Joel Matip: The best partner for Virgil Van Dijk
We're four years into Joel Matip's Liverpool career and only now are we getting to see him finally fulfil his potential.
He arrived during the summer of 2016 and immediately had fans on his side purely by not being Martin Skrtel. For years prior, the Slovakian had been one of the mainstays in a leaky backline for the Reds.
Matip was not just seen as an upgrade but as a better fit in general. His first thought wasn't to retreat …
Fabinho: O Shithouse! My Shithouse!
It’s been a long, long time. Too long in fact.
Javier Mascherano was the last of the Liverpool midfielders that really liked to put the boot in, that engaged in the dark arts of utter sh*thousery, doing the dirty work to make his more electrifying counterparts sparkle.
Now, that mantle has been well and truly taken. Finally, a steely, hardened midfielder sits at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, his arms spread wide, commanding “Ye shall not pass.”
In actuality, it’s …
Has Klopp built a stronger back-up squad to the XI he inherited?
This summer's been a bit of a whirlwind, hasn't it? We've had the highs and lows of England's World Cup campaign, with ironic jeers of 'it's coming home' appearing more and more realistic as the Three Lions reached the semi-final. The dramatic use of VAR to keep pulses racing as modern technology enlarges its grip on football. The widespread appreciation of Jordan Henderson and his importance to the national side in Russia.
I could go on.
As far as the …
Kickstart for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the London Stadium
From 2007 until the last summer, Liverpool had no. 21 who divided opinion. A little-known Brazilian kid came from Gremio, the jeers from his own fans made him stronger, and when he left for Italy in the summer, the jeers turned into love.
No one has quite divided Liverpool fans' opinion in recent times like Lucas Leiva has, and the man who inherited Lucas's no. 21 jersey split opinion even before he kicked a ball wearing the famous red shirt.
…
A Look At Jurgen Klopp's Use Of Rotation This Season
The success of finishing inside the top 4 comes with the prestige of playing in Europe’s top competition - The Champions League – being in the competition means you are competing against the best and means better players have more of a chance of joining because you are partaking. The cons of being in the Champions League are the amount of extra games you must play in a season, many credit the lack of European competition as to why Chelsea …
Klopp and his substitutions - lacking impact from the bench?
The 1-1 draw against Burnley on Saturday saw Liverpool wrap up the most disappointing week of the season so far. The usual combination of a complete defensive meltdown - 3 of our 4 defenders should take blame for the Burnley goal, and missed chances led to two points dropped against a side that rarely wins away from their home. There is a lot to get frustrated about over the last three games. Bad luck against Manchester City followed by a …
Assessing Liverpool's Midfield For The Impending Season
Much has been made of Liverpool’s potential business this summer, particularly in the midfield department. While Jurgen Klopp has plenty of quality options to choose from, with his side achieving a top-four finish and subsequent return to the Champions League, a much busier fixture list will bring heavier demands.
That will put more pressure on his midfield options and could well see some additions over the next few months as a result. Should that be the case, what is it …
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, it signals the end of his Liverpool career. After ten years and 344 appearances, he’s finally relinquished the number 21 shirt for good.
Of …
The Rise and Fall of Rafa Benitez
With Lucas Leiva set to leave Liverpool FC for Lazio there will no longer by any players left at the club, who were managed by Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard is a beloved figure at Anfield but the state in which he left the club, even though not entirely his fault, has left a bitter taste in some supporters. The fans saw Benitez build a finely tuned football machine over 4 years only to see it fail to win any silverware and …
What makes a Liverpool legend?
It's an interesting question and one which, more than anything else, I'd just like to discuss with you readers.
If you're interested in sports other than football, over the past few weeks you may well have heard or seen some 'legendary' players, teams or performances: there was Mohamed Amir's bowling spell in the Champions Trophy Final against India, India's own Virat Kohli - an indisputable legend in the making - or maybe the New Zealand Rugby Union team, and its current …