Liverpool

The Jürgen Effect

Downing to Mané Poulsen to Keïta Carroll to Salah Above, are just three examples of how the type and profile of Liverpool FC's transfer targets have shifted under Jürgen Klopp in comparison to Hodgson and Dalglish, at the start of FSG's tenure. After several unsuccessful transfer windows which saw high spending, but minimal real gains in terms of...

10 Years Since Torres

July 4th will always have a place in Liverpool fan’s hearts. Back in 2007, Rafael Benitez smashed the club’s record transfer fee to bring Fernando Torres to Anfield for £20.2 million. During his three-and-a-half-year spell, Torres established himself as one of the best No.9’s the club had ever seen. Much like Bonny and Clyde, Batman...

Lucas Leiva: Retire The 21 Shirt

“People just don’t know just how good Lucas is” – Rafa Benitez, 2009. Well, I think this is it. He’s finally gone. On Sunday, Lazio tweeted a photo of Lucas Leiva holding one of their scarves and unless he bought it at the airport and just happened to have been spotted by the Roman club’s photographer,...

Will Klopp Trust Liverpool’s Youngsters to Deliver Next Season?

Having watched Klopp very closely over the past year and a half, it has become clear that there is one trait that he values above anything else and that's trust. A player can have all the ability in the world but if the German doesn't trust him to fit into his system and to...

Liverpool’s Ambition Must Match The Elite

I’ll say this at the outset. I’m in two minds about writing this. Back in April, fresh from the derby win at Anfield, I wrote about Ronald Koeman’s comments of satisfaction at the Blues’ performance and how they deserved better from their 3-1 defeat. I did all I could to follow his reasoning and wondered what...

Klopp’s Young Giants Pave Reds “Route-1”

Impact off the bench. Not since Ryan Babel nearly a decade ago have Liverpool had a reliable impact sub. For Jurgen Klopp it hasn’t been for a lack of trying.  During his first few months with Liverpool he made use of Benteke, Steven Caulker and even goalkeeper Shamal George as an auxiliary striker off the...

Naby Keïta: A Statistical Analysis

In my first profile of Naby Keïta, I looked at his personal qualities, attributes, and statistics, and then compared him to Gini Wijnaldum, the player who Keita would likely replace in the starting XI, should Liverpool persist with the staggered 4-3-3 system that was broadly successful during the 16-17 season. In this piece, however, I'll be...

Liverpool’s Best Transfer Window: 1987 or 1999?

If, like me, you are somewhat fatigued by the daily transfer window saga being played out across all platforms of media and need to take a step back from it all, here's something I hope will help. To escape the whole shenanigans and rollercoaster of arguments, discussions and debate as to whether or not...

Statistical Analysis: Is Liverpool’s Defence Really That Bad?

*The stats in this article are gathered manually from Squawka. Minutes include stoppage time. Offensive, Defensive and Net rating are the totals per 100 minutes.  It's silly season yet again. A lot has been made of Liverpool's transfer dealings and the Virgil van Dijk saga in particular. And while without a doubt the Dutchman will...

Are Klopp’s January Decisions Costing the Reds Millions in July?

If you want to make a Liverpool supporter sick to their stomach, ask them to think back to January.  It was not a fun month.  What was looking like a juggernaut of a team lost Mané to AFCON, Coutinho and Matip to injury and suddenly we were struggling against lower league competition. Klopp did what...