Topic: PL: Vila 3 vs 3 Liv Mart og 2’ Tielemans 12’ Gakpo 26’ Quansah 48’ Duran 85’ 88’

[butchersdog]

It’s a weird feeling at the moment. Nothing to play for, and Jurgen is leaving, so we’re in limbo. Last night felt a lot like a friendly, I couldn’t really get too upset with anything.

[Fitzy.]

The season as a body of work is intriguing with a lot of positives. The last 6 weeks undermines a lot of what went before in many ways but I do think that fatigue and injury are chief reasons for the drop off rather than a general lack of quality.

Klopp is leaving behind a very decent squad compared to the one he inherited. Slot is unlikely to rip it up and start again - I think they've clearly appointed him based on the fact he won't be restarting the process.

[killer-heels]

The season as a body of work is intriguing with a lot of positives. The last 6 weeks undermines a lot of what went before in many ways but I do think that fatigue and injury are chief reasons for the drop off rather than a general lack of quality.

Klopp is leaving behind a very decent squad compared to the one he inherited. Slot is unlikely to rip it up and start again - I think they've clearly appointed him based on the fact he won't be restarting the process.

Dont think it’s a valid suggestion by anyone to rip everything up and start again. We clearly need to improve some tactical elements and we also need to get in 3 or 4 quality footballers so we dont have this reliance on the class of 2018 going forward.

Im hoping that this new structure improves the recruitment as I think since and including 2022, its not been great.

[Fitzy.]

Dont think it’s a valid suggestion by anyone to rip everything up and start again. We clearly need to improve some tactical elements and we also need to get in 3 or 4 quality footballers so we dont have this reliance on the class of 2018 going forward.

Im hoping that this new structure improves the recruitment as I think since and including 2022, its not been great.

Yeah mostly agree. I think recruitment has been ok but doesn’t compare to the impossibly brilliant recruitment between 2017 and 2018. Untouchable levels of precision in terms of quality and fit.

[AlphaDelta]

Most odd feeling watching that game, knowing it had no consequence for us whatsoever.

Mildly annoyed at the last 10 minutes but it was a slip by MacAllister and a lucky deflection.

Its starting to sink in he won't be here next season and its horrible. I'm working from home today and got the Alexa on full whack. As I am reading this thread and thinking about some of our finest away games, the lyrics kind of sum up my thoughts on the great man....

I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I'm all out of love, what am I without you?

[Son of Spion]

Is right. Doesn't matter and it was an enjoyable, yet another mental match under the great Klopp, you just have to enjoy it. Sums up how through the great times and the not so great times we've always been entertained. You just never know what Klopp's team might serve you.
In that sense his team was always the most Notorious on Planet Earth, just sad our defence has Come Undone. Just Save A Prayer for the new manager, he has some work to do. Sorry, bye.

The Reflex reactions of some fans show Careless Memories. Oh well, as the Klopp era ends there will be a New Moon on Monday. I just hope that twat Rio isn't a pundit on the (Hungry Like the) Wolves game.

[chiplege]

Game management is baffling at times. Carragher just mentioned it, 3-1 up with five minutes to go, go long. Put it up the pitch and play from there.

Exactly why pass to Mcallister when he's surrounded by 3 players!  Lunacy, just go long.  We were in control at that point then went to pieces!

[Sharado]

The Reflex reactions of some fans show Careless Memories. Oh well, as the Klopp era ends there will be a New Moon on Monday. I just hope that twat Rio isn't a pundit on the (Hungry Like the) Wolves game.

Scary thing is we'll be back to the Ordinary World of competing for the top 4 next year you'd think, unless these lot can get back that gengenpressing, Wild Boys style that worked so well for us. As for the new manager coming into this squad, Is There Something I Should Know that means it's going to work out?

[SuperStevieNicol]

If nothing else, last night will have shown the new boss what we are good at and what we are not so good at! A mobile physical DM is a must!

More importantly, I'm 47 and the Klopp years have been the best in my time and might never be surpassed. A great leader and an even better man. I'll have a tear in my eye on Sunday.

[Bennett]

If you are replacing one of the greatest managers to ever live then No. Your job is not to improve the team.

If a coach who has never coached in a top league is expected to improve on one of the greatest coaches ever then the world has gone mad. If  Ped was run over by a bus tomorrow would you expect the new manager to improve City?

Or would City hope there wasn't too much of a drop off?

I expect us to score a similar number of goals next season but concede far less. Fair to say that this would only improve us surely?

[redk84]

Entertaining end of season game

[Yorkykopite]

Game management is baffling at times. Carragher just mentioned it, 3-1 up with five minutes to go, go long. Put it up the pitch and play from there.

