I have to admit the future is bright - Reece James & Mason Mount provided me hope for the upcoming years - both played well IMHO - then you add Captain America to the mix - he got Tammy on the board & CHO linked up with Pulisic - yes the future is bright indeed - I can't wait to play those dirty red scousers next season - they know if they slip then they will lose

 

Some awful defending last night and that,sadly has cost us far too often this season.

Stating the obvious I know.

Yet I can see hope and potential if the defence and keeper get sorted out.

launched into ??? he won the f**king ball. Sky are such a bias joke of a news agency it’s unreal. 

7 hours ago, Mr. President said:

Marina, get the phone number for a football coach, a real one.
And leave the club legends to the hall of fame.

Shut up mate

6 hours ago, Jonty said:

I'm also not sure which of those Kepa was supposed to save - perhaps the FK? The camera angle from behind TAA shows it went well outside the post before coming in though, I think people overreact when the keeper doesn't throw a futile dive at the ball.

 

I think he might have done better against Keitas shot, and I did expect more on the free kick than looking like a stunned mullet when the shot was well outside the box. As some one else said his positioning before the kick could have been better. Even on the final goal I felt he might have done more to rush out, but maybe I need to watch it again. 

7 hours ago, TheGreatestGame said:

Having Pulisic, Ziyech, Werner and hopefully Hsvertz in the starting lineup which make a huge difference. Mount is not a forward as he lacks a finishing touch. 

We outscored our xG, the attack isn't the problem. The fact we conceded 5 off an xG of less than 2 is the issue.

Watching the Goals we received still hurts but there is one thing I need to say. 

Pulisic, Mount, Abraham, Werner, Ziyech, James, Gilmour, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham our Young Boys have enormous Potential to set some Nightmares to the enemy Teams. 

Our Future is secured and it looks very bright to be Honest. Give Lampard some Time and those Boys will be Man and will be Dangerous to any Team we Face. 

7 hours ago, Jonty said:

Having Oblak in goal wouldn't have stopped any of today's goals, and giving up on such a highly rated young GK seems foolish, especially if we aren't recouping a decent proportion of the initial investment.

You've made a few very valid points but the last one I can't possibly agree with. It's no more a question of a young keeper that may come good at some point, we're way past that. Kepa will never be good enough, not in the EPL anyway, he's reached rock bottom this season and there's no coming back from that. He needs to leave the club for the sake of his own career because I'm sure his confidence is completely gone, the team doesn't believe in him and we need to do the right thing and cut our losses. 

I'd put money on Oblak saving all the goals except Firminos header.

7 hours ago, Jonty said:

Very entertaining game, and very unfortunate to be 3 goals down when I don't think Liverpool created a decent chance the entire first half.

For all the moaning about our defence it's worth noting the first and third goals came from mistakes by Willian and Giroud. Second goal was a very soft FK. 

I'm also not sure which of those Kepa was supposed to save - perhaps the FK? The camera angle from behind TAA shows it went well outside the post before coming in though, I think people overreact when the keeper doesn't throw a futile dive at the ball.

The defence, goalkeeper and holding midfield players all rely on each other to make themselves look good. It's notable that this season has seen a noticeable decline from our two best defensive players (Kante and Dave), and that a few players who perhaps were being flattered by their efforts in recent years have been shown up as a result (Rudiger, Zouma, Christensen, Kepa, etc.). Having Oblak in goal wouldn't have stopped any of today's goals, and giving up on such a highly rated young GK seems foolish, especially if we aren't recouping a decent proportion of the initial investment.

Are you serious?

1st goal If Oblak dived for the first one like Kepa did, he would have tipped it over the bar as he's taller and could reach it

2nd goal While being a hard shot to save, im damn sure he would have at least dived for it and attempted a save

3rd goal Kepa beaten at near post, but that was quite difficult to save I admit

4th goal, Kepa did nothing again

5th goal Kepa got a clear hand to it, and his flappy wrists still couldnt save it... If Oblak got a hand to it thats not going in.

Edited July 23, 20205 yr by driller97

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

We outscored our xG, the attack isn't the problem. The fact we conceded 5 off an xG of less than 2 is the issue.

The first half the offense was abysmal. There were numerous opportunities for scoring chances however the lack of execution in final 30 yards was a killer. Willian and Mount were horrible and deserved to br pulled much earlier in the game. 

