The Official Liverpool FC Thread [Vol 10]

[mr sagman]

I honestly think BR has given a couple of players a 'last chance' to impress (in the pre-season) IE Lovren Moreno and Markovich.. And neither of them it seems has covered themselves in glory.. He needs to become a lot more ruthless this season and if you ain't prepared to die for the cause and give 110 per cent every week, or you simply ain't good enough, then goodbye.. Regardless of how much you cost, It may just keep him his job.

[RedTrident]

BlackST said:

I agree there RT.
I think Markovic won't get a look in this season. Ibe is ahead of him. Then there's Lallana.



Hoping Benteke can produce goals like that most week as with Firm an Cout around him he will get the chances in the box for sure.
Defensively is a worry still. I just want Rodgers to choose a combo and stick with it but with Moreno cocking up and cocking up last season too i'd give Gomez a start to the season at LB.

Edited by BlackST on Sunday 2nd August 23:22

I don't think he'll play Lucas, instead he'll play Ibe/Lallana/Ings on the right of Benteke, in a front 3, until Surridge is back.

I'd rather play one of Henderson or Milner next to a stronger defensive midfielder (Lucas) with Coutinho in front. But I think he's going to try with a midfield pairing of Henderson and Milner with Coutinho in front.

[Sargeant Orange]

I'm not sure Firmino will be starting on a cold wet Sunday evening at Stoke, more likely to be Lallana I would have thought

[phil_cardiff]

A Coutinho, Milner and Henderson midfield is very worrying.

[n_const]

BlackST said:

I agree there RT.
I think Markovic won't get a look in this season. Ibe is ahead of him. Then there's Lallana.



Hoping Benteke can produce goals like that most week as with Firm an Cout around him he will get the chances in the box for sure.
Defensively is a worry still. I just want Rodgers to choose a combo and stick with it but with Moreno cocking up and cocking up last season too i'd give Gomez a start to the season at LB.

Edited by BlackST on Sunday 2nd August 23:22

After his performance yesterday I think we will see Can start. His pressing and work rate is always impressive.

[RedTrident]

phil_cardiff said:

A Coutinho, Milner and Henderson midfield is very worrying.

I genuinely think this is what we will see. With when all fit and firing a front 3 of Sturridge Benteke Firmino

I agree with you by the way. I'm worried those 3 in midfield will leave huge gaps behind them and we all know what happens when teams are able to run at our defence.

[type-r]

RedTrident said:

I genuinely think this is what we will see. With when all fit and firing a front 3 of Sturridge Benteke Firmino

I agree with you by the way. I'm worried those 3 in midfield will leave huge gaps behind them and we all know what happens when teams are able to run at our defence.

Completely agree with this and most other comments concerning out defensive vulnerabilities. I think the real key to this season is seeing how Can/Lucas can protect the defense. Moreno, Lovren and Sakho are vulnerable, Skrtel at times can look rock-like and others can look like cotton wool. Stoke whilst being the first game, will give us a real a barometer as to where we are both match fitness wise and also a good idea if the defence has made a step up this season, or if it is a case of same old. Will definitely be disappointed if it is the latter. As fans when we watch them, there is that need to feel confident and that they inspire confidence when defending.

[Black can man]

The amount of players that Mr Rodgers has to pick from i think predicting a starting XI is nigh on impossible.

[jammy_basturd]

Black can man said:

The amount of players that Mr Rodgers has to pick from i think predicting a starting XI is nigh on impossible.

I've always valued your sensible inputs to this thread!

[phil_cardiff]

RedTrident said:

phil_cardiff said:

A Coutinho, Milner and Henderson midfield is very worrying.

I genuinely think this is what we will see. With when all fit and firing a front 3 of Sturridge Benteke Firmino

I agree with you by the way. I'm worried those 3 in midfield will leave huge gaps behind them and we all know what happens when teams are able to run at our defence.

Add in that we might have Clyne and Moreno bombing forward and all of a sudden we have Lovren and Skertel on their own. Time will tell if we're right.

[Chris Stott]

Diamond is the way to go IMO, with Can or Lucas at the base, Henderson/Milner in the center and Coutinho at the head. Then 2 of Sturridge/Benteke/Firmino up front.

We need the cover in front of the back 4, and Coutinho is most effective in the middle.

[Pommygranite]

Watch and enjoy.

2005 final with no commentary

https://vimeo.com/135182439

[ascayman]

That's a stunning goal by Benteke

You've put a hell of squad together, there cant be any excuses this season can there?

[jammy_basturd]

ascayman said:

That's a stunning goal by Benteke

You've put a hell of squad together, there cant be any excuses this season can there?

You say that, but as much as I hate to admit it, there still aren't that many of our players that would make it into the starting XIs of the top four teams.

I'd definitely say we're best of the rest though.

[ascayman]

jammy_basturd said:

You say that, but as much as I hate to admit it, there still aren't that many of our players that would make it into the starting XIs of the top four teams.

I'd definitely say we're best of the rest though.

Well you certainly shouldn't be finishing below spurs again.

[phil_cardiff]

Chris Stott said:

Diamond is the way to go IMO, with Can or Lucas at the base, Henderson/Milner in the center and Coutinho at the head. Then 2 of Sturridge/Benteke/Firmino up front.

We need the cover in front of the back 4, and Coutinho is most effective in the middle.

I'd say so, but we've not lined up like that so far.

[NRS]

phil_cardiff said:

Chris Stott said:

Diamond is the way to go IMO, with Can or Lucas at the base, Henderson/Milner in the center and Coutinho at the head. Then 2 of Sturridge/Benteke/Firmino up front.

We need the cover in front of the back 4, and Coutinho is most effective in the middle.

I'd say so, but we've not lined up like that so far.

I would agree that is the best thing for having a more strong defense. However Can is still a bit suspect for silly stuff sometimes (particularly regarding getting the amount of aggression right - sometimes he had too much, other times not enough). However he is a prospect to develop for the future whereas Lucas is relatively old (at 28!).

jammy_basturd said:

Haven't read the article myself yet, but I know there are a number of Tomkins fans on here: http://tomkinstimes.com/2015/08/liverpool-fcs-big-...

I would have to agree with this, and effectively said it a while back. I think we have some better players, but it will take at least a season for them to settle playing properly together/ for us to have time time to see who works and who doesn't. When the main teams challenging for the title have relatively few new players I can't see us doing better than 4th at best this season. Season after could be better once we have worked out who are failures/ the best team to play together/ they have time to get used to each other.

It's why I am a little worried after the preseason - not because they are important games to win in themselves, but I worry the players are not working together properly yet - we looked pretty rusty. That said, apparently Chelsea and Arsenal looked a bit rusty at the weekend too from what I heard?

[Flip Martian]

Most teams look rusty/uninterested pre season. I'm only really thinking about the first game. If we can avoid losing, that would be a start in the right direction. The longer our defence can go without shipping goals the better for confidence. While big changes were necessary, it will take a while for the new team to gel. So while I think we will probably have a decent season, I'm not too excited at the moment.

What we don't need is loads of posts calling for BR's head in the first few weeks if things take a while to get going.

[DSLiverpool]

Stoke have had a crap pre season - we've had a good one = oh dear

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Well not long to wait till the new season now.

What are peoples predictions for our first 6 games.

Heart says - Head says



Stoke v Liverpool - Win - Draw

Liverpool v Bournemouth - Win - Win

Arsenal v Liverpool - Loss - Loss

Liverpool v West Ham - Win - Draw

Man Utd v Liverpool - Loss/Draw - Loss

Liverpool v Norwich - Win - Win