That's not the way Klopp's Liverpool team achieved their success. If they had played like that in the past whenever they were under a bit of pressure we wouldn't have needed to make any amendments to the champions' wall. 

[Keith Lard]

Scary thing is we'll be back to the Ordinary World of competing for the top 4 next year you'd think, unless these lot can get back that gengenpressing, Wild Boys style that worked so well for us. As for the new manager coming into this squad, Is There Something I Should Know that means it's going to work out?

Well we’ve chosen a manager with an ultra high intensity style of play, and we probably have the best recruitment department in the world assembled. Its quite exciting.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I would agree if it were only this game, but our midfield defense has been an issue all season - indeed multiple seasons.

Bit late to be worrying about it now.

Just enjoy the last game. I'd rather it be 5-5 than 1-0 to be honest with you.

[Fromola]

Bit late to be worrying about it now.

Just enjoy the last game. I'd rather it be 5-5 than 1-0 to be honest with you.

Was nice to watch an entertaining end-to-end game with no pressure (at least until the VAR bores reared their head).

However, regardless of last night, our whole mentality needs to shift next season. Keeping goals out is as important as scoring them, we've kept one clean sheet in the league in 2024. Conceded over 40 goals for the 2nd season running, Arsenal will be under 30. in 21/22 we conceded 26 and we were certainly entertaining that season.

All our 90+ point seasons were built on clean sheets. We were good all over the pitch, we weren't a Rodgers or Keegan tribute act in being so easy to score against.

[mickeydocs]

In the context, Carragher was right as it was based on the performance last night. Our other successful seasons were compact and pressed as a team. I didn't see any pressing last night and if they did, it felt leggy that completely negates its effectiveness.

We were so spaced out that passes were forced to go long and therefore inaccurate.

I understand it is demoralising to lose out in the title run but that happened 2 weeks ago and I am really disappointed that the players have not gotten over it and still feeling sorry for themselves. The fans and Klopp deserve better.

I would hate to see them carry this over to the next season.

Carragher is a gobshite that as the term expresses, speaks a load of crap.
If you want to debase yourself by listening to the punditry on Sky and use their agenda to judge Jurgen Klopp then I have no more words for you.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

No idea how anyone could analyze a game that means absolutely fuck all at this point.

It's bizarre.

[Yorkykopite]

It's bizarre.

Apparently Arne Slot made an effort to watch it. I kind of hope he did have his coaching hat on and analysed the match. All games tells you something and no game that Liverpool are involved in ever means "absolutely fuck all". 

[So Howard Philips]

Exactly why pass to Mcallister when he's surrounded by 3 players!  Lunacy, just go long.  We were in control at that point then went to pieces!

Allison had a mad ten minutes though, he was lucky one pass out didn’t rebound for a goal and then the hospital pass to MacAllister.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Apparently Arne Slot made an effort to watch it. I kind of hope he did have his coaching hat on and analysed the match. All games tells you something and no game that Liverpool are involved in ever means "absolutely fuck all".

In the grand scheme of things that game meant absolutely, sweet fuck all.

[Yorkykopite]

In the grand scheme of things that game meant absolutely, sweet fuck all.

Well the "Grand Scheme of Things" includes the fall of the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the rise of the Dictators, the defeat of Nazi Germany and the dropped points at Goodison, so I guess that maybe true.

[Fromola]

Allison had a mad ten minutes though, he was lucky one pass out didn’t rebound for a goal and then the hospital pass to MacAllister.

Stupid thing was Villa were out on their feet and had given up, their confidence shot, yet we were determined to let them back in it.

Basically the same dynamic as what happened in the cup at Old Trafford. We end up beating ourselves.

We were the ones with the fresh legs and minds last night, whereas Villa had really hit a wall in their season. We haven't got a clue how to see a game out anymore. Arsenal did it effortlessly at Old Trafford the other day.

[KC7]

The season as a body of work is intriguing with a lot of positives. The last 6 weeks undermines a lot of what went before in many ways but I do think that fatigue and injury are chief reasons for the drop off rather than a general lack of quality.

Klopp is leaving behind a very decent squad compared to the one he inherited. Slot is unlikely to rip it up and start again - I think they've clearly appointed him based on the fact he won't be restarting the process.

Fatigue and injury, not sure about those being the chief reasons. Our results actually got worse as players were coming back. When we had fewer options the results were good.

We could have used injuries as an excuse earlier in the season when we were having to use kids (we were getting results with them though hence no mention of injuries as an issue then).