1 minute ago, TheGreatestGame said:

The first half the offense was abysmal. There were numerous opportunities for scoring chances however the lack of execution in final 30 yards was a killer. Willian and Mount were horrible and deserved to br pulled much earlier in the game. 

I've not disputed that, look how good we were later in the game with the changes. My point is Werner and Ziyech coming in won't make a difference if we can't stop the weakest shots going in our own net. 

The one good thing about last night was it brought us one match closer to sorting out our sh*t show of a defence. If nothing is done during the break to bring in at least one CB, one LB and a new GK, then all criticism is fully deserved. It feels like we've had a makeshift defence for two seasons now and must be sorted urgently. Personally I don't want to see any more attacking players arrive until it gets addressed. 

This game was a summary of our season in the nutshell. We conceded all kinds of goals: individual mistake, free kick, corner, open play and counter-attack. We competed generally well in the midfield and attack, although defence as a unit and goalie made the difference between us and them. This game should be considered a "blessing in disguise". It exposed all the team's weaknesses to the great extend and showed exactly what needs to be done before the new season start. We knew about these issues,although if this game hasn't happened Frank might have gotten too complacent after the MU win on Sunday and decide to give this defence another season and spend more on attack.

Spending 120m on Oblak is ridiculous. For that kind of money at this climate we can get the whole new defence and decent keeper.  If the rumours are true that we can get Onana for under 30 mil and if he produces 20-30% better form than Kepa we already be in much better shape. 

If no one buys Kepa for half-price then keep as a backup keeper. With this defence, the best goalie would still look average. We present way too many calamitous opportunities from close ranges.

Next season still likely to be a "moulding" season. We have too many young and new players which would require some adjustment period. I feel like Frank still needs another season to gain more experience in the top flight. He is still learning, same as Klopp needed when he first came.

 

 

8 minutes ago, rocker_joker said:

This game was a summary of our season in the nutshell. We conceded all kinds of goals: individual mistake, free kick, corner, open play and counter-attack. We competed generally well in the midfield and attack, although defence as a unit and goalie made the difference between us and them. This game should be considered a "blessing in disguise". It exposed all the team's weaknesses to the great extend and showed exactly what needs to be done before the new season start. We knew about these issues,although if this game hasn't happened Frank might have gotten too complacent after the MU win on Sunday and decide to give this defence another season and spend more on attack.

Next season still likely to be a "moulding" season. We have too many young and new players which would require some adjustment period. I feel like Frank still needs another season to gain more experience in the top flight. He is still learning, same as Klopp needed when he first came.

I don't think we will get enough defensive changes so agree with the moulding season comment.

I think we will take a loss on Kepa too don't see him staying in the reserves. 

You could argue we need strengthening all across the back and in defensive midfield, just don't see all that happening this season.

 

8 minutes ago, rocker_joker said:

This game was a summary of our season in the nutshell. We conceded all kinds of goals: individual mistake, free kick, corner, open play and counter-attack. We competed generally well in the midfield and attack, although defence as a unit and goalie made the difference between us and them. This game should be considered a "blessing in disguise". It exposed all the team's weaknesses to the great extend and showed exactly what needs to be done before the new season start. We knew about these issues,although if this game hasn't happened Frank might have gotten too complacent after the MU win on Sunday and decide to give this defence another season and spend more on attack.

Spending 120m on Oblak is ridiculous. For that kind of money at this climate we can get the whole new defence and decent keeper.  If the rumours are true that we can get Onana for under 30 mil and if he produces 20-30% better form than Kepa we already be in much better shape. 

If no one buys Kepa for half-price then keep as a backup keeper. With this defence, the best goalie would still look average. We present way too many calamitous opportunities from close ranges.

Next season still likely to be a "moulding" season. We have too many young and new players which would require some adjustment period. I feel like Frank still needs another season to gain more experience in the top flight. He is still learning, same as Klopp needed when he first came.

 

 

I think the 'blessing in disguise' game happened long ago, every fan early on in the season could see we were atrocious at defending and the goalkeeping was and still is weak, yet little was done to change anything except mix a few up a CH's now and then, but little it seems was done on the training pitch to get 4 defenders to actually work together and form a defensive unit. It was like Fred Karno's army out there yesterday as it has been for a large part of the season.  Admittedly Frank was subject to a transfer ban but he and his coaching staff have had all season to put it right and they have failed miserably. Keep has been part of the problem but certainly not entirely to blame.  Cech needs to identify a couple of defenders to bring in together with a defensive coach...I'd even consider bringing in Big Sam if he was willing to solely work on defending or at least a coach that can do so. 

