Clinching first with 2 games left in what appeared to be a potentially tricky group is pretty amazing.
I think this the issue in the negotiation. Cameroon obviously wants to show out as the host nation (at least for now), so they are trying to use whatever leverage to get Matip back in the squad. Shady as hell.There's still that stupid stipulation that if Matip refuses to join Cameroon when called up that he'd be barred from playing EPL matches right?
I here what you are saying about VVD. On the play where the Palace winger rounded Allison and had a gaping net VVD kind of nonchalantly meandered back - not even trying to cut him off. It seemed very odd. It’s almost as if he has lost that gear and doesn’t want to be exposed by trying and failing.I'm more and more concerned about the stability of the back line.
Van Dijk is an absolute unit, but there's something off. I know I've talked about it in game threads and there might be a post in here as well, but he's missing the gear where he effortlessly outran anybody on the pitch. Palace was a defensive shitshow all around, but the concession was especially worrisome. It looked less like a miscommunication and more like VVD simply screwed up. Even not at his imperious best he's an incredible player, but adjustments need to be made. The high line becomes less effective and TAA/Robbo need to be leashed to some extent. It throws the entire side off.
That said, Alisson put on an absolutely stunning performance. The save that was called back for offside was one of the best you will ever see. It required reflexes, agility, and huge strength. His arm was extended and he managed to punch it up and over. Just incredible. In a more depressing timeline, that delayed flag leads to his elbow being dislocated for no reason. I hate that fucking rule.
Strong agree on the last paragraph. I’ll add that the decline of Bobby has put more pressure on the midfielders, usually Fab, who has to do more coverage and anticipation in the middle of the pitch. But so it goes. Bobby wasn’t going to be able to lead the league in sprints forever.I here what you are saying about VVD. On the play where the Palace winger rounded Allison and had a gaping net VVD kind of nonchalantly meandered back - not even trying to cut him off. It seemed very odd. It’s almost as if he has lost that gear and doesn’t want to be exposed by trying and failing.
Matip has looked out of sorts as well the last couple of games. It’s like the whole team has a case of Long Covid. Just really off.
The thing about the high line is it really depends on the midfield - and forwards to a lesser extent - pressuring the opposition so they can’t look up and pick the optimum pass. If they have time and space you are down to hoping the offside trap works. When you get that wrong you’re screwed.
If he can play, I think we’ll make it past those things. We certainly managed with the last Luis (Suarez) that we had.Do we want Luis Diaz? My memories of playing against him are that he’s a Diego Costa disciple. Lots of shithousing, lots of diving, lots of nipping at heels… Undeniably talented, but a guy I’d find impossible to root for. I hope I’m wrong.
I never really did. I called loudly (and offensively) for him to be permanently banned on more than one occasion. It's sort of like Brad Marchand- even when he's wearing my rooting laundry I still can't stand him.If he can play, I think we’ll make it past those things. We certainly managed with the last Luis (Suarez) that we had.
Given Klopp’s general dislike of this style of football you have to think it would be drummed out of him. A little feistiness is good.Do we want Luis Diaz? My memories of playing against him are that he’s a Diego Costa disciple. Lots of shithousing, lots of diving, lots of nipping at heels… Undeniably talented, but a guy I’d find impossible to root for. I hope I’m wrong.
As high up the pitch as Robbo and TAA play, it will be more of a 2-1-7!So , LFC have sent a team to Argentina to do the medical so it’s a matter of logistics at this point. £50m (add ons included) seems like good business. So what does this mean for the incumbents if Diaz impresses.
Diaz is a left sided inverted winger .. sounds like a perfect Mane replacement. One assumes Mane will be moved on in the summer. His contract’s up in 2023 (18 months left) so it’s either re-sign or sell. I don’t see LFC coughing up the necessary cash to get that done given a replacement is in-house. Selling Mane could completely fund this move.
It also makes Minamino and/or Origi redundant so one, if not both would be moving on. Although I’ve always had a suspicion Origi will retire a Red if he wants to.
As for the remainder of the season I’d expect lots of rotation. Or they could play a 4-1-5 which would be all kinds of fun.