Think what happened was the pressure ramped up with it being the business end, and the cracks that have been there all season became exposed. It's the run in when weaknesses come out in the wash.

We didn't just start conceding in that poor run of results, we've conceded first in 23 games across the season. And when it gets to April when winning becomes imperative with the finish line in sight, going behind in decisive games it becomes even harder to rescue things. It's the run in when you have to be solid, we haven't been soliid all season. The Palace game at home, after another slow start (Jurgen's team selection 72 hours after Atatlanta was not good). we had one half to turn things around and keep things in our hands but that extra pressure finally took its toll. We had near misses vs Brighton and Sheff United at home just prior to this game. The desperation was evident on the players against Palace and that's when you snatch at things, and we finally got caught out.

It would have been a mini miracle to win a league title with a completely new midfield (and one that is unfinished). It's almost certainly never been done before. This season was more about getting back into the top four, getting the new midfielders bedded in, then add final piece(s) in the summer window and have a real crack at it next season. The pity is Jurgen is leaving before that would happen.

3rd is where we are and that's where we deserve to be.

[Fromola]

Fatigue and injury, not sure about those being the chief reasons. Our results actually got worse as players were coming back. When we had fewer options the results were good.

We could have used injuries as an excuse earlier in the season when we were having to use kids (we were getting results with them though hence no mention of injuries as an issue then).

Think what happened was the pressure ramped up with it being the business end, and the cracks that have been there all season became exposed. It's the run in when weaknesses come out in the wash.

We didn't just start conceding in that poor run of results, we've conceded first in 23 games across the season. And when it gets to April when winning becomes imperative with the finish line in sight, going behind in decisive games it becomes even harder to rescue things. It's the run in when you have to be solid, we haven't been soliid all season. The Palace game at home, after another slow start (Jurgen's team selection 72 hours after Atatlanta was not good). we had one half to turn things around and keep things in our hands but that extra pressure finally took its toll. We had near misses vs Brighton and Sheff United at home just prior to this game. The desperation was evident on the players against Palace and that's when you snatch at things, and we finally got caught out.

It would have been a mini miracle to win a league title with a completely new midfield (and one that is unfinished). It's almost certainly never been done before. This season was more about getting back into the top four, getting the new midfielders bedded in, then add final piece(s) in the summer window and have a real crack at it next season. The pity is Jurgen is leaving before that would happen.

3rd is where we are and that's where we deserve to be.

Too many competitons as well ultimately. Once the Europa League knockouts started (in addition to going all the way in the League Cup and later stages of FA Cup) was when things went south. United defeat was after the Prague second leg on the Thursday and then Palace after Atalanta first leg - both opponents had free midweeks.

But yeah the run-in is where your weaknesses will get exposed in at title race. It happened to Arsenal last year, who were also living on their luck with a lot of last minute goals. You'd like to think we'll push on more like they have.

Could be wrong, but has anyone won the Premier League while being in the Europa League/UEFA Cup? At least past the early rounds.

[Historical Fool]

Funny season for sure. Some posters will think 3rd is overachieving, some will be happy with 3rd as being ‘realistic’, and some are unhappy with 3rd as they thought LFC should be doing better. None of them are necessarily bad takes, go again next year …

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Well the "Grand Scheme of Things" includes the fall of the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the rise of the Dictators, the defeat of Nazi Germany and the dropped points at Goodison, so I guess that maybe true.

Nutter.

[kop306]

good post from macca today on instragram

[kop306]

whats the score going to be on sunday 5-4 or 6 all draw ?

[Cormack Snr]

   Jurgen has been brilliant and built us to the best team in the world during that league and European cup winning spell, we would of beaten anybody and did during that spell even during and at the same time as City's millions.
We should of kicked on from that platform but Jurgen said he was happy with our team and squad and it has been said a million times but we should of made at least one major signing from a place of strength

We can all learn from history, it's what we done in the 80's, it's what Utd did and City are doing it now, we didn't do it.
I actually think it's the right time to leave, we need new ideas, we need to defend better and we need a real proper goal scorer. We can't finish off games and go behind far too much which still isn't being addressed.

Thank you Jurgen, you have been brilliant but all good things come to an end. Even you..

[fowlermagic]

It was a game that really didn't matter last night....I could take that viewpoint but I could also say any time our lads go out there you would hope to get 100%. That's a bit naive these days when players probably have spent the day looking at holiday plans for the summer as you know their minds may be elsewhere when the season is pretty much over. It's a pity as we looked pretty good last night, coasting to three points and we decided to take off our holding midfielder, leave McAllister out there manning the center while the rest of midfield were floating closer to our frontline. Left ourselves wide open and just lost the plot a little. Anyway hope we can sign off the season with a bang so Jurgen can have the farewell he deserves.

