Real Madrid

Alternatives to Virgil van Dijk – Part 2

In Part 1, I analysed why Benedikt Höwedes of FC Schalke 04 should rank highly on Liverpool’s list of alternative centre-backs to Virgil van Dijk. Before reading this Part 2 article, please also see Part 1 for an overview of Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses and the profile of centre-back needed for Klopp’s current style and...

The Shadow of Steven Gerrard

Two seasons on from Steven Gerrard's last competitive game for Liverpool, and the iconic number 8 shirt remains unoccupied. For Liverpool fans, the number 8 shirt retains an almost religious significance. Steven Gerrard was not just the captain of Liverpool: for years he was a symbol of hope. He embodied, represented, and understood the club...

Liverpool Must Avoid Repeat Of 2002/03 Finale

Liverpool have been famed for some fairly spectacular disappointments over the years, especially since the Premier League era got underway. The end of the 2002/03 season was one of the Reds’ most disastrous conclusions to a campaign, and it actually altered English football forever in the process. With two matches remaining, Liverpool remained right in the...

Klopp Says The Reds Will Get What They Deserve

With exam season almost upon us, I was reminded of an old teacher of mine who, when presented with a sea of anxious faces, used to say, "pressure is for tyres, lads." Now, plainly, he wasn't the most insightful or sensitive of gents, and no doubt he felt as though he was imparting something of...

Carragher, Neville And The Cult Of The Pundit

Regular visitors to these paragraphs will know that profound analytical breakdowns of systems and tactics are anathema to this columnist. It's not that I don't appreciate the folk who do that sort of thing, you understand. They provide us all with a valuable service, bless 'em. How many times have you drunkenly thrown out...

Solving LFC’s Number Six Position and Four Perfect Transfer Targets

In this article: Understanding the Dutch 'number six’ midfield position & specialist roles today The Liverpool history of Jordan Henderson Liverpool’s attacking & defensive failures and how to resolve them The perfect transfer targets for 2017/18 Understanding the Dutch 'number six’ midfield position & specialist roles today On face value, Jordan Henderson...

Liverpool Must Create A Shakespearean Tragedy

You all know the predictable narrative for Monday night. Your world-weary mates and naysaying Twitter gurus have already told you what will happen. Leicester City, following their remarkably cynical decision to axe Claudio Ranieri, will benefit from the 'new boss bounce,' or at least some sort of 'caretaker convalescence,' as the delightfully monikered Craig...

Chinese Investment – An opportunity too good to miss for LFC?

Back in December of 2015, Manchester City announced that CFC, a Chinese group had purchased a 13% stake in MCFC for £265m. This marked the point at which Manchester City had truly become a rival to Manchester United in financial terms. How is this relevant to Liverpool? We need only cast our minds back...

FSG Tying Klopp Down Is A Statement Of Intent

Liverpool Football Club, once a European powerhouse, found itself out of depth when they resurfaced in the Champions League two seasons ago, facing Real Madrid in the group stage, eventually failing to secure a spot in the knockout stages. The past six or so years, bar a magnificent 13/14 campaign, was a period to forget...

Liverpool Transfers: It’s Not About The Money, Money, Money

Mohammed Salah, Alexis Sanchez, Willian, Clint Dempsey, Diego Costa, Memphis Depay, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alex Teixeira, Ousmane Dembele. Different nationalities, positions on the field, huge talent / big names, and plenty of contrasts to one another. But among all these names, there is one common denominator. Liverpool’s failed transfers. Salah, Diego Costa, and Willian eventually went...