Konate or Matip: Who should start next to Van Dijk for Liverpool?
We as Liverpool fans are not used to having proper squad depth. It might explain why we’re always so eager to pit players against one another and declare one the winner.
We did it with Kostas Tsimikas and Andrew Robertson earlier on in the season. Instead of marvelling at the fact we had left-back cover for a player many consider to be the best in the world in their position, there seemed to be an eagerness to declare Tsimikas was …
What is Jordan Henderson's best position for Liverpool?
It feels as though we have this conversation every other year. Jordan Henderson will play a different role and there will be a big debate with regards to whether the new position is actually the best one for him moving forward.
There will then be a fair bit of revisionism as people highlight their opinions from a few years back as if to say told you so.
We’re seeing it now. He came off of the bench against Inter to …
Under Pressure - Classical Tactical Battle & Superb Salah
It was another double header for the Under Pressure boys: the two-nil victory away at Inter Milan in the San Siro in the knockout stage of the Champions League, as well as the 3-1 win at home to Norwich in the Premier League.
While the Reds ended up winning in Italy in the first leg, it was the pressing that was a huge part of the match, with both sides vying for the chance to dominate, but no-one ever quite …
Observations: Liverpool 3-1 Norwich - What a difference a day makes
Liverpool came into the match safely in the top four, in the thick of three cup competitions and barely in the chase for the Premier League title. The nine point gap with a game in hand wasn’t insurmountable in any normal circumstance, but Manchester City is no normal opponent.
Klopp’s selection reflected that reality as he put out a heavily rotated team that looked more like a Carabao Cup side than one that the manager would put out in a …
How do the Reds win the Premier League after City slip?
If a week is a long time in football, then it is an eternity in the Premier League. Just ask Liverpool and even Manchester City fans, for that matter, after the Reds entered the week of their game against Norwich City potentially having to come to terms with a nine-point gap being opened up by the league leaders. What’s more, after 48 minutes against the Canaries, it may have even increased to 12 as Milot Rashica gave Dean Smith’s men …
The Value Of Squad Depth
I recall watching so many Rafa Benitez games when he was the Liverpool manager. The side would often times be very good, with enough elite players to make them a force within the Premier League and Europe. Despite the obvious Istanbul delight, that period is often tinged with what if’s and regrets, as to what could have been if Rafa had been given more.
Narrow margin games (even narrow margin seasons), often came down to a lack of depth halting …
Molby on the Spot: Optimistic Future, Gale Force Winds & Henderson's Worrying Form
Jan Molby was back with a podcast - hosted by Trev Downey - that included two matches, two wins and plenty to talk about. Topics included the mystifying nature of Diogo Jota, and how to label him as a player; the difficulty of playing conditions versus Burnley; Henderson's worrying drop in form; and the likelihood of settling the Champions League tie with Inter Milan in the first leg.
After praise for Jota, and the victories performance over Leicester City at …
Under Pressure: Fabiago, Perfect Pressing & Aggressive Defensive Lines
After a busy week where the Reds faced Rodgers' Leicester City side at Anfield, and travelled to Burnley to face the team propping up the Premier League, it meant a double header Under Pressure podcast. Gags returned to host and was joined by Dan Kennett, Dan Rhodes and Phil Barter. In a bumper edition there was plenty of detailed statistical analysis including the performance when Thiago and Fabinho start, the brilliant pressing versus the Foxes and the number of offsides …
Post-Match RAW: Superb Set Pieces & Sean Dyche's Face
During an incredibly busy period for the Reds, following the victory at home to Leicester, they had to travel to Turf Moor and play Sean Dyche's bottom-of-table Burnley.
Fabinho's fifth goal in recent weeks came just before half-time from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner, followed by Sadio Mane's flick on, and it was enough to secure maximum points. On Post-Match RAW, Trev, Dave and Hari reacted after the final whistle.
It was always going to be a tough challenge, and when …
The Henderson Dilemma
There was much annoyance in not replacing of Gini Wijnaldum this past summer. Yet as the season enters its final few months, the main worry is that of Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson. In a season where emerging midfield talents have come to the fore, there seems to be a dilemma heading towards Jordan Henderson‘s Liverpool career.
At 36 years old, James Milner is quite understandably dropping down the Anfield pecking order. At 31 years old, Jordan Henderson is now past …