Regarding Suarez, Luis … I didn’t particularly mind the exaggerated flopping and histrionics as they seemed to be a built in South American football cultural trait. He was an amazing offensive force with a stellar work rate. It was really the biting and racist stuff that really soured his image IMO.I’ve watched some Diaz videos and I remain very skeptical that Klopp and co will be able to unfuck this guy. Shithousery is just part of what makes him who he is. Even his highlight reels are filled with him going down without contact.
I hope I’m wrong and we all fall in love with the guy. I’m not much of a “score goals and all will be forgiven” type (See: Suarez, Luis).
I don’t separate the biting from the rest. It’s a natural extension of his other bullshit that given his overall lack of control.Regarding Suarez, Luis … I didn’t particularly mind the exaggerated flopping and histrionics as they seemed to be a built in South American football cultural trait. He was an amazing offensive force with a stellar work rate. It was really the biting and racist stuff that really soured his image IMO.
Mané and Salah go down easily, but not every single time they touch the ball. Mané can get chippy, but he isn’t a fake hard that will simulate contact one second and take a cheap shot at somebody’s ankles the next. That’s what Diaz is right now. Diego Costa, Otamendi, Richarlison… This kid is one of those.I mean Mane is no angel and Salah is usually good but caught a case of the dives a few seasons ago. I’m hoping he can cut it out and still be successful but pretty much every team has these types of guys
I think only foreign teams can sign him to a pre-contract although I could be wrong. LFC have to hope he’s still keen on signing in the summer. It was reported that LFC was offering £10m to get it over the line. It remains to be seen what caused the breakdown. One suspects that Fulham was holding out for max pounds and when LFC finally caved it was too late. If that’s the case it was a pretty dumb tactic .. theoretically costing Fulham millions of pounds. And for LFC for that matter, leaving open the possibility he signs elsewhere.Sounds like Carvalho broke down and didn't make it across the finish line - but that the door is open for him to sign a pre-contract and for Liverpool / Fulham to agree a fee to avoid a tribunal. Also sounds like the player wants to join LFC but who knows if the BVBs of the world come calling with bigger cash and more guaranteed minutes, given they are only subject to a £250k fee as a non-English club.
Worth noting that Elliott's tribunal fee was £4.3m, I'm assuming Carvalho's would be a shade north of that given his importance to this Fulham squad.
My working theory is that Fulham were ok with this falling apart because they bring LFC’s offer to the tribunal if & when Carvalho signs with another English team. But that does them fuckall if he signs with BVB & the club ends up with a flat £250k solidarity payment.I think only foreign teams can sign him to a pre-contract although I could be wrong. LFC have to hope he’s still keen on signing in the summer. It was reported that LFC was offering £10m to get it over the line. It remains to be seen what caused the breakdown. One suspects that Fulham was holding out for max pounds and when LFC finally caved it was too late. If that’s the case it was a pretty dumb tactic .. theoretically costing Fulham millions of pounds. And for LFC for that matter, leaving open the possibility he signs elsewhere.
I wish we could harness the energy from your burning Minamino hatred so we could end climate change.Elliot and Diaz look to be much better late-game goal chasers than Minamino and, sadly, Origi. The look of the team when they return to full strength will be drastically different and will require different thinking from opponents. Different combinations of Mane, Jota, Salah, Diaz, Elliot, Firmino, and Origi will require significantly different defensive approaches, giving Klopp some flexibility in choosing a weakness to exploit.
Minamino would be best served being shot into the sun. He’s not just a black hole- he brings down the players around him. He’s not truly awful in the press, but on the attack he can’t find his position. He consistently creates double teams for the other side by dragging his defender toward the ball. He breaks up attacks by avoiding space. It’s staggering how bad he’s been and how he’s been utterly unable to improve.
The entire squad acted like assholes during the tournament, from the Mo on down to the bench players and coaches. Queiroz seeming found advantage in constant douchbaggery as a tactic, and Egypt amped it up to 11 for the final. I’m very glad they weren’t rewarded with a win.I don't think Mo's behavior covered him in glory. In England he's fairly goofy, low-key, seemingly respectful, with the occasional dive. I don't know if it's the armband or an illustration of what AFCON meant to him, but he was far edgier and angrier. It's not fun seeing angry Mo Salah.