2022/2023 English Premier League

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I’d change out the entire squad before getting rid of Klopp. He’d have endless rope from me, as long as he wants it.

Yeah, I'm sort of in that same boat. Its clear that his plan, when implemented properly, works incredibly well.

We've all known that this was coming at some point, they've made big strides in building in replacements for the front-3, but they've been sorely lacking in other positions.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Sacking him would bring so much heat to FSG that I seriously doubt it happens unless they completely implode into relegation territory. Better question might be does he make a play this summer of "give me a big budget or I walk? Now they definitely do need more investment, but it's not like Klopp is blameless here. He has too much loyalty to some players, unlike a Pep who is ruthless when he feels a player isn't up to the standard anymore (like with Cancelo), Klopp is more likely to give guys time. That loyalty is part of why their squad stinks right now, they should have had replacements for guys like Henderson and Milner ages ago, yet he persists with them.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Sacking him would bring so much heat to FSG that I seriously doubt it happens unless they completely implode into relegation territory. Better question might be does he make a play this summer of "give me a big budget or I walk? Now they definitely do need more investment, but it's not like Klopp is blameless here. He has too much loyalty to some players, unlike a Pep who is ruthless when he feels a player isn't up to the standard anymore (like with Cancelo), Klopp is more likely to give guys time. That loyalty is part of why their squad stinks right now, they should have had replacements for guys like Henderson and Milner ages ago, yet he persists with them.

Very much, he needs a 'hatchet man' to show people the door.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I’d change out the entire squad before getting rid of Klopp. He’d have endless rope from me, as long as he wants it.

Yeah I wouldn’t think he’s the issue and really, who do you bring in that could do better? I’m inclined to think you rotate the players first.

[d_phaneuf]

They dont have a midfield

Everyone pointed this out in the summer, I dont see how you blame klopp unless he is stubborn about it and thinks this is good enough

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

They dont have a midfield

Everyone pointed this out in the summer, I dont see how you blame klopp unless he is stubborn about it and thinks this is good enough

I’m sure Klopp and FSG share some blame in this, but either way it’s been a huge mistake not to re-invest in the midfield over the last couple of seasons. Now we are in a tough spot with needing 2-3 top class players to get back to competing for top 4, and we’ll struggle to recruit without CL to offer.

The drop in play isn’t exactly unexpected, but it certainly came faster and more drastically than I expected. It seems that the quantity of games over the last couple seasons took a huge toll.

Hopefully FSG decide if they are in or out here quickly so we can move on.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It was clear by the January window their midfield stunk and they signed only one player, a forward. Gakpo might turn out to be a great signing, but on a need basis they have let themselves persist with this midfield for a few windows now. Klopp, on some level, has to be ok with it, surely it's not a situation where he has no input on transfers. The all-in on Bellingham strategy was high risk, and if it worked it was possibly worth it, but the low end of the strategy has come to fruition and now they might miss on him too, although spending that £120+ million on three or four players might be a better play anyway considering their squad deficiencies. Bellingham along can't solve all their problems.

[MegaErtz]

Losing Mane is the key here. He should never have been allowed to walk. If online reports are true, he was told to choose between Mane and Salah, he chose Mane, and FSG chose Salah anyway.

The run and guy style of play that has been so great to watch under Klopp just doesn't work when your best forward player who was also your best defensive player is gone. Mane tracked back and won balls over and over and over again. Playing Alexander-Arnold as a right-back is also a huge mistake, and I don't understand why Klopp persists with it. Teams have figured Liverpool out, all they need to do is break on their left flank and he's almost always guaranteed to be ten yards ahead of where a normal right-back would be.

We all know they should have invested in the midfield. In fairness to Klopp, he hasn't had much of a choice in terms of showing loyalty to his players. He doesn't have a world class bench to swap players in whenever he wants. There aren't many clubs who finish in the top four starting an eighteen year old in central midfield, and that's what Klopp is stuck with.

[The Big Chill]

Mané is also 30 years old and has had his own struggles the last couple of years. He wouldn’t be able to fix these issues.

Klopp’s system depends on midfielders and centre backs being physically superior to opponents and constantly winning back balls. That physicality is gone and there are gaps all over the place now.

TAA would go right back to his form of the last couple years if he had prime Van Dijk and prime Henderson covering all the gaps behind him.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Mané is also 30 years old and has had his own struggles the last couple of years. He wouldn’t be able to fix these issues.

Klopp’s system depends on midfielders and centre backs being physically superior to opponents and constantly winning back balls. That physicality is gone and there are gaps all over the place now.

TAA would go right back to his form of the last couple years if he had prime Van Dijk and prime Henderson covering all the gaps behind him.

I think Mane had some impact, of course, but the real issues are the midfield and defence. Like you say, VVD after his injury hasn’t been the same. Henderson and Milner are what…a million years of age? Father time is hard on everyone.

[devo22]

Brennan Johnson looks like a player. Will be interesting in the summer, I'd imagine there'll be a number of bigger PL teams circling.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Hard to believe Man City have still never scored in the new Spurs stadium. Be one thing if it was a match or two, but it's been five now.

[Slava]

We’re their bogey team. We just have their number more often than not it seems.

Warms my heart to know that guys like Windsor Pilates were happy to see the win today and Kane’s record breaker! Football creates strange bedfellows at times.

[Winsor_Pilates]

COYS! Never had doubts

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

COYS! Never had doubts

So obvious that you’re not a Spurs fan!

[Bagor]

I hope they give Kane some sort of trophy for his record.


Definitely think we can start talking about Arsenal as potential winners. City don't look as if they have it in them this year to go on a run.

[Locke]

City look like they're out of gas. But there was nothing in last season that would make you think they'd be challenging this season.

[Bagor]

Lol! Nothing in last season? Just a 93 point, 99 goal season.
And then they signed Haaland.


No, no. Nothing to suggest they would be challenging!

[devo22]

bwahahahahahaha

https://twitter.com/user/status/1622315653171404800

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Bagor

I hope they give Kane some sort of trophy for his record.


Definitely think we can start talking about Arsenal as potential winners. City don't look as if they have it in them this year to go on a run.

Arsenal still play City twice.
Depending what happens there, I'll start talking like it's a legit strong possibility.
City could win both of those so we are still a long ways to go.