[Cormack Snr]

It was a game that really didn't matter last night....I could take that viewpoint but I could also say any time our lads go out there you would hope to get 100%. That's a bit naive these days when players probably have spent the day looking at holiday plans for the summer as you know their minds may be elsewhere when the season is pretty much over. It's a pity as we looked pretty good last night, coasting to three points and we decided to take off our holding midfielder, leave McAllister out there manning the center while the rest of midfield were floating closer to our frontline. Left ourselves wide open and just lost the plot a little. Anyway hope we can sign off the season with a bang so Jurgen can have the farewell he deserves.

I don't agree it didn't matter, we had 3000- 5000 fans taking hours, a day off work and spending an awful lot of money that most probably could of spent on their families and some might say more important things than  football.
I remember going to Arsenal in the 80's and my mate sold his coat to go the game, another went to Aberdeen after popping out for a pint of milk.
He came back three days later without the milk..

[Baby Huey]

I don't agree it didn't matter, we had 3000- 5000 fans taking hours, a day off work and spending an awful lot of money that most probably could of spent on their families and some might say more important things than  football.
I remember going to Arsenal in the 80's and my mate sold his coat to go the game, another went to Aberdeen after popping out for a pint of milk.
He came back three days later without the milk..

^^ This. It matters to those who make an effort, home, and especially away.

[So Howard Philips]

I don't agree it didn't matter, we had 3000- 5000 fans taking hours, a day off work and spending an awful lot of money that most probably could of spent on their families and some might say more important things than  football.
I remember going to Arsenal in the 80's and my mate sold his coat to go the game, another went to Aberdeen after popping out for a pint of milk.
He came back three days later without the milk..

Could have been worse. He could have brought back a manky, curdled  three day old carton ofmilk.

[stockdam]

It was one of those annoying performances where things were very good but we gave away too many opportunities to Villa. At 3-1 we looked like we would see the game out but one poor pass and poor control in a poor position and it was 3-2. Even when Mac gave the ball away the goal still needed to be scored.

Looking back you could see that Mac was struggling and probably should have been subbed. Their third goal was a bit of a fluke but they could have scored a 4th.

It’s something for Slot to work on. Make it very hard to score against us. We have gone 1-0 behind far too often and we’ve also looked too vulnerable at times.

[Redbonnie]

   Jurgen has been brilliant and built us to the best team in the world during that league and European cup winning spell, we would of beaten anybody and did during that spell even during and at the same time as City's millions.
We should of kicked on from that platform but Jurgen said he was happy with our team and squad and it has been said a million times but we should of made at least one major signing from a place of strength

We can all learn from history, it's what we done in the 80's, it's what Utd did and City are doing it now, we didn't do it.
I actually think it's the right time to leave, we need new ideas, we need to defend better and we need a real proper goal scorer. We can't finish off games and go behind far too much which still isn't being addressed.

Thank you Jurgen, you have been brilliant but all good things come to an end. Even you..

Jurgen won’t throw the management under a bus so you don’t know if he was happy or otherwise.

[fowlermagic]

I don't agree it didn't matter, we had 3000- 5000 fans taking hours, a day off work and spending an awful lot of money that most probably could of spent on their families and some might say more important things than  football.
I remember going to Arsenal in the 80's and my mate sold his coat to go the game, another went to Aberdeen after popping out for a pint of milk.
He came back three days later without the milk..

Sorry as was trying to say every game should matter especially when you are getting weekly wages equivalent to five years income of the average fan who as you say go out of their way, spending good money to support you. The lads rarely ever fail to give us their best but there's the odd time they can be lacking.

[Yorkykopite]

Nutter.

You're not convinced about the Renaissance or the bit about Goodison?

[kesey]

Well the "Grand Scheme of Things" includes the fall of the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the rise of the Dictators, the defeat of Nazi Germany and the dropped points at Goodison, so I guess that maybe true.

A quick and simple question mate . Why do you always bring politics into it ?

[Cormack Snr]

Could have been worse. He could have brought back a manky, curdled  three day old carton ofmilk.

He was walking past The Albert when he saw us getting into the van, he went to Aberdeen with less than a pound, none of us had tickets and Billy Bremner got us a few tickets outside the ground. We all got in to see Terry Mc's winner though..

[wah00ey]

Game management is poor, as someone mentioned earlier.  We've seen this for a while now.

Much of that is on Virgil in my opinion.  He's captain, he's the leader on the pitch and he's the one playing a poor short pass into Macca with three players around him with 7 minutes of real time left.  It's very frustrating.