Forget about Kepa and the horror defence. For me the positive to take from the game was the lads went away to the Champions and played to win and showed no fear. That is what Liverpool and City do home and away and that's the approach Frank and the lads need to continue with next season. Gone are the days when you can be the best with Jose style of knicking games with pragmatic football.

41 minutes ago, CFCCAN said:

I think the 'blessing in disguise' game happened long ago, every fan early on in the season could see we were atrocious at defending and the goalkeeping was and still is weak, yet little was done to change anything except mix a few up a CH's now and then, but little it seems was done on the training pitch to get 4 defenders to actually work together and form a defensive unit. It was like Fred Karno's army out there yesterday as it has been for a large part of the season.  Admittedly Frank was subject to a transfer ban but he and his coaching staff have had all season to put it right and they have failed miserably. Keep has been part of the problem but certainly not entirely to blame.  Cech needs to identify a couple of defenders to bring in together with a defensive coach...I'd even consider bringing in Big Sam if he was willing to solely work on defending or at least a coach that can do so. 

I absolutely agree that all those issues have been evident since early season and Frank failed to address it.   Bringing someone to help addressing those defensive deficiencies would be the right step. Frank clearly doesn't know what to do or just can't do... You would kind of expect he had learned  a thing or two from Jose's defensive book... I'm still not fully certain if it's really Frank or it's just the  overall quality of this defense that no coach would be able to get anything better from...Defending corners is a coaching thing but many other errors are often down to individuals level of players...

Regardless, it feels like Kepa is our Karius, Christensen with Rudiger our Matip with Lovren. Maybe we are 2-3 steps away from making this team complete..but likely won't happen this window...probably need 1-2 more transfer windows and one more season to get the all the right personnel for the back line...

12 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

This is inexcusable really. It's right on him. I think that is Abraham screaming Kepa. He's a striker, not a defender or goalkeeper, even he knows that is the keepers ball.

Look how easy VVD gets some space as well, he is their danger man from set pieces ...... none of them done their homework on that ?  my Nan knows we need to take him out of the equation on set pieces. 

I know it might be hindsight talking here, but its games like this you would want Jose, a point is all we needed here to secure top 4. 

28 minutes ago, andy said:

Look how easy VVD gets some space as well, he is their danger man from set pieces ...... none of them done their homework on that ?  my Nan knows we need to take him out of the equation on set pieces. 

Any chance your nan can jump and head as well. we need al the help we can get

Not only is Lampard not sorting out the problems in defence, they are getting worse. 3 at West Ham, 3 at Sheffield United, 5 last night. What a shambles. It's like watching playground kick and rush football. His blaming of errors just doesn't cut it. Every decent manager we've had in the last twenty years has built from the back. Vialli did, Ranieri did, Mourinho, Ancelotti, Conte, even Sarri. Lampard does not know what he is doing. And worst of all he is going to do more damage before he goes as he is getting far too much leeway on the back of his reputation as a player. 

We have to remember that moment Liverpool celebrating on us.

Next season we have to bury them!

Why oh why do SS persist with Carjacker as a commentator, especially when 'dem scouse do play la', he comments as if they are his mates, be a bit more professional like the superb unbiased G.Neville, f**ked off last night, Trent this, Bobby lad, that, Mo the f**kin other, piss off ya thick gargling scouse twat........

1 hour ago, pamery said:

Not only is Lampard not sorting out the problems in defence, they are getting worse. 3 at West Ham, 3 at Sheffield United, 5 last night. What a shambles. It's like watching playground kick and rush football. His blaming of errors just doesn't cut it. Every decent manager we've had in the last twenty years has built from the back. Vialli did, Ranieri did, Mourinho, Ancelotti, Conte, even Sarri. Lampard does not know what he is doing. And worst of all he is going to do more damage before he goes as he is getting far too much leeway on the back of his reputation as a player. 

Nah this is absolute rubbish, he will not tarnish his reputation whatsoever.

If it's like this next season, serious questions have to be asked if he's suited for this job, but right now we can let him off a bit with that aspect.  A lot of this obviously stems from his management, he's prioritising our attacking game and there's a serious lack of organisation at the back. But we'll see what he can do next season.