New Kids On The Block
I often try to avoid most pundits nowadays, as I struggle to make sense of the drivel spouted. I do sometimes enjoy the bluntness of Roy Keane and Graeme Souness, and the banter between Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville was initially entertaining. BT Sport is currently employing the worst group of analysts going, and their only contender for poor punditry is those on the BBC. I think Danny Murphy still kicks about talking nonsense, alongside a few others I just …
Julian Ward: A Window Of Uncertainty
I would be surprised if any Liverpool player had ever been labeled as for sale whilst under the watch of Jürgen Klopp. Often times a player likely to leave will be lauded for their importance, just prior to their sale. With a strong start to this summer transfer window, there are now more questions than answers regarding the Reds' business.
Sadio Mané is gone, Divock Origi is gone, and Takumi Minamino has also departed. So far, Darwin Núñez and Fábio …
Raheem, A No Brainer
In this period of Liverpool brilliance, the common notion within the reds fan base is that reinforcements are needed. Nearby rivals Manchester City will continue to be superb, and ways must be unearthed to keep pace. The sports washing (as Dave Hendrick calls it) Etihad team cannot be bullied financially, therefore an exceptional transfer strategy and coaching department has been required. Whereas City remain the more dominant of the two, it means that more outside of the box thinking is …
A Darwin Evolution
This week Darwin Núñez signed as a Liverpool player, in a deal that could eventually reach £85m. The guaranteed outlay is around the £63m mark (£20m upfront), and if the full fee is to be paid to Benfica, then that would be a mark of extreme success by the player. The cost is of course substantial, but then so is the player.
I’ve never really cared who cost this or that, only that the right tools were afforded to our …
Attacking Through the Middle
Throughout nearly the entirety of Liverpool’s recent domestic and European campaign, Jürgen Klopp’s team was faced with the low-block reality presented by opposition sides. I’ve written before about how elite sides such as Liverpool and Manchester City need to adapt their style of play in order to combat the all too common low-block. Weaker sides have mastered this strategy, and I spoke about how it was a challenge for innovative coaches to overcome.
Manchester City drew first blood this summer …
Mentality Monsters
Despite ending the footballing season on a very low note, the celebrated parade at least brought about some solace and joy for both fans and clubmen. The energy and optimism that went into last season was emphatic, and to walk away with the League & FA Cup must be seen as a good return. Disappointment shows just how far along we have traveled under Klopp, and that ride is far from over.
Liverpool now have a decisive summer ahead, with …
Observations: Liverpool lose the Champions League Final
I'm sure we all feel pretty terrible right now. Liverpool have been defeated in the Champions League Final 1-0 by Real Madrid. It was a good performance by the Reds, but a monumental game from Thibaut Courtois kept the many shots at bay, and so all it took was one chance from Vinicius Junior to sink the hopes of a seventh Champions League trophy. It's a disappointing end to a magnificent season. Even still, we can feel proud of the …
Au Revoir To The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers are notoriously a trio of sword wielding heroes, who use their different personas to swashbuckle themselves to victory. The idea is that their mantra of ‘all for one, and one for all’, is enough to see them overcome the most insurmountable of odds. This Sunday in France could well be a fitting finale to another group of three, as the Reds begin their final preparations to Saturday’s match against Real Madrid.
In a Jurgen Klopp reign that …
Rage Against The Machine
Revenge is a dish best served cold, supposedly. Well this Saturday evening represents an opportunity for this Liverpool side to take out their obvious frustrations on Real Madrid, who await them in this season’s Champions League Final. The last final meeting was devastating, and memories clearly still linger with key members of the Reds' squad.
Throughout the entirety of last weekend's final league game, I did everything I could to avoid actually sitting and watching the match. With the eventual …
Observations: Endings, and Beginnings
This Liverpool team have put absolutely everything this season. They've gone again, and again, and again. In recent weeks their tiredness has been showing, but they have persevered, never allowing themselves to be beaten. It was the same today, against Wolves. Despite yet another bad start, with a simple goal-kick misjudged and a goal down inside 5 minutes, the Reds ground their opponent down to win 3-1, courtesy of goals from Mane, Salah and Robertson. But when Salah's winner went …