doing so.

It's going to take a while to properly click and we may have won the league before we do. 

[Fromola]

So we'll get August off, while those still in the CL will hardly get a break...

Almost feels like we're better off out of it.

Depends how it works. It's the CL in August that can be used as a pre-season.

I'd imagine we'll get 2-3 weeks off once the league season finishes and then a mini pre-season ready for a September start. It'll be relentless from September to Euros/Copa in June (assuming everything goes ahead) so it'll be important to have some break in August.

[Fromola]

You forgot 2 full squad squeaky bum wins against mighty Bournemouth and West Ham.

Not lost the plot but in need of a Plan B for quite a while.

My mate who until yesterday hadn't missed a match in 30 years said: "We were shite.  Proves how thin our squad is.  Take one of the front 3 away, we're shite."

I think it's important to freshen things up a bit which Werner would have done (and that couldn't be helped).

I thought not signing anyone last year and a relentless 18 months of churning out win after win with pretty much the same side was starting to catch us up a little bit from January. We really ground it out at Norwich, Spurs, Wolves with really good wins but without playing well and could have easily gone the other way. Bournemouth and West Ham at home where again we really had to dig deep and very unconvincing performances against relegation fodder. These are teams we'd stuff normally. Watford away and Atleti away we never turned up. It's become a real grind to break teams down.

Tbf Jan-Feb 19 was a really hard slog as well, but flogging the same players game after game can catch up with you. A few of the lads looked shattered.

[Mr_Shane]

5 more points. Less if we take points off city next week

At this point, its just getting the results we need. We were off our game, but that is expected after a long time off